Cool old Hot Rod Engine "Rockets are for RULERS"

[bobbleed]

I'm pretty excited about this score.............
I've been working on it for a couple of years.

My girlfriend Laura used to volunteer at a horse farm and one day I showed up in the roadster to pick her up. Frank, the owner of the farm told me of an old Olds motor another farmer had stored in his barn with a whole bunch of carbs on it. Usually when people tell me stuff like this it turns out to be bullshit, but Frank seemed to know what he was talking about.

It took several more visits to finally get the other farmers number from him, but after alot of begging and assurance that I wouldn't be a bother to him. I got the number. That was just the begining.

I called and called but there was never an answer. I was ready to give up until one night the farmer answered. I asked him about the engine and if it might be for sale. He said he hadn't ever considered selling it and would have no idea what to ask.

Then he told me a story of how he pulled it out of a hot rod that was built by his dad and uncles in the 50's (familar story!). It was a 32 Plymouth coupe that was channeled over a 32 Ford frame. They built the car and raced it at Hales Corners Speedway and later drove it around on the streets.

He told me it was a 54 Olds engine with four 97's on an offy intake with a LaSalle tranny bolted to it. He said that that's what someone had told him what it was anyway. The car sat for years in the barn before he got it and narrrowly escaped a fire with the top insert and interior getting destroyed. He pulled the Olds out and changed a bunch of stuff, it ended up with a Chevy in it. This was around 1980.

He said that he got the old Hot Rod on back on the road, but it was so fast with the new engine that it scared him. He told me that Chevy is way too much engine for that little car and he would really like to put a Flathead in it.

So he then decided that the Olds was not for sale, but if I could find him a complete rebuildable Flathead he would trade. I was thrilled, cause I had a Flatty to trade!

So I made a deal with him to make the trade. The only catch was that it was late fall and I would have to wait until spring to pick up the engine as it was buried in the back of the barn with a hay stack and other farm equipment in front of it.

I waited until spring and started calling him again. I'd call acouple times a week and never heard back fom him. It seems that he also drives truck and with the farm has no time for punks like me! I kept calling and finally reached his wife who had no idea what I was talking about. She said she would give him the message, but I never heard back from him. I gave up for a while and then would try once in a while with no luck.

I had pretty much forgotton about the deal, or just assumed he had changed his mind and then about a week ago I was cleaning out my desk and found the number. I called agian and he picked up on the first ring. He said he had the motor all ready and was waiting for me to call him again so I could pick it up as he had lost my number (it's funny, he must have missed the 50 or so messages I left with it?).
Anyway, we set up a meeting and made the trade.
Patience is a virtue?

So the LaSalle ended up being a Ford top loader, the 97's are actually 48's, and the Offy intake ended up being a U-Fab, but the cross over tube is Offy and it has a dual point distibutor and old chrome valve covers!

I think it was an AWSOME trade and definately worth the wait! I mostly wanted the speed stuff off of it and pretty much expected the motor to be stuck. I got it back to the shop put it on the stand and poured ATF down all of the Spark plug holes and right down the carbs. I PB Blastered the shit out of everything else and just let it soak for a week.

Tonight I finally tried and it turns over pretty nice. All the linkage and the carbs have freed up as well. I think the baby will run!!!

It's funny, I get more excitement out of staring at this crusty old motor and thinking of the guys who origionally put it in a Hot Rod, then I do looking at most of the cars I see at shows..............

I guess this means I'm Romantic.

http://photo.starblvd.net/~bobbleed/2-4-2.jpg
http://photo.starblvd.net/~bobbleed/2-4-3.jpg
http://photo.starblvd.net/~bobbleed/2-4-5.jpg
http://photo.starblvd.net/~bobbleed/2-4-4.jpg

So Olds Freaks, How do I tell what year it is?
Is there anything cool I should look for on it?

Also, How would I tell if that tranny has Zephyr gears?
It's probably a long shot, but who knows.......

[BARNETT]

Nice!

