Hot Rods Oldsmobile Straight Eight Performance Parts

Alright guys, like the title says are their any performance parts for a 257 Oldsmobile Straight 8?

For that matter is anyone using one? Just getting information on the engine is rather difficult but from what I can gather they have 110hp @ 3600 rpm and about 200 lbs.ft of torque @ 2000 rpm. But that was all I could gather from AACA websites of which their is only one providing the info. Furthermore with only five mains I'm not sure how much support the block will provide the crank for any speed components.

 

Don't know much at all, except LaSalle used Olds 8 design with 240CI from 34 to 36. I've worked on several, and they seem to run well and sound "solid" inside, if you know about old barn find vintage engines

I'm interested in any replies you get here, as I like them a bit more, each time I get one more running

 

I saw a Fenton or Edmunds intake many years ago on E-Bay for a flathead Olds. Don't see them for sale that often or if at all.

 

I looked into the intake and it seems their where aftermarket dual intakes but they must be as rare as hens teeth right now.
If Hemi Joe is anything to go by, their might even be an aluminum head and manifold out their but I'm not holding my breath on finding one of those.

 

Strange,,,five main crank, different sizes on each.
Old design , started in '37.

 

Well intake and exhaust can be handled in the garage easy enough if you got even mediocre skills.

The cam can be reground, and I am sure that you can get pistons from JE. They machine all their forgings anyway so custom pistons would not be a big deal from them.

There are a few decent cam grinders in the NW stilland most of the Oregon or Washington fellas can hook you up with one. If you have no luck get hold of @falcongeorge up farther north he will know of a good cam grinder.

Five mains is not going to handle mega boost but the 8 in a row engine is not going to be a revver so as long as you remember what it is and build it accordingly you should be fine.

 

Old thread, I know, but I couldn't resist posting these pictures from the last Hershey event.

 

There was a drag racer that was setting up for a Buick Roadmaster straight 8.
He went in to see Tomasello about regrinding the cam.
Tomasello said there was no way he could set it up in his cam grinder, his words:
"That stick was longer than a story, I woulda had to move the wall!"
Tomasello had a way with words...