Hi!
My name is dave and i live in germany.
I just bought a 54 Rocket 88. It is in a really good condition but
theres no engine/transmission in it.
Now i am thinking about which engine to put in.
I would prefer a 305 or 350 Chevy with aTH350 on it.
But will this engine/transmission fit in my Olds (engine mounts etc...).
Can anybody help me?

Thanks, dave

 

Welcome aboard

I am confident many will sugest not using a Cheby engine. But them again I'm not real sure of the avaliabilty of Olds engines in Germany.

 

Hi Dave,

Any way you look at it you in for some fab work to install a newer engine and transmission. The original engine used a single front motor mount and the transmission used two side mounts. All of your new Olds engines 307, 350, 425, and 455 use side motor mounts and rear transmission mounts.

If you have a source for a Old engine I would recomend going with a 425 or 455 olds and a turbo 400. IF a chevy 350 and 350 trubo transmission is more accessible then you can go that direction the amount of work is about the same.

The X frame requires some modifications to the two piece drive line on the conversion to a single piece drive line. Here is a link to the conversion I did on my 57 it is very similar and will give you some idea of what you will incounter. https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...gine-swap.html

If I can offer any help let me know

 

Good morning Dave
Welcome to this community.You will get professional answers from friendly people with many years of experience and know-how.
A member from our Vintage & US-Car Regulars`Table did just an engine swop.The engine in his 1955 Cadillac was blown and because he couldn`t get an original he put a used Chevi Block into his car.Tomorrow we will see if it works.Our mechanic Ralf isn`t an US Car spezialist but he knows everything about engines and transmission, the shop is well equipped.No botch at all!!!NEVER!!!The guiys in this forum know which engine could fit,Ralf could find a way how to mount it correct.
Where are you from?We are from 78713 Schramberg,Black Forest,Germany.
Welcome again,Claudia&Martin
We will send some pics from the engine swop soon.

 

Welcome from another user in Germany! From your English, I'd say you're an American that got "stuck" here like I did! I live about an hour SW of Mainz in Idar-Oberstein.
I can agree with Convertible '63. These guys are ready w/ answers to almost everything.

Ralph

 

Dave, welcome to CO. We would be "tickled pink" if you could find an Oldsmobile engine for your 54 88 but understand that it is much more difficult to find nice rocket engines over there. Good luck.

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Dave, Welcome to CO and good luck in finding an Olds engine in Germany. I had the same problem here in Thailand and gave up on an Olds engine. I thought if I can't find an Olds that I want a new technically evolved engine with fuel injection and variable valve timing and also be a V-8. Since most mechanics here in Thailand know how to work on Japanese engines I decided to put in a Lexus 4 overhead cam, 32 valve V-8 engine. I know many of the guys on the forum cringe when they see the photos but it works for me and goes like "a bat out of hell". Maybe in Germany you could find a BMW V-8 to put in. It would be easy for the Germany mechanics to work on and easy to find parts. Keep us updated on your progress. Below is a picture of my engine bay.
Rokit

 

No it isnt that difficult to find an engine.
But original 324 Olds engines are very rare.
Chevy SBs are easier to find and the parts are much more
available and cheaper.

 

Hmmmmm... Might know where a 330 engine is. Have to see if I can find him again. He's in the Eifel, has a '63 'vert he's restoring & has a parts car that I THINK still had the motor! Let me know & I'll try to look him back up. Where do you live? Anywhere near Rheinland-Pfalz?

Ralph

 

Im from Fürstenfeldbruck, near Munich.
Has the 330 side motor mounts or one front motor mount?

 

Cool! Maybe we & conv 63 could meet @ a meeting next summer!
RE: motor mounts- I remember seeing a fairly recent thread regarding 330 motor mounts. Check it out!

Ralph

 

The 330 uses side motor mounts with a single transmission mount.

Check out the link below as it has most everything you will want to know concerning the 63 and earlier Olds engines and the 64 and later engines.


http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/oldsfaq.h...0of%20Contents

 

Here are some Pics of my Olds:
L=http://img5.imageshack.us/i/93679202.jpg/][/URL]

 

And i have another question. I got offered a 1951 Olds Rocket engine
(303 with Hydramatic).
This Powertrain should fit pretty well in my 54 Body, or not?
But, in 1954 the transmission has been rotated 22 deg counter clockwise.

so, does the 303 with the straight transmission fit in the 54 tunnel?
Or does it only need a little bit metal work???

 

Hey Dave!

Check out this link- cruizer is collecting emails for a mailing list & maybe later get w/ admin (if we can find enough) & start a subchapter!
Take a look!

Ralph

 

Which Link?

 

UUPS!! Sorry! Rechte Mausklick vergessen!

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...y-germany.html

Ralph