[moodier]

Hi;
Just wondering,am looking into buying a 65 Olds Cutlass Convert with the 330 engine.What is this engine as I think most of GM engines are related,is it like a 327,mainly thinking in terms of accesories valve covers etc..Believe it still uses the old Powerglide trans see some adds saying they have put in turbo 350s etc so block must be somewhat same as other GMs?Any info on it would be appreciatted.Suppose a 442 would be more desirable car but it is cute and should be more economical than the 442s as just want it to cruise around in.Thanks.

[UnixKid]

http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofeng.htm#Engines

That web page has a little info on that engine

I always heard they were awesome but i have never even seen one so i couldn't tell ya for sure.

[Super Streeter]

The 330 is a smallblock Olds engine,and is much different then a 327 chevy.The 2 speed is also called a Jetaway and is also diferent then a chevy powerglide.The 330 has a steel crank and uses the same stroke as a 350 or 403 Olds,so if you ever wanted to do something later on as a bigger engine,the crank is a good thing to save.Other then that,the stock heads and overall design make it almost impossible not to make 1 hp per cube with that engine if you have a 4 barrel and dual exhaust.I think the weakest 330 with a factory 4 barrel was rated at 290hp,so even with headers and a dual exhaust and a good tunup you should be close to 330hp.Add a performer intake and a mild cam and you can make 350hp or a little more with no issues.These engines had a fair amount of compression with the lamest 2 barrel version packing 9:1,and even the base model 4 barrel packing 10.5:1,so you actually would stand to do well by adding a little cam to that engine just to bleed off some of the compression.The 330 heads are at least as good or better then anything that come stock on a later 350 or 403,so you have potential in this engine.
Your cutlass isnt that heavy,but with the 2 speed and highway gears it might not feel very fast.If the 2 speed is getting tired,a good stock th350 with a shift kit and a cheap "saturday night speacial" 2000 stall convertor will make that car feel like a rocket ship even with a stock engine.Add a set of 3.55 gears to the combo I gave you and you have a solid performace engine with mostly stock stuff.Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions.