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New to the forum but certainly not Oldsmobile. First car was 1954 s88 convertible with 371. Drove a 59 Oldsmobile 394 wagon, (no power steering) to HS while putting the 371 in the 54. Built a 35 ford 5 window with 371 and Olds 3 speed.
Found a 57 J 2r in a wrecking yard in the early 70's and sold it to another Hot rodder. I didn't realize at the time what a special engine it was till years later. Kicked myself and have been looking for another for the last 50 yrs. My last Oldsmobile was a 1967 442 convertible 4spd with air. Wish I had that one back.
I may have found a bucket list item but don't want to say anything to jinx it. Five hour drive next weekend to pick it up. Will post pictures once it is in my hands.
This is what I picked up. J2 and 50 Olds trans out of a 49 oldsmobile drag car. Engine appears to be early 57. Real nostalgia
anyone recognize the rockers, springs, are the stands 1.5?
Last edited by ncboat; Mar 5, 2023 at 11:16 AM.
Reason: Add pictures
I really didn't know what it was called when I found it. It was a complete J2 in an immaculate 57 hardtop. What I had never seen on any of my 371's were the valve covers, I now know the lumps were for the adjustable lifters. I only learned about the R option years later.
I really didn't know what it was called when I found it. It was a complete J2 in an immaculate 57 hardtop. What I had never seen on any of my 371's were the valve covers, I now know the lumps were for the adjustable lifters. I only learned about the R option years later.
As I was told, the "R" option was not a production car item. It was several parts (solid lifter camshaft with 270 degrees duration, adjustable rocker arms and "dimpled" valve covers and possibly thinner head gaskets) that were purchased from the dealer parts department. All the parts were listed on a W-1 parts list for "For Export" cars to "hide" it (from Oldsmobile or GM top brass ?). Racers" and "in the know people" knew where to find the part numbers. The actual "R" was something that was developed between Lee or Richard Petty and Oldsmobile. I read an article on the J-2 in Hemmings or some place that referred to it.
An "old timer" (deceased now) I knew personally, used the "J-2R's" in his cars (50 Olds coupes, 56 Olds 88 and '32 Ford B) and built them from scratch. He also "punched" a few of them 1/8" and they were 394's. He preferred Engle cams, although Isky may have ground the cams Petty used. My friend even had the correct 1957-58 Olds Gold engine paint formula, now we have to use what Bill Hirsch sells. He even had a few pairs of the valve covers chromed and they were beautiful.
If you would like the appearance of the J-2R, I am told the valve covers pop up on Ebay from time to time. I may also be able to find you a pair that have never been used.
I hope this adds to what you knew before.
I grew up in the dealership family starting with my dad's Hudson dealership in Seattle. We moved to Denver where relatives owned a large Plymouth, Chrysler, Desoto, Imperial dealership. The cars that weren't supposed to be, appeared for
select individuals. This was late 50's and then 60's so some very impressive cars.
I had the good fortune to see hot chrysler 300's a couple max wedge Plymouth's, with aluminum fenders and the Chrysler turbine car. I could see something like the Olds I found the first engine in being a dealer "demo" originally. We know these engines were in a few people's hands other than just the Petty's. I think it is a fair point that the valve covers and J2 setup don't equate to an "R" motor.
I grew up in the dealership family starting with my dad's Hudson dealership in Seattle. We moved to Denver where relatives owned a large Plymouth, Chrysler, Desoto, Imperial dealership. The cars that weren't supposed to be, appeared for
select individuals. This was late 50's and then 60's so some very impressive cars.
I had the good fortune to see hot chrysler 300's a couple max wedge Plymouth's, with aluminum fenders and the Chrysler turbine car. I could see something like the Olds I found the first engine in being a dealer "demo" originally. We know these engines were in a few people's hands other than just the Petty's. I think it is a fair point that the valve covers and J2 setup don't equate to an "R" motor.
You got to see sum pretty neat stuff. I am sure there were a few people with the whole R package. Since all the parts were listed on the "For Export" list, people in the know could go to their local Olds dealer and order them. I am told, that only about 200 pairs of the dimpled valve covers were ever made by Isky. The 1957-58 371 was quite popular with people who built street rods. Back in those days you had stock, 3/4 Race, and Full Race cams. No one know exactly what the difference between 3/4 Race and Full Race was. We are much more knowledgeable about duration and lift.
Last edited by OLDSter Ralph; Feb 20, 2023 at 10:55 PM.
Came across this in some stuff I pulled out of storage. I bought it in the seventies to go behind the 371 in my 35 ford. I believe it mounts a muncie to the 371. Couldn't find a manufacturer so if anyone recognizes it please enlighten me. There is a flywheel, throwout arm and the bellhousing to liquidate. Guidance would be welcome.
Grant
Thanks, I am especially interested in the cam. I am thinking of degreeing it in the motor to get a sense of what it is. The race car it came out of had Jahns and iskenderian stickers. Hope it bodes well for what I may find.
Grant
Thanks, I am especially interested in the cam. I am thinking of degreeing it in the motor to get a sense of what it is. The race car it came out of had Jahns and iskenderian stickers. Hope it bodes well for what I may find.
Grant
Jahns forged pistons were quite popular. They had "domes" that bumped compression ratios up as high as 12.5 to 1. Isky sold a lot of cams back in the day. My friend preferred Engle solid lifter cams in his J-2's.
CamCraft has a nice cam about 270 degrees (advertised duration), .495 lift that works well.
