daddio65

I just picked up a 1964 Olds 98, the air cleaner reads "rocket" "high compression" I was told this was a 394?? Is this a desireable engine? The car itself is a "barn find", and is 100% complete. Any information would be great. Thanks, Jeff

cutlassgal

Welcome to our site!

tecar442

I don't really know a lot about '64 models or fullsize cars for that matter but if you check the TECH section at the top of the page, I'm sure you can find the answers to some of your questions. The folks on here will help you out as there are many knowledgeable people on this site.

D. Yaros

Welcome to CO, and congrats on you 64! The engine in your car was used by Oldsmobile from 1959 thru 1964.

The 394 is a "tried and true" performer with lots of power. Here is some info on it:

Sky Rocket
The 394 cu in (6.5 L) engine with the 10.25:1 1compression in the 962-1964 version upped power to 330 hp (250 kW) and 440 lb·ft (600 N·m).

There is plenty of online info available regarding the 394. Just Google "Oldsmobile 394 engine" and you will find what you seek.

Applications:

1961–1963 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 (option)
1961–1964 Oldsmobile Super 88 (standard)
1961–1964 Oldsmobile 98 (standard)

daddio65

WOW!!! Thanks for the info!!!

jaunty75

We could tell you a lot more if you could tell us a bit more about the car.

Exactly what style 98 is it? 2-door? 4-door? Hardtop? Sedan? Convertible?

If you post the VIN, which is on a plate on the driver's door hinge pillar, and a photo of the body cowl tag, which is under the hood on the firewall on the driver's side, we could decode the information and tell you more about your car.

Also, how about some photos? We always love to see photos!

daddio65

Thanks, it is a 4 door AC, power everything, Holiday Special, the odo reads 26k. The AC, heater, radio, and auto dim works, all windows work, no rust in trunk, or floors, all chrome is there and in good shape... the vin is 884M052994... I tried the vin locater on this site and it took me for 19 bucks, but no biggie. I will post pictures as soon as I can, but it really is in good shape for the year.. the seats could stand to be revocered but for now I can live with that.

jaunty75

You can decode any Oldsmobile VIN for free here:

http://www.v8cars.hu/oldsvin/decode.php


VIN's from this era don't tell you much more than you already know. Yours says that you have a '64 98 with a V-8 engine built in Lansing, Michigan.


I don't think it's actually quite correct to call your car a "special" in that Olds didn't use that word in its models in 1964. If you have a four-door hardtop, and "Holiday" is on it somewhere, then you have what was called a Holiday Sports Sedan.

There was another four-door 98 hardtop produced that year, and it was a Luxury Sedan. But it had a small, triangular window much like a vent window behind the window of each rear door and giving the windows on the side of the car a symmetrical look. If your car doesn't have this, then you don't have a Luxury Sedan. I think this little window might have been called an "opera window", but I don't know this for sure.

Here's a photo of a Luxury Sedan. You can see the triangular window behind the rear door.




Your particular style of 98 was the most popular that year, with a total of 24,971 produced. Production of the other styles was as follows:

Town Sedan (four-door post): 11,380
Holiday Sports Coupe (two-door hardtop): 6,139
Luxury Sedan: 17,346
Custom Sports Coupe: 4,594
Convertible: 4,004

Base price of your car was $4,265.

daddio65

Welp, here she is... let me know what you think... Thanks for looking!!!

1969w3155

Decent looking car.

MDchanic

Very nice 98.

Welcome to the forum!

- Eric

daddio65

Thanks guys!!!

rocketraider

Worst I see is the seats- nearly 50 years, go figure. SMS Auto Fabrics www.smsautofabrics.com probably has the material- I know they had the silver cloth a couple years ago when I was sniffing around a 64 Custom Sports Coupe. Won't be cheap though.

884M052994-

8= V8 equipped
8= Ninety Eight
4= 1964
M= Lansing MI assembly (all Ninety Eights were built in Lansing back then)
052994= vehicle sequential serial number

Until the Ford Cammer and 60s version of Chrysler Hemi came along, blown and injected 394 ruled IHRA and NHRA Gasser classes. I think that's one reason they're not so easy to find today, the dragsters used up a lot of them.

Allan R

Welcome to C.O.
That's a really nice find. I'm intrigued; is that the Autronic Eye in the middle of the dash? If it is, that's a very rare option.

daddio65

Thanks guys for taking a look!! It is in fact an autronic eye, and it works.. well sort of, not every sensitive but I guess for its age its not too bad.

rocketraider

It can be adjusted but you need the GuideMatic tester to do that. You can adjust sensitivity some using the dial on the back of the eye pod.

daddio65

where would a guy find a tester??? haha!! I m sure there arent many around..

Tedd Thompson

Welcome aboard, the 394 is a great and powerful engine, unfortunately it is bolted to a not so good Slim Jim transmission. If yours shifts good thank your lucky stars and leave it a lone.It's getting harder and harder to find someone that will tackle a poorly shifting Slim Jim.

I personally love the lines of the 63-64 4 door 98's and would probably have one if it wasn't for my bad experiences with the Slim Jim transmission....Tedd

daddio65

Thanks Tedd, it shifts perfectly and runs just as good... it does leak from the read seal on the tranny a bit but other than that, it is a good solid driver. I am not that familiar with the transmissions so like you said.. I'll be happy with what I got!!! Thanks again!! Jeff

Yellowstatue

Nice car, you're lucky that it fits into your garage!!

daddio65

I know, it just barely fits!!! It is fun as hell to drive, I just need tofix a few oil leaks and the old girl will be, for its age, in pretty darn good shape!!! Thanks for all of the complements guys!!!