Projects 324 Olds Rocket in a 40 Ford

Great choice of motor, I have had a few over the years.

 

Nice collection. My wife has a 55 f100


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I would definitely use the Hydro if at all possible, that's a great transmission IMO. Nice to have 4 gears instead of 3, and that 1-2 shift is a kick in the *** (literally). The appeal of the car with the Old would be far higher with the Hydro than with the 350th. Just MO

 

The easy way, put Olds valve covers over your SBC covers and 50's Stellings & Hellings air cleaners you're done.
I love your shaved and peaked hood, have one on my tub just like it.

 

I hope this was a joke!

 

That's no joke it's a plan, weld studs on top of the chevy valvecovers and bolt down the Olds covers right on top and you're set.

 

Anyone that knows engine's knows the difference. You will only fool the gold chainers, and who cares about them? If you want an Olds, put an Olds in it, don't fake it, it just makes you look bad.

 

I would never fake an olds motor.... a small block will never even come close. I eat those for breakfast all day long with my 324.

 

It's a very bad plan.

 

My friend Dan Hanke's 40 Ford. Olds powered since 1956!

 

I find it invigorating to see a Forty Ford with a a Cad or Olds motor. It's great to see the p*** once again.

 

Gottem both, side by side !

 

But they are so much cooler than a THM 350!

 

They are so cool, they don't need a cooler !

 

I put a 392 hemi in mine and used a turbo 400 behind it so the trans mount ended up at the proper location on the frame. I replaced the firewall to a four inch setback though. I have a rack on mine so there is no issue with a steering box to starter interference

 

I am curious as to why you felt that you needed that much firewall clearance?

 

Back in the day, a friend had a 1940 Packard Coupe with an early Olds and 4 spd Hydro. Must have had gears in the 5. something ratio. I swear from a dead dig it would shift to second gear before the rear tires were at where the front were on takeoff ! Fast heavy ride.

 

In high school I'd get to use Mom's Olds if I had been a good boy, It was a 55, super 88 with 324 cubes, 202 HP with the Rochester 4 barrel, slant pan 4 speed hydro, single exhaust.
My buddy, Jim had a 56 Pontiac with the 316, Rochester 4 barrel and the same slant pan hydro. We'd race each other on a straight stretch, out by the ball fields. He would beat me by 1/2 a car every time! We'd power brake those babys up and come squirting off the line and his Pontiac would shift about a second after my Olds, giving him more RPMs before the trans shifted to the next gear and he'd creep past me on every shift. I love the early Olds motors but when it came time for me to pick a traditional engine for my 34 ford coupe, it was a no-brainer. I picked the Pontiac engine and I love that thing! Photo is Mom's Olds after I'd bought it from her..

 

I'd be hard pressed to take this on without everything needed in hand. In the meantime there's a ton of cheap changes that could be made on what's in it now to get the mojo right. Yes, you're right, there's a lot of **** that just says 80s street rod in that car. That's not a purely hateful thing by any means. I mean WTF, it's a 40 coupe! Any surprises you can sneak up on before the hood comes off will save potentially weeks of grief. I'd toss a coin on the trans. An old hydro can be fun but not when it breaks a couple hundred miles from home, and the potential additional floor and frame mods are worth consideration. Hateful? Not worth doing? Oh hell no, but from the outlook of doing this **** day in and day out looking and waiting sux. Keep us posted, sounds fun.

 

It was already installed on the project I bought and also more room for the trans fitment.

 

To begin with, there is nothing to be ashamed of running a SBC in your 40. Is it a common engine to see in there? For sure. But that's because it's an excellent engine, a great platform for reliable power and allows you to run the best transmissions GM had to offer without an adapter. I would run dress a SBC up nice and run it unapologetically with pride before I fake an Olds engine. Nobody that matters is fooled. From the head castings, to the lack of valley pan, to valve cover and exhaust manifold bolt pattern.... it can be spotted a mile away. What makes matters worse is that it makes you look embarr***ed for running the Chevy because you're trying to hide it, which is a bad look. So don't do that.

An Olds is a really good engine. Very torquey, sounds great, built to be really tough. And they look great. Follow some of the threads on here about how to put one in and you're in good shape. IMHO, I'd spend more up front and get either an adapter from Bendtsen's (if you're OK losing some of your floor space) or the conversion to a TH350/400/700R4 from Ross Racing. It will be worth it. Olds engines themselves are expensive to build, but even in factory form will be able to provide enough power for a legit cruiser you can take anywhere.