Picked up a 455...

[xxkozxx]

I haven't updated in a while. Life seems to always take over when I want time to work on my project.

Anyway, I found a 1970 455 that came out of a Delta 88. It has E heads and there is an F2 mark on the back behind the flywheel. What is the F2 mean?

The guy had it sitting in his yard. 150 bucks. I think I got a pretty good deal on it.

Here are some pics. It needs some serious TLC but I think the block and heads are going to go great in my 77 442.

Will the TH350 work behind this beast or should I look for a 400?

[zodiacblueS]

I relate to your life getting in the way of your project. I think we all struggle with that one.
The casting # 396021 was used on BBs from 1968 'til 1976. The shape of the F behind the casting # (with serifs, the little lines or tails at the end of the letter) clarify yours as being a block cast from 1970 til 1972, which jives with the Delta 88 source. Can't help with the F2, but those E heads flow as good as any, according to what I've read. Good luck with the swap.

[mdkingsley]

Great find.

[MrRocket]

I believe the F2 letter and number is "supposed" to indicate how much nickel is in the block. That has never been verified, so it's not a fact. That is what I have always heard, the lower the number the higher the nickel content.

[texxas8902]

I pay $150 for that. What did the guy do? :confused: Move it around his yard rolling it like a rock? That thing has took a beating.

[zodiacblue442]

The F numbers on the back of the block indicate the "series" of the engine (F2, F4, F6) etc. I don't know what difference it makes other than the lower F numbers indicate an earlier engine block. Not sure what F numbers correspond to what years specifically.

About your engine in particular, it's most likely a low compression low performance 455. You indicated it is out of a Delta 88. Do you know for sure? Higher performance 455's with 2bbl carbs. were available in a Cutlass SX. Others in the Cutlass line used 4 bbl carbs. Going by the assumption it's out of a Delta, obviously it's a 2 bbl carb, and would have lower performance than the ones in Cutlass, 442, and Toronado. This is mostly because of camshaft and the cylinder heads are "small valve" not "big valve", and compression ratio may be lower. Still it's a 455 and is a very good engine. As David mentioned, it is a little rough. My biggest concern would be if water ever got inside the engine. If that happens, the rings on the pistons can rust TIGHT to the cylinder walls based on whichever valves are open and can be a huge headache to remove. Also rust can pit the cyliner walls and crankshaft to the point the block and the crank are unusable. If it's not rusty inside, you scored and have a good builder engine. If it is rusty inside, hope that it's minimal and you can have the block bored and crank turned.

As far as a TH-350 behind a 455, usually it's not recommended and you should get a TH-400. Oldsmobile didn't put TH-350's behind 455's because they were concerned they were a little too light duty and wouldn't hold up over the long term. That said, my brother had a TH-350 behind a stock 455 in his 77 442 for about 10,000 miles and never had an ounce of trouble. Unfortunately the car was totalled in a serious accident so the car got parted out. If you plan to do some... uh, shall we say "spirited" driving, get a TH-400. If you are just going to drive the car easy as a collector car or cruiser, the TH-350 will probably be OK as long as the 455 is built stock.

Have fun with your project.

[xxkozxx]

Thanks for the replies and info. I was a little worried that it was sitting outside too. The block is still painted and they at least had enough sense to cover the top of the carb. I do believe it's a lower compression block as it's a stock two barrel carb but I really won't know until I get the heads off and check the valves. I'm looking at boring it and getting some Keith black pistons and completely replacing the valve train with a roller setup. I want a street rod that I can run the track with if I want to. This thing needs some help but I think it's well worth what I paid. Even if I run into problems tearing it down.

Thanks for the tips zodiac...definitely will help me out

[Atownsend]

I too can relate to life and projects interrupting "the important" project. Since the weather has turned warm, home improvement/repair projects have kept me from working on my car. I finally dropped the over hauled 455, punched over to 460, KB pistons, Lunati blu voodoo cam, balanced, w/ GA heads with a frest grind on seats, new valves, seats, rockers, springs.... Now to just get the core support back in once I have the accessories bolted up...

I found a pair of 455's in nebraska just over a year ago, bought them off a guy for $330, complete cores. One from a big car as it has 2 barrell carb and the other had a quad carb, but with the exhaust manifold from a toranado I think...

If anyone is looking for a 455 to over haul, I am thinking of getting rid of the one I didn't use.

[Atownsend]

I had my TH350 that was behind the stock 350 olds gone through completely and beefed up with a few more clutch plates. The transmission guy didn't think it would be a problem once he went through it and "beefed it up," my 455 isn't stock, should take it. Obviously I won't be drag racing the car either...