Oldsmobile 455 data

Introduction

The Oldsmobile 455 engine was built in the USA between 1968 to 1976, and produced power outputs between 210 to 400 BHP and was used in everything from Saloon Cars to Muscle cars. The 455 is known as a very forgiving and long-lasting engine, not to mention being powerful. Spare parts are still readily available for this engine, especially in the States. There are a number of companies in the UK who can supply parts off the shelf.

Sources of Information

• A simple web search can provide lots of useful information. Some good sites are: [1] and [2]
• The Haynes Manual, Number 19025 "Buick, Olds, Pontiac Full Sized RWD models from 1970 to 1990" covers this engine. The club has a copy - should be on the bookshelf in the clubhouse.
• Ultimate American V-eight engine data book, 1949-1974, Books 1949-1974 By Peter C. Sessler. Available new and used on Amazon, but the text appears FOC in full online here on google books! Has information about all American V8 engines, a bit of background, etc, but - most usefully - how to identify and date an engine. Has block, head and manifold castings number information - an invaluable book when buying a replacement V8 engine. Also gives power and torque output data.

SSS's Oldsmobile 455 Engine

The Oldsmobile 455 engine is what Tost specified and supplied with the original winch. The 455 engine that is in the Skybrid winch came to the club in the "Bus Winch" It proved to be powerful and gave good launches, but the crankshaft broke. It was removed from the winch, and once rebuilt with a new crank, was installed into the "Green Winch" (the Tost winch that was painted green and mounted on the back of an Albion Reiver lorry. In late 2007 the winch was removed from the lorry and sent to Skylaunch for conversion)

With data taken from websites and the Ultimate American V8 Book the engine has been identified and its year of manufacture found. More here on Identifying 455 Engine
SSS's Oldsmobile 455 engine's bottom end has been identified as being from an Oldsmobile 455 engine, built in 1970 at the Lansing plant.It doesn't appear to have any of the features that would identify it as being from a Toronado (a front wheel drive car) so its likely its from one of the standard Oldsmobile RWD cars, such as a Cutlass Supreme, 442, Delta 88. It'll have one of two compression ratios: 9:1 (320BHP @ 4200RPM and 500lbft @3200RPM) or 10.5:1 (365BHP @ 5000RPM and 500lbft @ 3200RPM).

• The cylinder heads have a casting number of 411 873 on them, and the letter J. According to the "Ultimate American V8 engine data book", this means that the heads have come from a 1973-76 455 engine.
• Engine number (found at the front LHS of the engine block, just under the head-block interface, is 30M106536
• The block casting number is found at the front top of the block just behind the water pump, to the right of the oil pressure sender unit. On this engine its 396021F - This casting number was used between 1968 and 1972 and is the most common big block type for the Olds 455 engine.
• So, it looks like we have the bottom end of a 1970 engine, and 1973-1976 cylinder heads.

Spare parts

• Oil filters are available from local parts factors (e.g Motorists Discount Centre, Newbury 01635 42015) But don't confuse the people by asking for a filter for an Olds 455 - simply ask for the filter by part number: Fram (the manufacturer's name) PH25 (the part number)(about £11) or alternative, Fram PH3429. (Other info I have suggests the following makes/model numbers of filters will work: AC PF45, Motorcraft FL-331, Purolator L20123)
• oil filter is becoming difficult to source locally - suggest EBay (CB 10/14)
• Air filter is Purolator A50091 (o/d 305 mm, i/d 249 mm, depth 88 mm) alt Fram CA326
• I have ordered parts from USautomotive (01234 273155). They're very helpful and have the parts in stock, or can get them quickly.
• American Autoparts (01737 780888) are also very helpful and have most parts in stock. Example of prices: Head gasket set £81, Distributor Cap £16, Rotor Arm £4, Condensor £4, Coil £28
• Rodley Motors 01274 688968 also very good.

Propane Gas Conversion

See the Propane Gas Conversion page for details