[Randy D]

Great story, Bob. Other than tooth count, i'm not sure how to determine the diff between ford and lincoln gears. I am one of those people that gets into firing an engine for the first time. Looks like you are gonna have to start a new project for this engine. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Crafty]

Neat score..

you can look at www.442.com (http://www.442.com) - look at the FAQ, has details of the engines, not sure about casting numbers though..

[kustombuilder]

Bob your a bitch. i hate you!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif nice score brutha...

[nummnut]

i think its a 54 moter and 50 valve covers,when can i pick it up,

[mecutem]

Really cool story and motor! That motor with its history would be worth building a car around. I know your going to get many rockerteers drooling........nummnuts is drooling allready.....I know he is. Nice find and if at all possible use it just as it looks now.......drool.....drool Steve

[BELLM]

Nice score! Know what you mean, I hauled home an old late 50s early 60s hot rod 30-31 roadster last week. Would like to see it in its day, meet the original builder/owner. Can only imagine what it looked like. Guy had more money than me or a Daddy with a chrome plating shop, lots of peeling rusty chrome.

[Bugman]

See, constantly bothering old guys can pay off http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Nice score Bob.

-Bugman Jeff

[Fat Hack]

Good to see one of these stories pan out for a change!

I met this crazy old codger in Detroit about ten years ago through an ad he ran in the paper. I ended up visiting a big old warehouse and yard he was renting and it was FILLED with piles and boxes of parts, engines, glass, old magazines, vending machines, radios, etc, etc, etc. He also had about 60 cars on the property...none newer than 1974, but most far older! (30s-50s mostly).

I spent a few days poking around and listening to his tales...trying to iron out a deal for one of his cars. I helped him do brakes on his wrecker and got two of his dead heaps back to running condition for him. He was a flightly old goof, and kept changing his mind and his price every two minutes! I finally gave up in disgust and quit trying to reason with him!

One of the things I remember about him was this 6-foot tall stack of sheet metal he had. It turned out to be a stack of brand new full quarter panels for 1971-74 AMC Hornet coupes! He got them from AMC when they closed one of their buildings and he used 'em for making patch panels! I laughed...imagining what some AMC nuts would do if they knew what was going on in that dusty old warehouse!

Maybe I oughtta drive by and see what's up over there!

[Plowboy]

Cool Bob! By the way Bleed put on a stellar performance Saturday night in Charleston, IL.

Nummnut what'chu talkin' bout? You have to come get My Olds first! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[bobbleed]

Nummnut call me I need help IDing this thing and I need some speedo advise.

So the lincoln gears have 26 teeth? How many do the ford ones have?

Thanks for coming to the show Plowboy. It was fun.

Yep I think this is the begining of the BLEED COUPE!

[Roothawg]

I'm envious.

[mytlo56]

Great story man.

I just met a guy at a back issue magazine shop who owns this crazy 1957 Ranchero Hot Rod cover car from 59. It's got a shortened bed w/ huge fins, really odd tail lights, a completely custom front end, and more chrome plating than one can even imagine. He bought it from a couple of Mexicans in California in the late 70's for $500. The car is in need of a complete resto., but damn it's cool & he's thinking of selling it. Way, way beyond my ability level though. The guy also had the opportunity to buy the Matador prior to the big burn and its current resto.

Amazing the people you meet out there.

[56olds-ERDY]

hey great story!
way cool rocket.i like the u-fab kit better than any of the aluminum ones.it sits higher,and just looks cool.there should be a pad on the drivers side on the block.in between the 2 front exhast ports.look down,and it should be there.you may have to scrape some paint off.post it,and we should be able to figure it out.also give us the head number.should be a single digit.on one of the center exhast ports.could be 2 digit.i love those cool stories.i have a couple fun stories,but nothing like that,and they never are cool with multiple carbs,and speed stuff.ill tell ya though.definatly put new rings in the old gal at least.even though it turns over the rings are stuck in the pistons,and check out the bottom end.at least pull a couple caps at the very least to see whats there.you should check it all out though.have fun with it!
eric

[SamIyam]

[ QUOTE ]
.

