Olds Rocket 350
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: St Paul MN
Olds Rocket 350
My friend has an Olds Rocket 350 engine, that I could attain for cheap, would this be a good engine to build up? It was in an '79 cutlass, and had a lot of power. Thanks for the info.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Depends...
Oldsmobile engines are long stroke torque monsters, and the blocks are excellent castings. One of the hardest/strongest (along with Cadillac) blocks you will find. It takes a bit of work to get 'em to breath and rev (mainly rods,pistons and decent heads). I'd skip the 350 and go right to the 455. Tons of them got used in boats in front of jet drives, so that's the place to look for them. Main drawback is they are VERY wide (90 degree) engines, so you need a pretty large car to begin with. There was a post just this week that had a picture in it of an Olds engine in a vette! Personally, I prefer 389-455 Pontiacs.
Hans
Hans
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 1
From: Mooresville NC
I had a '80 cutlass supreme calais and put in a '69 olds 350 rocket motor. It comes with 9:1 CR as opposed to the 4bbl version 350, I think it was called 350 Jet or something like that, had 10:5CR.
The motor I built had headers, dual exhaust, steel shim head gaskets, Edelbrock Performer manifold, Crane 260 camshaft and Holley square bore 4bbl w/vac secondaries. It was a torque monster. In retrospec I would want to step up to a 270 duration cam. I put over a 125K miles on a basic rebuild and never had an oil consumption problem.
The motor I built had headers, dual exhaust, steel shim head gaskets, Edelbrock Performer manifold, Crane 260 camshaft and Holley square bore 4bbl w/vac secondaries. It was a torque monster. In retrospec I would want to step up to a 270 duration cam. I put over a 125K miles on a basic rebuild and never had an oil consumption problem.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 142
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Crazydalys-
If you're looking for an Olds 455 rocket motor, I have one for sale. I'm in Minneapolis. I also have another one for sale in a boat in front of a Berkley jetdrive, just like Wrencher mentioned. It's got the higher compression marine "J" heads on it and was rebuilt less than two running hours ago.
It would be very interesting to see it in a Vette, and even more interesting to hear it, since the 455 Olds has about the most distinctive sound of any BB, IMO.
-=Boston!=-
If you're looking for an Olds 455 rocket motor, I have one for sale. I'm in Minneapolis. I also have another one for sale in a boat in front of a Berkley jetdrive, just like Wrencher mentioned. It's got the higher compression marine "J" heads on it and was rebuilt less than two running hours ago.
It would be very interesting to see it in a Vette, and even more interesting to hear it, since the 455 Olds has about the most distinctive sound of any BB, IMO.
-=Boston!=-
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Fl///Columbus, Ohio
Originally Posted by Boston!
Crazydalys-
If you're looking for an Olds 455 rocket motor, I have one for sale. I'm in Minneapolis. I also have another one for sale in a boat in front of a Berkley jetdrive, just like Wrencher mentioned. It's got the higher compression marine "J" heads on it and was rebuilt less than two running hours ago.
It would be very interesting to see it in a Vette, and even more interesting to hear it, since the 455 Olds has about the most distinctive sound of any BB, IMO.
-=Boston!=-
If you're looking for an Olds 455 rocket motor, I have one for sale. I'm in Minneapolis. I also have another one for sale in a boat in front of a Berkley jetdrive, just like Wrencher mentioned. It's got the higher compression marine "J" heads on it and was rebuilt less than two running hours ago.
It would be very interesting to see it in a Vette, and even more interesting to hear it, since the 455 Olds has about the most distinctive sound of any BB, IMO.
-=Boston!=-
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
I had a 455 in a boat too, a 73 Regency 98, 
put a cam and headers in it and it would peg leg it through the first 2 gears laying a cloud of smoke you would not believe. 
I miss that ole boat. 
put a cam and headers in it and it would peg leg it through the first 2 gears laying a cloud of smoke you would not believe. I miss that ole boat.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Reverse rotation is determined by the cam (and starter, obviously) and these are typically found in direct drive (prop shaft right out the back of the engine through the bottom to a propeller) boats like Nautiques and Ski Supremes. V-drives and jets use regular rotation engines. I agree about the sound. Buick and Olds engines sound very different from other GM products for some reason, despite the same firing order.
Hans
Hans
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by Fevre
I had a 455 in a boat too, a 73 Regency 98, put a cam and headers in it and it would peg leg it through the first 2 gears laying a cloud of smoke you would not believe. I miss that ole boat.
put a cam and headers in it and it would peg leg it through the first 2 gears laying a cloud of smoke you would not believe. I miss that ole boat. 
Made drifting look tame!
Hans
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by Wrencher
Reverse rotation is determined by the cam (and starter, obviously) and these are typically found in direct drive (prop shaft right out the back of the engine through the bottom to a propeller) boats like Nautiques and Ski Supremes. V-drives and jets use regular rotation engines.
