Nlann

Hello, I am new to the forum, if I posted in the wrong place or the information is avaible some where, please let me know. I recently acquired 2 engine, 2 transmissions, and a rear end from a collector who had passed. I'm hoping someone can help me identify what I have and help me get it to someone that needs it. They appear to be Olds rocket engines, atleast that's what the valve covers say. I don't know what Era they are, or if they have any value. Thank you for stopping by and helping.

joe_padavano

They both appear to be 371 cu in first gen Olds V8 motors. The one with #16 heads is a 1957. I'm not sure about the other one - are those #14 heads?

OLDSter Ralph

I think #14 heads are 1957, and #16 heads are 1958. The knowledgeable "ol timers" have yet to check in.

joe_padavano

I know just enough about the early motors to be dangerous. The more I search, the more conflicting info I find. The one thing all the sources seem to agree on is that 14 and 16 heads are either 1957 or 1958.

OLDSter Ralph

Joe P, I have to plead the same.
I got to know a guy who was a supervisor at Oldsmobile and seems to know things about 1957-58. He told me that 1957 had #14 heads and that they were prone to cracking and could have been replaced with #16's. This was important to me because I have a 1957 that I haven't started to work on yet.

oldmercsrule

Joe you appear to know your stuff about these older Oldsmobiles.

redoldsman

Charlie Jones will probably speak up and then we will know for sure.

Charlie Jones

I'm in agreement with Joe and Ralph that these are 57 and 58 engines.
There should be a number STAMPED on the top deck surface of the block, between cylinders 1 and 3.
That should tell you exactly what they are.
You can view it from the top by looking between the head and the exhaust manifold. Like this;


Post this number if you can.
By all means don't scrap them.
They ought to be worth a couple of hundred each, More if they turn over by hand easily.