He said that he got the old Hot Rod on back on the road, but it was so fast with the new engine that it scared him. He told me that Chevy is way too much engine for that little car...

[/ QUOTE ]

Such is life...

Anyway, Bob, that is one hell-of-a story! Are you going to build something around this motor?
Sam.

[Evel]

I hate you.

[cleatus]

[ QUOTE ]
I guess this means I'm Romantic.

[/ QUOTE ]

Who wouldn't feel a bit romantic around that sexy beast?

[PetT]

Great story!!! Bob, I know a guy here in Milwaukee that has a T coupe for not alot of money...chassis too but I havent seen either yet. That Rocket would be kewl in a T coupe!

[Tuck]

dude... that motor is cool.

Your gonna be a SEX HORSE in the new Bleed Coupe bro.

[repoguy]

Damn, that is the shit!

Scoring a 50's rocker motor is cool, but scoring a multi-carbed rocket with actual racing / hot rod history behind it is about as fucking cool as it gets.

Man, that rules.

I would never sell that motor.

[bobbleed]

Yeah I'm excited about a coupe, I need a hot rod with a roof!

Earlier this year I scored a 49 Olds motor for my dad. It's another cool story. I saw it advertised in a small trade magazine and called.

The guy told me it used to be in a 39 Mercury Convertable and was running when he pulled it. The guy who bought the Merc from him wanted the Flathead put back in so he pulled the olds out complete with the tranny adapter, starter cross over plate and Hurst style motor mounts. He said it could easily be put back into an early Ford.

When he started to tell me all of this I FREAKED cause my dad was looking for a motor for HIS 39 Merc Convert and we were talking about how cool an Olds or Caddy would be in it.

My dad bought it from the guy for $350 and plans to put it into his Merc.

Destiny.......

Actually I know of a few more Olds Motors in the area and a complete Full Dress Early Caddy/ LaSalle.
I'm saving up for them.

These old motors kill me.

[CAS]

Damn, that is the coolest. I might have to stop by and drool over it. As usual, I'm jealous.

[MarkX]

You suck.......

[Blownolds]

The valve covers are '49-50 covers.

Erdy's got it right for what info you need to get us to ID it. One note is that there might not be a big single-digit number cast on top of the heads. Look for it anyway, but I believe that '49-50's (and possibly even '51-2's, maybe maybe) don't have that big number. I don't know when they started doing that, but I'm pretty sure '53 engines had that number by then.

So, look for the head number and the number stamped on that pad on the block (unless the block got decked) and we can tell you what it is.

Other clues would be, post a pic of the crank pulley/hub/damper, and let us know how long the timing pointer is on the timing cover.

Also count the flywheel teeth (I'm betting 145 tooth)

I'm betting it's a '49-50 engine.

[side_valve]

Bob, sweet score!! That looks like a ’39 tranny case – your tail mount ears are broken off. I have a good truck tail you can have - mount it upside down, insert a ’66 chevy yoke - now you have an open drive.

[ramrod]

Nice score Ipicked up a53 ford PU about 15 years ago with a 51 chry hemi Built in the late 50s, I still have it and i've driven it about 10,000 mi.including 3 trips to tennessee so far.No rebuild I never even pulled the heads until this year.

[Rocket88]

Cool score! Persistance does pay off.

I'm a RULER !!!! Ahahahahaha!!!!!!!!

[Elrod]

Well, this could be the start to the Bleed Coupe.

(not my auction..) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10076&item=2441375 654

[burger]

Bob-

Cool find man. I'm happy for ya. Here's the Ford/Lincoln-Zephyr gear information you're looking for:

Ford - 29 Tooth
1st gear: 3.11:1
2nd gear: 1.77:1
3rd gear: 1.00:1

Ford - 28 Tooth
1st gear: 2.82:1
2nd gear: 1.60:1
3rd gear: 1.00:1

L-Z - 26 Tooth
1st gear: 2.33:1
2nd gear: 1.58:1
3rd gear: 1.00:1

L-Z - 25 Tooth
1st gear: 2.12:1
2nd gear: 1.44:1
3rd gear: 1.00:1



Ed

[bobbleed]

Awsome thanks for the info.

