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

Thanks for the info Daemon. Can you tell me, will an edelbrock ol-396 3x2 intake fit to an Olds 303? Thanks

 

no problem, but its not all my work i've learned alot and "stole" alot from other threads here on hamb aswell

yes it will, it never hurts to port match the heads though
or intake etc..the ol-396+ol-496 intakes all fit all 303-324 engines but intake ports on either head or intake might not be 100% the same, so if you want to earn som hp matching never hurts..

 

Thanks.

Another little challenge I have is we are missing a roker arm for my 303. Replacements I got from Egge are slightly longer and lead me to believe they are from a later model motor. Talking with Gary at Rocker Arm Specialists to see what they can do. Do you have any other suggestions? This is all we're waiting on to get my rod going and I'm not as patient as I used to be.

 

the longer ratio arms need the coresponding towers
to center the push rods in their guide holes

but are worth a few more horse power if ya do

 

thinking about this one again,
does your short ratio rocker take the smaller 1/4" diameter push rods?
the longer ratio rocker should take the larger 5/16" diameter rods
so that means to do the swap you might need lifters, rods and towers
and new lifters should go on a new cam...

stock cam could be reground if it's a good one, might be a good time to add some "bump" it
early (all?) 303s will take a common Chevy lifter
and check push rod length, they should be "off the shelf" stuff too

 

You should use the larger pushrods with the 1.8 rockers, but the early lifters can stay.

 

does anybody happen to know if a 455 bronze dist. gear can be made to work on my 394 roller cam? It looks like it would work . has anybody done this?

 

Thanks Daemon, great thread. I read all the text and clicked all the links and am still a little confused. I'm going to be putting a 324 with a j-2 intake machined to fit in my roadster. I really want a manual transmission. I don't see any reference to any olds standards for the 324. Was the Hydramatic all you could get? If I want to use a more modern GM manual is spending $1,400 on the adapter kit my only or best option?

 

The standard transmission that Oldsmobile used from '51 into the early '60s was a "selector" three speed that had a unique bolt pattern and the only companies I know of that ever made a floor shift conversion for it are Ansen and Drag Fast, both of which are long out of production. My '64 Hot Rod magazines have ads for four speed equipped Starfires, but I've never seen one.

 

Lots of great info here.

I have a dumb question

I know you have the years for cid listed, but what types of cars should we be looking in? I know "Starliner" is mentioned alot. Do all Olds cars in those years have "Rocket's" in them.

I'd love to find a '61-'64 394 or a earlier 371, but not really sure what type of car I'm looking in - anybody have pictures of what these came in or have a source for pictures? Even pictures of the earlier cars as well so some of us rookies know what to look for.

Thanks

 

All '57-'58 Oldsmobiles were 371 equipped. The cheaper '59-'60 models had 371s, and the more upscale models had 394s. All '61-'64s had 394s, except cheap '64s, which came with the new 330. '59-'60 371s were a high deck block like the 394s.

 

When Olds went to the overhead valve engine in 49 they started the "Rocket" theme. That was used by Oldsmobile pretty much from then until the engine went away about 1988. The "Rocket" engines were the V-8s produced in Lansing. All Oldsmobile V-8 engines were produced in Lansing but now all Olsmobile V-8 cars had engines from Olds. ie 1977s.....
For your search just look for any Olds up through 1958 for the 303, 324 and 371 config. The 59-64 full size cars for the 371 later design and 394 except the less expensive full size models. The early 371s mount the valve covers thru the center of the cover. The later mount at the perimeter.
Hope this helps you a little.
Brian

 

is there any problem bolting a complete 49-53 cadillac bellhousing to a olds rocket? i dont think there is but maybe i am missing something

 

guys this is a great thread thanks for all the info.

again

 

by the looks this hasn't been covered, will 57 heads fit earlier engines ? I know 56's are better then 55's they are also harder to get, do 57's fit and if so what needs to be done ??

 

i have a cad bellhouseing appears the clutch fork is mounted lower than olds . compare and see.

 

Yes, '57-'58 heads can be used on earlier blocks, but since the corresponding intake is too wide for the '49-'56 block, you'll have to port match an early intake to the larger head ports as best you can. Also, the '57-'58 rocker shafts are slightly longer, and will need either the late valve covers, or reliefs beat or ground (tin or aluminum) into the early covers.

 

Also, the Cadillac bell housing has no provisions for mounts.

 

HEATHEN rocker shaft dia is cad - olds is it the same. 49 up thanks.

 

Cadillac rocker shaft diameter is not the same as Oldsmobile.

 

FYI there is a mob selling new Olds Rocker shafts on ebay at the moment, pretty reasnoble pricing too.
Thx for the 371 head info.

 

Great thread. I'm wondering about actual physical size though. I'm assuming that a 394 is physically not larger than a 303 right? Just a bore and stroke difference? How much larger than a small block chevy in size is a 394?

 

Yes, a 394 is a bit larger than a 303, due to the deck height being taller, which makes for a wider block.

 

Thanks. Any idea on weight?

 

Speaking of width, can anyone measure the width of both a low-deck and tall-deck for comparison's sake. Overall width and width from exhaust manifold to exhaust manifold would be nice.

Thanks!

 

My 394 isn't much longer than the SBC it replaced although its a whole lot wider.

 

Got a complete '64 Starfire engine with all the accessories, under the workbench.
Width @exhaust manifolds:24"
Heightil pan to carb top:26"
Length;water pump to bellhousing:31"

Weight: Them Sum-Bitches are heavy as a boat anchor, almost crushed Nads chest puttin' mine in the Olds.
Betcha it weighs every bit of 500lbs, probably 750 with all the accessories.
JT

 

Can anyone tell me what 5 speed trans i can adapt to the offenhauser #0304 adapter? i can weld up the mounting holes and re-tap. just not sure what trans would have the correct shaft length. i plan to put it in my 32 ford

 

I have new aluminum bellhousings for early rockets for use with a muncie or 5 speed

Thanks,Tony

Ross Racing Engines
Niles,Ohio
330-544-4466

 

Heres My Tocket!