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I have just joined your forum to find out information on the Oldsmobile engine I have. The engine is still in the car.
Where can i find the engine casting numbers?
The intake manifold has firing order 18736542
The intake number is 567184
There are numbers on the water pump 587704
Exhaust heads show a #10
This engines is in a 1928 Ford Model A Hot Rod.
Any help or direction is much appreciated
The block casting number will identify the engine. The casting number is on the shelf behind the water pump (assuming this is an engine from 1964 or newer).
The heads have either a number (for small block engines) or a letter (for big block engines) as shown below.
To all Classic Olds members thank you so much for the quick responses, I will address them in order received so far. First the man who sold me the car first said it was a 321, could not find that cubic inch engine so that is why I started the thread.
I will look tomorrow first thing behind the water pump.
Valve covers are still on, I will drive the Hot Rod till the weather is too cold here in Rhode Island.
I will also look for that VIN location
The engine runs real strong, 4 speed, open headers, Edelbrock carb, the neighbors have not given me the "Look" yet. The oil pan took a hit plus oil higher up on the block maybe valve cover leak. This winter we will take the motor apart and replace all gaskets to stop the leaks.
keep you posted, again thanks for your quick responses
Nelson
If you have a 50s era engine (First Generation Olds engine), it will not have the block castings and head numbers/letters as I posted above. That is only for the 1964 and newer engines (Second Generation Olds engines).
Does it have two bolts in the middle of the valve covers? If so it is a first generation Olds. If they guy said 321 he might be confused and mean 324. Is the 4 speed a manual or automatic? As mentioned a picture would help a lot.
If the firing order is 18736542 then it's definetly a first generation Olds . Second gens were 18436572 .
As mentioned , the heads and manifold are 1956 .
The engine identification number is stamped on the deck surface of the block . On the left bank between the #1 exhaust port and the #3 exhaust port .
A 1956 324 block number will start with A .
I will attempt pictures today.
There are 2 bolt heads in the valve covers so it is a first generation engine based on redsoldsman statement. Also it has a copper line system putting engine oil into the tops of the valve covers oiling the lifters. Would this be a "Top Oiler" was this done back then?
The copper lines are more like parts from the hardware store, maybe replacing GM installed parts, I guess this helps with lubrication and will be installed when I rebuild.
There is quite a manifold on the left side of the engine to make this system work.
Also it has a copper line system putting engine oil into the tops of the valve covers oiling the lifters. Would this be a "Top Oiler" was this done back then?
The copper lines are more like parts from the hardware store, maybe replacing GM installed parts, I guess this helps with lubrication and will be installed when I rebuild.
There is quite a manifold on the left side of the engine to make this system work.
It sounds to me like somebody "band-aided" this engine after it became so "sludged up " that the oil was restricted to the top end .
I would advise not installing any of this stuff back on the engine when you rebuild it . It's totally un-necessary on a "healthy" engine .
These engines do not oil the rockers in the same manner than a post 65 Olds or a Chevy . The oil comes up thru the camshaft thru passes in the block and heads to the rocker shafts . There is no oil in the pushrods . When re-building , make sure these passages are clean .
I brought the Hot Rod to a restoration shop near me and he verified that the engine is a 1956, 324 engine. The engine is not sludge up runs good, the thoughts are that an owner twice removed felt it necessary toads the top oiling system. The down side is there is a hole in each valve cover. Thanks to all for your help and direction, I will keep you posted when we rebuild during the Winter.
Top oilers were not an uncommon after market add-on "back in the day." Some Oldsmobile engines had noisy tappets and this was an attempt to quiet them.
Yes Dave that is what I have been told. The car was built by an old Hot Rodder and I guess based on his experience more oil circulation was needed. There is an oil filter cartridge with hoses to the engine mounted to the underside of the chassis. This was part of added oiling system.
Thanks for your input
Nelson
A friend of mine is the owner of a garage and has years of building and restoring classics and hot rods. He has a number of generation 1 Olds motors. His opinion is that the engine is a 56, 324. This will not be confirmed until we pull the engine over the winter.
The oiling system is made of thin copper tubbing and fittings, I will put the system back on the engine to oil the engine and also because it looks old school.
