Not so much an Olds expert but...

Find out if he knows if the engine has been overhauled, and how long ago.

Find out how long it has been setting unused.

Find out if it has been serviced recently or at all.  (copies of receipts)

The engine block being 30 years old doesn't make as much difference as much as how it was maintained in that time.

Do a compression check, check for water in the oil, and leaks, if it passes those, buy it and run it til it/IF it breaks!

I wouldn't get into block castings, etc, on the Olds. Only a couple real hot numbers in there, and I don't think any of them were 455's. (Been awhile, and memory is fuzzy at best on that). There were some pretty good heads, but again, I doubt very seriously many of them woulda found their way into a boat.

Many people have run the Olds for decades with no issues, some are even active members on this site! For a cruiser as you describe, sounds just fine to me. The majority of the rest of us are, for lack of a better term, self-motivated idiots that don't really know when to leave well enough alone! 



Ray

BTW, the oiling issues are really only a problem with sustained useage above say 5000 or 5500 rpm. (Has much in common with it's Pontiac and Buick brethren). You'll probably find it's set up with the impeller, hp curves, etc to max out around 4500 or so and won't go no further.

Listen to what Glenn's sayin'. He's right, but basically, the "problem" with all older BOP (Buick/Olds/Pontiac) engines is not necessarily a "problem" with the oiling system, it's more to do with drainback, cavitation of the oil pump and foaming around the pickup tube.

The oiling system, really, is fine as it is. Drainback is the primary issue. Limiting top end oil is one way to cure it, kinda, I don't agree with it, personally, but to each his own. Controlling and aiding drainback and adding a better pump pickup/pan combo, I beleive, is the better method on these engines, IMO.

Part of the reason they run so long (in miles) is because of the top end oiling engineering. Why mess with that?

But we're way ahead of ourselves, and you're building a mild cruiser so leave it as it is! IMHO. Bear in mind these 'gremlins' only rear their ugly head under long, sustained High RPM usage on these engines.  Keep it under 5000 rpm, it'll live and run forever! Honestly, when I used to get asked about Poncho engines and where to get the most bang for the buck? Windage tray.  Did a world of difference in those engines, from a durability standpoint. Second was deburring the lifter valley. You're gonna be fine with what you got!

But what do I know? I'm an old hot rodder! Boats is sumpin kinda new to me!

Ray