The thing is also Ray, how many chebbies and ferds out there compared to the olds 
Yeah, and I understand that, and kinda factored that in before my response, but really, and Brad or his crew would be the guys to ask, I honestly beleive, overall, the most common single comment when anyone posts about their Olds is, "It's only an Olds" or " What can I expect/or do to the olds to make it run better". That's where we all chime in, me included, basically declaring the Olds dead, upgrade to sumpin else because of the 'oiling issues at sustained high RPM".
Along the same thought though, I have only ever bought 1 running boat, (out of like
this one with a 460 Ford, yes, and you all know what happened to that one. Wasn't an engine deal, I get that. The others have all had either no engine or blown up engines orsome combination of the two. All Chebbies and Ferds. One of the most common things I've noticed with the new guys I see posting on here bought, or have, running boats with OLDS engines in them. Does anyone know when they STOPPED making the 455 olds? Wasn't it like 1978? Rarely do you see anyone else posting about buying a running Ford or Chevy for near the price they're getting the Olds boats for. And these boats have been running forever!
So Logic and deductive reasoning would say the Olds is MORE than viable as a boat engine, really. Just don't hot rod it too much, which, fortunately, Olds performance parts are harder to find and expensive, which also might play into this debate.
I think we all underestimate the Olds engine because we try and hot rod to the max whatever we can, and it doesn't lend itself easily to that sort of behaviour. But as far as a reliable OEM platform? From what I've seen in my few months on this site, it's second to NONE in durability and RELIABILITY in it's stock, or slightly warmed over form in a marine application.
The laws of averages and assumption do apply, and since there were FAR more Chebbies and Ferds tossed into these boats in the 70's and 80's, they'd be more proliferant. Being that the Olds is kinda the odd man out, I find it simply amazing , and testifying, so many running examples are finding their way on here with the Newbies.
The Olds is obviously due more credit than any of us is giving it!
Just my .02
Ray
Thread jack over! Again, Welcome! We all need a sleepover boat, More of them if you ask me so we don't need motel rooms for these little gatherings, lol (Thought about renting a houseboat for the next Mead gathering so we could all just tie up and party there!)
