1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread *UPDATED*

[High Roller]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread THE BEAST LIV

Cool, or skip the Torker inake and go with the new RPM, and upgrade to set of CAT rods, and CP, or Diamond pistons.

 

[STL84Calais]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread THE BEAST LIV

they make an RPM for a BBO now? might have to look into that...

 

[83hurstguy]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread THE BEAST LIV

Well time to revive a dead thread!

Where do I start...
Oh, I know. I broke it!
I put a hole in the #3 piston. Damned if I know how, not a full hole but a half moon punch. Can't figure it out, it was either predetonation or something got into the cylinder. Either way, it still runs, and will still scratch second gear but on 7 cylinders!

So its trashed.

Good news though, its tax time!
That means another complete teardown and rebuild, this time though, its go big or go home. I mean, forged internals, balanced motor, big cam, headers, reworked heads (sticking with iron, but these damn things will outflow edelbrocks when I'm done), headers, torker II single plane intake, etc. Basically the works. This time I'm shooting for 600+ horse strip motor!

Bummer on the motor. Did a valve get the piston? It's not uncommon for machine shops to leave the guides too tight on Oldsmobile heads, and when they heat up they'll start to seize the valves, especially on the center cylinders that run hotter with the exhaust valves next to each other.

You may want to root cause your failure so the issue doesn't repeat itself in the future.

600 HP is a bit ambitious for an iron headed combo, though not impossible. The amount of porting and machine shop costs make the Edelbrocks more attractive. I'd recommend you get Bill Trovato's book, if you haven't already. It's good reading for building high power Olds motors successfully. Good luck!

 

[Dennyboy]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread THE BEAST LIV

Well time to revive a dead thread!

Where do I start...
Oh, I know. I broke it!
I put a hole in the #3 piston. Damned if I know how, not a full hole but a half moon punch. Can't figure it out, it was either predetonation or something got into the cylinder. Either way, it still runs, and will still scratch second gear but on 7 cylinders!

So its trashed.

Good news though, its tax time!
That means another complete teardown and rebuild, this time though, its go big or go home. I mean, forged internals, balanced motor, big cam, headers, reworked heads (sticking with iron, but these damn things will outflow edelbrocks when I'm done), headers, torker II single plane intake, etc. Basically the works. This time I'm shooting for 600+ horse strip motor!

Bummer on the motor. Did a valve get the piston? It's not uncommon for machine shops to leave the guides too tight on Oldsmobile heads, and when they heat up they'll start to seize the valves, especially on the center cylinders that run hotter with the exhaust valves next to each other.

You may want to root cause your failure so the issue doesn't repeat itself in the future.

600 HP is a bit ambitious for an iron headed combo, though not impossible. The amount of porting and machine shop costs make the Edelbrocks more attractive. I'd recommend you get Bill Trovato's book, if you haven't already. It's good reading for building high power Olds motors successfully. Good luck!

were can i find this book?

 

[my86442]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread THE BEAST LIV

heres a few pics of the 455 olds i built a couple years back. It was originally Red but got painted blue before i got it. Its sitting in a 71 Monte right now.

 

[my86442]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread THE BEAST LIV

a few pics of the goodies i added too it

 

[BuickOldsPontiac]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread THE BEAST LIV

were can i find this book?

How to Build Max-Performance Oldsmobile V-8s

Its an excellent book.

 

[STL84Calais]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread THE BEAST LIV

Ok, so here's the new plan:

-Gonna pull the #3 piston.
-Hone the cylinder to remove imperfections just in case.
-Replace piston with factory spec. piston (other pistons are OEM original low budget built).
-Install a little bigger cam.
-Fix fuel line problem with 1/2 inch line.
-Enjoy the car (I can't stand not driving it anymore).
-Accumulate parts for 600+ horsepower 468 nitrous build.

The 468 build will take place over an upcoming winter once all parts are accounted for. For now I think I'm gonna try to fix what's broke and enjoy the car this summer. With any luck I'll be driving the car by the end of the month.

 

[STL84Calais]

😢 Loaded her on the trailer last week and headed for the shop...

Got her down to the shop and started pulling it all apart...

Everything looks normal so far...

Something seems to be missing from the car!

I think I know why I lost compression in #3. Epically broken piston! This is what a cast aluminum piston does in a big block past 6000RPM. (I think the dyno guy killed it honestly.) 😳

Bottom end looks fine though, and the cylinder isn't scarred (the hone marks are still in it!), so a minor freshen up is in order with a new piston and she'll be back on the road!

I'll keep everyone updated on the progress of getting her back on the road, and then the 700 horse nitrous 468 build! The next build will make 550-or-so horsepower, then I plan on a 150-200 shot of NOS. :shock:

 

[STL84Calais]

Another update:

Picked this up a couple weeks ago...

GM 8.5in 10 bolt from a 84 Hurst Olds:

For what I paid for it, I had to snatch it, couldn't pass it up. That will go in with the next motor, the 7.5in will stay under there for now. Before its ready to roll it will get 30 spline Moser axles, C clip eliminators, welded axle tubes, and Detroit TruTrac carrier.