'57 Olds 371
November 30th, 2017, 05:14 PM
#1
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Location: St. Paul Minnesota
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'57 Olds 371
Hey, is there a good source for '57-58 371 engine parts ? I am concerned with finding a cam that's not reground. O.S. pistons are another major component. I am looking for stock parts, but higher performance parts would be acceptable.
Currently its an "88" with 2 barrel carb and auto transmission. Its in a non-running condition. I do have a J-2 manifold but no carbs or linkage. I would like to keep it visually correct, but warm it up a bit.
I plan to a later anti-spin 3rd member and go with 3.42 or more gears if possible, and 31 spline axles.
Ross Racing Engines shows an engine that started out as a 371 and I have emailed them, but no reply yet. Does anyone know anything about them ?
I know this posting covers a lot. The car is sitting "in the woods" and I am hoping to drag it up to my building for a preliminary look over. The car appears to be complete, but was junked in 1964. No pics of it that I can find.
Thanks,
RALPH
Currently its an "88" with 2 barrel carb and auto transmission. Its in a non-running condition. I do have a J-2 manifold but no carbs or linkage. I would like to keep it visually correct, but warm it up a bit.
I plan to a later anti-spin 3rd member and go with 3.42 or more gears if possible, and 31 spline axles.
Ross Racing Engines shows an engine that started out as a 371 and I have emailed them, but no reply yet. Does anyone know anything about them ?
I know this posting covers a lot. The car is sitting "in the woods" and I am hoping to drag it up to my building for a preliminary look over. The car appears to be complete, but was junked in 1964. No pics of it that I can find.
Thanks,
RALPH
November 30th, 2017, 06:23 PM
#2
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Ranch Ca.
Posts: 7,720
Tony at Ross Racing is one of the best on first generation Oldsmobile's especially with speed equipment or transmission conversions. At least talk to him and get a idea what it will cost to get you where you want to be he knows his stuff.
As far as parts availability of old speed equipment it is where you find it, keep a eye on Ebay everyday and stuff will come up, mostly not cheap. Your J2 manifold takes two Rochester 2g carbs and one 2gc carb and they are pretty common as they were used on many cars other than Oldsmobile so don't pay a kings ransom for common carbs. Linkage is a little difficult but new after market pieces are out there. The original linkage was a vacuum operated system and was troublesome from 57 to today so many people replaced the vacuum units with progressive system. Only a Oldsmobile guru would know the difference from original if that is important to you.
Here is a link for a few manifold parts, as you can see prices vary a lot for the same part so buyer beware and shop wisely..... I would love to see some pictures when you get a chance. A 371 build is on my bucket list ... Lost in the fifties ...Tedd
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...+parts&_sacat=
As far as parts availability of old speed equipment it is where you find it, keep a eye on Ebay everyday and stuff will come up, mostly not cheap. Your J2 manifold takes two Rochester 2g carbs and one 2gc carb and they are pretty common as they were used on many cars other than Oldsmobile so don't pay a kings ransom for common carbs. Linkage is a little difficult but new after market pieces are out there. The original linkage was a vacuum operated system and was troublesome from 57 to today so many people replaced the vacuum units with progressive system. Only a Oldsmobile guru would know the difference from original if that is important to you.
Here is a link for a few manifold parts, as you can see prices vary a lot for the same part so buyer beware and shop wisely..... I would love to see some pictures when you get a chance. A 371 build is on my bucket list ... Lost in the fifties ...Tedd
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...+parts&_sacat=
December 1st, 2017, 10:10 PM
#3
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Location: St. Paul Minnesota
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Tedd,
Thanks, for your help. I have lost touch with cars for many years and technology has changed things. Throw in some scammers, and I was not sure where to look for things.
I talked to someone at Ross Racing Engines this afternoon (Friday). It was a nice conversation and I was assured he has everything I will need, and then some. He will be emailing some prices when he gets time.
I also figured out why the 2GC carbs didn't work on my J-2 manifold. After poking around using Google, I discovered the carbs need to have fuel inlet on the side, not on the front of the float bowl. Now I know what to look for at a junk yard or online.
Thanks, for your help. I have lost touch with cars for many years and technology has changed things. Throw in some scammers, and I was not sure where to look for things.
I talked to someone at Ross Racing Engines this afternoon (Friday). It was a nice conversation and I was assured he has everything I will need, and then some. He will be emailing some prices when he gets time.
I also figured out why the 2GC carbs didn't work on my J-2 manifold. After poking around using Google, I discovered the carbs need to have fuel inlet on the side, not on the front of the float bowl. Now I know what to look for at a junk yard or online.
December 12th, 2017, 03:37 PM
#4
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Hempstead, New York
Posts: 935
Call me also.....
I have some N.O.S. == U.S.A. made Engine Parts -- and I have some N.O.S. ++ U.S.A. made CAMSHAFTS , as well.....
Am in the library to use the computer, but you are welcome to call me
when I am at the home / office.....
Am here in Long Island, New York -- but I am the leader of a large VIKINGS contingency -- who at 10 -3 is LOVING life right now (Thanks, CASE!!!! -- tell you a great story about him!!!!!!!!!)
Call me -- Craig -- 516 - 485 - 1935 ------ SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!!!
Am in the library to use the computer, but you are welcome to call me
when I am at the home / office.....
