Anyone have any experience with this conversion? I’ve got a great 324 and a 371 j2 engine that are collecting dust so I got to thinking about putting an Old’s in it. Any advice and experience is appreciated and before anyone tries no I will not be putting a sbf in it. Thanks!!!!
You might look at this table of engine weights, before opting for the Olds. It was the heaviest of the 50's V8's, with the exception of the Lincoln and Hemi's. If your a GM guy, the Pontiac might be a better choice @ about the same weight as the 255 stock engine.
Thanks for posting that, it’s really neat to see not only the compared differences in hp but also weight and ***ociated weight to power ratios. I just need to put an engine in it and have a really nice Old’s motor.
What trans are you thinking. There are at least 2 companies offering adapters to later GM’s a friend with a 56 324 went with a 200r. An easily narrowed 8.8 is a great upgraded rear and an be fitted with F-150 11” drum brakes to match the originals but wider and the e-brake works. 3.70 with an OD would be perfect. There were a lot done in the late 50’s early 60’s. I’d use the 371 J2 in a heart beat if it still has the 3-2’s. Good luck.
I am a fan of the 2004r trans (I have two) but man they are hard to come by around here. Had a friend with a 53 Ford in high school that had the J2 Olds and Hydro, I think. Great hot rod.
The original 4 speed hydro, is a very good trans (not the jetaway). My best friend had a 324, in a chopped & channeled, 5 window with a Herbert roller cam and a 471 on top, 56 Olds rear. The shifts were very solid and first gear, acted like a torque converter, with it's 3.82, or so ratio.
George Barris did an article for Hot Rod magazine back in the 70's after American Graffiti was released about installing an 324 Olds in a 53 Mercury. I helped a friend instal a 394 Olds into a 53 Merc. in the late 70's and it was a pretty straight forward swap. I do not know where you would find the Hurst motor mounts but they mount on each side of the front of an early Olds via three factory bolts spaced approximately one inch apart. The new mount sets the engine in place on the factory flathead motor mounts. Back in the day they used a modified drag ling also from Hurst to clear the pan. depending on the transmission you use will depend on how you have to modify the transmission cross member. The 4 spd Hydro fits in fine especially if the Merc was an anniversary addition with the automatic transmission, however its hard to find someone to build one up or even service a 4 spd hydro these days not to mention that the dam thing weighs as much as the motor. You would be better off with a transmission adapter and a later mechanical overdrive. I know there are adapters for turbo 350, 400, 200R4 & 700R4 available for the early Olds and who know these days you might even be able to buy one to adapt an AOD to the Olds. I almost forgot, if you insist on using an olds factory starter converted to 12 volts you will need a Hildebrandt starter cross over.Vintage Hildebrant Olds starter change #54-2 | The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com) or you can now buy a mini high tork starter from goat roper here on the HAMB. The Olds or caddy was a very popular swap into a 52-53 Merc the 50's and 60's.
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