brown7373

I just checked on the Brochures website that through 1975 they still referred to Olds engines as Rockets. In fact, they introduced the 260 V8 as the new standard engine, and that it had the same durability as other Olds Rocket engines. Brochures I saw in 1976 made no mention of Rocket in the brochures that I saw, and had the disclaimer about having the right to use various corporate engines.

oldsmobiledave

Corporate engine sharing started in before 1976. For example the 400 cid Pontiac was actually an option on the 1975 Delta 88. Not many were made that way but the option was in the books.

jaunty75

Goes back before that, I believe. Wasn't the 215 V-8 used in the early Cutlasses a Buick engine?

The difference between those examples and this one is that Olds noted right up front that it was a non-Olds engine you were getting. What caused all the problems in 1977 was their substituting Chevy engines and not telling anyone about it. Many owners first discovered they didn't have an Olds engine when they went to have the oil changed or some other service done, and the mechanic found that Olds parts didn't fit.

joe_padavano

My comment was not directed at you, sorry if it came across that way. It was directed at the "experts" who routinely claim that the "Rocket" is something special as compared to lesser Olds motors.

joe_padavano

Well, the SBC was introduced in the 1955 model year, the SBO in the 1964 model year. Both 350 cu in versions debuted in the 1968 model year.

joe_padavano

Interestingly, the 215 as used by Olds actually had unique block, heads, pistons, and valve covers as compared to the Buick version. Yes, it's Buick architecture, but Olds customized it with unique Olds-designed parts. The Rover versions are Buicks.

Contrast this to the 225 V6 used in 64-65 or the Chevy I6 used after that. In those cases the motors are identical to those used by their "home" organization. And the Pontiac 400 was used in 1975.

Of course, Olds (as well as Buick and Pontiac) used a FORD transmission in the 1960s, and the other transmissions were "corporate". And the Aurora motor is simply a Northstar with a smaller bore (87mm vs, 93mm).

redoldsman

Actually the 350 Chevy came out in the 1967 Camaro. I know you are an Olds guy Joe.

joe_padavano

You are correct. Sorry about that. I had better stick to Oldsmobiles.