Therealelchawpo

Hello, I'm new to oldsmobiles, and am purchasing a 350 rocket (out of a 71 cutlass) to power the 35 ford truck bobber that I'm building. I chose a rocket, as its somethijg unique you dont see to often in builds like that. I really like the look of the late 50s valve covers that fit the 303/324's and am curious how interchangeable with the 350s they are. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

joe_padavano

They are completely different engines. Nothing interchanges between the first gen (1949-64) Olds motors and the second gen (1964-90).

redoldsman

Interesting that somebody makes a copy of the 49=50 valve convers to fit a SBC but none for a 350 Olds that I am familiar with.

joe_padavano

Because those Chebby motors have rectangular center bolt valve covers just like the early Rocket V8 motors. Second gen Olds motors have trapezoidal valve covers with ten bolts and no center bolts.

Charlie Jones

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redoldsman

All the SBC's I ever worked on have four bolts holding the valve covers on and none are in the center of the valve cover. Through early 59, the top ones are closer together than the bottom ones and afterward they are straight across.

bccan

IIRC, SBCs went to center bolt valve covers 1987 - 1997.

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joe_padavano

redoldsman

Certainly I am a little more educated now. I never worked on the later SBC Chevies but now my memory has been jogged, I do recall seeing those different valve covers.