Thread: weird problem from the new guy

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okay I never thaught I would ever be faced with a problem like this! I have had every intention to put a 303 or the like in my 40 olds however, I was talking to a buddy about helping me to find a good runner and boy did he spin me for a loop! he said why dont you just buy my 331 Hemi? I said what Hemi? he said I have one out back that I havent started in a couple years. I know most everybody is gona say something like anything is cooler with a hemi, however like I said I was realy wanting to keep it with a olds mill. He also had a cadillac 331 that made me think. what kind of problem is that you may ask? I dont know at this point? I have never built a hemi before and I would like the build to a budget. give me your feedback I'll post a few picts. so you can get the idea.

I'd go with a 303-324,and save the Hemi for another project. Hank

hmmmmm. my experience has been that "hemi" and "budget" are seldom compatible....

I've had both and being an olds fan I would opt for the 303, or better yet a 324. I put 56 324 heads and intake on a 303 once and it was a sweet running little engine.

Funny this should come up ......I took a deep breath last night and figured out what I have in the 331 Hemi I currently have sitting on the engine stand (I'll post that stuff later today).


Then I figured out what it would cost if I just had to have a HEMI right now and built a 331 from scratch on a budget.

I figured $1000 for a complete buildable engine with 4 barrel intake and just the bare minimum for a good rebuild.


This would be a quality rebuild with new pistons, cam, lifters. adjustable push rods, resized rods, valve job, new AFB carb, original distributor converted to electronic, BB Chevy waterpump conversion, new harmonic balancer.

This would NOT include any chrome/after market valve covers, custom pullies, aftermarket or factory multicarb intakes, adjustable rocker arms, headers, transmission adaptors, mini starter, billet alternator/PS/AC brackets, windage tray etc.


Including the purchase price of 1K it figured out to having a total of about $5000 in the complete running engine doing the assembly myself. Adding a bunch of "neat stuff" could easily push it over 10K.

The last 354 I built( already had the core from years B4)
By the time I got done with machine work, parts and detail stuff, I had right @ 10 K in it
Good Luck

I agree with halftanked, go with the 303, but if you can swing it, get the hemi and sit on it for a future project!

I'm torn on my opinion with this one, because I have a Mopar and an Olds. A Hemi would certainly be nice but as others have stated they are expensive rebuilds. Olds, especially the 303 /324's are really engines with a lot of appeal. Mine is a 371, but I think the 324's are probably easier to get parts for than the 371.

It would be kind of neat to keep it all Olds.

I think a 303 would be the perfect motor for it. I like hemis, but I think puttin' a hemi in a '40 Olds would be like puttin' and FE390 in a '55 Chevy. Nothing against Fords either, I just don't think the hemi combo would sing to me like the 303 would.

I would, however, become the new owner of the hemi and tarp it over in the corner for that '48 Plymouth business coupe project that's down the road.
http://www.billsantiquesandclassics.com/id13.html

Hey Tech This is Ed Roths 1955 Chevy Powered by a Ford FE390 ? COOL

Personally I would be attracted to the 331 Caddy engine and whatever vintage speed equipment you could lay your hands on.

Unfortunatly with any vintage engine (with the exceptions of the SBCs of course) NONE of them are cheap to build. The parts appear to be out there to do them but by the time you get done I believe that you will be looking close to the same money no matter which way you go.

I don't know how much pricing you have done so far but just some examples from E Bay for the engine master kits:

303 Olds $1247.43

331 Caddy $1476.14

331 Hemi $1194.37

You machine work and trans adaptors will also likely be close in price.

The only advantage I can really see here would go to the HEMI believe it or not. Primarly because currently used speed equipment is so readily available for these engines.

You could cut the costs somewhat by building the engine over time like I did and shopping for bargins......but do you want to wait for 15 years to hear it run like I did

I have owned both the Hemi and the 303. I would keep it olds too. The 303 I had with 56 324 heads and intake. It ran real sweet. I also wouldn't just assume every engine needs rebuilt, I have actually rebuilt very few for myself. I find runners in decent usable condition.
BTW, The book I have says the Ed Roth 55 was a 406.

"Yes, Ed Roth swapped an FE into a '55 Chevy in a swap that appeared in a popular 1960s book on hot rodding. It was likely a lot faster and quicker than an iron 283 with a tunnel ram"
Looks like it had several engines according to the article I read.
Sorry for the highjack... but Ed Roth fans might find this a interesting read
Ed Roth's Orbitron Found in Mexico!
http://jalopnik.com/cars/ed-roth/ed-...ico-295010.php

well I did it now! not only did I buy the hemi but Im also just closed the deal on a 1953 olds 303 that I will be starting on the tear down sence there is no history available on that motor. WOW I didnt think that would happen! Ill post some picts of the 303 after I pick it up in the next few days. also may be looking for a set of manifolds if he cant find the ones that came off the motor.

well I did it now! not only did I buy the hemi but Im also just closed the deal on a 1953 olds 303 that I will be starting on the tear down sence there is no history available on that motor. WOW I didnt think that would happen! Ill post some picts of the 303 after I pick it up in the next few days. also may be looking for a set of manifolds if he cant find the ones that came off the motor. it also has the hydromatic still atached. what will I have to change? (cross member.. motor mounts?