THE oldsmobile rocket 303 324 371 394 post to end all other posts, (lasalle related )

Thanks for info.

 

Hi, just a short question.

I have a set of #3 303 heads and the Original heads of my early 303 (not numbered).
Are there any gains in swapping the #3 heads or are all 303 heads the same?

Thanks

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Good question,
I see valve numbers did not change from '49-'53
Valve springs did change in '52
But there were at least four different head casting numbers;
'49-'50, 561415
'51-'53 exc. 98 Fiesta, 561370
'51-'53 Export, 561415
'53 Fiesta Conv. 563372

 

Not quite. I have 1956 #10 heads on my 303. The lump on the underside of the 1956 4-barrel manifold will not clear the 303 valley cover. The '56 valley cover has a depression to accommodate the manifold lump.

 

That brings back a memory. Back in 1959, I put 56 heads on my 303, and it almost drove me nuts trying to get the manifold on. I went back to the wrecker and picked up the 56 valley cover.

 

At the moment I am rebuilding my 303. Got the #3 heads from another 303 I stole the 4bbl intake and rocker arms of. Just trying to make up my mind if the #3 heads would be worth the effort. Otherwise I would just use my old heads as they are in pretty good shape already.

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If you have to recondition the heads, I would go with the #3's. If not, stick with the originals. You will not see a big performance gain unless you go with 324 7-10 heads. There are plenty of Rocket 303's running stock heads so it is just a matter of cost and preference. Win-win either way.

 

Thanks, I'll save myself the work and put them in the spare parts shelf

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Enjoy that Rocket!

 

Valve covers for a 371.

 

It's 2007 or 2008 year. I'll check the month. Great article.

 

I've been looking for one of these conversions. Still producing them?

 

Does anyone know if it's ok to use 56 rocker arms on 55 heads. Looks like the only difference is an extra oiling hole.

 

I can't think of any reason why you could not. For good oiling I would pop out the end caps in the shafts and thoroughly clean the crap out of them and then clean the rockers. New shafts are available if yours have a lot of wear.

 

Thanks. I got new shafts from Ross already so I'll be using those. I'd like to use the 56 rockers because they've got a couple extra oiling holes.

 

1937 LaSalle Bearings:

SKF 6208-2ZNR for the front/input shaft
Nothing available for the center bearing (this is the special 1937 one 47508-7)
SKF 6206-2ZJEM for the tail housing
SKF 15412 seal for the tail housing (narrower than original, but should work)

Note: The Stens 230-254 has rubber grease seals which may not be optimal for this application. The SKF bearing numbers I have provided have metal shields like the original bearings. They are shielded on both sides so you can pry off the extra shield if you like to more closely match the original bearings. This is what the bearing house recommended.

I got the bearings at Applied Industrial Technology in Long Beach, California. They are based in Cleveland though and will do mail order. The two bearings and the seal were just under $100 with shipping and tax.

 

Does anyone have any information on converting a olds transmission to a top shift with what appears to be a ford top shift cover, cover adapter, shift rail and fork modifications.


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Picked up a pair of Edelbrock covers at the Monroe swap meet today,
to go with the 4x2 intake..

Anyone have a secret trick for removing powder coat?

 

might be able to bead blast it. I would try a test spot to see if it moves. Most PC companies will tell you to use a paint stripper like Jasco but it is very nasty stuff and messy. Depending on thickness might take multiple coats and then there are those fins to get down into. Small copper brush might get down into the fins.

 

Bead blasting would take a very long time. Chemical stripping would be better. Put it in a bucket or tray and keep it wet with stripper. Don't let the stripper dry out. You can use a plastic brush, Scotchbrite pads or scraper to help it along. Wear thick gloves and use eye protection. If you get stripper on your skin, immediately rinse with cool water. Stripper works best in hot weather. Do it outside or in a well ventilated area.


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Heads by JOCKO

 

Wow

 

Looking for a part number for a timing cover crank oil seal for a 303/324.


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The most powerful stripper ever is Benco B-17 beware this stuff is nasty to human skin etc. Powder coat comes off like water off a duck .

 

After some pointers please guys, I picked up this '62 394 high compression motor the other week. As you can see she wasn't in mint shape! Someone left t outside with no plugs in, soaked the bores and got the Pistons out. I'm having trouble finding define answers on piston sizes or a spec sheet/tuning Manual with stock and aftermarket sizes to bore to. I'm in the UK so can't afford to order the wrong manual, or parts. Would be great to have a measure up of all the parts I have (motor was purchased in boxes) and see if this can be used, the bores are surprisingly nice but won't clean up with a simple hone. Thanks in advance

Joe

 

Here is another Olds part Co. in Nor Cal if anyone is interested http://www.forwhatyouneed.com/transmission adapters, conversion.htm

 

Brought this of Face Book last week, Very happy as these are very here.

 

Very cool, love that early stuff.
I think those came out in '49,
the first year of the Olds valve in head engines.
Before the factory 4 barrel carburetors.