I have a '54 Olds 88 with a 324 rocket engine. For the life of me, I can't find head bolts for that year. I've tried Fusick, Kanter, JC Whitney and all the local auto parts shops around here, and the answer has been no.

Any ideas where I can find these??

 

have you tried arp??
I was looking to see what i could find, I really know nothing about the 324 I read somewhere it uses the 1/2 head bolt the same as a 403 and the 350 diesel, now please remember I know nothing about the 324 LOL.. but if you know the size bolt your looking for there are numerous places to buy bolts what we need is the size and the proper length..

I assume a grade 8 bolt or better would work, as long as it has the right type head on it.
http://www.arp-bolts.com/Catalog/Catalog.html

 

http://alloyboltz.com/catalog/produc...oducts_id=1255
http://headbolts.com/oldsmobile-engines.html
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/a...p/t-47584.html

 

Wow - many thanks for the links!

The cylinder bolts I took off look to be in pretty good condition - should I try to re-use them or buy new ones?

 

if you are doing a stock rebuild and your bolts look good and don't have any rust pitting i would reuse them. just clean the threads good and run a thread cleaner through the bolt holes and use oil on them and you should be fine.

 

i reused the bolts on a 394 and a 350 with no problem.

 

Yes. People who have worked with newer engines are aware of the torque-to-yield bolts that require replacement after every use. Older engines are not like that and the head bolts usually can be reused with no ill effects on all but the most hard-core builds.

 

Reuse your old head bolts. Clean the threads in the bolt hole and on the bolt with a tap and dye set.

 

your very welcome sir, just trying to help.... actually the cool thing about this place is you hear about motors and stuff you have never heard of, and get to look up interesting stuff apparently the 324 was quite the "hot rodders" motor back in the day!! so maybe I should say Thank You!!

 

That's why this site is the best. I've learned a heck of a lot in the relatively short time I've been here.