Good spring evening from Minnesota
May 12th, 2013, 06:39 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 7
Good spring evening from Minnesota
Evening all,
Jumped right into the Olds world with a purchase of a 1963 Ninety Eight. All I had to do was open the hood and see that Skyrocket High Compression on the air cleaner and I knew I would be driving it home!
I am not going to misrepresent it and tell everyone how beautiful it is or how the paint glows...right now it's 3 or 4 colors with replacement panels on it from different cars and some gray primer where they repaired a rear quarter. But honestly, its a treat to start it up and hear that engine hum to life.
I was (and am) fascinated by (what seemed to me to be a) high tech for its day, intake manifold on it. It's not shy about getting up on its legs like a spider and letting fresh air in between the carb and the block...pretty darned cool to me!
From what I read and I think its correct, this engine is pushing 345 horses...anyone here know if that's right? Seems that this model, being the 63 98 4 door with power steering, power brakes, fancy speedometer, electric clock and dual ashtrays was blessed with some extra ponies under the hood...?
Regardless, I found it on Craigslist, made an offer and drove it home some 95 miles and it hummed all the way home...not even a hiccup.
Thats one thing I love about this era of cars...when they are tuned up and adjusted right, they run like a clock. And they do it in a way that makes you smile, too!
I am, by the way, from central Minnesota, country guy at heart and I have a few other projects parked next to it in the driveway, one being a 76 Impala and the other a sandrail with a mod VW engine in it. I love motors and am fascinated at how something so complex can work so well.
I appreciate your work in providing this site so we Olds lovers can congregate and share our appreciation for a great era of cars.
Jumped right into the Olds world with a purchase of a 1963 Ninety Eight. All I had to do was open the hood and see that Skyrocket High Compression on the air cleaner and I knew I would be driving it home!
I am not going to misrepresent it and tell everyone how beautiful it is or how the paint glows...right now it's 3 or 4 colors with replacement panels on it from different cars and some gray primer where they repaired a rear quarter. But honestly, its a treat to start it up and hear that engine hum to life.
I was (and am) fascinated by (what seemed to me to be a) high tech for its day, intake manifold on it. It's not shy about getting up on its legs like a spider and letting fresh air in between the carb and the block...pretty darned cool to me!
From what I read and I think its correct, this engine is pushing 345 horses...anyone here know if that's right? Seems that this model, being the 63 98 4 door with power steering, power brakes, fancy speedometer, electric clock and dual ashtrays was blessed with some extra ponies under the hood...?
Regardless, I found it on Craigslist, made an offer and drove it home some 95 miles and it hummed all the way home...not even a hiccup.
Thats one thing I love about this era of cars...when they are tuned up and adjusted right, they run like a clock. And they do it in a way that makes you smile, too!
I am, by the way, from central Minnesota, country guy at heart and I have a few other projects parked next to it in the driveway, one being a 76 Impala and the other a sandrail with a mod VW engine in it. I love motors and am fascinated at how something so complex can work so well.
I appreciate your work in providing this site so we Olds lovers can congregate and share our appreciation for a great era of cars.
May 12th, 2013, 07:14 PM
#2
Phantom Phixer
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Apopka, FL
Posts: 4,666
Welcome to the websight. And welcome to the "darkside" (B and C body big cars).
You have discovered why so many of us are in love with these "Land Yachts". Even if they don't approach the drag strip performance of a 442. The "Skyrocket" engine in your car was rated at 330 HP at 4400 RPM. The 345 HP engine was reserved for the Starfire models as well as a few special 98 sport coupe models. It was also used in some 88 "police specials". The only difference between the 330 and 345 HP engines was the camshaft, and a slight increase in compression.
345 HP was only 3 HP less than a Tri-Power GTO, and all this was accomplished at 4800 RPM.
You have discovered why so many of us are in love with these "Land Yachts". Even if they don't approach the drag strip performance of a 442. The "Skyrocket" engine in your car was rated at 330 HP at 4400 RPM. The 345 HP engine was reserved for the Starfire models as well as a few special 98 sport coupe models. It was also used in some 88 "police specials". The only difference between the 330 and 345 HP engines was the camshaft, and a slight increase in compression.
345 HP was only 3 HP less than a Tri-Power GTO, and all this was accomplished at 4800 RPM.
Last edited by Charlie Jones; May 12th, 2013 at 08:10 PM.
May 12th, 2013, 07:38 PM
#3
Welcome!
Where in Central Minnesota might you be located? Where'd you find the car? I knew a fellow that drove a 63 98 for many years. Is it a hardtop or sedan? Better post some pics for all to see!
May 13th, 2013, 03:37 AM
#5
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 7
June 9th, 2013, 03:55 AM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 112
Yes, I agree with how nice these cars run when tuned properly. I take mine out every weekend for a 20 mile drive just because it runs so.......nice. I would love to do a cross country trip from New Mexico to Connecticut my home state, but time and money just isn't right at the moment.
Good to see another fan of the 394 engine. Have a great day.
Good to see another fan of the 394 engine. Have a great day.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
