403 Oldsmobile
 

Has the 403 Oldsmobile ever been sucessful in stock? Reliable? I know the main saddles are windowed.

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

Al Provoast used to run a 403 Olds. Many times top qualifier. Some of the 403s are not windowed but I don't know which ones. Bob Dennis knows.

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

Back in the early 80's a guy ( I can't remember his name, I'm sure Mark Lewis can chime in) from around Winston Salem, NC ran a Delta 88 with a 403. It might have ran in Pure Stock but I remember it was pretty stout and he was a hitter for several years. I know Bob Dennis ran a 403 in Super stock a few years ago. I think Rock or Zack Running got Bob's car. It runs the big Q-jet, got a .440 lift cam and had a 2.0 intake and a 1.5 exhaust valve.

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

I believe Bill Kost ran one as well with good success.

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

Pete Kost drives Bill's former Oldsmobile and it is still powered by a 403.
It is one of the most successful 403 powered Oldsmobile's in Stock eliminator wining many races and setting many records

All 403 blocks are windowed; there were no solid web 403 Oldsmobile blocks.

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

Bill Kost (RIP) spanked our 360 Aspen Wagon
more than once in class. I think it was I/SA or K/SA
back then about 15 years ago.

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

I believe you're thinking of Johnny Griffin (R.I.P.) from Raleigh, N.C. John West did the engines for him and it was fast. That was the same car Jim Woods ran as "The Tanker"

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

Dennis Dunlap or his associates had a 79 Firebird that ran well.

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

Yes, a black TA with a 403.....Dennis was the Pied Piper of that group from Paris, Illinois....The good Lord called him home a few years ago....

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

Pete's been running his 403 in SS/MA. Went 11.26 with no changes as he ran it in Stock. Pete was tried of getting horse powered by NHRA and lifting at 1,000 ft.
So Yes the 403 is a very fast combo, but very of them racing.

Steve Teeter. STK 6283/6380

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

Add a couple of others- Mike Mayhew ran a '77 Cutlass with a 403 a few years back and Mike Moyer ran a Olds 403-powered Firebird as well.

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

This is fact...

Years ago a gentleman offered a million dollars if you could come up with a solid main web (SMW) factory Oldsmobile 403 block....

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

And?

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

Those windows can be patched and welded up........You would have to be a hard core Olds person to want to bother. When you take a good look at a 455 block, I'am sure the bore and main housing bore size of the 403 block looks darn tempting.

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

In the eighties, there were scads of 307 cars being beat to death all over the country. Those were windowed too.

They held up well. They weren't nearly as fragile as some thought.

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

Im running a 307 window right now. Im only a little nervous as Im not making big power , but in the beginning I was crossing finish line at 7000 and was waiting for kaboom. Now things are more inline and rpm's are at 6300. I feel allot better now. Oil looks great and pressure is still the same.

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

No payoffs have been made....

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

According to the late Joe Mondello there were about 2500 solid main web 403 engines built. Most of them were in 1977 Buick station wagons. Block casting number is 557265-4A or 554990-4A. My son has one in his Cutlass.

Re: 403 Oldsmobile
 

Bob,
I have built engines with both casting numbers and the mains are hollow. Has your son torn apart his engine and looked at the block?