Non V8 Olds power.
Thread Starter
'87 Delta 88 Royale
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,514
From: Margate, England
Non V8 Olds power.
What other engines were used to power Oldsmobiles before they became badge engineered GM clones?.
I understand flathead sixes and eights were used up to the debut of the Rocket V8, what engines were offered for those happy to forgo the extra power and cost of eight cylinders.
They seem to be largely forgotten now. But were they any good within their obvious limitations of size?.
How did they shape up against other sixes from the rest of the makers?. I dare say AMC sixes might give a good account of themselves, and I can testify the Mopar slant six is durable and tough enough to keep going with knocking bearings and broken rings for much longer than I could reasonably expect.
Roger.
I understand flathead sixes and eights were used up to the debut of the Rocket V8, what engines were offered for those happy to forgo the extra power and cost of eight cylinders.
They seem to be largely forgotten now. But were they any good within their obvious limitations of size?.
How did they shape up against other sixes from the rest of the makers?. I dare say AMC sixes might give a good account of themselves, and I can testify the Mopar slant six is durable and tough enough to keep going with knocking bearings and broken rings for much longer than I could reasonably expect.
Roger.
Phantom Phixer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,530
From: Apopka, FL
Olds started with one cylinder engines ,under the seat, in their first few years in the "curved dash" cars.
In the first decade of the twentieth century they graduated quickly to four and even a few six cylinder engines. They started with "T" head engines with the intake valves onone side of the cylinder and the exhaust on the other. This later evolved to an "L" head design that had both valves on one side of the cylinder. This design is commonly termed a "flathead".
By the end of the twenties Olds engines featured both insert type bearings and pressure oiling. This provided much greater durability over the poured babbit and splash oiling that many of their compeitors still featured.
Oldsmobile's first V-8 was introduced in 1929 in their "Viking" model. It was an L head design with a much lower bank angle of less than 90 degrees. It was quite an impressive car, however it only lasted a couple of years. It was probably killed by the great depression.
Olds constantly improved their flathead six design until about 1935 after which it remained much the same until the end of the series in 1950. A flathead straight eight was added to the line in 1935 and remained in production until 1948.
Oldsmobile six engines were also used in GMC trucks from 1/2 to 1&1/2 ton from 1934 to 37.
All Oldsmobiles from 1951 to 1963 were V-8's . In 1964 a V-6 was added to the cutlass line.
In the first decade of the twentieth century they graduated quickly to four and even a few six cylinder engines. They started with "T" head engines with the intake valves onone side of the cylinder and the exhaust on the other. This later evolved to an "L" head design that had both valves on one side of the cylinder. This design is commonly termed a "flathead".
By the end of the twenties Olds engines featured both insert type bearings and pressure oiling. This provided much greater durability over the poured babbit and splash oiling that many of their compeitors still featured.
Oldsmobile's first V-8 was introduced in 1929 in their "Viking" model. It was an L head design with a much lower bank angle of less than 90 degrees. It was quite an impressive car, however it only lasted a couple of years. It was probably killed by the great depression.
Olds constantly improved their flathead six design until about 1935 after which it remained much the same until the end of the series in 1950. A flathead straight eight was added to the line in 1935 and remained in production until 1948.
Oldsmobile six engines were also used in GMC trucks from 1/2 to 1&1/2 ton from 1934 to 37.
All Oldsmobiles from 1951 to 1963 were V-8's . In 1964 a V-6 was added to the cutlass line.
Last edited by Charlie Jones; Oct 19, 2015 at 07:22 PM.
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,803
From: Northern VA
Phantom Phixer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,530
From: Apopka, FL
To continue on this subject , since the question was asked, "before they became badge engineered GM clones".
First ,none of the big cars (88,98, toro, etc) ever had anything other than a V-8 after 1950 until 1977 when the "corporate madness" begain.
The Cutlass/F-85 line had a Buick built V-6 optional in 1964 -65. Beginning in 1966 until 1971 a Chevrolet built inline six was offered in the Cutlass/F-85. As Joe said , no sixes were offered in 1972. In 1973-77 the Chevrolet six was offered in the Cutlass and Omega lines.
These six cylinder installations were rare, probably accounting for less than 5 percent of production.
First ,none of the big cars (88,98, toro, etc) ever had anything other than a V-8 after 1950 until 1977 when the "corporate madness" begain.
The Cutlass/F-85 line had a Buick built V-6 optional in 1964 -65. Beginning in 1966 until 1971 a Chevrolet built inline six was offered in the Cutlass/F-85. As Joe said , no sixes were offered in 1972. In 1973-77 the Chevrolet six was offered in the Cutlass and Omega lines.
These six cylinder installations were rare, probably accounting for less than 5 percent of production.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 530
Olds started with one cylinder engines ,under the seat, in their first few years in the "curved dash" cars.
In the first decade of the twentieth century they graduated quickly to four and even a few six cylinder engines. They started with "T" head engines with the intake valves onone side of the cylinder and the exhaust on the other. This later evolved to an "L" head design that had both valves on one side of the cylinder. This design is commonly termed a "flathead".
