opinions on block wanted

[tardis454]

There's a block in your area for $200

" early 1970's 455 olds block , good rebuildable block , still has crank , call (502) 938-1039 "

http://louisville.craigslist.org/pts/3100865943.html


Complete 403 motor for $295

"out of a Trans Am 502-637-2010"

http://louisville.craigslist.org/pts/3102378874.html

I checked the locator, there's a handful of complete 455 cores starting at $450 + freight..

[Beagle]

I'd hold out for a 455 - 50.00 ain't bad but that little guy sure looks like it has been sitting in the weather. May or may not be able to save the bores, probably got full of water at one point or another and I'd be worried about cracks from freezing with said water in it.

455's from 70's jet boats are still out there. There must have been a billion Taylor's with them, to get swapped out later for a BBC. I picked one up for 150.00 many years ago for a Panther jet.

I did a searchtempest.com search for 455 olds and came up with this one for 200.00:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/3126125614.html



seems pretty complete - pull a head, pull the pan, have a look... They're still out there... I'd see about renting a bore-o-scope or buying one from Harbor freight to look into the cylinders if you don't feel like pulling a head.

[skullbucket]

I had a jet boat engine in my car. It was a 72 model with Ka ramair heads, the engines vin and the boats matched.

[anotheridiot]

main thing is it still has the plugs in, so unless the head gasket is blown there is little chance too much water got in the heads, just whichever exhaust valves are open since it has no exhaust manifold on them.

[older guy]

Just remember that jet boat blocks are usually containing a lot of silt that was sucked up by the jet. It is hard to remove after sitting for a long period of time and also caused a high degree of internal waterjacket rusting so be careful of the boat blocks.

Doug

[Orange65]

I ran Olds for about 10 years. I would pass on that engine you have shown. A year and a half ago, I would have given you a 455- but they are all gone now. Look for a 455 or 425- they can still be found. 455's create a lot of torque.

I have a 307 that I traded for that supposedly came out of a early 80's Hurst/Olds if you want it. I have never cranked it. I traded a carb for it but you can have it if you want to travel to the middle of Alabama for it. I may also still have a set of J heads there as well. PM me if you are interested.

[skullbucket]

I have a 307 that I traded for that supposedly came out of a early 80's Hurst/Olds if you want it. I have never cranked it. I traded a carb for it but you can have it if you want to travel to the middle of Alabama for it. I may also still have a set of J heads there as well. PM me if you are interested.

"J" heads and a 307, wow thats like handing someone a slippery rope thats hanging off a cliff!

[68scott385]

I'm trying to replace the 307/7 combo in my wagon. The torque capabilities of the 455 is why I want one. The car will be a family ride but I want it to be enjoyable too.

I found a 350 in a 68-72 Cutlass yesterday. I'm not going to pursue it, I just know where it's at, and it probably won't go anywhere soon judging where I found it.

There are at least two pull-it-yourself yards close, I just haven't been able to go do the searching.

I'm not opposed to a roadtrip to get one as long as it's worth the effort.

Then there's the swap in a Chevy option that would be easier since I already have three spares, but I'm trying to keep it stock looking.

Thanks for the replies!

[R442]

What is the motor going into? The 350 mentioned above is a good motor and would be a direct replacement for the 307, it's also much better than a 403. If you have the room for a 455 I would wait for a decent one to come around. They are harder to find but at the same time the market for them is smaller. We just came across an Olds 455 that was rebuilt and left sitting in a garage for $500. The insides look pretty good but we are going to tear it apart and go through it anyway just to make sure. Most of the 455's in my area go between $250-500 for a rebuildable long block to $1,600 and up for a good runner. Bill's book is very good but he is into building horse power and he is pretty hard on some of the factory parts. Most of the big blocks can make decent power (300-350hp)pretty easy but it will cost a little more. Anything over 400hp and it starts to get real expensive.

Good luck in your hunt.

[68scott385]

Recipient is an 88 Caprice wagon. I plan on going through anything I get even if I hear it run first. I don't want to put it in and pull it agian in a few months.

There are several on eBay that I feel are overpriced.