What is that Olds engine?

[noname]

Does anybody know anything about the Olds engine that comes in the Revell Anglis kits? Like what is the cubic inches and what years were they produced?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Helipilot16]

This engine was produced from 1949 to 1964. The displacements were as follows; 303 from '49-'53; 324 from '54-56; 371 from '57-59; 394 from '59-64.

The best engines were the 394s. They could be bored and stroked to 450 cubic inches or so.

Edited February 14, 2009 by Helipilot16

[noname]

Holy ######! 450 cu.in. was alot back then. Thanks Helipilot16. Thats very helpful. I want to build a 50's gasser with that engine and wanted to make sure it would go.

[Helipilot16]

Holy ######! 450 cu.in. was alot back then. Thanks Helipilot16. Thats very helpful. I want to build a 50's gasser with that engine and wanted to make sure it would go.

These were very popular engines all through the 50s and early 60s. Their popularity was due in part to their stout bottom ends. By the mid 60s they had all but disappeared as they were replaced by early and late Chrysler hemis.

These early engines were replaced in Oldsmobiles beginning in 1964 by the then new 330s. This same engine design became the 400s and 425s in 1965. These became 350s, 400s, and 455s in 1968. The later design was based on the 394 but there were no common parts between the two. The later design never did catch on with rodders even though it is a good design. I have built many late Olds 350s and 455s.

If you have any Olds engine questions, just ask as I'm considered an expert on them.

Edited February 14, 2009 by Helipilot16

[Guest Gramps-xrds]

These were very popular engines all through the 50s and early 60s. Their popularity was due in part to their stout bottom ends. By the mid 60s they had all but disappeared as they were replaced by early and late Chrysler hemis.

These early engines were replaced in Oldsmobiles beginning in 1964 by the then new 330s. This same engine design became the 400s and 425s in 1965. These became 350s, 400s, and 455s in 1968. The later design was based on the 394 but there were no common parts between the two. The later design never did catch on with rodders even though it is a good design. I have built many late Olds 350s and 455s.

If you have any Olds engine questions, just ask as I'm considered an expert on them.

Marcus, I'd always thought the 394s were bored out 330s. I guess I was wrong. Here's the story that goes along w/ it. Back in the 80s I bought 2 64 Olds cars to build my son one good car. One was a 2dr and the was a 4rd. The 2dr was in better shape so that's the one I fixed. The 2dr had a 330 in it and the other I'd thought someone had put a later 350 in it, since I couldn't find any marks on the block. So I ordered a rebuild kit for a 350. Everything fit fine except for the water & oil pump. Those I ordered as 400 parts. While installing the water pump I could just see the block mark and it was for a 394. I finished the build and we put it in and it ran fine. I still have the 330 out in the garage in the corner. If I ever get to build a hot rod I thought of rebuilding the 330 for it.

[Helipilot16]

Marcus, I'd always thought the 394s were bored out 330s. I guess I was wrong. Here's the story that goes along w/ it. Back in the 80s I bought 2 64 Olds cars to build my son one good car. One was a 2dr and the was a 4rd. The 2dr was in better shape so that's the one I fixed. The 2dr had a 330 in it and the other I'd thought someone had put a later 350 in it, since I couldn't find any marks on the block. So I ordered a rebuild kit for a 350. Everything fit fine except for the water & oil pump. Those I ordered as 400 parts. While installing the water pump I could just see the block mark and it was for a 394. I finished the build and we put it in and it ran fine. I still have the 330 out in the garage in the corner. If I ever get to build a hot rod I thought of rebuilding the 330 for it.

Olds simply carried forward the 394 for one more year in 1964. The 330 was an entirely new design. The differences between the 330s and 350s is minor. the 330 has a superior forged steel crank. You can use this crank in either block. The heads on the two are different, as the 330s had rocker shafts, while the 350s had the later independent rockers (similar to Chevys).

As for interchangeability, most things can be swapped between the two blocks. Use the #6 heads for the best performance. If you can, get a set of heads with 2 inch valves, although a machine shop can install the larger valves in any head. As for cams, use an aftermarket cam (I like the Lunati Bracket Master) as the factory never did put a decent cam in these engines. Interestingly, the same cams are used in all 330s, 350s and 68 and later big blocks. The 65-67 big blocks used a different lifter angle, so the cams are different.

Get yourself an Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold and you're ready to make over 350 HP.

[Helipilot16]

You should have been able to use the water pump and oil pump in you engine if it was the correct one for a 350 or 330. All second series Olds engines use the same water and oil pumps, with only minor differences.

It takes an expert to tell the engines from numbers on the blocks. Some 350s came with a big 350 cast into the sides of the block, but most other engines were unmarked; here are the ways to tell the difference:

1. First series (303-394) Olds engines had rectangular valve covers, the later covers were all trapezoids.

2. The big blocks are 1" wider across the block measured at the heads.

3. 330s used shaft mounted rocker arms; all other late engines use independent rockers.

4. '68 and later big blocks have a large F cast into the front of the block.

5. Earlier big blocks had a D in the same place.

I hope this helps.

Marcus

[Guest Gramps-xrds]

All that probably would have helped back then, had I known that, but that was many yrs ago. As for the identification marks they were also stamped in the block on the front left side where the head mounts.

Thanks for the info though.

[noname]

Helipilot, did all the engines from 303 to 394 look the same? I have an Olds engine out of an Amt 39 Ford sedan that I want to use in a mid 50's Gasser. A 394 I think would be too new. Could the engine out of the 39 sedan ( or Anglias as far as that goes ) pass as any engine from 303 to 394 ,or were there distinct differences?

[noname]

Another question. What is the tranny attached to the Olds ( also the Nailhead in the background)? It looks like the tail end is missing. it looks kind of stubby. Any help appreciated.

[Helipilot16]

Helipilot, did all the engines from 303 to 394 look the same? I have an Olds engine out of an Amt 39 Ford sedan that I want to use in a mid 50's Gasser. A 394 I think would be too new. Could the engine out of the 39 sedan ( or Anglias as far as that goes ) pass as any engine from 303 to 394 ,or were there distinct differences?

The earliest engines (through about 1954, if I remember correctly) used two bolts in the center of the valve covers; all later ones used bolts on the perimeter of the valve covers. As for the transmissions, they are poor renditions of an early Ford box.

[Helipilot16]

The early valve covers have never been produced in a model as far as I know. All valve covers on Olds engines produced are aftermarket units, anyway.

[noname]

Thanks for the reply Helipilot. So the only external difference between these early Olds engines was how many bolts were in the timing cover?

Not sure what you mean by a Ford box tranny. Is there a name for this particular tranny they are trying to replicate? If not what would be a likely candidate do you think for these engines in the years they were produced? If I can narrow it down maybe I can do a little scratchbuilding on the existing tranny to make it look like something.Thanks.