Hey guys I have a chance to pick up a rebuilt Olds 303 with a Hydramatic Tranny for my 36 ford cabriolet! Do you guys think would be a decent choice or should I keep looking. I would also like to know how stable the drop axles truly are at high speeds? I would like to use this but I am a bit concerned with safety vs other options. Here are a couple pics of what I am starting with. Thanks for the info in advance.
if it was mine, I'd put an Olds in it (I put Olds in all my cars, a 32, a 40, and a old 30 chevy rod that was set up with a 303, over 50 years ago) But, in your case, not enough info; Is the frame X tunnel already cut out?or is it uncut stock chassis? Most all non-original transmissions require cutting of the center X. But, there are repro adapters to mate the Olds to your stock trans and that eliminates the chassis cutting, and you will keep the orig rear end, too. I did that with my 40 with a 303, There are repro hurst style front mounts for the "olds into ford" on ebay. I'm not sure how much room there is at your firewall, being that it is bumped forward. There are some 36's on hamb with Olds motor, hope they will spot this, and let you know. Front drop axle, no worries there, if it is set up correctly.
I would agree with Frank. Olds would be a good way to go. Strip that tranny off and put a adapter on and go for it. Just don't expect to get to wild with that torquey Olds aas that old tranny may not like it. Also, dependa on what was done to the Olds and how much the purchase price is. They are not cheap to rebuild.
Everything is bone stock right now. I am just getting ready to start this project this weekend by taking the body off of the frame to start boxing.
any project car starts with a good plan, as far as what you expect for the driving you want to do. Back in the 50s to early 60s, many Ford cars as well as work trucks, had Olds and Cadillac motors installed by using the adapter to use the stock Ford trans. It was simple and easy swap, and will work fine unless you are burning the back tires off constantly. Then you would tear up the trans and rear. If you swap the ring and pinion in that stock rear to the 3.54 ratio, the car will do okay as far as moderate highway speeds. If you expect much more as far as top speeds in the fast lane, you get on a path to changing everything including cutting the X member out for room for a modern OD trans. If you go with the old swap with stock trans, it really keeps the changes to a minimum. Boxing the entire frame is not needed, maybe just do the front, but even that is not a must with a good 34-up Ford chassis.
I am using a fabbed kit from a set of templates that a buddy of mine made from a set he bought off of ebay. I was planning of using the hyrdamatic tranny and a 57' Olds rear end in it as I can get it all as a package deal for a good price. Any other things that I should look for as far as issues go with the olds motors?
It has already been narrowed for a 40' ford so I think it will be alright but I will difinitely double check so prior to bolting it in. Any other " Olds" issue or speed parts the can be recommended would also be greatly appreciated.
I wonder how easy it is to find the right stick flywheel nowadays though...I'm contemplating pretty much the same mill fer a 39 Ford coupe but I'm worried about finding the flywheel required to swap to the 3 speed...
tony at ross racing in ohio can hook you up with flywheel and clutch setup...330-544-4466 he is on here as goatroper
I would definitely box the frame from the firewall forward. The area where the steering box fits up is highly susceptible to flexing under the added weight of a 303 and a hydramatic. It would be nice to retain a center X member for rigidity but you' re going to have to move it rearward and beef it up for the long run. Smart move pulling the body off the frame.
I picked one up in the classifieds here...I've seen a few since. What he said. His username is actually goatroper02....a great source of information and parts for early Olds engines. I think the 303 is a great choice! But...that hydramatic is a big transmission and as said, will require reworking the entire center section of the X in your frame. Hopefully you've considered how you'll deal with the wishbones if you're gonna keep 'em. I'm putting a 324 with a Muncie in my '36 coupe. It's a little easier for me since the trans isn't nearly as wide...here's how I'm dealing with it (sorry for the crappy pic)... The engine is going in as soon as I finish mounting the rear bones and box the front section of the frame. Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes.
I had a full race 324 in my '34 back in the day with a stock trans and rear end. Worked fine until I went drag racing. If you go with a standard trans make sure you get the clutch/flywheel assembly balanced, mine blew and made a mess of everything.
I am planning on doing everything correctly with attention to detail. I plan on have the entire body metal finished to limit the use of fillers and stick with period correct parts for the entire build. Should a fun build but I have to admit that I am a bit skeptical on being able to locate all the parts required, this side of the border(Canada). Hopefully some of you gents will be able to assist in that department I will document and update weekly with photos and issues here on the H.A.M.B, once I have started, so feel free to jump in with any help or tips that can be offered.
Well I would never ever use a rocket or a hydromatic in anything. But no reason to take my word for it ask goatroper02 abut it. Ok sarcasm aside, the engine and tranny is a good choice for any old Ford. The you have found may not be a good chopice, depends on the condition of it. The beam axles work just fine @ speed as well. Ralf Nader or someone like him may think that they won't work and they certainly are not going to ride or drive like a lexus but they work just fine.
Nothing wrong with the 303 and hydramatic. But you need to know two things: 1) If you are using the hydramatic make sure it is a 52 up unit. This will be a dual range hydramatic and be better than the old single range unit. The old single range unit prior to 1951 had a mechanical reverse mechanism and was not desireable. 2) Hydramatics came with various tail shaft lengths, so if the hydramatic you want to use is a short tail, then you may be ok with the center x member location. I do agree with the 57 Olds rear, but it will definitely have to be narrowed. Those beasts are heavy too. You should have no problem keeping that car on the ground with all that new weight. Good Luck
I don't know if the 57 is wider than the 55-56 rear, but I have a 55/56 uncut rear in my full fender 32, and the tires are inside the fender lips. But I used 56 Olds 15" wheels that seem to be a special backspace, as no other wheel I could find, had the same exact amount of needed backspacing
I am fairly certain that the 57 rear is atleast within 1 inch over all of the 55-56 rear. Seems to me they are both about 55" to inside of backing plates. Bearings and brakes are the same so over all will be the same. Not sure about a 36 frame but I know earlier frames such as 32-34 do much better with a starter crossover to clear the steering box. I doubt there is much more room in the 36 frame but youi might squeak it in there. If you use the Hydramatic, a later unit would be better, but with a mild 303 in a car much lighter than an Olds, the earlier unit will do OK. It is still stronger than the stock 36 trans. But as stated, a fair amount of clearance will be needed. This means possibly reworking brake pedals etc, although you probably will change out to juice brakes anyhow. OInce you get to the rear, Assuming it is already set up for a cross spring, you need to locate it. Stock wishbones will be barely acceptable to keep the rear in place. YOu will want a ladder bar, four bar, torque arm or something to help locate the rear, as well as a panhard bar. You can reinforce the stock wishbones once split to keep them from folding up. But for ease of the swap, I would recommend the 303, a 39-up gear set, and no high rpm launches. Another poption is to get ahold of a Lasalle trans set up for torque tube and install with a 49-50 olds bellhousing and flywheel. Just a thought!
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