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Projects 324 Olds Rocket in a 40 Ford

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by djweaz, Dec 8, 2020.

  1. Dago 88
    Joined: Mar 4, 2006
    Posts: 2,310

    Dago 88
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Great choice of motor, I have had a few over the years. 61923902_404082653510906_6216448021127757824_n.jpg 47666_1612705951476_737468_n.jpg '36 3.jpg Digital 196.jpg 150407007.jpeg
     
    jimmy bruns, Paul, 550Coupe and 9 others like this.
  2. Blues4U
    Joined: Oct 1, 2015
    Posts: 7,589

    Blues4U
    Member
    from So Cal

    I would definitely use the Hydro if at all possible, that's a great transmission IMO. Nice to have 4 gears instead of 3, and that 1-2 shift is a kick in the ass (literally). The appeal of the car with the Old would be far higher with the Hydro than with the 350th. Just MO
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2021
    warbird1 and 550Coupe like this.
  3. The easy way, put Olds valve covers over your SBC covers and 50's Stellings & Hellings air cleaners you're done.
    I love your shaved and peaked hood, have one on my tub just like it.
     
  4. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member

    I hope this was a joke!:eek:
     
    X38, loudbang, Dago 88 and 1 other person like this.
  5. That's no joke it's a plan, weld studs on top of the chevy valvecovers and bolt down the Olds covers right on top and you're set.
     
  6. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member

    Anyone that knows engine's knows the difference. You will only fool the gold chainers, and who cares about them? If you want an Olds, put an Olds in it, don't fake it, it just makes you look bad.:eek:
     
  7. jimmy bruns
    Joined: Jun 21, 2011
    Posts: 81

    jimmy bruns
    Member
    from Chatsworth

    I would never fake an olds motor.... a small block will never even come close. I eat those for breakfast all day long with my 324.
     
  8. It's a very bad plan.
     
  9. My friend Dan Hanke's 40 Ford. Olds powered since 1956!

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
    bchctybob, Paul, 40ragtopdown and 5 others like this.
  10. Dangerousdan
    Joined: Apr 12, 2018
    Posts: 333

    Dangerousdan
    Member
    from Arizona

    I find it invigorating to see a Forty Ford with a a Cad or Olds motor. It's great to see the pass once again.
     
    Moriarity likes this.
  11. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 8,796

    Marty Strode
    Member

    Gottem both, side by side ! IMG_7318.JPG
     
  12. saltracer219
    Joined: Sep 23, 2006
    Posts: 1,071

    saltracer219
    Member

    But they are so much cooler than a THM 350!
     
    Blues4U and warbird1 like this.
  13. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 8,796

    Marty Strode
    Member

    They are so cool, they don't need a cooler !
     
    bchctybob, Blues4U and saltracer219 like this.
  14. 4tford
    Joined: Aug 27, 2005
    Posts: 1,824

    4tford
    Member

    I put a 392 hemi in mine and used a turbo 400 behind it so the trans mount ended up at the proper location on the frame. I replaced the firewall to a four inch setback though. I have a rack on mine so there is no issue with a steering box to starter interference

    1683097-9b88c623f3a83742ebba9a3d8cf45518.jpg IM000291.JPG
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2021
  15. saltracer219
    Joined: Sep 23, 2006
    Posts: 1,071

    saltracer219
    Member

    I am curious as to why you felt that you needed that much firewall clearance?
     
  16. khead47
    Joined: Mar 29, 2010
    Posts: 1,789

    khead47
    Member

    Back in the day, a friend had a 1940 Packard Coupe with an early Olds and 4 spd Hydro. Must have had gears in the 5. something ratio. I swear from a dead dig it would shift to second gear before the rear tires were at where the front were on takeoff ! Fast heavy ride.
     
  17. In high school I'd get to use Mom's Olds if I had been a good boy, It was a 55, super 88 with 324 cubes, 202 HP with the Rochester 4 barrel, slant pan 4 speed hydro, single exhaust.
    My buddy, Jim had a 56 Pontiac with the 316, Rochester 4 barrel and the same slant pan hydro. We'd race each other on a straight stretch, out by the ball fields. He would beat me by 1/2 a car every time! We'd power brake those babys up and come squirting off the line and his Pontiac would shift about a second after my Olds, giving him more RPMs before the trans shifted to the next gear and he'd creep past me on every shift. I love the early Olds motors but when it came time for me to pick a traditional engine for my 34 ford coupe, it was a no-brainer. I picked the Pontiac engine and I love that thing! Photo is Mom's Olds after I'd bought it from her.. 55olds.jpg
     
    Blues4U likes this.
  18. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,244

    theHIGHLANDER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I'd be hard pressed to take this on without everything needed in hand. In the meantime there's a ton of cheap changes that could be made on what's in it now to get the mojo right. Yes, you're right, there's a lot of shit that just says 80s street rod in that car. That's not a purely hateful thing by any means. I mean WTF, it's a 40 coupe! Any surprises you can sneak up on before the hood comes off will save potentially weeks of grief. I'd toss a coin on the trans. An old hydro can be fun but not when it breaks a couple hundred miles from home, and the potential additional floor and frame mods are worth consideration. Hateful? Not worth doing? Oh hell no, but from the outlook of doing this shit day in and day out looking and waiting sux. Keep us posted, sounds fun.
     
    i.rant likes this.
  19. 4tford
    Joined: Aug 27, 2005
    Posts: 1,824

    4tford
    Member

    It was already installed on the project I bought and also more room for the trans fitment.
     
  20. 57JoeFoMoPar
    Joined: Sep 14, 2004
    Posts: 6,138

    57JoeFoMoPar
    Member

    To begin with, there is nothing to be ashamed of running a SBC in your 40. Is it a common engine to see in there? For sure. But that's because it's an excellent engine, a great platform for reliable power and allows you to run the best transmissions GM had to offer without an adapter. I would run dress a SBC up nice and run it unapologetically with pride before I fake an Olds engine. Nobody that matters is fooled. From the head castings, to the lack of valley pan, to valve cover and exhaust manifold bolt pattern.... it can be spotted a mile away. What makes matters worse is that it makes you look embarrassed for running the Chevy because you're trying to hide it, which is a bad look. So don't do that.

    An Olds is a really good engine. Very torquey, sounds great, built to be really tough. And they look great. Follow some of the threads on here about how to put one in and you're in good shape. IMHO, I'd spend more up front and get either an adapter from Bendtsen's (if you're OK losing some of your floor space) or the conversion to a TH350/400/700R4 from Ross Racing. It will be worth it. Olds engines themselves are expensive to build, but even in factory form will be able to provide enough power for a legit cruiser you can take anywhere.
     

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