Hi My son and I were planning on putting a 51 Merc flathead in out 36 Ford pickup, but a recently ran across a rocket engine. The owner didn't really say he would sell it, but mentioned it was worth $900. I've been reading tech and past Rocket posts but still have some questions. He says it's a 58 J2 (with adjustable rocker arms he says) that he was told had been recently rebuilt, but the cam went bad, soooo basically I guess one should figure on a rebuild. My questions: Is the price in the ball park or way too high? What is approx cost for a rebuild with a good cam? What is required to adapt this to a 5 speed or will that hold up with the Rocket's torque? What numbers and where should I look to determine if it really is a 58 J2? Picture below: Thanks Ol Blue
In my opinion, if it need a rebuild, and you never know how much junk is screwed up in there... $900 is a bit too much. If it were running like a top, maybe. But what do I know?
serial number is on the left side of the deck, between the exh ports. Should be a link to find out what it is in the recent Olds ID post. You remember if that intake was a stock cast iron one? If it is, it's most likely a '57 or newer motor (those intakes require some work to bolt on the earlier ones) But who knows... the valvecovers are '51-54s. I don't think adjustables clear those valvecovers. Also, I'm not positive, but I thought the later ones had two large ribs/gussets in the back of the block.
Also, that's at least a '56-up dist, which don't mean much since I've had some '50 303s with '56 324 dist in them when I bought them. I have a set of old chromed valvecovers like the ones in the pic. Came off a 324 with adjustables. They're all dented from the rockers b/c they had adjustables in the motor. lol
Well I dunno, it's hard to say about "rebuilt" From your picture it looks like the manifold was replaced recently. (clean looking bolts) The rest of the block wasn't repainted, so - "spun a bearing? - rod? I guess, but why - bad oil pump? Or didn't check the crank and rods or mains? Did they replace cam bearings? Or did it sit a long while before starting it? If so no oil could have "hurt the cam and lifters too. It does seem a bit of a "pig in a poke". If it's been sitting a while, then there are carb issues, and maybe fuel pump. . . Of course old "not been running "flatties aren't cheap to build any more either. Sigh, you're in a bit of a tuff spot. You might want to look for a runnig engine if money is an issue.
Try to add up the value of what's there. The standard shift stuff hanging off the back is worth a couple hundred, and if the carbs are actual tripower units and in good condition (end carbs not drilled for choke shafts, and mixture screw areas not drilled), there's another three hundred for the set. Most adjustable rockers will run into stock covers, but Isky adjustables had the adjusting screw on the bottom of the arm, rather than on the top like most others, and would probably work with factory covers. Pull a cover and check out the rockers good; if the engine suc***bed to insufficient oiling, the rockers may be torn up on the shaft. If they are not, and the valve contact surfaces look all right, they're worth another couple hundred in today's dollars. Given the situation, I personally wouldn't want to pay his price without being allowed to remove the valley pan and at least one head and check things out.
Thanks all. When I'm there looking at some other stuff I'll see if I can get some numbers and any other info. I believe he said the cam was an Isky and that the engine had been bored .040, and balanced, but as mentioned, it doesn't appear to have been done recently given the paint condition. Here is a couple more pics, one of the rocker cover off. Ol Blue
The rockers look like the shaft mount set-up on later 394s but I don't know if the fifties engines were the same. Just an observation, I don't think those are aftermarket......
hi, the rockers look adjustable.cant tell much from the pic though.they look like ball/cup rockers from the pic.get the number off the bellhousing to atleast tell what cubic inch it is.ill guess 324 with a j-2 intake. eric
i wish i could see the picture!!!!! oh and i thought you couldnt use the early covers with adjustables
I've zoomed in on the pictures and on the drivers side head, left side of the center exhaust port there is a cast number of 1 (or I) 6. On the p***enger side head it looks like the second number is an 8. I can't find any other numbers in my pictures, but the carbs are black as coal and the front of the heads and what looks to be a freeze plug is VERY rusty. Thanks for all of the wise counsel. Ol Blue
Seriously, just go look at the engine number. Heads on Olds Rockets will practically swap with any of the others, so the head casting numbers could be deceiving.
Pull the pan and get a look at the crank as well as whatever is in the sump. The seller should agree to this if he is square.
yes stock rocker covers will work with adjustables.i bought a 53 that had ball rockers,and stock covers. eric
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