ROCKET Rebuild... mandatory books, links, tips/tricks..??

[ESnacky6]

I know 'nothing'.... want to know 'something'.... hahaha..!!

It's an early Rocket engine, pulled from my buddy John's
'51 Mercury, an old custom from back in the day....
(the Merc' even has holes drilled for Appletons, and had rotted out,
white with purple piping, tuck 'n' roll door panels..!!)
the engine spins freely, but is dirty as hell, and i haven't
figured out exactly what year it is.... it has the 'green with
yellow writing' 2-bolt valve covers if that's any clue....

Anyway,
what are some good books, manuals, tech links,
online step-by-steps, tips, tricks, and the like..??

I want to try to start sorting things out, gather some parts,
(3x2 or 4x2 intake for instance, I have a 6x2 log intake for trade.??),
figure out what transmission will bolt up nicely, etc.
and just basically 'get ready' the 'right' way....

The engine will be going into my '38 Ford Deluxe coupe,
hopefully within the next year.... Baby steps.... hahaha..!!

Thanks alot in advance..!!! -Snacks....

[praisethelowered]

Hey Snacky-

I am in the same boat. . .just picked up a 56 324. . . here is what I found in the first week.

They are building up an early olds in a multi-part article in Rod and Custom right now. Started in July- though I seem to have lost that one already (maybe the Bonjovial issue which would explain its disappearance) and the tribute to Jay Leno issue has the second part. Maybe the next celebrity cover will fill in the rest?

Also, I bought mine from Dante Lowsprings- Search his old posts from the last few months and you'll find that he asked a lot of these questions-tranny stuff especially

Also, the first part of any engine orientation can be started by typing in the displacement and the magic words "fat hack".

Also check here-

http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofeng.htm#Engines%201949%20-%201964

and here

http://www.realoldspower.com/phpBB2/index.php



By the way, anyone have a copy of the July Rod and Custom?

[nor cal nic]

sick fuc#in engines, i sold a '53 olds a while back... should have pulled the motor, stuck in a sbc. i'm hatin' myself for not pulling that ROCKET 303. had the O.G. air cleaner, too.
i love you for gittin' one, ruler of all you survey!
xoxoxo
nic

[leadsleadolds]

From what I ve gathered transmission adapters.com said these guys have a better solution for transmission adapting Tanson Enterprises 916-448-2950 tanson@forwhatyouneed.com thats there email.

[praisethelowered]

ttt

[Hellbilly_Buzzard]

transmission adapters.com doesn't make a rocket tranny adapter anymore.

One tip I have for a 3X2 setup on a 324. I have an OL-396 with 3 97's on a progressive linkage. Use at least the .055 jets in your carbs, the .045s just don't cut it. I had the idle screw all the way in and the mixture screws almost all the way out. The bigger jets solved that problem.

[Rocket88]

Snacks, I've got the complete series of the rocket build up that Custom Rodder did about 2 years back.
It's got lots of good stuff in it.
Rod and Custom is also doing a build up on a 324 right now.
I just stumbled across it and am still rounding up the articles.

[yorgatron]

i've got those same articles,i'll drop them off at your shop if you want.did you want stick or auto on that? if stick,start looking for the flywheel and other parts NOW, if not,the cast iron hydra-matic is a sturdy piece that will take a lot of hard driving.i speak fronm experience.gimme a call-george 408-227-6802

[Crafty]

Doc Fromahader (sp?) did a series of articles for custom rodder about 2 years ago.
Current Rod and custom are 2 installments through a 324 rebuild...

[ESnacky6]

Thanks for the info guys..!!

I haven't really decided on the trans. yet,
but have been thinking about a T-5 possibly..?
but then again, autos are good cruisin'...
and it has a MOTHER of a trans. on it now...!!!
I'll try to get some pics soon....

George, stop on by anytime man...
I'm usually there 1:00-8:00pm, Wed.-Sun....

Thanks again guys..!! I appreciate the info..!!!
Later, Snacks....

[Super88]

I've looked for some of the same information. Don Wow has had several posts with great info on these motors. Lots of spec, cam # etc. Anyone with recommendations for a source of cams or regrinders?

[bigron]

i'm in need of info also. have 53 303 olds.