Oldsmobile Rocket Motors [Archive]

Nick32vic

09-06-2003, 09:39 PM

I might have a chance to choose from 2 different Rocket Motors to buy. I already have 302 for my car but we can change the motor mounts fairly easily right now. I was just wanting to know if anyone on here is a Olds expert and had any inside info. about these motors. What to look for? What can be bad/good about them? If i should make one of these transactions if the guy(s) decide to sell them? How much it will cost to get it up and running GOOD? Reliable? Well thanks alot everybody.

Nick

Nick32vic

09-06-2003, 09:41 PM

O ya, i almost forgot. Another guy has a Olds intake for these.......a 3 duece intake with 2 old carbs and breather's on it. Who can rebuild the carbs? And, finally is it hard to find/can i find a manual tranny that will hook up to these motors? Thanks again for all the helpfull info. i hope i get from all you fine gents.

Nick

nummnut

09-06-2003, 09:57 PM

nick i love my 303 olds i can't seem to brak it,i will by them if you dont,im in chicago if you need any help just ask . i no im coool'er then bobbleed? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif O my # is 773-631-2342

rodnkustom

09-06-2003, 10:01 PM

There's a bunch of us "Rocketeers" on the HAMB, just remember, their expensive! But in my opinion their worth it. Sound good, fun to drive, you know. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

What do you need to know?! I'd need to know what carbs where on the manifold and pics/condition would be helpful as well.

Manual tranys are the trouble, their out there, but their expensive as well, there are adapters though, I think there was a post on here about that awhile ago.

Check out,
http://www.rodnkustom.com/rocketeers/

I'm not a expert though, I just know a bit,
-peter

Nick32vic

09-06-2003, 10:05 PM

Well thanks alot guys. Keep the info. comin..helpfull or not its still fun to read the storys and stuff. BTW i think i can get either of the motors (both might be running!) DIRT CHEAP!

Nick32vic

09-06-2003, 10:14 PM

O, if the motor is bad. How much will it cost to have it rebuilt?

rodnkustom

09-06-2003, 10:34 PM

Not sure about having one bulit, but I know that Kanter sells a full overhaul kit for about 1300 bucks...

There are tricks as well, if your bore out a 324 to have a 4" bore you can use 352 ford standard pistons. And the use of Chevy SB Solid Lifters, don't forget to stick 1/8in Brass Welding Rod through the Oil holes in the lifters to fill them in.

All 303/324/371 heads will fit on each other, but not every manifold will fit after you use the different heads, as the angle of the deck are not all the same. Most of the pieces will fit as well.

You just have to find the right older guys that know their shit, and get the tips from them, then tell me!! Don Wow's the master here on the HAMB, as with lakes modified, yorgatron, etc... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
-peter

yorgatron

09-06-2003, 11:51 PM

don't do it! they'll just break your heart and empty your wallet,ask the man who owns one-george

rodnkustom

09-07-2003, 12:01 AM

Yup..., I'm broke, but I own 2... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

lakes modified

09-07-2003, 01:51 AM

Yep and i own 4 of them. right peter?. gotta keep ahead of peter on them.peter, i just picked up a 2x4 weiand intake for one the other day, interested?
later Bill

p.s hey peter i did'nt see you in P-town 2 weeks ago when i was there, where were you?i'm still washing Bville salt off my pickup and modified. had a blast, you need to get there next year.

rodnkustom

09-07-2003, 02:21 AM

Yeah, and your at a low point right?! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'd like to Bill, but I'm broke, and still holding out for that edmunds 2x4 setup I've been drooling over for so long. Maybe someday you'll decide that that "show" piece you have needs to go to a new good home on my '56 324 that'll be in my '49!!! Huh? huh? huh?!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I've got a bunch of really cool ideas for that engine man!!

P-town? Bville!! YOU BUM!!! How was it man?! Did you get that bike setup on the back of your mod dude?! I'm going to try and make it next year, any major free time though is going to be spent on my olds, I need to get this girl done! Or, at least, driveable!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

You guys want to see a Rocketeer playland, bill's the man!
-peter

KIRK!

09-07-2003, 02:28 AM

I have a 4x2 manifold that's up for grabs. I bought it for $150 and just want my investment back. I bought it on the HAMB and it's nice. I just decided to go with a 3x2.

nummnut

09-07-2003, 04:59 PM

nick let me know if you dont wont them thanks or if you need help

4eva4banger

09-07-2003, 05:45 PM

Does anyone have any parts or trim for a model 98 56 Sports Coupe or a convertible?

BigJim394

09-07-2003, 07:31 PM

Yup, they are kind of expensive to build, especially if you are going to take it to a machine shop that knows old engines and say "Build it!".

