Yeah... the phrase says it all - Holy Cow. It's a huge motor. I didn't realize how bit it was till I got it in my garage today. I'm hoping it will fit between Model A rails. Anyone have any pictures? Josh.
Plenty have fit em in A rails, I would show you how but I haven't tried yet nor taken pics of any of the other local ones..... you think its big, try shifting the damn thing !! and watch your feet and fingers, these things weigh a little
Their size is only dwarfed by the torque they make, i love mine and can't wait to get the brakes fixed so i can drive the damn thing more.
Yep, rockets ain't exactly compact. Wide angle. I used to have a 63 Dynamic 88 w/a 394. The dude I bought it from was a bit clueless, and had told me that he thought it had a 350 in it. I'm thinking "well, it they didn't have 350 rockets back then so must be a chevy transplant". I remember the first time I popped the hood I was like, "uhhh, no". He sold it to me so he could buy his girl a corvair????? To each their own. I guess he needed to get rid of her or something.
Not wanting to get caught up in the valve cover rant post but a related question. I'm putting 1955 heads on my '50 303 and am planning on using the '50 valve covers. These will fit over the 1.8 rockers on the '55 heads won't they? Never gave this a thought.
i just pulled one out of my 56 last weekend.It has 3 two 's . finned valve covers and a ****** adapter for late model automatic.Im thinking of selling it. Hambers get first shot. PM. me
i've got the original 303 and it runs great, with a two barrel carb it gets pretty good gas mileage too.
i got the early oldsmobile rocket script covers on my 371- had to get a 1/2" socket and make a small bump on either end to clear the rocker arm stands- Chromed em and used the stock gaskets, no leaks or issues for me. good luck danny
Those Rockets are almost as heavy as a big hemi so plan your suspension and brakes accordingly. Im putting a 324 in a 43 Ford 1/2 ton complete with 3 carbs and a 37 LaSalle ******.
To add to my A frame, I have 1940 Ford front axle with wishbones and 1940 Ford rear axle with radius rods. How much more do you think I need to strengthen it up? Thanks, Joshua.
As for rocker clearance I have 56 heads on my 52 303. I'm told the earlier covers won't fit. Although I have adjustable rocker arms and sold lifters that just add to the problem but the Moon No Name finned covers have plenty of clearance.
Well looks like a test fit is due. Dang, really want to use the old covers now that the pin holes are fixed. I knew that adjustable rockers won't fit under the stock covers. There were some (Gotha?) bumped out steel covers at one time for those. I guess I could look for the 324 covers or pop for the Offenhauser finned jobs.
Put F2/F250 12" brakes on that fron axle or go the Buick route. Im sure someone here could suggest springs, shocks and a steering box that will clear or you can relocate the starter to the p***enger side. Lose that 40 rear and go 9". The Olds torque is too much for the 40 unless you go thru an expensive upgrade or really baby it. I used to blow those rears with a hot flathead on the track. You'll still have a fairly severe weight bias on the front end so it will plow thru turns with the rear getting loose. Consider adding the battery in the trunk. The heavy 9" will also help a bit but its mixing sprung and unsprung weight and Im far from a suspension/handling expert. Beef that frame, here is something you can buy or copy. I sectioned a 39 X I had lying around for mine. http://www.dagelsstreetrods.com/super_x_crossmember.htm
1. I will look into the brake upgrade, but I wanted to run a traditional suspension set up, and rear axle. 2. The 40 rear end - what is the upgrade? Again, wanted to be traditional. So I could try to find a Chevy or Olds rear end from the 50's... but I already spent money on this front and rear. I initially wanted to run a flathead setup, but couldn't find one in decent shape. And this Olds presented itself and I didn't want to p*** it up. 3. Frame support, that looks like a good option... something I wanted to do anyways!
Definitely look in to a 50's Olds rear, it'll keep a theme with the motor and will be able to handle the power better then that poor little 40 rear. Yorgatron is parting out two 56's and should most likely have a rear for you.
Those aren't Gothas. The ones you're talking about are export J2's. Some aftermarket companies also made them, but the tooling is slightly different.
That Olds rear would be nice if you will be running an automatic as Id guess the ratio is fairly tall. Other options would be F2/250 (4.10 was common), 55-6 Ford/Merc/Edsel wagon/delivery, 55-7 Chevy/Poncho, or pretty much any car that had a 300 cube or bigger V8 with the proper width. Ive read somewhere that someone has come up with the parts to adapt 9" axles to a 40's style case along with stronger gears. Pretty pricey if I remember. But the main thing Id dump is that torque tube and I sure hope you werent planning on a 39/40 ******!?! Open drives became "traditional" after the first one arrived in a boneyard. That Rocket will be as expensive to build as a flatty so I hope it is in good shape. I put over $2500 into a 371 several years ago and that was strictly internal parts and machine shop work. Luckily the 324 I have now was rebuilt about 30K ago and was a sweet runner.
If you can come up with a set of Iskenderian adjustable rockers, they should clear just about any cover, because the adjusting screw stuck out the bottom instead of the top, like most aftermarket rockers did. They resemble a Studebaker rocker arm.
1) 40 Ford Rear: It won't take too much abuse - and you'll probably snap the axles out where they are tapered (by the drums). You can adapt 28 spline 9" axles and side gears to run in the original differential, then modify the axle housings to use the early big-ford bearings - and fab new spring hangers (if you're running the original style leaf spring). This will give you a much stronger rear end (still a peg leg), and it will still look like a 40 Ford (except for the brakes / spring hangers --- which will need to be new). Very gew guys have the tools/equipment or knowledge to think about doing this themselves, so you'll probably need to find a shop that specializes in this type of work. The bad news is that all this custom work isn't cheap -- my guess is that you'd spend $1000 - $1500 getting this done. The good news is that it still looks cool. You might consider talking to these guys - at least they can help you understand options / costs: www.hotrodworks.com www.dutchmanms.com As you'll find, setting up a late 9" Ford is WAY cheaper . . . just depends how bad you want the early Ford look and how deep your pockets are. PS: If you PM me your eMail address, I can send you an article on putting the 28 spline axles in an early Halibrand V8 Q.C. --- exactly the same work that you'd do with a non-Q.C. early Ford. The article covers the whole deal.
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