Newbie question 324 in a 54 88 Super

[Bosco1956]

Can anyone tell me what intake manifod will interchange on a 54 324
I would like some kind of 3x2 or 2x4

Thanks Jim

[88 coupe]

Olds did not use multi carbs until the J-2 in '57. '49-'56 will not interchange, so your only choice is the aftermarket. One company is still making them.

The '53 '49-'53 "dual quad" will bolt on, and will work OK. The '54-'56 "triple deuce" will be a better match, to your '54 heads.

Linkage is easy to fabricate, but finding carbs, to fit them, is a separate problem.

Used ones turn up, on eBay, and the H. A. M. B. from time to time.

Norm

[Bosco1956]

Thanks for the info.

Jim

[88 coupe]

Happy I could help.

Norm

[Bosco1956]

I would like to make a bit of a hot rod out of this. It is a 54 Super 88 3 spd manual 2 door sedan. 50K original blk & white car... Would I be better changing the heads to something different? The 3 duce set up would be cool. I have a set of carbs off a 348 Chevy I assume they would work Ok?? I need to check but I think the rear gear is a 3:08 it sure act's like it.

Thanks in advance Jim

[88 coupe]

Originally Posted by Bosco1956

........ better changing the heads to something different? ........

'56 heads would be your best choice. They will work best, if you can find a cam to match the flow.

Originally Posted by Bosco1956

........ carbs off a 348 Chevy ........

If they will bolt on, they will work fine.

Originally Posted by Bosco1956

........ rear gear is a 3:08 ........

Axle code is stamped near the bottom of the differential mounting flange, under the fill plug. The '54 Shop Manual decodes them, as follows:

0 = 3.07 [3.0769 = 3.08]
4 = 3.90
6 = 3.64
8 = 3.42
9 = 3.23

Finding different ratios for '54-'56 Olds/Pontiac, will take more luck than most of us have. You can PM Blownolds, who you might also find at eBay, or the H. A. M. B.

Let us know how it goes.

Norm

[Bosco1956]

Any other suggestions? As far as building a mild Olds that can be driven everyday. All I have known is Chevy's the last 30 years. But got the Olds bug a while back and ended up with 2.... The 54 and a 56 88 super 2 dr sedan. The 56 has a 57 J2 371 engine in it that I need to sort the carbs out on.

Thanks again Jim

[88 coupe]

Originally Posted by Bosco1956

........ building a mild Olds that can be driven everyday ........

'56 distributor used the same points/cap rotor/advance mechanism as the late engines. Done correctly, a custom advance curve, will make a big difference.

Fenton headers have been seen, on eBay, a time or two.

Alternative, is to have them custom made, or to adapt another application to your heads. Eddy Henneman (Headers by Ed) used to sell flanges for '54-'56 but his website (http://www.headersbyed.com) is down. I don't know if his email (edh@mninter.net) address is still good.

Originally Posted by Bosco1956

........ All I have known is Chevy's ........

Not a lot different than Olds.

You'll find more at the H. A. M. B. Several of those guys have far more experience, with the early stuff, than you will find here.

Norm

[Bosco1956]

Thanks again for the info Norm. Can you suggest a person to restore the carbs on my J2? I also want a set of WCFB's to install on a dual quad set up I have.

Thanks Jim

[88 coupe]

Cant help you there. I've always done my own carbs, and the only guy I would have recommended, has retired.

Try sending 70Wcars a PM.

Norm