I just got a 69 cutlass and i was told it has a 350 rocket small block. I found a casting number on the front of the motor behind the water pump.(39558) Is this the casting number for the motor? If it is, is it a 350 rocket?

 

Yea, its a 350 Olds V8. Oil fill tube in front next to the casting #. Search this site for more info. on Oldsmobiles: http://oldsjunction.classicoldsmobil...0of%20Contents

 

Yes it is.

"Rocket" is more a marketing term than anything else. It doesn't mean the engine is any different than other Oldsmobile engines, or more powerful. Goes back to the 1949 OHV engine which was dubbed "Rocket engine" by the sales and advertising folks. They referred to it as Rocket engine in most service publications thru about 1964, and in sales literature on up till about 1980 even though the aircleaner decal didn't say Rocket after about 1975.

Yours probably has a "Oldsmobile Rocket 350" decal on the aircleaner lid.

 

Yea, Rocket 350 sounds better than Kettering 350.

 

I wonder how many people, or for that matter, how many members here know what kettering refers to? I do but will let you explain.

 

Kettering would refer to a 1949-64 V8. 64 330s and 65-later would properly be called a Burrell engine.

 

That's a great 350 block

 

Also, look for a big cast number on the cylinder heads. driver's side behind the alternator. Usually a 5,6, 7 or 8

 

The number on the side of the head is 7A. The A is small, i could barly see it.

 

7A refers to hardened valve seats, ready for unleaded fuel use.

 

While these heads do have hardened seats, the 7A refers to the fact that these are 1972 heads, The number 7 (sans "A") heads from 1971 also have hardened seats, as do all Oldsmobile heads from the 1971 model year onward. The hardened seats were incorporated in response to federal requirements to operate on low-lead (and later no-lead) gas starting in 1971.

 

Your golden

 

Interesting.
Not original, but nice heads nonetheless.

 

i think gibson butler can explain it better than i can...
http://www.autohistory.org/feature_8.html
i had read this previously when i researched the origin of the olds ohv v-8 engine.


bill

 

Excellent read, thanks. I don't think I had ever read that particular article but was aware of most of the information in it. Two thoughts came to mind during the reading of it. First, what a great impact Oldsmobile had on the war effort and in return, how much the automotive industry as a whole benefited from the research during the war. Second, there seems to have been some interference in pure research by management even back then, which is particularly appropriate today considering the demise of the Big 3.

Also, I did not know that Oldsmobile was responsible for incorporating hydraulic valve lifters in the 90 degree v8 engines.

And lastly, it is very encouraging and rewarding to know that the 455 engine has a commonality with the original Rocket in that it is also "over square".

 

Oldsmobile did many good things for GM. Excellent designs... I do believe the only over square second generation Olds engines are the small blocks and barely the early 65-67 400 engine with it's 4.00"X 3.98" configuration. The 455's bore is 4.125" under the stroke of 4.250", no doubt increasing it's torque potential over most V8's.

 

The article shows that GM should have kept the research and development arm (Oldsmobile) alive and working to make better cars for the american pubilc and just maybe they would not be in the shape they are now in.

 

don't forget the 425 at 4.126" by 3.975".


bill

 

Thanks for correcting me wireman. As I get older my brain has trouble keeping the stuff I thought I used to know organized and I end up making stupid errors like that last one.

 

Dan,

That just means your hard drive needs reconfigured. A fifth of good single malt scotch with take care of the problem. Once your brain is rebooted you will be fine


Pat

 

Single malt? I prefer double malt recipe brown ale but sure, scotch will work.

 

Cool article.

Here is some good information on Charles Kettering.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Kettering

He invented the electric starter in 1912.

 

how is every 1 i have a ? if any 1 can help me i have a 1972 olds cutllas 442 w-29 350 stock,oei ram air hood it has 122,912 on the motor a th 400 turbo trany 8.5 inch 10 bolt rear end with 3:42gears im assuming to my owners manual it was handed down to me when my father passed but i want to emprove the horse power it is all stock mind you from points down to the stock exsahust im trying to get the most out of it on a budget and i know they are extremly exspensiv to build but im looking for more tricks of the trades,thank you so much for your time.