New member here
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 79
From: Southern Ca
New member here
Hello Classic Oldsmobile....
New to the forum and wanted to introduce myself!
My recent purchase of a tired 1954 Rocket 88 is the reason for joining.
Assuming the car is an original Ca. car I believe, as it came with the old black and gold Ca plates? It is currently not running due to the previous owner butchering the oil pan plug to the point where
I will need to either repair and weld that area or replace the entire pan? It's all there for the most part, will need body work and side glass replacement. the interior will need new door panels,
head liner and carpet. The floor pans are in excellent shape and that causes me to believe that the car is an original Ca. car?
I'm hoping to get the car somewhat back to original condition at some point. We'll see how far I get with her!
If anyone has any helpful part links or suggestions, I'm all ears!
New to the forum and wanted to introduce myself!
My recent purchase of a tired 1954 Rocket 88 is the reason for joining.
Assuming the car is an original Ca. car I believe, as it came with the old black and gold Ca plates? It is currently not running due to the previous owner butchering the oil pan plug to the point where
I will need to either repair and weld that area or replace the entire pan? It's all there for the most part, will need body work and side glass replacement. the interior will need new door panels,
head liner and carpet. The floor pans are in excellent shape and that causes me to believe that the car is an original Ca. car?
I'm hoping to get the car somewhat back to original condition at some point. We'll see how far I get with her!
If anyone has any helpful part links or suggestions, I'm all ears!
Last edited by Gofishgobig; Aug 28, 2019 at 08:46 AM. Reason: txt error
Olds Fever
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,526
From: New York (Upstate)
Welcome to the group... It's always good to hear when someone wants to preserve/restore a piece of Oldsmobile history... Good luck with your project... You will be able to find a lot of useful info here to assist you in your efforts...
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,743
From: Forest Ranch Ca.
Greetings from another California rocket owner. If this is the original engine to the car the serial number will start with eather a 557C or a 558C if it's a California built car. Still could be built in another plant but spent it's whole life in California
The important part is you have it now and it will be saved. The pan on a 324 is a bear to get out without pulling the engine. The X frame is in the way and without removing the distributor and motor/ transmission mounts the pan doesn't have room to get out of there. I wonder if it could be welded in the car?
Just a thought. What are you intentions on this car, driver, custom or show? Pictures would be nice.
Should you need help we have a very educated group here that will help most anyway we can. Most of us at one time have been there and done that.. See you around..... Lost in the fifties ....Tedd
The important part is you have it now and it will be saved. The pan on a 324 is a bear to get out without pulling the engine. The X frame is in the way and without removing the distributor and motor/ transmission mounts the pan doesn't have room to get out of there. I wonder if it could be welded in the car?
Just a thought. What are you intentions on this car, driver, custom or show? Pictures would be nice.Should you need help we have a very educated group here that will help most anyway we can. Most of us at one time have been there and done that.. See you around..... Lost in the fifties ....Tedd
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 79
From: Southern Ca
Greetings from another California rocket owner. If this is the original engine to the car the serial number will start with eather a 557C or a 558C if it's a California built car. Still could be built in another plant but spent it's whole life in California
The important part is you have it now and it will be saved. The pan on a 324 is a bear to get out without pulling the engine. The X frame is in the way and without removing the distributor and motor/ transmission mounts the pan doesn't have room to get out of there. I wonder if it could be welded in the car? Just a thought. What are you intentions on this car, driver, custom or show? Pictures would be nice.
Should you need help we have a very educated group here that will help most anyway we can. Most of us at one time have been there and done that.. See you around..... Lost in the fifties ....Tedd
The important part is you have it now and it will be saved. The pan on a 324 is a bear to get out without pulling the engine. The X frame is in the way and without removing the distributor and motor/ transmission mounts the pan doesn't have room to get out of there. I wonder if it could be welded in the car?
Just a thought. What are you intentions on this car, driver, custom or show? Pictures would be nice.Should you need help we have a very educated group here that will help most anyway we can. Most of us at one time have been there and done that.. See you around..... Lost in the fifties ....Tedd
Hi Tedd, thanks for the welcome msg!
The car ID starts with 548C, I assume the “C” represents California built?
