Okay, time for my 2 cents. Mike from Dallas area has a 76 SS with a 455 that runs like a freakin champ!!!!!! No oiling problems, stock pan i believe - not positive. His main mod was smoothing and opening all internal oil drain backs AND drilling the back of each head and installing drain back hoses from head to the rear of the oil pan. I rode in this boat at broken bow with gps (think it was 66-67 mph) and he held on the floor for a good 2 minutes AT LEAST...oil pressure solid as a rock!! No issues. The 455 can pump the hell outta the oil, just can't get it back to the pan.
Yes the parts (pistons, gaskets, cam, etc) in general are more expensive but the torque is nice. Especially if you have a jacuzzi pump with that big nozzle. Holeshot is awesome!! :grin:
Heads can be made to flow fairly well, or you can buy aftermarket heads. I believe you can replace the rope seal with a 460 ford seal. ...there are quite a few little things you can do to make it better than bone stock that really aren't that expensive or difficult (ex. drain back hoses).
Nothing wrong with an olds, just a little more pricey. Fords aint cheap either. And if you don't care about spending money then you go buy a stroked 454 sbc from motown, and super charge it. Put some jacketed headers onit. BAM! Lighter, and just as powerful.
And if you have the money and you want unique nostalic torque, then put a caddy motor in it! LOTS'O torque and at like 25 rpm or something REDiculously low.