Help with my new 55 Olds:
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 53
Help with my new 55 Olds:
Here is a copy of a post I put in another section. Was told there is a larger concentration of older cars here.
"Thanks for the reply.
Well after another look, the plot thickens. My engine has an PVC valve and a connection to the carb base. Rochester tag says 7007000. Haven't found an engines size or year for that carb yet. Carb hose evidently goes into the lifter valley. Does not have a draft tube. So, this may not be a 324. My 1964 Motor's Manual says PCV was started in 1961-62 on California cars. I believe 1961 was the last year for the 371, so I guess it is possible for the engine to be a 371 or 394. Was it possible to put 324 heads on the taller deck blocks with 371/394 manifold? Distributor number is 1110850: correct for a 55 324.
Did the PCV pipes go into the same hole as the draft vent?
A closer look at the air cleaner found some filter media inside, but it cannot be changed, and I don't know how you could clean it. Look like it is supposed to be whetted with oil, but no accurate way to add oil or clean oil. Strange!
Took the backup lenses off and the guy who did the paint job didn't mask off the backup bezels; he removed them and painted the sockets with the bulbs in them. Yep, painted the bulbs. What a hack! He also painted all the wires in the trunk. Backup lights do not work.
Previous owner added a burglar alarm. He used those squeeze connectors that have a questionable life span. I need a wiring diagram to fix that mess. He also added an electric fuel pump instead of replacing the original. ???
I'll take your advice and order the service manual from the CO guy."
Today's new info: Casting number by center exhaust port is "8".
"Thanks for the reply.
Well after another look, the plot thickens. My engine has an PVC valve and a connection to the carb base. Rochester tag says 7007000. Haven't found an engines size or year for that carb yet. Carb hose evidently goes into the lifter valley. Does not have a draft tube. So, this may not be a 324. My 1964 Motor's Manual says PCV was started in 1961-62 on California cars. I believe 1961 was the last year for the 371, so I guess it is possible for the engine to be a 371 or 394. Was it possible to put 324 heads on the taller deck blocks with 371/394 manifold? Distributor number is 1110850: correct for a 55 324.
Did the PCV pipes go into the same hole as the draft vent?
A closer look at the air cleaner found some filter media inside, but it cannot be changed, and I don't know how you could clean it. Look like it is supposed to be whetted with oil, but no accurate way to add oil or clean oil. Strange!
Took the backup lenses off and the guy who did the paint job didn't mask off the backup bezels; he removed them and painted the sockets with the bulbs in them. Yep, painted the bulbs. What a hack! He also painted all the wires in the trunk. Backup lights do not work.
Previous owner added a burglar alarm. He used those squeeze connectors that have a questionable life span. I need a wiring diagram to fix that mess. He also added an electric fuel pump instead of replacing the original. ???
I'll take your advice and order the service manual from the CO guy."
Today's new info: Casting number by center exhaust port is "8".
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,142
Drama over- a simple search of the carb number tells you it's correct for what you have. And only one size engine was offered that year - the 324. I can bet in the back of your block, there is a fitting where the downdraft tube attached to. Post a simple picture and it won't be mystery anymore. It's amazing what can happen on about 60 years by previous owners
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,743
From: Forest Ranch Ca.
I have heard of people whose engines had excessive blow by change(remove) the vent tube and add to a pvc styled system so their engine won't smoke or stink, none came from the factory with this adaption.This is usually done on 394's who have a reputation for excessive blowby after they start to become worn. # 8 heads are off a 55 324 and I feel it's doubtful someone would go to all the trouble to swap heads from a 324 to a 371 or 394 block and all this for no gain. The bolt pattern is the same but there are many problems trying to do something like this. Can you post the engine numbers on your block this would prove one way or the other what it is.
A picture of your air cleaner would help diginouse your problem there.Is your air cleaner a batwing, If so it can be adapted to a dry paper type filter with out to much trouble(we do this all the time)....Tedd
A picture of your air cleaner would help diginouse your problem there.Is your air cleaner a batwing, If so it can be adapted to a dry paper type filter with out to much trouble(we do this all the time)....Tedd
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 53
Pulled the carb off tonight to fix that problem. The EGR is an add-on plate that goes under the carb. Didn't realize that until I started unbolting it. It is so dirty, I thought it was all one piece. If it were cleaner, maybe I wouldn't get confused so easily.
Today, I repositioned the neutral safety switch, so now I don't have to jiggle the shifter to get it to start. Moving that did not fix the nonworking backup lights.
And I was wrong about the filter media in the air filter. It not a filter; it's rust. I pulled the hose connection off the side to get a better look inside.
Inre 60 years: the carb looks like it has seen some rough treatment. Bent carb linkage, boogered up screw heads, missing lock washers, choke adjustment way too tight, haggled main jet slots.
Since the carb and dist. numbers are correct, I believe it is a 324. My first 324 ran quite well and I'm hoping this one will do likewise. I had a friend with a 56 4 door 324 with a Jet-A-Way that did not run as well as mine although it had more rated power. I built an "R" series hydro for his car, but it was still considerably slower.
The best part of owning an old Olds is you can park next to a new Mercedes or a Lexus and the other car disappears. Passers by don't even notice them.
Today, I repositioned the neutral safety switch, so now I don't have to jiggle the shifter to get it to start. Moving that did not fix the nonworking backup lights.
And I was wrong about the filter media in the air filter. It not a filter; it's rust. I pulled the hose connection off the side to get a better look inside.
Inre 60 years: the carb looks like it has seen some rough treatment. Bent carb linkage, boogered up screw heads, missing lock washers, choke adjustment way too tight, haggled main jet slots.
Since the carb and dist. numbers are correct, I believe it is a 324. My first 324 ran quite well and I'm hoping this one will do likewise. I had a friend with a 56 4 door 324 with a Jet-A-Way that did not run as well as mine although it had more rated power. I built an "R" series hydro for his car, but it was still considerably slower.
The best part of owning an old Olds is you can park next to a new Mercedes or a Lexus and the other car disappears. Passers by don't even notice them.
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henryk8398
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Jan 24, 2009 07:49 AM
