Oldsmobile V8 engine Generation 1

The first generation of Oldsmobile V8s ranges from 1949 until 1964. Each engine in this generation is quite similar with the same size block and heads.



303

The 303 in³ (5.0 L) engine had hydraulic lifters, an oversquare bore:stroke ratio, a counterweighted forged crankshaft, aluminum pistons, floating wristpins, and a dual-plane intake manifold. The 303 was produced from 1949 until 1953. Bore was 3.75 in (95.2 mm) and stroke was 3.4375 in (87.3 mm). Cadillac also used this engine design in the early 1950s.

The original Oldsmobile V8 was originally to be advertised as "Kettering Power" after chief engineer Charles Kettering, but company policy disallowed the use of his name. So the engine was sold as the Oldsmobile Rocket. The engine was available in Oldsmobile's 88 and Super 88 models, which acquired the nickname Rocket 88

The 303 was available from 1949 through 1953. 1949 through 1951 "88" 303's came with a 2-barrel carburetor for 135 hp (100 kW) and 253 ft·lbf (343 N·m). 1952 88 and Super 88 V8s used a 4-barrel carb for 160 hp (119 kW) and 265 ft·lbf (359 N·m), while 1953 versions upped the compression from 7.5:1 to 8.0:1 for 165 hp (123 kW) and 275 ft·lbf (372 N·m). For comparison, a 1949 Ford Flathead V8 produced just 100 hp (74 kW).

Applications:

* 1949-1953 Oldsmobile 88
* 1949-1953 Oldsmobile 98
* 1952 Oldsmobile Super 88



324

The 324 in³ (5.3 L) version was also produced from 1954 until 1956. Bore was increased to 3.875 in (98.4 mm) and stroke remained the same at 3.4375 in (87.3 mm). All high performance 324s came with 4-barrel carburetors. The 324 was shared with GMC trucks.

1954 88 and Super 88 V8s used an 8.25:1 compression ratio for 170 and 185 hp (126 and 137 kW) and 295 and 300 ft·lbf (399 and 406 N·m) respectively. 1955 upped the compression to 8.5:1 for 185 hp (137 kW) and 320 ft·lbf (433 N·m) in the 88 and 202 hp (150 kW) and 332 ft·lbf (450 N·m) in the Super 88 and 98. Compression was up again in 1956 for 230 hp (171 kW) and 340 ft·lbf (460 N·m) in the 88 and 240 hp (178 kW) and 350 ft·lbf (474 N·m) in the Super 88 and 98.

Applications:

* 1954-1956 Oldsmobile 88
* 1954-1956 Oldsmobile Super 88
* 1954-1956 Oldsmobile 98



370

A special 370 in³ (6.1 L) variant called the 370 was used in GMC trucks alone, not shared.



371

371s were produced from 1957 through 1963. Bore was now 4.0 in (101.6 mm) and stroke was increased to 3.6875 in (93.7 mm) for 371 in³ (6.1 L). 1959 and 1960 371s used green painted valve covers. 4-barrel models used 9.25:1 compression in 1957 and 10:1 in 1958 for 277 hp (206 kW) and 400 ft·lbf (542 N·m) and 305 hp (227 kW) and 410 ft·lbf (555 N·m) respectively. A 1958 2-barrel version was still impressive at 265 hp (197 kW) and 390 ft·lbf (528 N·m), but power nosed downward for the 1959 and 1960 88 model: 270 hp (201 kW) and 390 ft·lbf (528 N·m) for 1959 and 240 hp (178 kW) and 375 ft·lbf (508 N·m) for 1960.

The 371 was also used in GMC trucks.

Applications:

* 1957-1960 Oldsmobile 88
* 1957-1958 Oldsmobile Super 88
* 1957-1958 Oldsmobile 98



J-2 Golden Rocket

The 1957 and 1958 J-2 Golden Rocket produced 312 hp (232 kW) and 415 ft·lbf (562 N·m) with a tri-power six-barrel carburetor.