But, if you can hold off, and search swap meets and ebay and older small town long time auto parts stores, you can find a lot of the parts for not too much money. Sometimes at swaps and on ebay you can find full engine rebuild gasket sets for 50 or 60 bucks, but a machine shop buying one from a jobber will charge maybe $150. Sets of Pistons show up on ebay that sometimes go for under $150...Egge machine is maybe $300 or more....Cams show up at swaps and ebay for all sorts or prices and there are bargains...I got a new HD oil pump on ebay for 35 bucks a while back, and the guy had been listing one a week for a couple of months...got a NOS water pump for $30.00 at a swap meet from a guy who had cleaned out an old auto parts warehose and was dumping water pumps that weekend...cam bearings and rod & main bearing sets show up on ebay as do valves and lifters and rockers arms...they just don't all show up at the same time and same month, and some do go for probably too much money, but not always..start going to ebay and regularly searching 394 Oldsmobile or Olds Engine...ask local long time parts stores if they have any old parts..hit the swaps...start collecting parts...if you find bargains for say the 371 engine you can't use, they are good things to swap with Olds guys for parts you need.

Think CHEAP!

sedan_dad

09-07-2003, 07:35 PM

Just stick the valve covers on a SBC and call it good.

nummnut

09-07-2003, 07:53 PM

dad that's just not right

Nick32vic

09-07-2003, 08:00 PM

Wow, thanks alot Jim! I won a free cam and lifters from comp cams and got them for my 302. Do you think they would trade me them for a cam and lifters Rocket Motor? (I didnt install the cam yet). And Sedan Dad that is not acceptable!

BigJim394

09-07-2003, 08:01 PM

By the way..try to get on a good basis with your local old style junkyards. The early 60's Olds with the 394 engines were pretty durable cars and sometimes the original owners were still driving them til recently. Every once in a while one shows up in a junkyard that got too rusty, and/or the owner died, it needed some work to stay roadworthy, and the kids/estate didn't want to deal with it so they donate it to some junkyard charity deal, or they just have it towed away. Sometimes these cars had the engine rebuilt within the last couple of years.
If you don't plan on really thrashing the engine, these are good to throw into a rod with maybe a cam, headers, a better ignition and a multi carb manifold. Sometimes you can get these CHEAP. Sometimes this type of engine shows up on ebay.

BigJim394

09-07-2003, 08:03 PM

Do Comp Cams even make a cam for the Olds Rocket motors?

55olds88

09-07-2003, 08:27 PM

Greg,
You looking for parts for Russel's 56 ?

Nick32vic

09-07-2003, 09:17 PM

Hey BigJim, thats what i am wondering? Do they make a cam? Does anybody make cams for Olds motors?

4eva4banger

09-07-2003, 09:21 PM

Stitch,

That's right. I saw Russell on the weekend and we got talking so I said I would see what we can find on here. He is mainly looking for exterior side trim for his convertible. I belive the door side trim is the same as coupe and the fender side trim is the same for all 98 models. He did say if he could find a parts car he would get a list of ALL the parts he required. Do you know of anything?

Greg

BigJim394

09-07-2003, 10:32 PM

I think somebody on the West Coast will do performance regrinds on stock cams...I bet Yorgatron or some CA Rocketeer knows the name...it's not coming to me now. I don't know if any cam manufacturer is currently making new cams for the rocket engines now, but NOS stock ones do show up from time to time, and would be great for a regrind.

Some of the regular vintage High Perf parts advertisers (Like Patricks, and Belmonts) in Hemmings sometimes have cams from different maufacturers.

Engle, Isky, and Schneider cams (and other manufacturers) show up on ebay and swaps from time to time, but be warned, some of them are full bore drag cams and would probably be a little wild for the street.

12pack

09-07-2003, 10:47 PM

cam grinds i got my cam done at cadbolt camshafts in vancouver b.c. they do proformance grinds.

pete324rocket

01-18-2008, 12:51 PM

QUOTE
"There are tricks as well, if your bore out a 324 to have a 4" bore you can use 352 ford standard pistons. And the use of Chevy SB Solid Lifters, don't forget to stick 1/8in Brass Welding Rod through the Oil holes in the lifters to fill them in."

Okay.I've read a number of the old posts on this topic-about lifters specifically.Briefly,in my case,I had my olds 324 rebuilt some time ago.Years past and the machine shop was doing inventory.Well lo and behold they had a set of 324 lifters sitting on the shelf."Where did they come from?" they asked -supposed to be in Petes' motor!
Apparently, chev lifters were used-maybe 350? I donno...
Long and the short of it,I had what were real 324 lifters and chev lifters apart and were comparing every aspect including leakdown-couldn't find any real difference. So why ? Why do they have different part numbers-what is the real deal on this? If they interchange,and the olds lifter is obsolete,why don't they cross part numbers over to the chev and make life a lot easier for everyone. Hope someone knows for sure...pete

pete324rocket

01-31-2008, 07:51 AM

Hoping to get some response......

