The "Bible" of building the 455 Olds

« **on:** June 15, 2011, 04:41:13 PM »

Here is the article that our own Timminator wrote way back when. If you want to build an Olds to last -- read it, learn it, live it, love it.

http://classiccustomboats.com/pages/practical_olds.pdf

Someone scanned it and sent it to me a long time ago. Now y'all can see it. All hail the mighty Olds

« **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2011, 11:54:43 AM »

Very informative. I've always been a 455 fan although I've never owned one. I printed out the article in case I ever got a boat w/ one of these engines. Glad to see that theres a light at the end of the tunnel for 455 owners! Thanks for the post.

« **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2014, 08:51:36 AM »

This link is dead does anyone have another link to this article? I got a 455 in pecies scattered across my work bench waiting to be assembled

« **Reply #3 on:** June 22, 2014, 09:08:06 AM »

Here ya go... If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

http://www.vintagejetboats.com/showthread.php?6963-Hot-Boat-Mag-June-2006-quot-Pratical-455-Olds-quot-build-article

Sent from my iPhone using SoCalJetBoats

« **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2014, 11:06:22 AM »

It goes a little like this here yea sell the and get a bbc and you shal have no problems

Sent from my iPad using SoCal Jet Boats

« **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2014, 11:14:44 AM »

Quote from: jamiemwedmore1234 on June 22, 2014, 11:06:22 AM

It goes a little like this here yea sell the and get a bbc and you shal have no problems

Sent from my iPad using SoCal Jet Boats

I've seen plenty of Chevys blow up.... Not saying the olds is better by any means. Just saying you're still gonna run into problems with any motor of it isn't built right. Unfortunately, the Olds gets a bad rep because people do not take the time to do the necessary mods.

Anyways back on topic....

Sent with my Fingers

« **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2014, 11:25:32 AM »

Not a olds fan but I fell into one and than I fell into everything to rebuild one for less than 800ish with the oiling mods a decent cam forged pistons and a couple other hp parts. Long term goal will be a lq4 with a blow through turbo setup but I'll probally run the 455 for the rest of the season.

« **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2014, 12:10:14 PM »

I have done alot of reading on olds, as of late.Only cause i like the abuse !!! But the fact is some if not most of those so called mods ARE NOT NEEDED! you just have to keep an eye on the oil pressure and the rpm. and build it the way your going to use it. Not just the cheepest way possible, and expect it to do everything you want.

« **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2014, 12:13:42 PM »

Quote from: mobboss on June 22, 2014, 12:10:14 PM

I have done alot of reading on olds, as of late.Only cause i like the abuse !!! But the fact is some if not most of those so called mods ARE NOT NEEDED! you just have to keep an eye on the oil pressure and the rpm. and build it the way your going to use it. Not just the cheepest way possible, and expect it to do everything you want.

Contradictory...

Not all the oiling mods are needed...then don't build the cheapest possible...

Which oiling mods do you speak of that are not needed that are so expensive not to do?

Sent from my iPhone using SoCalJetBoats

« **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2014, 12:23:48 PM »

I'm only planing on crank stuffers and external drains from the heads to the pan as of now

Sent from my BNTV600 using SoCal Jet Boats mobile app

« **Reply #10 on:** June 22, 2014, 12:24:43 PM »

But I don't think a bbo could ever be able to be built to handle the way I would like to drive.

Sent from my BNTV600 using SoCal Jet Boats mobile app

« **Reply #11 on:** June 22, 2014, 01:44:51 PM »

Not trying to start a feud here.

But everything has it's limits... And everything needs attention in it's certain area, especially in a jet boat where these 40 yr old motors are pushed to their limits all the time.
YES, Chevys need less attention and are great motors better yet, more suitable for our application, but for those that instantly say the Olds is junk, especially those that have not even built one... Hop on the band wagon, grab some tight pants and buy a fixie....

Sent with my Fingers

« **Reply #12 on:** June 22, 2014, 01:53:41 PM »

Quote from: Joecochrane on June 22, 2014, 12:24:43 PM

But I don't think a bbo could ever be able to be built to handle the way I would like to drive.

Sent from my BNTV600 using SoCal Jet Boats mobile app

Hey joe, so you stated you are building a 800hp"ish" olds or am I reading it wrong?