394

Bore was up to 4.125 in (104.8 mm) for the largest first-generation Rocket, the 394 in³ (6.5 L). 394s were produced from 1959 through 1964 and were available on many Olds models. Most 394s used 2-barrel carburetors.

The 394 replaced the 371 in Super 88 and 98 cars for 1959 and 1960 and a detuned version was used in the 88 for 1961 and the Dynamic 88 for 1962 through 1964.

Applications:

* 1959-1960 Oldsmobile Super 88, 315 hp (234 kW) and 435 ft·lbf (589 N·m)
* 1959-1960 Oldsmobile 98, 315 hp (234 kW) and 435 ft·lbf (589 N·m)
* 1961 Oldsmobile 88, 250 hp (186 kW) and 405 ft·lbf (549 N·m)
* 1962-1964 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88, 280 hp (208 kW) and 430 ft·lbf (582 N·m)
* 1964 Oldsmobile Jetstar I, 345 hp (257 kW) and 440 ft·lbf (596 N·m)



Sky Rocket

The 1961 through 1963 Sky Rocket (and 1964 Rocket) was a 394 in³ (6.5 L) engine. The 10:1 compression 1961 model produced 325 hp (242 kW) and 435 ft·lbf (589 N·m), while the 10.25:1 1962-1964 version upped power to 330 hp (246 kW) and 440 ft·lbf (596 N·m). A special 1963 10.5:1 version was also produced with 345 hp (257 kW).

Applications:

* 1961-1963 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 (option)
* 1961-1964 Oldsmobile Super 88 (standard)
* 1961-1964 Oldsmobile 98 (standard)



Starfire

The 1964 Starfire produced 345 hp (257 kW) and 440 ft·lbf (596 N·m) for the 1964 98 Custom-Sports Coupe. It was optional on 1964 98s and Super 88s.



Aluminum 215 ("Rockette")

From 1961 to 1963 Oldsmobile manufactured its own version of the Buick-designed, all-aluminum 215 engine for the F-85 compact, known as the Rockette. This was a compact, lightweight engine with a dry weight of only 350 lb (159 kg). The Oldsmobile engine was very similar to the Buick engine, but not identical: it had larger combustion chambers with flat-topped (rather than domed) pistons, six bolts rather than five per cylinder head, and slighly larger intake valves. With an 8.75:1 compression ratio and a two-barrel carburetor, the Olds 215 had the same rated hp, 155 hp @ 4800 rpm, as the Buick 215, with 220 ft·lbf of torque at 2400 rpm. With a four-barrel carburetor and 10.25:1 compression, the Olds 215 made 185 hp (138 kW) @ 4800 rpm and 230 ft·lbf (312 N·m) (@ 3200 rpm.

The basic Buick/Olds 215 V8 went onto become the well known Rover V8, remaining in production until the 1990s.



Turbo Jetfire

In 1962 and 1963 Oldsmobile built a turbocharged version of the 215. The small-diameter turbocharger was manufactured by Garrett AiResearch and produced a maximum of 5 lb (0.34 bar) boost at 2200 rpm. The engine had 10.25:1 compression and a single-barrel carburetor. It was rated at 215 hp (160 kW) @ 4600 rpm and 300 ft·lbf (406 N·m) @ 3200 rpm. The high compression ratio created a serious problem with spark knock on hard throttle applications, which led Olds to use a novel water-injection system that sprayed small amounts of distilled water and methyl alcohol (dubbed "Turbo-Rocket Fluid") into the combustion chambers to cool the intake charge. If the fluid reservoir was empty, the engine's timing would be retarded to avoid engine damage. Unfortunately, many customers did not keep the reservoir filled, or had mechanical problems with the turbocharger plumbing.

The turbocharger was offered only in a special Jetfire model, which was the first turbocharged passenger car offered for public sale. Only 9,607 were sold in two model years, and many were converted by dealers to conventional four-barrel carbureted form.