THE OLDSMOBILE
FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)

[ Oldsmobile Service ]

V 6.1 AI modernization by outrightolds.com 4/27/2026
V 6.0 mirrored by outrightolds.com 9/1/2018
V 5.0 Last 442.com release 10/10/2000
V 4.1 Released 12/11/1997
V 4.0 Released 10/16/1997
V 3.0 Released 3/3/1997
V 2.0 Released 10/29/1996
V 1.0 Released 4/12/1996

[ Oldsmobile Service ]

How to use this Document
& General Info

With the absence of the original host of this document (442.com), my intent is to update and maintain this document at a new home, freely accessible to all (theoldsfaq.com). I have removed some content related to old outdated references which no longer exist. My overall intent is to provide a good home for this old but useful document.

Sean K.
outrightolds.com &
oldsmobile.info - cutlass.info - oldsmobile.net
Outrightolds -> Facebook & Instagram

I hope you find this FAQ useful. It is an accumulation of knowledge shared on the Oldsmobile Mail List Server. Enjoy!!

David Brown
OCA, IVOC #27978

Disclaimer

I, David Brown, the contributors to this document, and anyone mentioned in this document, are in no way affiliated with General Motors or the Oldsmobile division.

If you use this information in any way, you assume full responsibility for the results of your actions. In no event will the author(s), or others be liable for any results or the lack thereof.

[ Thanks to Wes Fujii for this information ]

Table of Contents

How to use this Document & General Info - Disclaimer - Table of Contents - Acknowledgments

Index
Oldsmobile V-8 History
Rocket Era 1949 - 1990 Generations First Year Items Indy Pace Cars Engines 1949 - 1964 What CIDs Differences & Similarities Varieties of the Early Rocket 303 Detail - 324 Detail - 371 Detail - 394 Detail Engine Performance 1964 - 1990 Big Block CIDs Small Block CIDs Is it a Big Block or Small Block ('64 - '90) Engine Differences & Similarities: Olds BB and SB Varieties of Olds Big Blocks 400 Detail - 425 Detail - 455 Detail Varieties of Olds Small Blocks 260 Detail - 307 Detail - 330 Detail - 350 Detail - 403 Detail - Diesel Detail Similarities: Other GM engines Engine Performance Cam Bank Angle, Lifter Size Considerations Experimental 455 Engines 1995 - Present What CIDs Engine Performance Indy Car Engine

Blocks

1949 - 1964

Identification Block Unit Numbers Detail Block Functional Details Big Block 1965 - 1976 Big Block Identification Big Block Unit Numbers Detail Big Block Functional Details Small Block 1964 - 1990 Small Block Identification Small Block Unit Numbers Detail Small Block Functional Details 1995 - Present Identification Functional Differences

General

Oversize Lifter Bore

Heads

1949 - 1964

Identification; Details; Intake, Exhaust Port Sizes; Combustion Chambers, CC's, Interchange
1964 - 1990: Identification; Details; Miscellaneous Topics; Intake, Exhaust Port Sizes; Combustion Chambers, CC's, Interchange
1995 - Present: Identification; Details; Intake, Exhaust Port Sizes; Combustion Chambers, CC's, Interchange

Crankshafts

1949 - 1964

Identification; Strengthening/Machining
1964 - 1990: Identification; Forged 455 Crank; Pilot Bearing; Late / Early Model Flex Plate Differences; Strengthening/Machining
1995 - present: Identification; Strengthening/Machining

Intake Manifolds

1949 - 1964

Identification; Details
1964 - 1990: Identification; Details; Port Fuel Injection
1995 - Present: Identification; Details

Exhaust Manifolds

1949 - 1964

Identification; Details
1964 - 1990: Identification; Details
1995 - Present: Identification; Details
General: Dual Exhaust Using Crossover Exhaust Manifolds; Adding An H Pipe

Pistons, Connecting Rods

1949 - 1964

Identification; Piston Dish Volumes; Strengthening/Machining
1964 - 1990: Identification; Connecting Rod Center to Center Lengths; Piston Dish Volumes; Strengthening/Machining
1995 - Present: Identification; Piston Dish Volumes; Strengthening/Machining

Other Parts

Transmissions

Automatic Transmission Identification; Automatic Transmission Comparison; Automatic Transmission Swapping; Automatic Transmission Tuning; Automatic Transmission Rebuilding; Manual Transmission Identification; Manual Transmission Comparison; Manual Transmission Swapping; Manual Transmission Tuning; Manual Transmission Rebuilding
Differentials: General; Suspension Air Bags; Differential Codes; Gear Recommendations for the Street; Rebuilding; Swapping
Brakes

