Kensey

Hi all.

In 1972 were all 350 motors Rocket motors?
Cutlass, Delta 88, etc.

thanks

70W-32

Yes. All V8 Oldsmobile motors are Rocket motors

v8al

As stated above, all were "Rockets" you could get a Rocket 350 (2-bbl/4-bbl) or Rocket 455.

joe_padavano

All Oldsmobile V8 motors since 1949 were called "rocket". It's a marketing name, and apparently a very effective one, given that 75 years later, people still thinks it actually means something.

The one exception is the 1961-63 aluminum 215. Of course, that was really a Buick motor anyway.

Sugar Bear

And another exception...V8 diesels weren't rockets in name or any other way unless you count when they came apart on their own.

oldcutlass

Actually all Oldsmobile v8 engines from 1949 to 1990 were considered Rocket engines.

Bfg

Why weren’t they ever put in actual spaceships? If they were used to propel spaceships into space, perhaps they would have gotten there quicker

BangScreech4-4-2

The Buick guys claim it was an Olds motor. Never a good sign.

joe_padavano

Well, considering that the distributor is in the front and a lot of the parts interchange with small block Buick motors and Buick V6s, do the math.

old80cs

Originally the newly designed 90 degree Olds V8 was to be named in honor of Charles “Boss” Kettering hence the name on the sign in the photo above. The text explains where the name Rocket V8 came from.

CANADIANOLDS

what parts from the 215 Olds version interchange with a Buick V6 and the small block Buick motors?

joe_padavano

Basically bore spacing and overall architecture are the same. Interchanges include front cover, timing chain, cam, distributor, water pump (allowing for the fact that there are different lengths), crank (with a little work on the rear main seal), oil pump, some valvetrain parts, some accessory brackets. The SBB is essentially a taller deck version of the 215. The 215 intake works on the Buick 300 with spacers. The Buick 300 heads are a popular upgrade on the 215 due to larger ports and valves (64 300 motors used aluminum heads).

CANADIANOLDS

the Olds heads and rocker assembly are Olds designs. Buick 215 head won’t work on the Olds 215 block

the Olds is 32 pounds heavier overall. The Buick 215 heads are basically scaled down nail head design from a 1955 design.

ya sure the Buick engineers did the basic design but Olds changed what was junk. Added the 6th bolt in the deck and added beef where needed. They were done in different assembly lines. I have an old book somewhere that talks about other small design changes done by Olds…if I find it I’ll post it

joe_padavano

Yes, heads and valvetrain are unique to Olds. Still the basic Buford architecture, crank, bore spacing, etc, etc. The Buick block has the boss for the sixth head bolt, it just isn't drilled. But I realize your hobby is to be antagonistic, so knock yourself out.

CANADIANOLDS

when was the last time GM actually used the Rocket name to describe an engine?

can you show me where they used it to describe the 260 or 307 in any of their advertising?

i have a 307, it’s a Rocket….but not by GM’s description that I can find

Bfg

Maybe it’s a 307 Chevy non Rocket motor

old80cs

IMHO, The last time Rocket was used in the marketing of an Olds was probably the mid 70’s. The moniker was on an aluminum disc on top of the engine air filter housing stating Rocket 350 or Rocket 455 (maybe the 403 too?). I don’t recall seeing them on any Cutlass or other in ‘78 or newer engines. The 260 and 307 are from the Rocket engine family but not marketed as such for obvious reasons, they were down on power low compression economy engines that could get the job done without issue, just nothing to write home about.