76 455 build

[Atownsend]

I have a 76 cutlass 442 and just bought a complete olds 455 engine. The numbers on the quadrajet indicate it is a 76 year engine, probably from a delta or 98 model big boat. The engine was in friends project car he had just bought.

I am looking to over haul the engine, to make the car a good street pounder. I have found a pair of 455 C heads, with casting # 394 548.
Would these be h/o w30 heads? If not how does one tell?
I have a Edlebrock performer RPM intake on my olds 350 now, will that work on the olds 455 with edlebrock or olds heads?
My brother tells me I would be better off with some Edlebrock 455 al heads.
I am wanting to make 10.5 to 1 compression, run pump gas 89/90 octane. I am planning on balancing and blue printing, having new cam bearins put in, honing to make sure the cam and crank bearins are straight, the deck flattened, cylinder walls honed if need be. Going to try to avoid over bore... Overbored the current 350 to a 360 and it has ran hot ever since.

Any suggestions on cast heads and the markings I should look for to indicate w30 big valve heads. Or if Edlebrock is the way to go.

Thanks

[texxas8902]

If your C heads are W-30 they could only be 67 W-30 heads. 68 and 69 W-30 used D heads. The chances they are W -30 is pretty slim, how would you know and is there any difference in the W-30 and a manual trans 442 C head? C heads were used on most big block engines from 67 to 69. All 67 442 (including W-30), 1968-69 442, 1969 W-32, and Toronado use 2.07" intake and 1.62" exhaust valves. Some 442 with automatic transmissions, Turnpike cruiser option, and low performance engines use a 2.00" intake valve.
The casting numbers 394548 are the same for all C heads. I'd say measure the intake valves to see which heads you have. I understand the heads with the smaller valves can be made to fit the 2.07" intake valves.
I got my C heads pretty cheap from a 68 442(2.07" intake valve) but by the time I finish the machine work I'll have a good penney invested in them but still not as much as the Edelbrock heads cost.
Hope this helps.

[texxas8902]

Oh yeah I don't think the 350 intake will fit the 455 either.

[mdkingsley]

The cast c heads are prob. the best of the olds heads unless you can get a set of D heads but they are so rare and rare equals expensive. The edelbrock heads would be a better choice for performance if your wallet can afford them you can run a higher compression without detonation worries, plus they flow better out of the box than the C heads. If you really want performance go with bulldog heads from Dick Miller Racing Hernando Ms. they outperform the edelbrocks, but cost more. Small Block (350,403,307) intakes will not work on the big block (455,400,425) the deck is much wider. Good luck.

Mitchell

[W451973]

Avoid wasting money on the Edelbrocks. If you have the C heads already, use them. C`s flow the best for STOCK but since noone leaves them that way, avoid spending big money for them. B`s, E`s, G`s and Ga`s will ALL perform the same once they have been worked. You don`t need to buy aftermarket heads unless you plan to race all the time. You can get into the 11`s with modified factory castings. Your RPM intake won`t fit, but if it`s in good shape, I`ll swap you a Torker and you pay the shipping both ways.

[Atownsend]

Thank you guys for the good advice. Will look for a new intake. I have looked into edlebrock heads, $1400 I think for a pair... Have to keep an eye out for the c's. But like some of you said, the machine work can add up to the edlebrock cost, depending on the machine shop.

Considering Keith black pistons for 10.5 to 1 or up to 11 to 1.

Don't plan on racing the car, other than between the stop lights. Perhaps against my brother's 67 buick Riviera with the 430 big block.