New Here

burnout-dave · October 15th, 2009, 12:52 PM

Hi!
My name is dave and i live in germany.
I just bought a 54 Rocket 88. It is in a really good condition but
theres no engine/transmission in it.
Now i am thinking about which engine to put in.
I would prefer a 305 or 350 Chevy with aTH350 on it.
But will this engine/transmission fit in my Olds (engine mounts etc...).
Can anybody help me?

Thanks, dave

Jamesbo · October 15th, 2009, 01:10 PM

Welcome aboard

I am confident many will sugest not using a Cheby engine. But them again I'm not real sure of the avaliabilty of Olds engines in Germany.

citcapp · October 15th, 2009, 06:27 PM

Hi Dave,

Any way you look at it you in for some fab work to install a newer engine and transmission. The original engine used a single front motor mount and the transmission used two side mounts. All of your new Olds engines 307, 350, 425, and 455 use side motor mounts and rear transmission mounts.

If you have a source for a Old engine I would recomend going with a 425 or 455 olds and a turbo 400. IF a chevy 350 and 350 trubo transmission is more accessible then you can go that direction the amount of work is about the same.

The X frame requires some modifications to the two piece drive line on the conversion to a single piece drive line. Here is a link to the conversion I did on my 57 it is very similar and will give you some idea of what you will incounter. http://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/...gine-swap.html

If I can offer any help let me know

convertible 63 · October 16th, 2009, 03:26 AM

Good morning Dave

Welcome to this community.You will get professional answers from friendly people with many years of experience and know-how

.
A member from our Vintage & US-Car Regulars`Table did just an engine swop

.The engine in his 1955 Cadillac was blown and because he couldn`t get an original he put a used Chevi Block into his car.Tomorrow we will see if it works.Our mechanic Ralf isn`t an US Car spezialist but he knows everything about engines and transmission, the shop is well equipped

.No botch at all!!!NEVER!!!The guiys in this forum know which engine could fit,Ralf could find a way how to mount it correct.
Where are you from?We are from 78713 Schramberg,Black Forest,Germany.
Welcome again,Claudia&Martin
We will send some pics from the engine swop soon.

German442 · October 16th, 2009, 07:12 AM

Welcome from another user in Germany! From your English, I'd say you're an American that got "stuck" here like I did! I live about an hour SW of Mainz in Idar-Oberstein.
I can agree with Convertible '63. These guys are ready w/ answers to almost everything.

Ralph

Oldsguy · October 16th, 2009, 08:49 PM

Dave, welcome to CO. We would be "tickled pink" if you could find an Oldsmobile engine for your 54 88 but understand that it is much more difficult to find nice rocket engines over there. Good luck.

1ATony · October 19th, 2009, 11:14 AM

Welcome to the forum

Rdrokit · October 22nd, 2009, 02:25 AM

Dave, Welcome to CO and good luck in finding an Olds engine in Germany. I had the same problem here in Thailand and gave up on an Olds engine. I thought if I can't find an Olds that I want a new technically evolved engine with fuel injection and variable valve timing and also be a V-8. Since most mechanics here in Thailand know how to work on Japanese engines I decided to put in a Lexus 4 overhead cam, 32 valve V-8 engine. I know many of the guys on the forum cringe when they see the photos but it works for me and goes like "a bat out of hell". Maybe in Germany you could find a BMW V-8 to put in. It would be easy for the Germany mechanics to work on and easy to find parts. Keep us updated on your progress. Below is a picture of my engine bay.
Rokit

burnout-dave · October 28th, 2009, 04:58 PM

No it isnt that difficult to find an engine.
But original 324 Olds engines are very rare.
Chevy SBs are easier to find and the parts are much more
available and cheaper.

German442 · October 29th, 2009, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnout-dave

No it isnt that difficult to find an engine.
But original 324 Olds engines are very rare.
Chevy SBs are easier to find and the parts are much more
available and cheaper.

Hmmmmm... Might know where a 330 engine is. Have to see if I can find him again. He's in the Eifel, has a '63 'vert he's restoring & has a parts car that I THINK still had the motor! Let me know & I'll try to look him back up. Where do you live? Anywhere near Rheinland-Pfalz?

Ralph

burnout-dave · October 29th, 2009, 10:00 AM

Im from Fürstenfeldbruck, near Munich.
Has the 330 side motor mounts or one front motor mount?

German442 · October 30th, 2009, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnout-dave

Im from Fürstenfeldbruck, near Munich.
Has the 330 side motor mounts or one front motor mount?

Cool! Maybe we & conv 63 could meet @ a meeting next summer!
RE: motor mounts- I remember seeing a fairly recent thread regarding 330 motor mounts. Check it out!

Ralph

FTW65W29 · October 30th, 2009, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnout-dave

Im from Fürstenfeldbruck, near Munich.
Has the 330 side motor mounts or one front motor mount?

The 330 uses side motor mounts with a single transmission mount.

Check out the link below as it has most everything you will want to know concerning the 63 and earlier Olds engines and the 64 and later engines.

http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/oldsfaq.h...0of%20Contents

burnout-dave · November 4th, 2009, 02:54 PM

Here are some Pics of my Olds:
L=http://img5.imageshack.us/i/93679202.jpg/]

[/url]

burnout-dave · November 4th, 2009, 03:00 PM

And i have another question. I got offered a 1951 Olds Rocket engine
(303 with Hydramatic).
This Powertrain should fit pretty well in my 54 Body, or not?
But, in 1954 the transmission has been rotated 22 deg counter clockwise.

so, does the 303 with the straight transmission fit in the 54 tunnel?
Or does it only need a little bit metal work???

