History Engine I.D. Confusing numbers

Hi there, can anyone help with the ID of the engine in my 1st ever hotrod? it’s an Oldsmobile, says Rocket on the valve covers but none of the numbers have checked out on any of the sources I have found.
Cast into the block is 5655228 and what appears to be CFD and below that 316 and the one by the plug on a metal face stamped is R538954
Cheers
Mike

 

Are you sure it isn't 568922? Post some pictures of the numbers and the engine overall.

 

I’ve only got pictures at the moment as car is on it’s way, more to follow

 

So these are all I have.

 

You're right, Google let me down. This link is one place with Olds casting numbers....
http://www.v8volvo.se/mekartips/identifiering/oldsmobile/gjutnummer-block.html
My '49 Olds block has the casting number listed for a '49 303 but my '56 324 has a casting number that is not listed on that site so I ***ume there are more casting numbers than just the ones they compiled. Someone on here will have the answer, that's for sure.
Cool car, bet you can't wait to get it.....

 

Yeah your not kidding, it needs a few jobs to get it where I need it to be to get me going. Thanks

 

use the stamped number at the deck surface
prefix R followed by 215001 and up makes it a 1953 303
1953 was the last year for the 303

 

Hi Paul, just so I learn something here, can I ask you how you know that?

 

various corroborating sources, printed and on line mostly.
I have had a couple dozen early Olds engines through my shop,
enough that I printed a wallet sized list for reference.

 

heads and valve covers pictured are also '53

 

Cool thanks for the info much appreciated.

 

I'd like to piggyback on this thread. I'm corresponding with a guy 1500 miles away (so I can't physically look at the engine) who has what he says is a '56 324 that was rebuilt by a friend who p***ed away. He says there are no discernible numbers on the heads, that the block casting number is 561058 and that the sequence number is "between cylinders 5 and 7" and is 8G268782. I can't find either of these numbers anywhere and was hoping someone here might be able to help. I've attached one of two photos I have. Note the the induction system is a fraud and sits on a two barrel manifold with only the center carb working. It looks "kinda" like an Olds and "kinda" like a Y-block although the numbers he's sent don't look anything like Ford numbers. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Its definitely an Olds.
There was no stamped number starting with 8G but the '51 303 did start with 8C
Maybe that's what it is.
Also it's hard to tell in the picture but if there is no number cast at the center exhaust port that also makes them early 303 as well.
The exhaust manifold also looks like the early round port design.
An 1/8" over bore would make a '51 303 into a 324 but sure won't make it a '56.

Interesting carburetor treatment, I've never seen that done.

 

Thanks Paul. I was wondering if he had misread the "C" for "G", but the sequence number seemed too long (making this the 267,782nd engine produced). I hadn't known about the lack of casting numbers or round ports on the 303s. Always learning.