Unfortunately, I only have an engine. However, it does have an Iskendarian cam, Gotha adjustable rockers, a Mallory "Double-Life", and dual quads. I also have the adapters and starter "switchover" to put it into my "Tub".
Watched my son this morning got to the shop around noon. Loaded up the engine and transmission after sealing everything up and gave her a bath. Got the transmission pulled off and engine on the stand. Tractors help a lot one of the best investments I've made! Will get the top end torn down tomorrow and plan the next steps.
Hey Michael, I have a '55 olds 88 similar issue about 80 psi in cyl #7..watching your investigation with keen interest. Nice olds you have there. I read we don't have to pull the intake on the 324 to pull the head.
Thanks! And I read that as well. Im going to pull both heads go through the whole top end I have a 4 barrel intake off a super I might throw on if I can find a carb. I have a feeling the bottom end will be ok may roll in some new mains and rod bearings depends on how those look as well.
Decent day of progress. Got the 324 torn down to a long block pretty much. In recent posts I had mentioned that there was water coming out of the exhaust port for 3 and 5 on driver side cylinder head. Well come to find out the threaded holes in the head run all the way through to the water jacket and I didn't put sealant on the exhaust studs. Seeing that I'm sure I won't need a cylinder head. Heres some pics of the progress today. [/ATTACH]
I had noticed that the rocker shafts looked starved of oil when I pulled the valve covers off. I did have this running a couple of weeks ago. Talked to my dad who just rebuilt a 394 out of a 62 star fire and had mentioned that he ran into the same issue. These cam journals on the early olds engines send oil to each rocker shaft at one point per rotation. My dad suggested pull the cam and have the local machine shop cut a grove in the journals so I get constant oil to the rocker shafts. Worked the lifters out and pulled the front housing and cam shaft. Before I send the cam off I am going to measure and record the intake and exhaust lobes to be sure I dont need a cam shaft. Probably going to go with new lifters as well because they are showing signs of being concaved worn pretty good.
Delta cams will regrind that cam and Rockers Unlimited can reface the lifters. I used sbc lifters in my rebuild with custom length push rods. The end push rods were hollow and pump oil to the top end. Recommended by Tony at Ross Racing. So far it has worked out great.
Yeah I’m thinking longer push rods and if the cam and lifters are both refaced, idk why you couldn’t put them in random order. It’s like installing new lifters on an old cam probably. I’ll look into it.
I believe @Paul has had a cam reground for one of his Old's engines. I bet he could offer some thoughts on the lifters/pushrods.
I have had several early Olds cams reground by Delta Camshaft in Tacoma, WA they can also clean up your rockers and shafts if they are not too worn. yes you can use Chevy lifters in the 303 and 324 but will need shorter push rods. I get my push rods from Smith Brothers Pushrods in Redmond OR.
Pulled the heads and pan this afternoon. Decided since its out might as well see what im dealing with and if ill need to do a full overhaul. In my opinion this engine looks like it hasnt been gone through. 54k on the odometer It probably has rolled over once. Cross hatch is pretty much gone and the ridge in the upper cylinders is probably .004-.005 thousandths. Going to strip the block down the rest of the way tomorrow, use my dads reamer and clean them up. Once the cylinder measurements are taken ill know if a hone will do or boring is in order. Also checking to see if the heads and decks will need to be machined. Practicing my dent repair as I go too. Its a rough go but learning. the 1/4 panel rust will get all repatched in the next couple of months. h
Finally back home from work. 14 days on 14 days off is a great schedule but still rough at the same time. Ordered my brake parts and power brake booster rebuild kit so they were here when I got home. Tore the brake booster off and tore it down. Glad I have the 54 shop manual to help me with the process. Will get the engine torn down the rest of the way tomorrow hopefully. It'll get to the machine shop when I head back to work in a couple weeks.
Haven’t forgot about the thread. Did get the engine put back together, in the car and it runs ! Finally got my lift installed. So finishing up some under side work.
The Jalopy Journal
