How much horsepower can you get out of an Olds 455?

As was common practice at the time, Oldsmobile manufactured a number of 455 variants, altering compression ratios, piston designs, and intakes depending on which application the motor was used for. Factory horsepower ratings ranged from 310 all the way up to 400 ponies, with 500 lb-ft the most common torque figure.

How do I identify an old 455?

The numbers cast on the lower left corner of the engine block — or on the cylinder head — indicate the year the engine was manufactured. The casting numbers for a 455 include 395021F, 396021Fa and 231788L.

How much horsepower does a stock Oldsmobile 455 have?

365 hp
Its 455-cu.in. engine, which was introduced in 1968 and featured in the Hurst Olds, Toronado and full-size models, became the standard 4-4-2 powerplant, rated at 365 hp.

Is a Olds 455 a big block?

The 455 big block Olds V8 was replaced in 1977 with the 403 cu in (6.6 L) small block, which used a 4.351 in (110.5 mm) bore, the largest ever used in a small-block V8, with the Olds small-block standard deck and 3.385 in (86.0 mm) stroke.

How many liters is a 455 engine?

7.5 L
Displacement began at 287-cubic-inch (4.7 L) and grew as large as 455-cubic-inch (7.5 L) by 1970. Pontiac continued to manufacture its own engines, distinct from Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, or Oldsmobile, until 1981.

How do I identify my Oldsmobile engine block?

Facing the front of the engine, at the top surface of the timing chain area, to the left of the oil fill tube, there is a code about 1.5″ high followed by the casting number. A letter indicates a big block, a number indicates a small block.

How do I identify Oldsmobile heads?

The Oldsmobile factory-production small-block cylinder heads are identified by a number cast into the front lower portion of the head next to the number-1 and number-8 cylinders. The oldest castings have a lower number and the latest production castings have a higher number.

What is the most powerful Oldsmobile engine?

The standard 1965-1967 425 cu in (7.0 L) was called the Super Rocket, and was the most powerful engine option for the Oldsmobile 88 and 98 of 1965-1967. Compression ratios of 9.0:1 at 310 hp (230 kW) or 10.25:1 at 360 hp (270 kW) were available in the U.S.

Is a Buick 455 a big block?

Buick big block. Buick introduced a “big block” V8 in 1967 to replace the largest displacement nailheads. It retained a 4.75 in (120.7 mm) cylinder bore spacing, and was produced in three displacements, 400, 430, and 455, through 1976.

Did Oldsmobile make a 455 engine?

The Oldsmobile 455 Version In 1968 the engine found its way into Oldsmobile’s premium luxury muscle car, the 442. They called it the Rocket 455 which became an excellent marketing tool. They based the engine off of the 425 CID found in the 1967 Toronado.

Is the Oldsmobile 455 a small block engine?

For this reason, you often find an Oldsmobile 455 under the hood of a 1975 or later Buick model. In 1966 Pontiac really didn’t have a small block engine. In an effort to keep things simple Pontiac designed all their V-8 engines around the same casting.

What are the casting letters on an Oldsmobile 455?

The 455 was a high output engine until the state emission laws took effect in 1975 causing Oldsmobile build a low compression 455 with small valve “J” casting letter smog heads. For this reason, the “J” head is not recomended for performance BB Olds engines. BB Olds head casting letters are “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”, “F”, “G”, “Ga”, AND “Ka”.

What was the J head on an Oldsmobile 455?

What are the warranties on the Olds 455?

manufacturers warranties. The 455 is a very forgiving and long-lasting engine. To eek out more HP you can go with higher compression, which will prevent pump gas usage (highest stock 455 comp. was 10.5:1). To achieve this, use flat top pistons (butterfly cut), milling heads, and decking the