For now, I would like to get it driving and stopping, we have Thursday nite cruise night here in our small town of Ramona during the summer months! Would like to be a part of that next year?
Sounds like pulling the pan is a real bear of an effort! I will try to get a photo or two of the butchered oil plug tomorrow.
I highly doubt that I can weld it up with the pan being in the car, too much oil contaminants to get a good penetrating weld especially on the inside. Besides I would like to replace the oil pan gaskets while I’m at it!
Thanks for the advise, appreciate it!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 79
From: Southern Ca
Butchered oil pan
Plug Nut plate came loose from the previous owner using the wrong threaded plug,
Greetings from another California rocket owner. If this is the original engine to the car the serial number will start with eather a 557C or a 558C if it's a California built car. Still could be built in another plant but spent it's whole life in California
The important part is you have it now and it will be saved. The pan on a 324 is a bear to get out without pulling the engine. The X frame is in the way and without removing the distributor and motor/ transmission mounts the pan doesn't have room to get out of there. I wonder if it could be welded in the car? Just a thought. What are you intentions on this car, driver, custom or show? Pictures would be nice.
Should you need help we have a very educated group here that will help most anyway we can. Most of us at one time have been there and done that.. See you around..... Lost in the fifties ....Tedd
The important part is you have it now and it will be saved. The pan on a 324 is a bear to get out without pulling the engine. The X frame is in the way and without removing the distributor and motor/ transmission mounts the pan doesn't have room to get out of there. I wonder if it could be welded in the car?
Just a thought. What are you intentions on this car, driver, custom or show? Pictures would be nice.Should you need help we have a very educated group here that will help most anyway we can. Most of us at one time have been there and done that.. See you around..... Lost in the fifties ....Tedd
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,743
From: Forest Ranch Ca.
That's one sorry looking pan but you probably want to pull the engine anyway
. I've always had better luck pulling the engine and transmission as a unit. If you seperate the two there is the problem of having to support the transmission with something while you work on the engine then you can't roll the car around and get it out of the way. If you have a lift or a good transmission jack it's not as much of a problem but there are about 27 1/4 28 bolts that have to come out to separate the engine from the transmission and I find it a lot easier to do this on the floor out in the open and not laying on my back under the car That's just me YMMD.
If you can't repair it check with 2blu 442 on this site he has several 324 he is parting out and he may still have a usable pan for sale... Tedd
. I've always had better luck pulling the engine and transmission as a unit. If you seperate the two there is the problem of having to support the transmission with something while you work on the engine then you can't roll the car around and get it out of the way. If you have a lift or a good transmission jack it's not as much of a problem but there are about 27 1/4 28 bolts that have to come out to separate the engine from the transmission and I find it a lot easier to do this on the floor out in the open and not laying on my back under the car That's just me YMMD. If you can't repair it check with 2blu 442 on this site he has several 324 he is parting out and he may still have a usable pan for sale... Tedd
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 79
From: Southern Ca
Thank you Tedd!
Some good advise, much appreciated!
I agree, having the motor and trans out will allow me to inspect and clean, replace any other worn out parts! As well as clean up the entire engine bay!
I found an oil pan and a couple other parts that I need from Turners wrecking yard in Fresno, Ca.. Hopefully they will be delivered next week? Would hav d reached out to “Olds442” on here had I known he had 324 parts? I may need some other things as I make progress?
Cheers and Happy Labor Day to all!
Some good advise, much appreciated!
I agree, having the motor and trans out will allow me to inspect and clean, replace any other worn out parts! As well as clean up the entire engine bay!
I found an oil pan and a couple other parts that I need from Turners wrecking yard in Fresno, Ca.. Hopefully they will be delivered next week? Would hav d reached out to “Olds442” on here had I known he had 324 parts? I may need some other things as I make progress?
Cheers and Happy Labor Day to all!
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,918
From: SE Wisconsin
Welcome to CO! Always glad to see another 54 being brought back to life. Like the lines on them!
Yes, I would say the oil pan has a bit of a problem. It is going to take some artful welding to plug that hole!
Yes, I would say the oil pan has a bit of a problem. It is going to take some artful welding to plug that hole!
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