While wandering the 'yard today I came across a '61 Olds 98. 394 4bbl. 'Skyrocket' Ultra high comp. When I got home and looked in the books it's 325hp 435ftlbs. My question, is there something that I should be looking out for in regards to what is a problem area with these motors. I want some ideas before we go and pull this motor. Thanks...
Check out this link: www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofeng.htm Tons of good 'ol Olds info. The only negative thing they mention is that the 394's were prone to cracking because of thinner cylinder walls than the 371's. Is this motor a tri-power? If so, grab it, grab it, grab it! Badass motors. I just bought a '56 olds with a stock 324/ 4 barrel that has 240 hp/330 ft lbs stock and its pretty torqey. I'm already thinking about a 371 or a 394 tri power conversion, though. What are you going to put it in, anyways?
they are heavy, hard to find part for, and parts are not cheap when you do find them. in other words they are perfect for old school muscle. a lot can be done to them to really make them perform, in thier day there was only the Chrysler Hemis that could compete. Blownolds or DonWow could stear you in the performance area. for regular get around they are plenty stout in stock form, even with the Slimjim behind 'em. Paul
The 394's are a dynamite engine but very heavy. I have a 394 and several 324's. Like Paul said listen to anything DONWOW has to say the man is a wealth of knowledge on the rocket motors. If you are interested in parts let me know I have a line on some parts for oldsmobiles. Eric
We were considering it for dv8's model A coupe. We would prolly go with a TH350 conversion to save some weight on that end. What is the weight of the engine vs. some others? I pulled the chrome finned valve covers off and the heads are very clean. We'll pull the intake and valley pan tomorrow to get a better look. Thanks again.
They are real heavy. In terms of weight they are number 2, right behind the 392 Hemi, but they are pretty bulletproof. If there was not a lot of gunk and carbon when you pulled those valve covers it probably was well maintained and should be in good shape. Parts are expensive (even full engine gasket sets) but they do show up on ebay and some bargains can be found, or you if you need rebuild parts "right now", you can go to Egge machine and NAPA and some of the engine parts vendors you see in the Hemmings Oldsmobile section and pay top dollar, but get the parts right away. I have seen them in Model A's, and it's a tight fit but they look good. Headers will probably be needed and unless you are running some sort of sprint car type/cowl steering, you probably are going to want to find one of the aluminum starter changeover lower bellhousing adapters, that lets you mount the starter on the side without the steering box (they seem to be bringing pretty good money on ebay these days and no one is re-popping them). You probably would need to run a remote oil filter too. LOTSA torue from those engines, even stock, so run a decent and strong rear end unless you like rebuilding rear ends.
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