Oldsmobile

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

V 5.X LAST UPDATED 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

Keywords: 442, 88, 98, aurora, cutlass, delmont, delta 88, dynamic 88, hurst, h/o, hurst/olds, jetfire, jetstar, kettering, olds, oldsmobile, rocket, starfire, super 88, toro, toronado, f-85, f85, w-30, w30, w-31, w31, w-32, w32, w-33, w33, w-34, w34, w-35, w35, w-40, w40, w-41, w41, w-43, w43, ow-43, ow43, w-45, w45

How to use this Document

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

This document is best viewed using a web browser since it is formatted in HTML. It can viewed online or offline with your web browser. When viewing offline, it will appear and work the same as it does online. You will need about 3.0 MB of disk space to store the FAQ in order to view it offline.

The best method of obtaining the FAQ is to download the .zip file that contains everything, from the ftp site. By doing this, you can view the FAQ on your computer without needing to access the Internet! After downloading the FAQ zip file (about 1.5MB), make a directory for the FAQ, then unzip (pkunzip or winzip) the file into that directory (requires about 3.0 MB). Then open oldsfaq.htm (this file) in your web browser. Super fast and reliable!

This document produces a great looking printed copy when laser printed. Better yet, print it on a duplex (two sided) printer to save paper and binder space. It looks better as well.

Please send your input, suggestions, changes and additions (this is not a problem hotline, parts locator, or value service) to [email protected]. This FAQ is also available from www.442.com, www.en.com/users/thall, ftp://ftp.neurobio.arizona.edu/lists/olds/.

The work in progress FAQ is located at www.inil.com/users/dlbrown/oldsfaq.htm. It may contain updated information, but may be in a rough, uncompleted format.

For more Toronado specific information, check out the Toronado FAQ at http://www.toronado.org/torofaqs.htm

There are many automotive topic specific FAQs on the Internet, such as oil, gasoline, etc. Use the search function on your browser to find them.

PS. Read the disclaimer. I've tried to the greatest possible degree to ensure the correctness of the content of this document. Unfortunately, even with this attention, I'm sure there are some outright incorrect items contained here. If you find them, let me know! BTW, this address is for corrections and additions to the FAQ, not a request for help on a problem, "how much is it worth", "where can I find", etc, questions. Join the Olds mailing list and post your question there!

David Brown
[email protected]
OCA, IVOC #27978

Copyright Notice

Permission is hereby granted to use, copy and redistribute this FAQ in whole or part by any means for any purpose so long the following conditions are met:

The distribution is not done for profit. However, authors of sections in this FAQ are free to use those submissions for whatever purpose they choose and are not bound by this copyright for their specific contribution.
The distributed portion of the document is not modified.
The distributed copy contains instructions about where to get the latest version.
If the copy is imbedded in any publication (Print, CD-ROM etc.) one copy must be delivered to the author free of charge. That delivered copy will/may/can be used by the Oldsmobile List Mail Server Community.

Any reproduction or distribution of this FAQ in whole or part by any means, implies agreement with the above conditions. Basically, I want to the document to be distributed free of any charge and know who is quoting it.

Disclaimer

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

While the information contained in this FAQ was carefully collected and compiled by recognized reliable experts to be as accurate as possible, there are no expressed or implied warranties that the information contained herein is correct, of any value, or suitable for any purpose.

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
Copyright Notice
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 4 bolt Mains 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 Recycling Fluid Disposal Ethylene Glycol (auto anti-freeze) Miscellaneous Fluids Build (Bill of Material) Sheets Dealer Codes Protecto Plate Serial and Warranty Plates VIN Decoding ComfortTron Rallye Pac 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 Clock 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 Road Trip Home Starting a Stored Vehicle Differences Between A/C and non A/C Cars Radiator Upgrading Factory Service Tools Online Repair Manual For All Models Parts Cleaner 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) OCA Chapters 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 Books Magazine Reference Articles Manuals Glossary Index 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 - 2000 by the members of the Oldsmobile Mail List Server Community. All rights reserved.} Submit corrections and additions to this information to The Olds FAQ Compiler.
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 4 bolt Mains
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 Recycling Fluid Disposal Ethylene Glycol (auto anti-freeze) Miscellaneous Fluids Build (Bill of Material) Sheets Dealer Codes Protecto Plate Serial and Warranty Plates VIN Decoding ComfortTron Rallye Pac 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 Clock 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 Road Trip Home Starting a Stored Vehicle Differences Between A/C and non A/C Cars Radiator Upgrading Factory Service Tools Online Repair Manual For All Models Parts Cleaner 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) OCA Chapters 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 Books Magazine Reference Articles Manuals Glossary Index 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 - 2000 by the members of the Oldsmobile Mail List Server Community. All rights reserved.} Submit corrections and additions to this information to The Olds FAQ Compiler.