Hello, for more on my project please see my newby introduction but for this threads purpose I’m trying to Identify the engine in this old coupe. I know it’s an Olds from the mid 1950’s or earlier (the car was put together in 1957). I’m also aware that my pictures are not very good but it’s all I have. Can any of you hard core guys definitively identify the engine??? Originally it had a 2 barrel carb but later the engine was modified by being bored out and a early Isky cam was ordered and installed. By the time the car was painted blue it had a 3 duece manifold & carbs added. Which engine is this???

 

We have some very good people on here that know a whole lot more than I do. Be patient for them to chime in. Picture clarity is not very good, yes.
I can tell from the valve covers that they are 1958 or earlier because they are retained with 2 bolts. From one of the pics, the spark plug wires were routed like the early 50's.
The carbs and intake manifold could help identify it. Multiple carbs were only possible with after market manifolds on 1949-56 engines. 1957-58 would have used factory Olds J-2 manifolds and carbs.
1949-53 was 303 C.I.
1954-56 was 324 C.I.
1957-58 was 371 C.I.
I am going to guess it was a 303" engine.

 

Like Ralph, I agree it's 58 or earlier because of valve cover bolts, really hard for me to see any clarity around the manifolds or carbs. Many parts can be swapped from one year to other years, and it sounds like this could be a Frankenstein hot rod, very common in those years. We need a little better pictures, I think...Tedd

 

Looking at the first pic I'd say it is a 1949 or '50 303 judging by the large Rochester two barrel carb.

 

Do you think the engine in the black & white photos is the same engine in the color pics.?
Also, the engine has been severely set back into the firewall, it looks like the generator is still mounted in the stock location above the motor. Is that possible with the 3 deuce setup?

 

Yes, I think it was the same engine.
The generator would have been moved to install the three deuces. Probably to the side of the block underneath.
If the car was only used for drag racing it may have been eliminated completely.

Have you checked out the H.A.M.B. ?
The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com)
It's dedicated to "traditional" hot rodding (pre-1965),

 

That was probably a cool old hot rod back in the day. I am guessing it was street driven since it had headlights and wheel covers (spun aluminum was very popular back in the day). I will bet it had an adapter to a 39 Ford transmission which was a floor shift. I say that because you can look at the second picture and see the rear wheel which shows the brake drum that bolted onto the end of the axle with a castle nut with a cotter pin through it. This with an Olds engine was a very common street rod that did not use a flathead.