Technical Olds super rocket?

Found a give away 68 delmont, thought the super rocket in it might be interesting for my 49 ford project? Don't know yet if it's a big or small block. Anybody know them? Worth a rebuild? Interesting? Would a 455 fit in a shoebox lol!?

 

In 1968 the Delmont 88 was the base full size Olds.
They came with a 400 2 barrel as the base engine, which is what it probably is.
Good engine, not inexpensive to rebuild though, should have a long tailshaft turbo 400 hanging off the back of it
Will it fit in a shoe box? Only if the shoes that came in the box were really big!
KK

 

Thanks for the reply, will check it out and see thanks!

 

Not an Olds guru, seems to me the super rocket was a 425 and only made through '67. A '68 should be either the 400 or 455, both of which are big blocks. There is a way to discern externally whether it has a steel or iron crank, but I cannot remember off hand. Someone will chime in soon.

 

Joe Mondello ('Dr. Olds') never mentioned any way of telling cast from Nodular crank from external markings.
I'd REALLY like to know.

 

Here's a pic!?

 

I had a 455 Olds in my Model A Roadster but it was hanging out all over the place the way a Hotrod should be.

Posted using Full box of Crayons on the Kitchen Walls App!

 

Trans may have no speedometer hook up. Some Oldsmobiles from that time took the speed from the left front wheel. I never took a tailshaft housing off to see if you could put a gear on the shaft. It should be a big block, exhaust manifolds may be a problem.

 

The problem with the speedo drive in the front wheel is, that the main housing of the transmission doesn't even have the hole machined to put a speedo in.
Even though the shaft could take the gear, you'll have to machine the housing to get it to work.
Ask me how I know...

 

Anything will fit into anything else, but some take a lot more work than others. Biggest obstacle, aside from the huge physical size of the engine, would be the starter. It is on the drivers side and would want to occupy the same spot as the steering box in your Ford. Pan depth might be another issue.

We grew up putting Olds engines into 49-51 Fords but they had kits to remedy some of the clearance issues, like starter switchover bell housings, oil filter block off plates,engine mounts, and transmission adapters. None of those exist (as far as I know) for the later 400/425/455 Olds engines.

As someone mentioned, cost of rebuilding one is not small block Chevy cheap by any means.

Don

 

I don't believe the 68 Delmonts ever came with a 400. The 350 was standard and the 455 was optional so as I remember.

 

I was thinking the same thing, but not 100% sure.

Don