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Oldsmobile Rocket Motors

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Nick32vic, Sep 6, 2003.

  1. AssGasket
    Joined: Apr 19, 2002
    Posts: 402

    AssGasket
    Member

    Ask DonWow.....
     
  2. mykwillis
    Joined: Sep 27, 2007
    Posts: 282

    mykwillis
    Member

    glad i could help. :D
     
  3. r0cket88
    Joined: Dec 30, 2006
    Posts: 14

    r0cket88
    Member

    Camcraft can grind you a cam for the 1956 324s, 371 and 394s. I don't think they have anything for the 303s or the early 324s. Does anyone have a Olds standard trans they'd part with? Thanks...
     
  4. r0cket88
    Joined: Dec 30, 2006
    Posts: 14

    r0cket88
    Member

    Camcraft can grind you a cam for the 1956 324s, 371s, and the 394s. I don't believe they offer anything for the 303s, or the early 324s...
     
  5. RoyalCrown32
    Joined: Apr 5, 2005
    Posts: 237

    RoyalCrown32
    Member

    I bought a cam for my 1953 Rocket Olds from Schneider Racing Cams. Custom grind to my specs. Great guys to deal with and good advice too.
     
  6. RoyalCrown32
    Joined: Apr 5, 2005
    Posts: 237

    RoyalCrown32
    Member

    Camcraft can regrind a stock cam for the 303's.
     
  7. Pete
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 4,803

    Pete
    Member

    Yes, the lifters are slightly different. The pushrod pocket is higher on the chevy lifter which pushes the valves open....no compression...just went through this on my motor. I bought a 324 that was rebuilt, installed in the original car and would not run! The guy got fed up because he couldnt figure it out. I bought the whole car, stole the motor, installed it in my coupe and found it would not run. after some investigating and talking with the old timers I found that the generic upgrade for lifters were the SBC units. I had to get shorter push rods and fiddle diddle with the right combo until I got it right.


    Pete-
     
  8. I have a 53 Super 88 and cannot find a good 303 rocket anywhere. i just want to put something in it for know to get her going and then when im finished university i might be able to afford one.

    can anybody help me out with what a good alterante choice is for dropping in. something somewhat affordable and easy to find

    please..... i got this thing for my 16th B-day and I its been six long years...
     
  9. F&J
    Joined: Apr 5, 2007
    Posts: 13,279

    F&J
    Member

    You would spend tons of time AND money putting a different type of motor in....IF you actually have the determination to finish such an involved swap, once it's all torn apart and looking like a "too big of a project for me".

    Just a short list: Motor mount & trans mount fab, driveshaft mod, exhaust fab, radiator mod?, trans linkage mods, wiring etc. You will wish you didn't try it unless you have experience in swaps.....plus the car will be all apart and you will be more behind in your dream.

    I'd save a few bucks for a 303-324. Yes they are still out there, and you can find a hauler to deliver it. That's what I did.
     
  10. 31ACoupe
    Joined: Nov 14, 2005
    Posts: 1,416

    31ACoupe
    Member

    You need to beat the bushes. I just bought a nice 303 motor and tranny for a reasonable price (I think). Didn't even know the guy had it, it was in an old 51 Hudson he is restoring and is putting back in the Hornet motor. My rocket 303 had less than 100 miles on a complete rebuild when he parked it and his dad was the original owner. I am real happy with this find and they are out there, you just have to know people and ask a lot of questions.
     
  11. pete324rocket
    Joined: Nov 7, 2007
    Posts: 99

    pete324rocket
    Member

    I find this a bit hard to believe because from examining the lifters,you'd have a hard time ever telling the difference.Plus even if there was a little extra height...wouldn't the lifter take up the difference like it is supposed to and find its 'sweet spot" to function properly?
     
  12. racerjohnson
    Joined: Oct 3, 2006
    Posts: 178

    racerjohnson
    Member
    from Fargo, ND

    btt. Looking for closure on this.
     
  13. Bobert
    Joined: Feb 21, 2005
    Posts: 820

    Bobert
    Member Emeritus

    Not exactly sure what you are looking for, but the desired lifter preload is usually between .020" and .060"(some say .050"). A pushrod that works with Chevy lifters in a 303" engine is about .125" shorter than the stock Olds pushrod. So it would seem then that the stock Olds pushrod would not work with the taller Chevy lifter in the proper range. Not enough range left in the lifter to compensate for the long pushrod.
     
  14. petritl
    Joined: Jul 31, 2006
    Posts: 949

    petritl
    Member
    from Marion, TX

    This next week I may have a running 1965 Oldsmobile Starfire engine w/ TH400 transmission (switch pitch?) for sale.
    The engine is a 425ci factory 370 HP ultra high compression engine.
    I am selling my Starfire convertible and it doesn't appear as the buyer wants this engine.

    If the car sells I will post the engine and trans in the forsale section

    Tad
     

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