Suspension

Steering

Wheels / Tires

Cams

Carburetors

Ignition

Part Interchange: Body Panels; Carburetors; Crankshafts; Distributors; Exhaust Manifolds; Fuel Tanks; Heads; Manual Steering Box; Power Steering Gear; Radiators; Wheels

Rebuilding / Swapping / Buildup / Restoration / Tuning / Updating

Picking the Best Big Block

What Should I Look For in a BB For My Performance Olds?; Why Get a Toronado Engine?; How to Tell If It's a Toronado Engine; Summary of Olds 425/455 Engines
Picking the Best Small Block

Rebuilding: Quadra-jet Carburetor; Pulling Engine; Rebuilding Engine; Installing Engine; Rebuilding Steering Box; Pulling Transmission; Rebuilding Transmission; Installing Transmission
Buildup: General Considerations; Engine; Transmission; Distributor; Vacuum Alternatives
Swapping: Brakes; Differentials; Engines; Exhaust Manifolds; Heads; Steering Box; Suspension; Transmissions
Restoration: Body Style Letters; VINs, Cowl Tags, Build Sheets; Frame Off; Cleaning; Assembly; Convertible Tops; Locating Businesses, etc; Parts; Paints / Colors
1965 - 1976 Option Codes: W-25 Option Package; W-26 Option Package; W-27 Option Package; W-29 Option Package
Compression Ratio Information / Calculation / Comparison: Calculation; Comparision; Information; Volume Formulas

The Cars

W Machines

W-30; W-31; W-32; W-33; W-34; W-40; W-41
Hurst/Olds: History; Authentication; Production; Miscellaneous
442: Meaning(s); Authentication; History; Production; Miscellaneous
Toronado: History; Production
88 / 98 / Delmont 88 / Delta 88 / Dynamic 88 / Jetstar I / Jetstar 88 / Starfire / Super 88: History; Production
Cutlass / F-85: History; Production; Miscellaneous
Jetfire: History; Production; Aftermarket; Special Maintenence / Problem Areas
Vista / Cutlass / Custom Cruiser: History; Production

Other Stuff

Basic Tech / Fundamentals

How To

Miscellaneous

Ethylene Glycol (auto anti-freeze)

Miscellaneous Fluids

Build (Bill of Material) Sheets

Serial and Warranty Plates

Rallye Pac A-body Conversion

Rallye Pac B,C-body Conversion

Rallye Pac G-body Conversion

Rocket Rallye Pac Tic Toc Tac

Tachometer Reads Incorrectly

Converting Console Shifter to Hurst Dual Gate

Hurst Dual Gate Shifter

Stiff Toronado Shift Linkage Solution

1983 - 1988 G-body T-tops

Lightened Frames

Movies With Oldsmobiles

Songs With Oldsmobiles

Applicable to All Vehicles

Replace Your Fuel Lines

Quick Year Identification

Alternator Conversion

Points to HEI Conversion

Spark Plugs to Use with HEI

Blower Motor Diagnosis and Repair

Electrical Problem Checklist

Generator Diagnosis and Repair

Radios, Speakers, Impedance

Stock Looking Radio, Speaker Upgrades

Wiper Motor Repair

Aluminum Intake/Head Cleaning

Removing Calcium Deposits From Paint

Removing Cylinder/Head/Piston Carbon Buildup

Removing Paint Overspray

Prepping a Car for Storage

Starting a Stored Vehicle

Differences Between A/C and non A/C Cars

Radiator Upgrading

Factory Service Tools

Online Repair Manual For All Models

Putting Out a Carb Fire

So You Want To Buy That Car?

Sources of Additional Information

Oldsmobile Mail List Server

Toronado Mail List Server

Hurst Oldsmobile Club of America

Oldsmobile Club of America (OCA)

Oldsmobile, Division of General Motors

Oldsmobile Enthusiast World Wide Web Pages

Other National Oldsmobile Clubs

GM Historical Services (Canada)

Oldsmobile History Center

RE Olds Transportation Museum

Bowling Automotive Programs Web Site

Grand National Web Site

Magazine Reference Articles

Table of Contents - Index - Acknowledgements

History - Engines - Blocks - Heads - Cranks - Intakes - Exhaust - Pistons
Transmissions - Diffs - Brakes - Suspension - Steering - Cams - Carbs - Interchange
Best BB - Best SB - 260 - 303 - 307 - 324 - 330 - 350 - 371 - 394 - 400 - 403 - 425 - 455 - Diesel
Rebuilding - Buildup - Swap - Restore - Option Codes - Wheels - Ignition - Comp Ratio
The W's - The H/O's - The 442's - Toronado - 88 / 98 / Starfire - Cutlass - Jetfire - Wagons
Basic Tech - How To - Miscell - All Vehicles - Additional Information

© 1996 - 2021 by the members of the Oldsmobile Mail List Server Community. All rights reserved.

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