I brought home what is supposed to be a 455 Olds engine. It is blue and appears to have never been apart. Where are the numbers to ID the heads and block and can you point me to a site to look the numbers up and see what I have. Thanks

The head will have a number or letter about an inch tall on the left lower top. When I say "top" I mean as viewing the spark plugs. A small block will have either a number or a combination of number and letter. Big blocks will have only a letter, possibly "A" thru at least "J" (maybe more beyond that). the first 455s should have a "C" and the later ones will have "E" "F" "G" or "J" with some others possibly. Other early or later heads could have been swapped from a 425 ("A" "B" or "C") or a 400 that should have a "D".

doesn't it say "455" somewhere on the side of the block?

there should be a letter by the oil fill tube also

The letter on both heads is a J. The number on the front of the block looks to be 396021 F, I am supposed to be getting ready to go to dinner so I didn't want to get carried away removing grease with a white shirt on ;) Is there a date code somewhere like on Chevy's?

f on the block is 455

Thanks guys. Now to find something to put it in :D

You can just send it to me, I have a couple Oldsmobiles that would like a 455 :D :D:D. Check out www.442.com, lots of good stuff there.

Tom that is a great site. Using the info gathered it appears to be a 1973 model year 455 engine, cast and built around late August 72. It originally was installed in a full size car but may have been in an A body from the position of the mounts. The crankshaft is not drilled for a pilot bushing. I pulled the plugs and all were the same, in good shape but signs of burning very rich. The oil was dirty but did not smell burnt or have any metal in it. It is complete from air cleaner to oil pan including the accessory brackets and exhaust manifolds.
This motor has been sitting in a shed for many years the P O was going to use it in a 442 project but sold the car when he purchased his 70 SS number matching Chevelle. The Chevelle is undergoing a restoration and he just wanted to clear out some stuff to have room to store the parts.

Those motors love headers and a Torker intake..even if the rest is completely stock :)

Those motors love headers and a Torker intake..even if the rest is completely stock :)

That is true, the one in the 69 Cutlass will shred the tires right off the rims :D. Those 455's do have some incredible torque.