1955 Olds Rocket Engine Specs

[Mike Markin]

Can some one tell me where I can get detailed engine specs on a 55 Rocket? I recently acquired an engine and would lik emore detials about it for restoration purposes. Thanks

Mike

[bill pritchett]

1955 Oldsmobile 324 V8 Engine Specs is a website with information.

1955 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Technical Specifications and data. Engine, Dimensions and Mechanical details. (98) | Conceptcarz.com also.

Also, I have a 56 shop manual someplace that I could copy the specs if this is not enough. I believe they are the same. I hope this helps.

[Mike Markin]

Thanks, Bill. This is just what I was looking for.

Mike

[Mike Markin]

Ok - I was a little quick on the draw there. I compared the specs at both sites and there is some difference - both are 324 CI but the compression ratios are different as is the BHP by significant differences. What am I missing?

Also, the fellow that I bought the engine from told me it was a 55 Rocket and it is a Rocket. I believe him but how does one know the year it was made? You can tell this part of the restoration process is a bit out of my experience. Thanks for your help.

Mike

[Guest Jim_Edwards]

Ok - I was a little quick on the draw there. I compared the specs at both sites and there is some difference - both are 324 CI but the compression ratios are different as is the BHP by significant differences. What am I missing?

Also, the fellow that I bought the engine from told me it was a 55 Rocket and it is a Rocket. I believe him but how does one know the year it was made? You can tell this part of the restoration process is a bit out of my experience. Thanks for your help.

Mike

Differences in the '56 verses '55 324 c.i. engines include, higher lift cam shaft, different valve springs, and different distributor in the '56. The only way to tell the difference in the two years is by the serial numbers since the differences are all internal with exception of the distributor. On a quick visual the '56 distributor cap is held in place by screws the '55 not.

[F&J]

also, ...The heads are a little different on the 56 for improved hi-rpm flow. Those heads have a large number 10 casted onto the center exhaust port...the 55 324 has a big number 8 there.

56 had a bigger diameter cam journal size, so a 49-55 cam won't fit the 56.

you did not say if you were going to hop it up? If so, lots of sellers will list a vintage aftermarket intake manifold as fitting "303 and 324" or "49-56". That is not really the case due to the smaller head ports on the 303. A 324 will bolt onto the 303 head and not leak, but a poor match for flow due to a large intake runner trying to go through a much smaller head port. If you put a 303 intake on a 324, the manifold won't seal at the top of each port..... there are ways to make it work, though

[Mike Markin]

I am putting it in a street rod so and I plan on hopping it up. I want to put on a super charger, but not a big stack - something that can stay under the hood. I am open to ideas.

Thanks

[Guest pete324rock]

Mike are you familiar with the H.A.M.B. Jalopy Journal ? Put that in a search engine to get the site....there is a wealth of olds old school hot rodders and lots of old olds hot rod lovers!

might nbe hard to find in a search.Here is a link: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/

The forum is where the info is....

Edited April 8, 2010 by pete324rock (see edit history)

[Mike Markin]

Thanks, Pete. I'll check it out.

[Guest Doug Blake]

If your going to "Build" the 324 then you need to contact Ross Racing Engines!

[Mike Markin]

Thanks, Doug. I'll check them out.