Olds 455 id

[inwo]

Picked up a 1972 Tahiti with 390 hp Hardin valve covers.
Marine fuel pump. Points distributor looks automotive. Carb has choke with tube to exhaust crossover. So it's hard to tell whats original marine.
Any way to id the block/heads or any easy way to check cam. Doesn't have to be exact, just enough to see what it is.

[DelawareDave]

http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofind.htm#Index

[SmokinLowriderSS]

Only way I know of to check the cam is gonna involve a lot of wrenches and a dial indicator and degree wheel, or even more wrenches.:D

[DelawareDave]

Only way I know of to check the cam is gonna involve a lot of wrenches and a dial indicator and degree wheel, or even more wrenches.:D
Unless you get VERY lucky, and there is a brand/model number stamped on the end!

[Jim Brock]

if the heads are orig. marine, the will have a large ( K ) letter on them

[inwo]

Looks like the original motor. :)
VIN L2E. L for marine, 2 for 1972.
Ga heads are 1972 also.

[Jetaholic]

if the heads are orig. marine, the will have a large ( K ) letter on them
Those would be the Ka heads correct?

[SmokinLowriderSS]

Unless you get VERY lucky, and there is a brand/model number stamped on the end!
True, and that would be VERY VERY lucky. :eek: :D :D

[SmokinLowriderSS]

A small ammount of Head Info I found:
Ga '72 455 80 409100 W-30's. Hardly any, if any at all,
were big-valve units.
Ga 409100 [same number as G head] 80cc 2.000, 2.072" 1.685"
1972 455's, including W-30. Valves almost universally 2.000 and 1.625", even 442's had small intakes, if auto trans models. Even the Toronados were relegated to small intake valves this year. Only 442's with W-30 or MT had the larger 2.072" intakes. No way to tell valve size without measuring a valve. Strange combinations of exhaust valve sizes and angles, depending on application. Exhaust valve with a unique 1.685" diameter and 30 degree face. All Ga heads use valve rotators on all valves, therefore have all deep spring seats. Hard exhaust seats.
There were apparently 2 "K" heads, K & Ka.
K** 455 80 413191
Ka** '73 - '76 455 80 413191 Marine, irrigation, W-30/Toro
replacement head. Most were big
valve units.
** While not quite as rare as the other heads, they are generally big valve units.
*K, Ka 413191 80cc 2.072" 1.625"
1973-76 factory W-30/ Marine/ Irrigation head replacement unit. Rumored to have possibly been supplied as original equipment on some '72 W-30's. Accepted by the NHRA as a stock W-30 head. Large valves, 2.072 and 1.625". Big 80cc chambers which yields poor compression figures, but so are the C's, etc. unless you shave them. Rumored to flow not quite so well as C's [source: Mondello]. Valve rotators on all valves, therefore deep spring seats, allowing either rotator retainers or very stiff springs. Hardened exhaust seats. Exhaust heat crossover is NOT blocked off. Not quite so rare or expensive as the other 'exotics' (F, H's). Also said to be found in 1973-1974 standard shift big blocks found in Cutlass'.
Hard to find Olds info, here's a link for anyone who is intrerested:
Classicoldsmobile.com (http://www.classicoldsmobile.com/tech/43.shtml)
Also, To be absolutely sure, the last 3 digits of this 6-digit casting number are also repeated on the underside of the head, near the intake ports. Don't pay $1000 for 'F' heads with the number '686' on the underside ('E' heads with part of the 'E' ground off)! Look closely for grinding marks, and globs of paint that try to hide any alteration.
Block ID:
Look for the casting number and letter on the horizontal shelf right behind the water pump, just to the [driver's] right of the oil pressure sensor. The casting numbers are usually about ¾" - 1" tall, and the ID/Code is usually a bit larger, a little over an inch, and covered with schmutz.
F '68 - '72 455 396021 Most common big block. Two types of "F"
letters: stick type, and one with two vertical
hangers and a base.
Fa '72 - '76 455 396021 Very common big block.
Don't play in the schmutz. :eek: :eek: :eek: :D

[SmokinLowriderSS]

Here's a set of '72 factory cam specs, maybe a starting point. I found a factory cam in my Indmar 454 when I upgraded it.
1972 400084 36 250/264 .400/.400 350 L34, 350 AT L32, 33 All
400117 44 258/272 .435/.435 455 All 4BC AT, Marine LC
402486 48 262/274 .440/.440 350 F-85 4BC ST (L34), Marine
409691 61 286/287 .474/.472 455 L75 ST,L77 AT, Marine HC
409759 68 294/296 .472/.472 455 F-85, 455 ST OAI (W-30)
The "L" block, a maybe, find the casting ## for certainty.
L '76 455 231788 Motorhome, maybe marine also. GM made motorhomes
from '73-8, maybe in all?
Hope some of this was helpful. :)

[DelawareDave]

My 75 Sleekcraft had a 74 production year engine. L4E with KA heads. Boat may have been early 75, or engine was leftover 74. It also has a short brass oil filler tube with what looks like a drain plug in it. It is original to the engine.

[inwo]

I'm really confused now! :)
What I'd like to know is if there is any chance that this is the original 390 hp hardin marine motor from 1972?
All other 455 jet boats that old, have been passed around, abused, blown, and had a 100,000 m car motor thrown in.
Stamped on block is L2E then under that 6187D. Sloppy stamping, like the link stated for marine blocks. The 2 is for 1972?
The heads are big G little a. Also 1972 vintage, from the link.
Somewhere in the link, I believe it stated "any head can have big valves" although I don't know that big valves are needed for it to be the hardin motor.
Started right up and idles smooth after sitting 15 years. I guess the test will be running it on the Berkeley dyno in the spring. :)

[inwo]

ps.
A few more clues.
Dist is gm with shield over points. Vac advance to manifold vacuum. Any way to tell if it's marine? I'd guess its not!
QJ carb has choke, and tube run down into crossover on cast iron intake. This may not mean much. Believe my Sidwinder in 71 was the same. (but 330 hp packajet).
Starter and fuel pump seem to be original and "marine".
Looks not to be repainted (black). Wiring looks original.

[DelawareDave]

L2E indicates a marine/irrigation block. Number below that is serial/production number. GM marine engine most likely had a Mallory single points distributor, with no vac advance. Marine fuel pump should have a vent tube/nipple on the body of the pump, instead of a hole. Line would go to nipple on the front of the carb. Marine starter should have a shield on the inside, if you look into the nose, behind the starter drive clutch.

[SmokinLowriderSS]

Looks like L2E casting was an L block (motorhome/marine), possibly 1972, Made in Linden NJ plant (E or BL).
Not finding that other number tho, casting SHOULD be a 231788 for an L block.
The "comon" number should be a 396021.
A marine dist has 1 or 2 small brass screens in the housing, flame stops is their function in case a fire is lit in a flamable fume atmosphere in the dist to stop the flame from getting out to the rest of the engine bay.
Most marine distribs are not vac advanced, sounds like a car part there.
Marine parts are also supposed to list their USCG compliance number somewhere on them.