Sent with my Fingers

« **Reply #13 on:** June 22, 2014, 02:09:31 PM »

Quote from: MorePower on June 22, 2014, 01:53:41 PM

Hey joe, so you stated you are building a 800hp"ish" olds or am I reading it wrong?

Sent with my Fingers

Nvm read it wrong...

I'll be the first to admit, as Phil will also vouch, I built my olds (with his help) I did skip some mods, I did restricted push rods, and main restrictors. I didn't skimp on the parts tho, it cost me a good amount, but I have a healthy motor that gets me where I need to be. I run 66mph at 5100rpm. Yes I keep my eye on oil pressure, but that's okay with me.

And again, I'm not trying to state that the OLDS is Gods gift to the jet boat world.

Sent with my Fingers

« **Reply #14 on:** June 22, 2014, 02:13:12 PM »

No I'm building a mild olds out of parts I bought off craigs this forum and ebay. I say a olds won't last not because I'm building a ton of power but because I like to pretend I'm racing jet sprint in new zeland every time I fire it up. I'm very hard on everything I own.

« **Reply #15 on:** June 22, 2014, 02:16:34 PM »

Plan is arp the bottom end together oil restrictors restricted push rods external oil drains 12qt pan and see how long she runs.

« **Reply #16 on:** June 22, 2014, 02:25:06 PM »

Well as the saying goes... Cheap, fast, reliable... Pick 2.. Unfortunately I got 1 so far lol. I love my 468 Olds, have 6 trips this season and runs strong. I have myself a 10 second count rule at 5100 rpm. After 10 seconds of high rpm I cruise at 3200 for a bit...

Sent with my Fingers

« **Reply #17 on:** June 22, 2014, 02:32:22 PM »

Going cheap mild build and I don't expect it to last to long got pretty much everything on my bench or in the mail on its way to build it.

Sent from my BNTV600 using SoCal Jet Boats mobile app

« **Reply #18 on:** June 22, 2014, 02:38:08 PM »

Well then of course it won't last to your driving habits..

Sent with my Fingers

« **Reply #19 on:** June 22, 2014, 03:10:26 PM »

I love the fact that there are guys on here not afraid and even enthusiastic about building themselves an Olds. But just to return to the original article, I'm pretty sure the author says that these are all possible mods and that doing all of them is really unnecessary. Indeed just doing the external oil return line and hogging out the drain makes most of the rest of it overkill. But as always, your results will vary.

And you silly bowtie guys still crack me up. Y'all are a real touchy bunch aren't ya?

« **Reply #20 on:** June 22, 2014, 04:05:41 PM »

Quote from: GlassCutter on June 22, 2014, 03:10:26 PM

I love the fact that there are guys on here not afraid and even enthusiastic about building themselves an Olds. But just to return to the original article, I'm pretty sure the author says that these are all possible mods and that doing all of them is really unnecessary. Indeed just doing the external oil return line and hogging out the drain makes most of the rest of it overkill. But as always, your results will vary.

And you silly bowtie guys still crack me up. Y'all are a real touchy bunch aren't ya?

Oh yah they are!!!

and frankly thats just fine with me, means there will be more olds parts for me.

Oh and dont forget the whole thing if you actually lose to one of us that run an olds, not only did you lose but youll have been beatin by an OLDS!!!

« **Reply #21 on:** June 22, 2014, 09:44:18 PM »

Us bow tie guys I just figure if I'm going to wast a hand full of $$$$ building a motor for a HOBBY I would want it to last more than a river trip driving it the way I want to TOUCHY I think not !! olds are just not meant for a boat UNLESS you want to put a arm and leg into building one I built a nice BOWTIE motor for about 8grand from crank to carb to header and on and on and I have all the confidence in the word apples to apples I'll run a olds down mile fore mile sec for sec so for all us BOWTIE guys all bull shit aside they all run the same you want to drive it like you stole it drive a BOWTIE and save a Pennie

Sent from my iPad using SoCal Jet Boats

GlassCutter

N2GLOCK

Joecochrane

RushinEliminator17

jamiemwedmore1234

MorePower

Joecochrane

mobboss

RushinEliminator17

Joecochrane

Joecochrane

MorePower

MorePower

MorePower

Joecochrane

Joecochrane

MorePower

Joecochrane

MorePower

GlassCutter

mobboss

jamiemwedmore1234