Ok here is the story. I bought my 4 door 64 Jetstar 88 in 2000. I bought it from my uncle in CA since it was the first car I drove at the age of 14. I knew I wanted that car way back in 1987. I been driving it every chance I get here in Minnesota
It only has 51,xxxx on the original 330 and is mostly original. Minus the dual exhaust, radiator and spidercaps. No issues right? why would I molest a classic olds?
Well my dad just sold my future BEAST a 51 Henry j with a 454 BBC. It was fun to look at and more fun to drive. I was unable to talk him into waiting a few years

INSERT issue: I want to be able to at least turn the tires over without it being on a corner on a rainy day. I want to know where to begin. I have read a lot of treads on here but have not seen a straight answer. I am not able(do to knowledge) to rebuild this motor. Do I get my motor built up, buy a rebuilt or go 455?. I do not WANT to go Chevy. Too much to change and am a Chevy in a Chevy, Ford in a Ford, Olds in an Olds guy. Basically I want people to say "That works in that car and what a killer family cruiser with a thumper motor"

ANY advice would be great.

 

Welcome to the site! Sounds like a cool car, but sadly the 4 door model will never have much resale value. So I'd encourage you to bear that in mind. If you feel strongly you'll be keeping it a long time that may not matter. But if life changes and you have to sell it you'll take a loss if you invest much into it.

OK... 'nuff preaching! What's your plans for the car? Daily driver? Weekend toy? Since it has a 330 in it now a newer 350 or 403 would have the same external size/shape. You could swap something like that into it. I'm not sure about the 1964 jetstar engine compartment, but the big block engines (400, 425, 455) have the same oil pan, filter location, motor mounts, etc. as the 330. The difference is that the big blocks have a taller deck, so the heads are up a little higher and the intake is wider. I've no idea if that would be a fitment issue, someone else will have to comment on it.

You could also change the rearend gears to make it more snappy off the line. This likely would reduce your gas milage so changing from highway gears (say 2.78's) to lower gears (maybe 3.55's) would help your launch, but if a daily driver that may not be a good thing.

There's a few things to think about. I'm sure other members here will provide more ideas/views on what you might do. John

 

I realize the 4 door has low resale(looked at what it was worth so I could get the Henry J from my dad). That is why I do not think it would matter if I dropped a bigger motor in it. She is a weekend cruiser and is going nowhere soon. Too much sentimental love there. And I do not care about gas mileage. I would not be interested in old cars if I was. lol

I really appreciate the help and info. Now to wait and see what others think

 

It is just my thoughts, just an opinion.
A nice running 403 would bolt in and all brackets will bolt up. I'm not sure of the trans behind the 330. If it is the 2 speed a T-350 will replace it and the drive shaft will fit right in. The local muffler shop can set you up on a dual exhaust sys.
On the Jetstar 88, again not sure of the rear end. If it is the early 8.2, gears should be able to find. Depending what is already there, a 3.08, 3.23 or 3.55's will be a big improvement. But if it is the big Olds 57 to 64 style, it's a little more difficult to find gears. It is easier to change gears, for it is a pumpkin style. But they are out there.
Like I said, a 403 Olds will bolt in with all your stuff. I would do the engine trans swap, make it run and check out the gears after you have driven it. Maybe you will be happy with it with the gears as is.
You may have to use the water pump from the 330 in order for the pulleys to line up. Or use the 403 pump and pulleys, but will have to have the lower radiator neck switch from side to side. Local rad shop can make it happen.
Good luck PM me if you need more info.

Gene

 

That helps alot 64 rocket. thank-you. I will be need to look for a 403 now around MN. Also of not I have a jetaway 2 speed tranny in that beast. Not an optimal tranny at all.
This all sounds better than the $9,000 estimate I got to make MY 330 into what I want. OUCH

 

The 1964 J88 used the 330, ST300 trans, and a unique version of the A-body rear axle (wider housing but same gears, differential, and brakes).

If you are contemplating an engine swap, be aware that the 1964 330 is unique in the Olds engine family. In addition to the shaft-mounted rockers (which are irrelevant if you are swapping motors), the 64s used a unique water pump with the inlet on the driver's side. This puts the timing tab on the passenger side (again, unique among Olds motors), which in turn means that the TDC scribe mark on the balancer is in a different place than on all later motors. Also, because of this, the accessory brackets are unique to the 1964 cars (and the 64 A-body brackets are even different from the J88 brackets - go figure).

Any small block Olds bolts in, as Gene noted, but you'll either need to have the radiator modified to swap the lower outlet to the other side or transfer the water pump, brackets, and balancer to your new motor. 1964 brackets are SBO only and won't fit a big block Olds without welding. Of course, if you have the radiator modified, use the 1965-67 accessory brackets and ANY Olds motor (BBO or SBO) bolts in.

Be aware that the rubber motor mounts are unique to the 64 J88 and are not reproduced. Steele Rubber can revulcanize your old ones if they need it.

 

This just keep gets getting better. lol It's just my kids college fund.

Thanx for the info Joe. I have a new aluminum radiator in it currently so we will see what to do. Also have gone through 2 water pumps since first one was bad and replacement was a crappy rebuild. 3rd one is a good one.


Actually looking at this motor
http://www.tuffdawgengines.com/oldsmobile_403.htm

 

Sounds like my luck with wives...

Never heard of them.

"Seasoned" is a fancy word for "used", so I guess that makes ALL my motors "special"...

With mystery specs

So basically, stock 403 heads. Why not upgrade to 2.070/1.625 valves, as used on the 400 BBO? How about at least 2.000/1.625 as seen on the W-31s?

What about the pistons? Since they don't specify forged, I'm guessing they are the Silv-O-Lite cast flattop pistons for the 403? Again, it doesn't say.

All stock oil pump driveshafts are steel.

 

where do you reccomend I buy then?