By the end of the twenties Olds engines featured both insert type bearings and pressure oiling. This provided much greater durability over the poured babbit and splash oiling that many of their compeitors still featured.
Oldsmobile's first V-8 was introduced in 1929 in their "Viking" model. It was an L head design with a much lower bank angle of less than 90 degrees. It was quite an impressive car, however it only lasted a couple of years. It was probably killed by the great depression.
Olds constantly improved their flathead six design until about 1935 after which it remained much the same until the end of the series in 1950. A flathead straight eight was added to the line in 1935 and remained in production until 1948.
Oldsmobile six engines were also used in GMC trucks from 1/2 to 1&1/2 ton from 1934 to 37.
All Oldsmobiles from 1951 to 1963 were V-8's . In 1964 a V-6 was added to the cutlass line.
In the first decade of the twentieth century they graduated quickly to four and even a few six cylinder engines. They started with "T" head engines with the intake valves onone side of the cylinder and the exhaust on the other. This later evolved to an "L" head design that had both valves on one side of the cylinder. This design is commonly termed a "flathead".
By the end of the twenties Olds engines featured both insert type bearings and pressure oiling. This provided much greater durability over the poured babbit and splash oiling that many of their compeitors still featured.
Oldsmobile's first V-8 was introduced in 1929 in their "Viking" model. It was an L head design with a much lower bank angle of less than 90 degrees. It was quite an impressive car, however it only lasted a couple of years. It was probably killed by the great depression.
Olds constantly improved their flathead six design until about 1935 after which it remained much the same until the end of the series in 1950. A flathead straight eight was added to the line in 1935 and remained in production until 1948.
Oldsmobile six engines were also used in GMC trucks from 1/2 to 1&1/2 ton from 1934 to 37.
All Oldsmobiles from 1951 to 1963 were V-8's . In 1964 a V-6 was added to the cutlass line.
Last edited by Ancient Iron; Oct 20, 2015 at 06:34 AM. Reason: More info
Thread Starter
'87 Delta 88 Royale
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,514
From: Margate, England
Thank you all for your responses.
I didn't know shell bearings were used so early, I wonder when they were first used in any production engine?.
It makes sense that premium brands such as Cadillac, Lincoln, or Imperial would only offer larger more powerful engines in their cars, and low end cars like Chevrolet, Ford or Plymouth would be more likely to have small engine options.
Did Pontiac and Buick only offer V8 power in the same timeline?.
I know the Chevrolet "Stovebolt" and Buick engines were ohv designs. Did other pre war makers produce ohv engines or did they use flathead design?
Incidentally in the 1930's Riley Motors of the UK built an engine with twin camshafts, but built into the block operating inclined valves with pushrods, resulting in a hemispherical combustion chamber. An expensive engine to make, but had some advantages compared with the headaches ohc engines caused with the technology of the day.
Perhaps this thread should be moved to "Non Olds powered".
Roger.
I didn't know shell bearings were used so early, I wonder when they were first used in any production engine?.
It makes sense that premium brands such as Cadillac, Lincoln, or Imperial would only offer larger more powerful engines in their cars, and low end cars like Chevrolet, Ford or Plymouth would be more likely to have small engine options.
Did Pontiac and Buick only offer V8 power in the same timeline?.
I know the Chevrolet "Stovebolt" and Buick engines were ohv designs. Did other pre war makers produce ohv engines or did they use flathead design?
Incidentally in the 1930's Riley Motors of the UK built an engine with twin camshafts, but built into the block operating inclined valves with pushrods, resulting in a hemispherical combustion chamber. An expensive engine to make, but had some advantages compared with the headaches ohc engines caused with the technology of the day.
Perhaps this thread should be moved to "Non Olds powered".
Roger.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,309
From: South-central Pa.
To continue on this subject , since the question was asked, "before they became badge engineered GM clones".
First ,none of the big cars (88,98, toro, etc) ever had anything other than a V-8 after 1950 until 1977 when the "corporate madness" begain.
The Cutlass/F-85 line had a Buick built V-6 optional in 1964 -65. Beginning in 1966 until 1971 a Chevrolet built inline six was offered in the Cutlass/F-85. As Joe said , no sixes were offered in 1972. In 1973-77 the Chevrolet six was offered in the Cutlass and Omega lines.
These six cylinder installations were rare, probably accounting for less than 5 percent of production.
First ,none of the big cars (88,98, toro, etc) ever had anything other than a V-8 after 1950 until 1977 when the "corporate madness" begain.
The Cutlass/F-85 line had a Buick built V-6 optional in 1964 -65. Beginning in 1966 until 1971 a Chevrolet built inline six was offered in the Cutlass/F-85. As Joe said , no sixes were offered in 1972. In 1973-77 the Chevrolet six was offered in the Cutlass and Omega lines.
These six cylinder installations were rare, probably accounting for less than 5 percent of production.
Railguy
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 920
From: N. FL 32091
Johnny
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 920
From: N. FL 32091
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