455 Questions!!

[BadBird67]

Hello everyone!!

I'm new to this board, but certainly not knew to car forums. Anyway, I'm trying to get as much input as possible, as Olds' motors are somewhat "uncharted waters" with me.

Anyway, here's the low-down. My current project car is a 67 Pontiac FireChicken. She has a 326 in her currently (yes, a 326). Anyway, I have been looking to get a hold of a Pontiac 455 to stuff into her, specially since it would bolt right in. Anyway, this past weekend, while up in the Finger Lakes for the 4th of July, I stumbled across someone selling a complete 455 motor. I was a bit wary when getting it, that it in fact might be an Olds 455 not Pontiac, but being that the motor was a STEAL it took her home, and she now sits in my garage. Anyway, she is an Olds 455 (396021Fa), which after some research tells me, that she is a pretty common 455 block, but pretty excellent for building some horsepower with. I have run into, and heard good things about Mondello, so I think I will go with them, for at least heads, but my biggest concern is this. Will an Oldsmobile 455 fit into a 67 FireChicken/Camaro?? I imagine that there's not much difference between it, and the Pontiac 455?? My 2nd question is, will it bolt up to an old PowerGlide tranny?? I have a 2 speed PowerGlide in the 'Bird right now, and I'd like to keep it, as old PowerGlide's can handle some serious power, and the 2 speed currently shifts out of 1st gear at about 60mph!!

Anyway, sorry to make this so long and drawn out, but I'm curious. I want my 'Bird to be different. I want when I pop the hood to hear a remark behind me of "what the hell kind of motor is stuffed in there??"

Any help or insight would be GREATLY appreciated. THANK YOU!!

[BleedDodge]

I guess that's a Rocket engine?

[TweakedGM]

if you plan to sell it take it back to stock with the 326 in it

[BadBird67]

No, I'm not selling this car anytime soon. I want to build into a street-warrior. I've decided to not go with the Olds 455, but to take the 326 and bore it out to a true 400, and build with that. So if anybody knows someone that needs an Olds 455, let me know.

[jc83]

transmissions from olds,buick and pontiac are interchangable. chevys have something different going on maybe the starter location..but check around other websites to see how well your 2 spd will match and work with the torque master 455..i wonder if that combo will go boom.

[Drop Top]

For goodness sakes....I would not send Mondello any of my hard earned money without doing some research. One can by the same products for much less from any other Oldsmobile supplier. I would also check out some other Oldsmobile specific web sites and do some research before throwing money at the motor. Browse through Real Olds Power, there are many regulars there that know Olds. Talk to people and get opinions before spending a dime. Figure out what your goals are for the car and have a plan before ordering anything. There are several new head offerings recently released for Olds. Mondello mostly repackages Edelbrock heads and charges you more for ordering through him. Congratulations on the Olds 455. I think you will be pleased with the motor, if you have a plan and follow it.

[wedgemotor]

Good choice BadBird67 on deciding not to go with the 455 Olds. Not because it wouldn't be a good idea, but because you will have problems making it fit.

[BuddyB]

BadBird67:

I recently bought a 1969 Oldsmobile 442 with a 455 engine. It's cast number is 396021Fa. I understand this number was used for 1972-76 engines. Here's more block info:

CFO 394 246 201

C 15 GM

Can you help me determine the year, etc. of this engine?

Thanks much.

Buddy

[Mines69Olds]

I think you are making the right choice as well. But I don't think you can bore it to a 400. The bore of the 400 4.12 and the 326 is 3.72 with both having the same stroke.Thats about 4 hundredths over while most people stick with 30 thousandths. Since the motor may not have that many aftermarket parts, then try to find out it they 326 and the 327 have interchangeable parts. The 327 is a hell of a motor and if you could combined some of the aftermarket parts for that you may have it made. They can easily get 400+ hp. Oh yea what type of heads does that olds 455 have?

[jc83]

what year 455 motor???--im not sure on how to date the block itself but the lettered heads may give you insight...like i have a 71 or 72 455 that had "Ja" on the heads plus i seem to recall that the desired "C" heads were on the 1970 motors...there are plenty of olds sites on the web that will fill you in on the finer details...the "Ja" heads are crap heads meant for low compression poor airflow etc...note mondello is expensive i think edelbock or some other head makers offer aluminum heads for cheaper...note 2 -73 350 motors came with flat top pistons but bigger volume heads.71 and 72 had dished out pistons but small chamber heads..figures i have a 71 so i have to change out pistons to get higher compression...my point is that maybe they also did the same to the 455 in 1973 and after...hope it helps....merry christmas.... not happy holidays!