Olds 350 engine ID

[GMNorway]

Just got my engine into the garage 🙂
now my qustion is..
Is it the casting number behind the waterpump i'm going after? It says: 395558 2
3. is Olds, 9: is production year 69 i think!? 5558: not shure what it means, i asume it means it's a350 engine ?!
And last number: (2) is 10.25:1 compression ratio.?!
But i read somplace that the number on the oil filler tube is also some sort of ID code..
So where do i look to get a proper id??

And i got 7A heads..
So I was thinking about a Edelbrock Performer 350 intake and my Edelbrock 600 performer carb.
Maby a JM18-20 cam from Mondello. Stock-style valvetrain and use longer pushrods and shims to get proper preload.
This will probably get some deasent HP out of it.

 

[J.Rod22]

I think that should be a 72 olds 350. If the 7a heads are a big 7 and a subscript A. I have the same engine.

 

[GMNorway]

I think the letter A was smaller than the 7 digit.. I will check again tomorrow to be 100% shure.
hat is is th HP in those engines?
Any tips to gain some HP without spending big bucks?

 

[joe_padavano]

Is it the casting number behind the waterpump i'm going after? It says: 395558 2
3. is Olds, 9: is production year 69 i think!? 5558: not shure what it means, i asume it means it's a350 engine ?!
And last number: (2) is 10.25:1 compression ratio.?!

Not sure where you got all that, but 395558 2 is the casting number used on every 350 Olds block from 1968 to 1976. The VIN derivative stamp located on the driver's side of the block, below the #1 spark plug, will tell you the year. There is no way to tell CR or original HP from any external numbers.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Different pistons are a necessity to get a decent compression ratio. They could have been changed on a motor that old. Headers and duals and a very mild cam if the stock 24cc dish pistons are in it.

 

[GMNorway]

Ok, but how do i find out the CR? And how do know if it is a HC or a LC Engine?
I read that the high compression pistons used a "shallower" dish than the low compression pistons. Is that the easiest way to tell the difference??
And don't the 7A Heads with big 7 and a subscript A have 64 cc?
And the engine got a 4bbl Qjet carb.


Just asking couse i don't know much about olds engine specs..
and what service manual do i use for the old 350 engines??

 

[joe_padavano]

Ok, but how do i find out the CR? And how do know if it is a HC or a LC Engine?
I read that the high compression pistons used a "shallower" dish than the low compression pistons. Is that the easiest way to tell the difference??
And don't the 7A Heads with big 7 and a subscript A have 64 cc?
And the engine got a 4bbl Qjet carb.


Just asking couse i don't know much about olds engine specs..
and what service manual do i use for the old 350 engines??

Measuring the CCs of the piston dish and the cylinder head is the ONLY way to determine CR. The 7A heads were used in 1972 only, but the heads could have been changed so again, you need to check the VIN derivative stamp. All 1972 engines were low compression due to EPA requirements to be able to use low lead fuel. Get a Chassis Service Manual for the year of the engine for rebuild specs.

 

[GMNorway]

Thanx Joe 😀 it's good to get som info before i start rebuilding my engine. This is the first total rebuilding i do.

 

[GMNorway]

Hi again guys.
Checked the engine number the other day and here it is : 32M207909. I assume it is a 72 model.

And what does the the casting numbers beside the distributor hole means? (Picture)