Am here in Long Island, New York -- but I am the leader of a large VIKINGS contingency -- who at 10 -3 is LOVING life right now (Thanks, CASE!!!! -- tell you a great story about him!!!!!!!!!)
Call me -- Craig -- 516 - 485 - 1935 ------ SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!!!
November 26th, 2022, 07:44 AM
#8
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Location: Forest Ranch Ca.
Posts: 7,720
Try Damper Dudes in Reading or Anderson, Ca. and have them rebuild yours. If it is an AC balancer insurance it well, they are very scarce and almost impossible to find... Try 2blu442 (John) for a water pump pulley, he may have something you can use...Tedd
November 26th, 2022, 08:11 AM
#9
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Location: St. Paul Minnesota
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Tedd, I have talked to DamperDudes already. He will rebuild mine, except........I don't have one with the engine/transmission I just bought. The harmonic balancer, water pump pulley and generator bracket "didn't" come on the engine. I will check with John too.
November 26th, 2022, 04:44 PM
#10
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Apopka, FL
Posts: 4,668
Ralph,
Make sure you get the correct year balancer.
1957 was all by itself. '58 was different, as was '56.
There were two balancers offered in '57, # 569168 fit all cars without A/C. (two groove).
# 569170 was for A/C cars. (three groove )
I don't know about '57, but the part number may be cast right into the balancer.
On my '63 it was.
Make sure you get the correct year balancer.
1957 was all by itself. '58 was different, as was '56.
There were two balancers offered in '57, # 569168 fit all cars without A/C. (two groove).
# 569170 was for A/C cars. (three groove )
I don't know about '57, but the part number may be cast right into the balancer.
On my '63 it was.
November 26th, 2022, 07:30 PM
#11
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: St. Paul Minnesota
Posts: 4,015
Ralph,
Make sure you get the correct year balancer.
1957 was all by itself. '58 was different, as was '56.
There were two balancers offered in '57, # 569168 fit all cars without A/C. (two groove).
# 569170 was for A/C cars. (three groove )
I don't know about '57, but the part number may be cast right into the balancer.
On my '63 it was.
Make sure you get the correct year balancer.
1957 was all by itself. '58 was different, as was '56.
There were two balancers offered in '57, # 569168 fit all cars without A/C. (two groove).
# 569170 was for A/C cars. (three groove )
I don't know about '57, but the part number may be cast right into the balancer.
On my '63 it was.
What part numbers do you find for the '58 ?
Both engines were from '58's, with "air ride" that had 4 groove pulleys. The guy is hoarding them because they are from "air ride" or A/C cars.
Knowing the part number is cast into the balancer should be a big help to tracking them down.
What about generator mounting brackets ? Interchangeable ?
Last edited by OLDSter Ralph; November 26th, 2022 at 07:33 PM.
November 26th, 2022, 09:35 PM
#12
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Apopka, FL
Posts: 4,668
Charlie,
What part numbers do you find for the '58 ?
Both engines were from '58's, with "air ride" that had 4 groove pulleys. The guy is hoarding them because they are from "air ride" or A/C cars.
Knowing the part number is cast into the balancer should be a big help to tracking them down.
What about generator mounting brackets ? Interchangeable ?
What part numbers do you find for the '58 ?
Both engines were from '58's, with "air ride" that had 4 groove pulleys. The guy is hoarding them because they are from "air ride" or A/C cars.
Knowing the part number is cast into the balancer should be a big help to tracking them down.
What about generator mounting brackets ? Interchangeable ?
The part numbers for 1958 are as follows.
572901 fits 1958 except A/C or air ride (2 groove)
572906 fits 1958 with air ride except A/C (3 groove)
572904 fits 1958 with A/C (4 groove)
Generator support bracket
571087 fits 1957 all, 1958 except air ride & A/C
572232 fits 1958 with A/C & air ride
The guy might think the 4 groove balancers are gold.
But they are just scrap iron until he finds someone with a 1958 A/C car that actually needs one.
Last edited by Charlie Jones; November 26th, 2022 at 09:39 PM.
November 26th, 2022, 09:49 PM
#13
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Location: St. Paul Minnesota
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Ralph,
The part numbers for 1958 are as follows.
572901 fits 1958 except A/C or air ride (2 groove)
572906 fits 1958 with air ride except A/C (3 groove)
572904 fits 1958 with A/C (4 groove)
Generator support bracket
571087 fits 1957 all, 1958 except air ride & A/C
572232 fits 1958 with A/C & air ride
The guy might think the 4 groove balancers are gold.
But they are just scrap iron until he finds someone with a 1958 A/C car that actually needs one.
The part numbers for 1958 are as follows.
572901 fits 1958 except A/C or air ride (2 groove)
572906 fits 1958 with air ride except A/C (3 groove)
572904 fits 1958 with A/C (4 groove)
Generator support bracket
571087 fits 1957 all, 1958 except air ride & A/C
572232 fits 1958 with A/C & air ride
The guy might think the 4 groove balancers are gold.
But they are just scrap iron until he finds someone with a 1958 A/C car that actually needs one.
Thank you very much for the help. Those numbers will make it easier to match up harmonic balancers. DamperDude was completely in the dark about what fit what Now, the search can go forward with casting/part numbers.
Last edited by OLDSter Ralph; November 26th, 2022 at 09:52 PM.
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