Olds 403 value?
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The 403's are more common than you think. GM not only put them in the Trans Am and Toronado's but many of the 77-79 land yachts had them. I have sold a hand full of 403's in varying conditions starting at $250 for a nasty, greasy rebuildable core. In the 90's when I did my first 403 swap with 350 heads they were pricey but now with the popularity of LS swaps they aren't exactly highly sought after. Still a great engine for a street build and definitely worth some money. The guys that say they are junk always bring up the windowed mains but if you keep the rev's under 6K they are safe. I was not easy on mine and it never failed (It was built and balanced correctly). I would definitely pull it for a future project or sale.....Good luck
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The stock short block with early 350 heads and a better cam makes a 9 to 1 healthy street motor. I spun the rod bearings turning 5500 rpm with an unbalanced 307 crank. Used it because multiple overheatings cooked the crank and bearings. I had many over heating issues but it is this 88 Cutlass that is the main culprit, hoping the better deflector and GN rad surround flaps fix it, once and for all. I plan on using a 3.5" stroke and put it in my 70S for 424 ci SBO.
In my opinion, a good running 403 is very desirable. (Sounds like I'm talking about a woman 🙂) If the 403 was a "woman", she'd be above average looking with a big "rack" and fun to be with but then there's the "can be bipolar when drinking side."
Back to the 403 engine. The factory hp/torque was a little low due to the net/gross rating plus all the pollution crap. These engines in Firebirds passed the California pollution test. Dismal camshafts and small intake valves limited the engine "as is." Drop in engine to replace 260/307/350 Olds. Lots of cubes, huge bores, just putting an RV cam will wake it up in stock form. Yes, widowed mains, kind of like having a Friend with a hair lip, after a while one doesn't even notice it. I'm talking street fun, not a National Record Holder. 🙂 3 years engine, they made quite a few but I don't see a lot of them out there,let alone a "good running ones."
Hopefully someone on this forum will get it if "you don't give it to Fleming 442."
Back to the 403 engine. The factory hp/torque was a little low due to the net/gross rating plus all the pollution crap. These engines in Firebirds passed the California pollution test. Dismal camshafts and small intake valves limited the engine "as is." Drop in engine to replace 260/307/350 Olds. Lots of cubes, huge bores, just putting an RV cam will wake it up in stock form. Yes, widowed mains, kind of like having a Friend with a hair lip, after a while one doesn't even notice it. I'm talking street fun, not a National Record Holder. 🙂 3 years engine, they made quite a few but I don't see a lot of them out there,let alone a "good running ones."
Hopefully someone on this forum will get it if "you don't give it to Fleming 442."
They are on CL locally from anywhere from 200-400 complete and rebuilt
I paid 300 for mine complete and rebuilt with all the paperwork from the shop
I paid 300 for mine complete and rebuilt with all the paperwork from the shop
Don't forget the tiny 1.5" exhaust valves and shitty flowing ports to go along with them in the 4A heads. Along with the 15cc smaller combustion chambers, the main gain on early 350 heads is the better flowing exhaust port.
So you would say that a totally stock original engine is a great street motor. For a big cube smooth running low end grunt motor that would move even a big car easily. I get it. AFAIK no one has ever opened this one up so it is box stock right down to the carburetor. That alone would be valuable to me. You hardly EVER get the original carb. OK if the TATA doesn't sell I will get him to part it out and then I will let Flemming know the engine is available. 
This is the Craigslist link: https://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/cto/d/holbrook-1979-transam-10th-anniversary/7079613536.html
This is the Craigslist link: https://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/cto/d/holbrook-1979-transam-10th-anniversary/7079613536.html
He's not a car guy he's a welder. Not interwebz savvy. Probably had his kids post that. I know the driver floor has holes. I haven't investigated the rest. The original hood actually disintegrated in place. I sold him a very clean and solid TA hood that we put on it. I also sold him a ton of parts that he will probably want to get rid of too. Fenders, seats, glass, doors, dash, almost a whole car.
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