I'll get the casting #'s to date the motor. I kinda think it's an early one myself, because of the Valve Covers

[ESnacky6]

Hey Bob, I was able to score a Rocket engine with some 'history' as well..!!

My good buddy John bought a 2-door '51 Mercury a few years ago...
It had been sitting in a field for years, overgrown all around it...
He got the car for $2500 complete...
Looking at the interior, we could tell it was an old Custom from back in the day...
Like in the 50's..!! Bro... Hahaha..!!
Anyway, the door panels/headliner(or what was remaining of them)
were a pearl white with blue piping...
the body color was a metallic purple/burgandy color...
It even had holes drilled through for Appleton spotlights..!!
In the engine compartment, there was an Olds Rocket engine..!!
Nothing too fancy mind you, stock early 50's, but it was in good shape...
(the hood was actually kept on the car, out of the rain etc.)

Anyway, a year or so ago, he had a chassis swap done on the car
and the guy doing it was just going to junk the remains...

Yeah right..!! I drove down that next weekend to pick up that engine...
Now I think it'll end up in my '38 Ford one of these years...

Fun stuff huh..?? Parts/cars with history...
I can't wait to see what you do with yours..!!

Later Ruler..!! Snacks...

p.s.- When is Bleed going to put out a new CD..??

[Dat Dirty Rat]

Bleed- killer score holmes!!

I'm not trying to hijack your post but if i posted some pics and info of the Rocket i just got...i would greatly appreciate any info you guys could give me..Its supposely a 303 that came out of a 34 Coupe that was a HotRod in the 50's and the guy decided to put a Flattie back in it. A couple of friends of mine said its a 324. I dont have an Olds book yet to break the #'s down so how can you tell them apart?....Thanks, Dirty

[ESnacky6]

Speaking of pictures....

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[the SCROUNGER]

I'm pretty excited about this score.............
I had pretty much forgotton about the deal, or just assumed he had changed his mind and then about a week ago I was cleaning out my desk and found the number. I called agian and he picked up on the first ring. He said he had the motor all ready and was waiting for me to call him again so I could pick it up as he had lost my number (it's funny, he must have missed the 50 or so messages I left with it?).
Anyway, we set up a meeting and made the trade.
Patience is a virtue?
I think it was an AWSOME trade and definately worth the wait! I mostly wanted the speed stuff off of it and pretty much expected the motor to be stuck. I got it back to the shop put it on the stand and poured ATF down all of the Spark plug holes and right down the carbs. I PB Blastered the shit out of everything else and just let it soak for a week.


http://photo.starblvd.net/~bobbleed/2-4-2.jpg
http://photo.starblvd.net/~bobbleed/2-4-3.jpg
http://photo.starblvd.net/~bobbleed/2-4-5.jpg
http://photo.starblvd.net/~bobbleed/2-4-4.jpg



I know this is a very dated thread- but I found a 1950 Olds in my hometown here, it was in an old guy's back yard pushed over a hill. It was his first car and he kept it because of that, but it's parts only- anyway I'm getting any/all parts I want from the car for $100 package deal lot price. Already loosened up the motor mounts and will have the motor pulled by a wrecker soon- got what chrome trim was left- question- is it worth taking the rear axle and front drums also ?

It has the original 303 motor but missing the carb and a few other parts. I talked to an old-time hot rodder here who's around 70 years old now- he said the 1950's Olds motors were wicked fast on the street- and even after the small block Chevy came out, the Olds powered cars would be nipping at their heels. He raved about the original automatic trans in the Olds, how you could adjust the bands and get it to bark the tires on upshifts.

Pics to follow

[Dirty Dug]

I guess this means I'm Romantic.

There's nothing more romantic than finding an old hotrod. Don't be ashamed.

[Littleman]

Way Kool Mr. Bleed, I need to move to Wisconsin........Littleman

[drhotrodmd]

Damn Bob! You out did yourself there.

[The Catholic]

Great score, but this mention of the bleed coupe needs some details.....

