The Oldsmobile Connection

[sograte58]

Hey guys/gals,

Just signed up but it looks like everyone has a newer olds.
I have been working on a 1955 olds 88 rocket with a 324 engine out of a 1956 olds. After 18 months from junkyard status to actually driving it on the road I still have problems.

Anyone out there that has any knowledge about the 324's ?

Sograte58

[88delta88]

Nice car! I know someone here has knowledge of that era olds. 324 engine? I would love to see some pictures of this! Vintage equipment intrigues me!

[88 Coupe]

Hi sograte58, hello everyone,

Welcome to TOC.

Quote: ........ Anyone out there that has any knowledge about the 324's?
There are at least three members that I know about.

Regards, Norm

[88 Coupe]

sograte58,

When you finish your survey, let us know how it came out.

Norm

[sograte58]

Norm thanks for the replies.

Sorry it took so long to answer I normally don't go on line on weekends.

Maybe you have some insight to my problems on my 324 engine. Survey says there is no oil/lubrication reaching the rocker arms ????

I have 40 psi at the oil pressure line comming out of the back of the oil filter, but just a low flow of oil at the rocker arms. Not enough to lube the rods, lifters or valves.

Sograte58

[sograte58]

Thanks 88delta88

As soon as I figure out how to install pictures on this site I will.

Sograte58

[88 Coupe]

sograte58 wrote: ........ there is no oil/lubrication reaching the rocker arms ........ ........ Not enough to lube the rods, lifters or valves ........
It was a normal occurrence, in the day, when the oil/filter schedule was not followed.

Lifters are fed from the main oil galley. They would not be a problem.

Shaft assemblies are fed from two of the cam bearings, via the rocker shaft stands. One per head IIRC.

Over time, the passages in the shaft assembly got clogged and the rockers/shafts got worn from lack of lubrication. The result mimics the symptoms of collapsed hydraulic lifters.

About $400 and your cores can get you a rebuilt set from these guys.

Let us know how it goes.

Norm

[sograte58]

Thanks for the information Norm.

At this point in the game I have spent a lot time and money just get the car on the road.

Currently I have added a can of seafoam to the oil. The mixture has loosened all the lifters and they now seem to work just fine.

I have poured straight seafoam down the oil journals, let it sit for a day and tried blowing air at about 60 psi thru it. So far there still clogged.

Even if I get the oil flowing I will still haft to rebuild the block over the winter.

Thanks Again

Sograte58

[88 Coupe]

Happy to help.

sograte58 wrote: ........ tried blowing air at about 60 psi thru it. So far there still clogged ........
Back through the feed passages in the Heads?

Clogs are best pushed back in the direction they came from, and wire coat hangers have been known to work wonders, in these areas.

Norm

[sograte58]

Norm,


Yes thru the feed passages in the heads. I also tried the wire thing, but the journal stops at the block and runs horizontal for 3" and then into the block.

I'll try a few more times before I pull the engine.

Thanks

Sograte58

[88 Coupe]

sograte58 wrote: ........ but the journal stops at the block and runs horizontal for 3" and then into the block ........
Now I remember the slot in the head gasket, and why it was there.

Consider trying in the same hole, followed by the air pressure.

Only alternative, I see, is pulling the head and/or the galley plugs. I would opt for the rebuild instead, but I would have already had it in the hot tank, as I'm quicker to do a rebuild (or swap) than most people.

When you reassemble the short block, the two galley plugs, with the sixteenth holes (for timing chain and distributor lubrication) must go back in the same locations.

Norm

[sograte58]

Norm,
The decision has been made the engine comes out right after Turkey day.

I'll use your advise and make sure the galley plugs are put back in the same places.

I let ya know how things are going.

Thanks Sograte58