Hans
Hans
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 42
From: Detroit MI
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
I'm biased towards Oldsmobile since I have a '69 442. These engines are very, very torquey. My car is stock without a posi rear end. Its impossible to launch without destroying the drive tire.
I have a friend who runs a 1972 442 with a small block Olds engine (370 ci) and he consistantly pulls 11.35 quarters. Its not a light car either.
If you can get it cheap, buy it.
I have a friend who runs a 1972 442 with a small block Olds engine (370 ci) and he consistantly pulls 11.35 quarters. Its not a light car either.
If you can get it cheap, buy it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Originally Posted by gearheaddroppings
I'm biased towards Oldsmobile since I have a '69 442. These engines are very, very torquey. My car is stock without a posi rear end. Its impossible to launch without destroying the drive tire.
I have a friend who runs a 1972 442 with a small block Olds engine (370 ci) and he consistantly pulls 11.35 quarters. Its not a light car either.
If you can get it cheap, buy it.
I have a friend who runs a 1972 442 with a small block Olds engine (370 ci) and he consistantly pulls 11.35 quarters. Its not a light car either.
If you can get it cheap, buy it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
if you mean put an olds engine in a vette?
i think that would be banging your head against the wall.
cheap chevy 350s all over.
I do love my 455 and berkley jet in the starbuck, whooped butt on a 460 ford and jacquzzi.
i think that would be banging your head against the wall.
cheap chevy 350s all over.
I do love my 455 and berkley jet in the starbuck, whooped butt on a 460 ford and jacquzzi.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
weird ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,very weird
Originally Posted by PRESSURERAT
For the love o' mud.................please don't put an Olds motor in a Corvette. That's just outright heresy! 
Something aint right when people consider this type of swap,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,weird, very weird, Peace,,,,,,,,,,,,Craig 
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 1
From: Sherwood Park Alberta
Go with the 455! My 442 has the 455 and Turbo 400 automatic transmission and a hurst dual gate shifter. Rear end is a 3:42 limited slip (posi). I get rubber in two gears and a chrip in 3rd (drive). These engines are torque monsters!
If you're looking to put an engine in your vette, I say go with a rebiult (hopped up) 454.
If you're looking to put an engine in your vette, I say go with a rebiult (hopped up) 454.
Last edited by vttedrm; Sep 30, 2004 at 12:34 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
I have a '70 Olds 455 in my '59 Chevy Pickup. Even with a Dana 60 posi & extra weight, traction is a problem. It's a monster & I love the power & sound, but it's just not appropriate in a Corvette. Along with the hacking you would need to do to make it fit, you also instantly kill the value of the car. However, I wouldn't think twice about dropping it in just about anything else, it's a great swapping motor. The BOP TH 400 is shorter than the Chevy, & a 455 with aluminum heads, intake, water pump & headers weighs in around 550#, 15 more lbs than an iron head 350. BTW, the 455 in my truck has over 300,000 miles on it. Those high nickel blocks do not wear out.
If you're a Olds fan, 442.com is the best Olds resource site out there.
http://www.442.com
If you're a Olds fan, 442.com is the best Olds resource site out there.
http://www.442.com
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 42
From: Detroit MI
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Originally Posted by 71coupe
I have a '70 Olds 455 in my '59 Chevy Pickup. Even with a Dana 60 posi & extra weight, traction is a problem. It's a monster & I love the power & sound, but it's just not appropriate in a Corvette. Along with the hacking you would need to do to make it fit, you also instantly kill the value of the car. However, I wouldn't think twice about dropping it in just about anything else, it's a great swapping motor. The BOP TH 400 is shorter than the Chevy, & a 455 with aluminum heads, intake, water pump & headers weighs in around 550#, 15 more lbs than an iron head 350. BTW, the 455 in my truck has over 300,000 miles on it. Those high nickel blocks do not wear out.
If you're a Olds fan, 442.com is the best Olds resource site out there.
http://www.442.com
If you're a Olds fan, 442.com is the best Olds resource site out there.
http://www.442.com
Keep it out of a Corvette. Even Dr. Oldsmobile thinks that might be a little too weird!
Tom
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: St Paul MN
Thanks for all the info! Sounds like they're good motors, but dare I desecrate the Corvette name with an Olds engine? I still have the original motor in my car it's a '76 L-82, I was just thinking I could park that motor and beat up on the Olds motor. Maybe I should just build that motor instead?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 923
Likes: 4
From: Austin Tx
Originally Posted by moosie982
Something aint right when people consider this type of swap,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,weird, very weird, Peace,,,,,,,,,,,,Craig Same thing happened over on the GTO forum. Guys would ask if they should put a Chevy 350 in a GTO. Everybody on the board would beat them em up pretty bad. I think Chevy engines belong in Chevy cars, and Pontiac engines belong in Pontiacs, and so on. As soon as you swap out, the car is worth no more than any other chopped up custom IMO. The Olds and Pontiac engines are badasses though. I miss my 67 GTO w/400...torque monster bone stock.