Mike H.

I ran across a 1970 Ralley 350 long block with the number 6 heads. Does anyone know if these are just standard heads or match the 442 heads? Also, is there anything special about the block or exhaust? Lastly, what would the engine ID read on the block to verify it to be a Ralley block?
Thanks for any help.

svnt442

The 1970 442s only came with 455s so no, the #6 heads would not match the 442 heads.
As far as being W31 heads? No. But I'm not sure if they have 2.00" intake valves or not.

joe_padavano

Well, the Rallye 350 used a 350 motor. 442s in 1970 used a 455. The heads are not the same. Contrary to popular believe, the Rallye 350 was primarily a paint and decal car with the same 4bbl 350 motor used in the Cutass Supreme. A handfull (about 25) Rallye 350 cars allegedly got W-31 motors, but I have not seen one documented. As for the heads, every single 350 Olds motor built in the 1970 model year got the same #6 heads. The only difference on W-31 motors was the valve size. All 1968-1976 350 blocks have the same casting number. There is no way to prove that a given motor is a Rallye 350 motor. You can verify that the VIN derivative stamping on the block matches the VIN of the car, however.

jensenracing77

X2
i personally don't believe there ever was a W-31 engine in a Rallye 350. there may have ben but till there is documentation that surfaces i will always be sceptical.

joe_padavano

I've read reports that Helen Early herownself mentioned the 25 W-31 Rallye 350 cars, but as with you, I'm a skeptic until I see factory documentation.

jensenracing77

i need to look for the letter she sent me in the early 90s. it said fewer than 12.

jensenracing77

i just looked through my info from Helen Early. it does not say anything about the
W-31 engines like i thought it did. i will keep looking because somebody sent me that info. i am now thinking it came from a non credible source. i may start a post for the Rallye 350 bulletins i have. not much there but still interesting.

'73 Olds 442

Mike, The #6 heads were only used for the 350 in 1970. The casting number on the engine should be 395558. The block id number should be 3 + 0 for 1970 and then M if made in Lansing and then the last 6 numbers of the VIN that the engine came out of. There is no way to tell if it went into a Rallye but if it was made in Lansing, it could have been. I just bought a Rallye but it has a 455 engine in it. Would you sell that long block you have? My eventual goal is to put the correct engine back into this car and restore it to show quality.

By the way, I am new to this forum but am a member of the 73-77 Cutlass forum and have a completely restored 1973 Olds 442 that I have owned since 1975. If any of your members of OCA you would have seen my car on the May 2008 cover and feature article.

Thanks,

Emory

dre

Emory I'm somewhat new to this board as well. I've got a 350 out of a 72 442 with 7a heads if your interested pm me.

2blu442

Emory, welcome to the site! It's likely that several members here have core 1970 350 motors, I've got at least two. Please create a thread in the parts wanted section and post your city/state to see if any members close to you have what you need. John

507OLDS

The #6 heads for the W31's were actually hand-picked for the best castings.They were the only #6 heads to get the larger valves. DaveH will confirm that,since he worked there.He really needs to write a book.

JOHNNYOLDS442

I have a 1970 cutlass 350 with #6 heads.
dose that mean these are low compression heads because it is not a rally 350? or does it mean it was just a 4 barrel motor or neither?

GEARMAN69

All #6 1970 heads are small chamber (high compression) It just depends.on which piston you have, the 2 barrel, 4 barrel and W31 all had different pistols but all had #6 head.

joe_padavano

Every single 350 motor built by Olds in the 1970 model year came with no. 6 heads. All no. 6 heads are exactly the same casting. The chambers are approximately 64 cc, but keep in mind that the actual chamber volume will vary +/- 3 or so cc due to manufacturing tolerances and machining differences. Olds changed CR with the size of the dish in the piston, not by changing the head volume. The valves were different sizes depending on the intended application and there is no way to know which valves are on a given head unless you measure them.

FYI, the Rallye 350 motor was the same motor as the base engine on the Cutlass Supreme that year.

JOHNNYOLDS442

Cool bean's good info!

rastis02

joe_padavano

If you want to sell a car, please post it in the Cars for Sale forum instead of resurrecting a thread that's been dead for seven year. Also note that forum rule require prices. Thanks and good luck.