CGkidd

01-31-2008, 08:00 AM

I think there is a difference in height of the plunger on them. Man I haven't seen this post in awhile.

Eric

mykwillis

04-19-2008, 01:15 AM

Btt

Rckt98

04-19-2008, 02:18 AM

SHIT. This is real spooky reading this thread.4ever4 was asking for 56 Olds parts for me, before I joined the HAMB.Choprods (Kenny) in Missouri replied & we called to his shop on my Route 66 trip (slight detour) the next year.He had a 98 coupe & I managed to get alot of my missing trim pieces from him.Hell of a good guy.
Weird how this thread has surfaced.
Russell

AssGasket

04-19-2008, 03:45 AM

Ask DonWow.....

mykwillis

04-19-2008, 05:08 AM

r0cket88

04-19-2008, 11:47 PM

Camcraft can grind you a cam for the 1956 324s, 371 and 394s. I don't think they have anything for the 303s or the early 324s. Does anyone have a Olds standard trans they'd part with? Thanks...

r0cket88

04-20-2008, 12:11 AM

Camcraft can grind you a cam for the 1956 324s, 371s, and the 394s. I don't believe they offer anything for the 303s, or the early 324s...

RoyalCrown32

04-20-2008, 12:24 AM

Hey BigJim, thats what i am wondering? Do they make a cam? Does anybody make cams for Olds motors?

I bought a cam for my 1953 Rocket Olds from Schneider Racing Cams. Custom grind to my specs. Great guys to deal with and good advice too.

RoyalCrown32

04-20-2008, 12:27 AM

Camcraft can grind you a cam for the 1956 324s, 371s, and the 394s. I don't believe they offer anything for the 303s, or the early 324s...

Camcraft can regrind a stock cam for the 303's.

Pete

04-20-2008, 04:01 AM

seanlaforest@hotmail.com

04-26-2008, 03:32 AM

I have a 53 Super 88 and cannot find a good 303 rocket anywhere. i just want to put something in it for know to get her going and then when im finished university i might be able to afford one.

can anybody help me out with what a good alterante choice is for dropping in. something somewhat affordable and easy to find

please..... i got this thing for my 16th B-day and I its been six long years...

F&J

04-26-2008, 05:51 AM

You would spend tons of time AND money putting a different type of motor in....IF you actually have the determination to finish such an involved swap, once it's all torn apart and looking like a "too big of a project for me".

Just a short list: Motor mount & trans mount fab, driveshaft mod, exhaust fab, radiator mod?, trans linkage mods, wiring etc. You will wish you didn't try it unless you have experience in swaps.....plus the car will be all apart and you will be more behind in your dream.

I'd save a few bucks for a 303-324. Yes they are still out there, and you can find a hauler to deliver it. That's what I did.

31ACoupe

04-26-2008, 07:20 AM

You need to beat the bushes. I just bought a nice 303 motor and tranny for a reasonable price (I think). Didn't even know the guy had it, it was in an old 51 Hudson he is restoring and is putting back in the Hornet motor. My rocket 303 had less than 100 miles on a complete rebuild when he parked it and his dad was the original owner. I am real happy with this find and they are out there, you just have to know people and ask a lot of questions.

pete324rocket

04-30-2008, 04:36 PM

Yes, the lifters are slightly different. The pushrod pocket is higher on the chevy lifter which pushes the valves open....no compression...just went through this on my motor. I bought a 324 that was rebuilt, installed in the original car and would not run! The guy got fed up because he couldnt figure it out. I bought the whole car, stole the motor, installed it in my coupe and found it would not run. after some investigating and talking with the old timers I found that the generic upgrade for lifters were the SBC units. I had to get shorter push rods and fiddle diddle with the right combo until I got it right.

Pete-

I find this a bit hard to believe because from examining the lifters,you'd have a hard time ever telling the difference.Plus even if there was a little extra height...wouldn't the lifter take up the difference like it is supposed to and find its 'sweet spot" to function properly?

racerjohnson

11-15-2008, 04:19 PM

btt. Looking for closure on this.

Bobert

11-15-2008, 05:04 PM

Not exactly sure what you are looking for, but the desired lifter preload is usually between .020" and .060"(some say .050"). A pushrod that works with Chevy lifters in a 303" engine is about .125" shorter than the stock Olds pushrod. So it would seem then that the stock Olds pushrod would not work with the taller Chevy lifter in the proper range. Not enough range left in the lifter to compensate for the long pushrod.

petritl

11-15-2008, 05:05 PM

This next week I may have a running 1965 Oldsmobile Starfire engine w/ TH400 transmission (switch pitch?) for sale.
The engine is a 425ci factory 370 HP ultra high compression engine.
I am selling my Starfire convertible and it doesn't appear as the buyer wants this engine.

If the car sells I will post the engine and trans in the forsale section

Tad