If the coupe doesn't work out, that be a awsome generator for the bus.....

[Thirdyfivepickup]

Great score, but this mention of the bleed coupe needs some details.....

If the coupe doesn't work out, that be a awsome generator for the bus.....


um, this thread is 2 years old. I doubt he even has this engine anymore.

[bobbleed]

Holy shit this post is like 2 years old!!!

I do have a true passion for these olds motors and have collected alot of killer stuff in the last couple of years...

I think the Bleed Coupe will end up with a caddy motor...... I have been collecting parts for it too and will probably start on it in spring.
maybe sooner....

That motor has gone into the roadster we are building for my dad..

Heres a pic of my dads roadster...... Hes been working on it alot lately...

Its going to be a neat car....

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1286/modela152.th.jpg (http://img81.imageshack.us/my.php?image=modela152.jpg)


Heres some of the collection.......

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/7547/shopstuff1291sh.th.jpg (http://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shopstuff1291sh.jpg)

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4814/shopstuff1262wr.th.jpg (http://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shopstuff1262wr.jpg)

[bobbleed]

Damn I love this olds stuff..... thank you for letting me relive the excitment of when I first got that motor.....

AND littleman definately needs to move to WI...........

[The Catholic]

Dang should of put 2 and 2 together, oh well. Missed this post the first time around, the 3rd sentence with girlfriend laura should of been my first clue... Cool that the motor found a home anyways.

[Levis Classic]

heres a Olds 303 bored to a 324 out of a 50's drag car I picked up last year in Chicago. 4 - 97's, mcQuirk rockers aluminum flywheel forged pistons with a 50 Olds short shaft (LaSalle tranny).

It will be heading overseas to a very happy HAMB'r!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v168/levisclassic/rocket1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v168/levisclassic/OldsRocket5.jpg

[KoppaK]

AND littleman definately needs to move to WI...........

I DON'T THINK SO, too much talent there already send him to the Cook Islands, but not til he's finished his car.

[OldsGuy]

It's funny how an old thread gets resurrected. I was drooling all over myself as I looked at those pictures and read the comments. That most recent picture by Levis Classic is VERY NICE!


Slightly OT, but I was trying to locate some old school aftermarket stuff for a 455 yesterday. Called a well known Olds small block racer from the sixties that has a hot rod shop/machine shop/parts store. Found out about the only thing I could do is use a Torker with a Holley double pumper. unless.......there's someone on HAMB that can or has fabricated a manifold for four 97s or two four barrels to fit the 455???

[56olds-ERDY]

hey olds guy....offy has made a 2 4 brl intake for years.ive seen them on e-bay before used.i dont think the 97/94's are even close to enough carb for even a 350.
eric

Slightly OT, but I was trying to locate some old school aftermarket stuff for a 455 yesterday. Called a well known Olds small block racer from the sixties that has a hot rod shop/machine shop/parts store. Found out about the only thing I could do is use a Torker with a Holley double pumper. unless.......there's someone on HAMB that can or has fabricated a manifold for four 97s or two four barrels to fit the 455???[/QUOTE]

[Bugman]

How old does a thread have to be to be concidered a "vintage" thread?

[jonnycola]

How old does a thread have to be to be concidered a "vintage" thread?

This is Traditional Hamb.

[Blownolds]

I think I have a 455 2x4 intake here somewhere, if that's what you are looking for.

[the SCROUNGER]

How old does a thread have to be to be concidered a "vintage" thread?


I just wish the picture of that girl on your avatar was bigger- no offense, but how can I see up the skirt in such a tiny picture ?

[skidmarks]

from what i can see in the picture of the transmission, its doubtful that it has lincon gears in it. the top has the tower leaning back which were in 35-6 ford. if it has lincoln gears the shift forks would have to be changed to fit the syncro of the later transmission. more likley it has spur gears in it, pop the top off and look at the input gear, only lincolns had two flat spots on each side next to the syncro gear on the input shaft(high gear) or just count the cluster. 26 are more common then 25

[Rolf]

Great story, and and a great score. It pays to be stubborn.