Olds Engine

[eastown]

What kit would have the best representation of a stock   56 Oldsmobile 324 Cu. In. engine.

 Thanks. Bob

[Ace-Garageguy]

The best easily avail;able kit would be the recent '50 Olds. The valve covers are the best out there for stock, and the rest of the engine is quite good...though you'll have to do some kitbashing or go aftermarket to get a stock air-filter for a '56.

I personally prefer to combine bits of that kit with the block and heads from the much older Revell Olds engines like's in the SWC Willys, and the Orange Crate, plus the front cover / water pump assembly from the ancient AMT '40 Ford kit Olds engine.

FYI: For anybody who didn't see my post in the '50 Olds kit review thread, the recent Revell Olds engine is in the background for reference. It comes with a 3-speed manual Olds-Cad-LaSalle side-shift gearbox, appropriate for many hot-rod applications. ALL the speed equipment from prior AMT and Revell Olds 303-324-371-394 ('49-'63) engines will fit the new engine in the new Revell '50 Olds kit. The finned valve covers on it are small block Chevy (later Olds valve covers would have 3 bolt-holes on the bottom rail, not two) but the Olds parts fit just as well.

On the green engine, the block, heads and oil pan are ancient Revell. The valve covers, fan and pulleys are recent Revell '50 Olds, and the 3X2 intake manifold and front cover / water pump are ancient AMT. The trans adapter is from one of the old Revell kits, and the top-shift LaSalle (Cad & Olds too) gearbox is from the Revell Miss Deal Studebaker.

Edited July 3, 2018 by Ace-Garageguy

[eastown]

 Thanks so much for  your timely info , Bill.

 Very much appreciated.

 Bob

[Casey]

Bob, make sure you seek out the stock Revell '50 Oldsmobile Club Coupe kit, not the '50 Olds Custom, if you're building a stock engine.

[my66s55]

I made an rtv mold and cast the Olds engine from the AMT 39/40 Ford 2dr sedan. The 54-58 Olds engine used these valve covers, so unless you can find a pair, it won't be accurate. A nice Carter wcfb 4bbl carb would also help. I have both. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

2 hours ago, my66s55 said:

...The 54-58 Olds engine used these valve covers, so unless you can find a pair, it won't be accurate. A nice Carter wcfb 4bbl carb would also help. I have both. 

He's absolutely right.

Far as the valve covers go, filing off the wire looms, filling the indented ribs, and fabbing new ribs at the bolt centers should be pretty straightforward, but I'd probably just buy a pair from Doug.  

[landman]

4 hours ago, my66s55 said:

I made an rtv mold and cast the Olds engine from the AMT 39/40 Ford 2dr sedan. The 54-58 Olds engine used these valve covers, so unless you can find a pair, it won't be accurate. A nice Carter wcfb 4bbl carb would also help. I have both. 

Chris Drysdale,Maple LeafModel works on Shapeways has those.

[my66s55]

That's good cause I don't sell them. I cast mine from a junk  Danbury Mint 55 Olds I picked up cheap a few years ago.  

Edited July 9, 2018 by my66s55