Eric, a pic is worth a thousand words! My jetaway and slimjim are torn apart too. I've been saving the bellhousings off of them for a top secret project.
Eric, As it is a top secret project I won't ask. I know a guy who was doing some sort of project, not top secret, with Y-Block truck exhaust manifolds. I think, from what he said, that it had to do with induction of some sort.
Please forgive me for adding my 2 cents so late, but just found this group today...yadi yadi yadi... I have a 55 Holiday that I am putting time into when I can, and subsequently have accumulated 2 55 324s and hydros. The olds Rocket is truly a great motor, and I would really hope to keep the setup for a someday model A project as I decided to go Pont 400 in my Olds. The basic deal is (from what I have found) is that if you can run a 54/55 Olds mill you are in safe territory because of the bellhousing, but do yourself a favor and get a nice bumpstick w/ a set of 56 heads. There really is a difference! Jet-a-way transmissions are in my estimation junk, and the hydramatics can really take thier fair share of abuse...plus there are a few companies now making converion kits to th350/th400 and of course non elect lockup 700R4s. (Mid 80s but dont quote me?) From what I know the earlier 700Rs had smaller front pumps so that = less HP loss through the drivetrain. Tripower is great for looks, as well as performance but I have always been a fan of a nicely tuned 4 bbl. The only diff I really see that is an advantage of a multicarb setup is fuel distribution to front/rear cyls, but I really think its nominal. I would recommend making adapter plates for the trip intake and running Rochester 2 jets though...Strombergs are problem prone....base leakage, inconsistent idle etc.... Hope this helps...I think a great looking Y block and a great looking Olds are around the same playground (provided both have true dual exhaust...cause those are some UGLY crossovers!) Either way just dont be that guy with the SBC and "OLDSMOBILE ROCKET" patches grafted into the valvecovers. Chris
Chris, Welcome to the HAMB. This board is great. There are a lot of very helpful people here who are more than willing to help with ideas, relay experience and give lots of comments and opinions. I should advise you that every new HAMBer should post an intro. It should contain info about you, your interests and pictures of your cars and or projects if possible. I would suggest doing a search using the word intro to get an idea of what others have done and what to say and what not to say. But from your reply to me I think that you will do just fine. My son is also on here as modelAcoupe. He is working on a Model A coupe and if you click on his name you can go to his page and see his intro and some pictures of his car. I have pictures of his coupe on my web site as well. Just click on Model40 on the post and then my homepage. That will probably fuel the fire of your someday project. The info about the Olds engines is great. The Holiday is a nice car too. I have heard that even though the 56 makes more hp, the 55 and earlier engines are better to use because of the hydro versus the Jet-a-way. I had also heard that the backs of the engines are different, thus the problem using early transmissions on the 56 and later engines. Your comments indicate that that is true. I suspect from what you say that the 56 heads are responsible for the extra hp over the 54 and 55 engines. Regarding transmissions, I have an 84 Vette 700R4 with 26K miles on it and a T400 that is decent. I may still sell both of them and go for an early hydro or look into an adapter kit if I cant come up with an early hydro. I am a fan of the tripower look. I have a trip setup for my 312 as well as a 57 intake with a new four barrel. I am going to use the stock set up to get the engine broken in. Then I will tune and install the trips. I have 6 of the 97s. I am aware of what you are saying about their reputation. I have heard though, that if properly rebuilt with new stainless shafts and set up with a primary in the center and the outside set up as secondaries, they can work well. The Rochester carbs have a great reputation and I would not be opposed to using those. Then I could put the extra 97s on my Offy flathead intake for display. I have 1957 exhaust manifolds with dual exhaust on the 54 Ford coupe. It had the ugly crossover on it when I bought it. It is also a pain to work at the front of the engine, especially if the exhaust is still hot. I have a pair of truck rams horn manifolds if I use a Y-Block in the 34. But I am pushing to use an Olds if possible. The SBC is a definite no. And those valve covers tell me that the owner would rather not be running the SBC and wants to be different. Maybe it is a matter of economics, but I couldnt do it in any case. Thanks for you reply.
[ QUOTE ] I had also heard that the backs of the engines are different, thus the problem using early transmissions on the 56 and later engines. [/ QUOTE ] As I stated previously, I don't think that the back of the block on the 56 and later motors is different than the early ones. Just the crank. Years ago, I bolted an early hydro out of a '50 Olds to the back end of a '61 394. Had the butt of the crank bored out to accept the hydro pilot bushing, then used the hydro bellhousing, torus and cover, and early starter. Since then I've learned that I probably should have had the whole mess re-balanced, but I didn't notice any vibration at the time. Again, just have the crank modified, re-balance and bolt away. Piece of cake
Warbird, Your right, you did give me a detailed explanation of the difference being the crank and not the casting. I have so much material in my document now that I need to organize it and read it over again. I also was confused with the data explaining the differences in bell housings and using early Cad LaSalle standards. I hope to see the fellow with the 56 this weekend. I will look at the crank and see if there is a pilot hole or if it had a jet-a-way. A balance is going to be part of the rebuild anyway. Thanks for clearing things up. I will keep you posted as to my progress.
i have a twin four 371 olds in my 34 ford.its real tight for room.behind the motor is a caddy tranny,a 37or36.the tranny bolts right up to the motor without any mods.heres a pic of the motor in my car.good luck with yours.
12pack Thanks for the pics. It looks like a real hot setup. Keeping the fuel running smoothly must be a challenge. Is the engine set back in the frame, and how much is the firewall recessed? As mine is a stock firewall I am trying to cut it as little as possible. I know that the sbc only requires a slight cut for the distributor. That is not going to be possible with an Olds or any other engine. But I do want to save the firewall and keep as much leg room as possible.
sorry for posting this pic late.heres what a jetaway looks like if your still wondering.you can look in the classifieds to see what the other side looks like.later, eric btw sorry bout the smoke....
Eric, Thanks for the picture. I hope to see the fellow with the 56 engine tonight. I also got a lead from a friend about a junkyard with four early Oldsmobiles. I'm not sure of the years but I intend to take a look. I'll look for a picture of the other side in the classifieds and at the Olds site that I have a link to.
Update, I have looked at two engines so far and am coordinating the third. A 56 in a junk yard for $800.00, steep I think as it's condition is unknown, another 56 I think that was in a 57. The engine is green and not gold as a 57 should be. I runs well and has rebuilt heads, for $750.00. The third is a 56 that needs a rebuild and is apart. That one is for some sort of trade. I'm waiting to hook up with the owner. I'll keep everyone posted.
The Jalopy Journal