German442 · November 5th, 2009, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnout-dave

Im from Fürstenfeldbruck, near Munich.

Hey Dave!

Check out this link- cruizer is collecting emails for a mailing list & maybe later get w/ admin (if we can find enough) & start a subchapter!

Take a look!

Ralph

burnout-dave · November 5th, 2009, 07:42 AM

Which Link?

German442 · November 5th, 2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnout-dave

Which Link?

UUPS!! Sorry! Rechte Mausklick vergessen!

http://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/...y-germany.html

Ralph

October 15th, 2009, 12:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
burnout-dave Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10	New Here Hi! My name is dave and i live in germany. I just bought a 54 Rocket 88. It is in a really good condition but theres no engine/transmission in it. Now i am thinking about which engine to put in. I would prefer a 305 or 350 Chevy with aTH350 on it. But will this engine/transmission fit in my Olds (engine mounts etc...). Can anybody help me? Thanks, dave

October 15th, 2009, 01:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jamesbo Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 2,862	Welcome Welcome aboard I am confident many will sugest not using a Cheby engine. But them again I'm not real sure of the avaliabilty of Olds engines in Germany. __________________ 69 H/O 69 442 convertible 69 Vista Cruiser 69 442 hardtop "Growing old is mandatory,Growing up is optional"

October 15th, 2009, 06:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
citcapp Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 3,455	Hi Dave, Any way you look at it you in for some fab work to install a newer engine and transmission. The original engine used a single front motor mount and the transmission used two side mounts. All of your new Olds engines 307, 350, 425, and 455 use side motor mounts and rear transmission mounts. If you have a source for a Old engine I would recomend going with a 425 or 455 olds and a turbo 400. IF a chevy 350 and 350 trubo transmission is more accessible then you can go that direction the amount of work is about the same. The X frame requires some modifications to the two piece drive line on the conversion to a single piece drive line. Here is a link to the conversion I did on my 57 it is very similar and will give you some idea of what you will incounter. http://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/...gine-swap.html If I can offer any help let me know __________________ Pat 1957 Super 88 with a 455 1948 2dr series 76 with a 455

October 16th, 2009, 03:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
convertible 63 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Schramberg,Black Forest,Germany Posts: 55	Good morning Dave Welcome to this community.You will get professional answers from friendly people with many years of experience and know-how. A member from our Vintage & US-Car Regulars`Table did just an engine swop.The engine in his 1955 Cadillac was blown and because he couldn`t get an original he put a used Chevi Block into his car.Tomorrow we will see if it works.Our mechanic Ralf isn`t an US Car spezialist but he knows everything about engines and transmission, the shop is well equipped.No botch at all!!!NEVER!!!The guiys in this forum know which engine could fit,Ralf could find a way how to mount it correct. Where are you from?We are from 78713 Schramberg,Black Forest,Germany. Welcome again,Claudia&Martin We will send some pics from the engine swop soon. __________________ 63 F-85 Convertible,67 Ford Mustang,78 Ford Escort,78 Triumph Spitfire,80 Ford Capri,81 Triumph Spitfire,90 Ford Mustang Convertible

October 16th, 2009, 08:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	Dave, welcome to CO. We would be "tickled pink" if you could find an Oldsmobile engine for your 54 88 but understand that it is much more difficult to find nice rocket engines over there. Good luck. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

October 16th, 2009, 07:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
German442 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 180	Welcome from another user in Germany! From your English, I'd say you're an American that got "stuck" here like I did! I live about an hour SW of Mainz in Idar-Oberstein. I can agree with Convertible '63. These guys are ready w/ answers to almost everything. Ralph

October 19th, 2009, 11:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
1ATony Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 110	Welcome to the forum

October 22nd, 2009, 02:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
Rdrokit Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Korat, Thailand Posts: 242	Dave, Welcome to CO and good luck in finding an Olds engine in Germany. I had the same problem here in Thailand and gave up on an Olds engine. I thought if I can't find an Olds that I want a new technically evolved engine with fuel injection and variable valve timing and also be a V-8. Since most mechanics here in Thailand know how to work on Japanese engines I decided to put in a Lexus 4 overhead cam, 32 valve V-8 engine. I know many of the guys on the forum cringe when they see the photos but it works for me and goes like "a bat out of hell". Maybe in Germany you could find a BMW V-8 to put in. It would be easy for the Germany mechanics to work on and easy to find parts. Keep us updated on your progress. Below is a picture of my engine bay. Rokit __________________ 65 Cutlass If Speed Kills then I'm a Dead Man. http://picasaweb.google.com/Rdrokit

October 28th, 2009, 04:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
burnout-dave Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10	No it isnt that difficult to find an engine. But original 324 Olds engines are very rare. Chevy SBs are easier to find and the parts are much more available and cheaper.

October 29th, 2009, 10:00 AM	#11 (permalink)
burnout-dave Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10	Im from Fürstenfeldbruck, near Munich. Has the 330 side motor mounts or one front motor mount?

November 4th, 2009, 02:54 PM	#14 (permalink)
burnout-dave Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10	Here are some Pics of my Olds: L=http://img5.imageshack.us/i/93679202.jpg/][/url]

November 4th, 2009, 03:00 PM	#15 (permalink)
burnout-dave Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10	And i have another question. I got offered a 1951 Olds Rocket engine (303 with Hydramatic). This Powertrain should fit pretty well in my 54 Body, or not? But, in 1954 the transmission has been rotated 22 deg counter clockwise. so, does the 303 with the straight transmission fit in the 54 tunnel? Or does it only need a little bit metal work???

November 5th, 2009, 07:42 AM	#17 (permalink)
burnout-dave Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10	Which Link?

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