hello all...i'm a new olds owner. i got a '86 cutlass salon 442. I was told the engine was swaped out for a olds 350. the block casting # is 5577523b and it has 4a heads. can somebody tell me what the numbers mean and if it is a good block/head combo?

Hi shortyb,

Welcome to TOC.


http://www.oldsmobilewiki.com/index.php ... tification


http://www.oldsmobilewiki.com/index.php ... ve_Numbers


Conventional internet wisdom says: A 403 head on a 350 is not a good idea. I would ask what was done to the heads/short block when the heads were changed.

Aside from the fact that, because of the engine change, it is no longer a 442, Are you unhappy with the way it runs?

Norm

i have only been able to drive it a few times the speedo doen't work at the moment. but i am not unhappy i think it drives pretty well. it's still kinda a 442 i do have the 4bbl carb, 4 spd, and dual exhaust.

"4 barrel, 4 on the floor, and dual exhaust", applied to the W-29 option in '64 only.

Norm

1985 to 1987 (Last of RWD 442s)
4: Four speed automatic
4: Four barrel carburetor
2: Dual exhaust

http://442.com/oldsfaq/of442.htm#442%20Meaning(s)

442/faq is not the most reliable Oldsmobile source on the internet.

http://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/25591-post17.html


And you have cited one of the many errors that can be found on that site.

You can find the corrected data at the Oldsmobile Wiki, although it is still a "work in progress".


http://www.oldsmobilewiki.com/index.php ... ing.28s.29

I was not aware of that definition being used in the '65 model year. It could explain the use of the 3.975" stroke in the 400/425 engines.

Norm