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81-806: For three generations, the Custom Cruiser shared the General Motors B platform with the Buick Estate , Pontiac Safari , and the Chevrolet Caprice (initially Chevrolet Kingswood ) station wagons. Within Oldsmobile, the Custom Cruiser shared its trim with the Oldsmobile Delta 88 and Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight . During 1985 and 1986, all three GM mid-price divisions downsized their B-platform full-size sedans, leaving

162-536: A 2-barrel carburetor, the Olds 215 had the same rated hp, 155 hp (116 kW) at 4800 rpm, as the Buick 215, with 220 ft⋅lbf (300 N⋅m) of torque at 2400 rpm. With a 4-barrel carburetor and 10.25:1 compression, the Olds 215 made 185 hp (138 kW) at 4800 rpm and 230 lb⋅ft (310 N⋅m) at 3200 rpm with a manual transmission. With a 4-barrel carburetor and 10.75:1 compression,

243-413: A distantly related engine which appeared in three different sizes through to the 1962 model year; though the Oldsmobile and Cadillac motors were not physically related, many lessons learned by one division were incorporated into the other's design, and the result were two engines known for their excellent power-to-weight ratio , fuel economy, and smooth, strong, reliable running. The original Oldsmobile V8

324-405: A higher deck height (10.625 in (27.0 cm) versus 9.33 in (23.7 cm)) to accommodate a 4.25 in (108 mm) stroke crank to increase displacement. These taller-deck models are commonly called "big-blocks", and are 1 in (2.5 cm) taller and 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wider than their "small-block" counterparts. The Rocket V8 was the subject of many first and lasts in

405-601: A naturally aspirated 120 hp 350 cubic-inch V8. For 1980, the V8 was retuned to 105 hp, remaining an option through 1985. In contrast to the 1971–1976 Custom Cruiser (a hybrid of the Delta 88 and the Ninety-Eight), Oldsmobile styled the 1977 Custom Cruiser as a station wagon version of the Delta 88, adopting its front fascia entirely. To distinguish itself from its nearly identical Buick, Chevrolet, and Pontiac counterparts,

486-426: A second butterfly (positioned between the throttle butterfly and the turbocharger) into the closed position, limiting the amount of boost pressure. Many customers did not keep the reservoir filled, or had mechanical problems with the turbocharger system which resulted in many of the turbo-charger installations being removed and a conventional 4-barrel carburetor and manifold installed in its place. The Turbo-Rocket V8

567-455: A small-block V8, with the Olds small-block standard deck and 3.385 in (86.0 mm) stroke. The bore was so wide that the cylinder walls were siamesed, as in the Chevrolet 400 V8 , with no space for coolant to flow between the cylinders. Additionally, the 403 had windowed main webs, which reduced the internal strength of the block in the crankcase area. It has been purported that there is

648-573: A unique combustion chamber that resulted from a valve angle of only 6°. This was much flatter than the 23° of the small-block Chevrolet and 20° of the Ford small-block wedge heads. This very open and flat chamber was fuel efficient and had lower than average emissions output. It was the only GM engine to meet US emission standards using a carburetor all the way up to 1990. The first second-generation Oldsmobile V8 330 cu in (5.4 L) "Jetfire Rocket" introduced in 1964 and produced through 1967. It

729-420: Is arguably the best engine Olds made in the muscle car era, although it never made it into a "muscle car". It used a 4.126 in (104.8 mm) bore and 3.975 in (101.0 mm) stroke. Most 425s were painted red, though the 1966 and 1967 Toronado units were light blue. All 425 engines were fitted with forged steel crankshafts with harmonic balancers. The standard 1965-1967 425 cu in (7.0 L)

810-516: Is based on the GM B-platform. As part of the GM downsizing, station wagons were consolidated upon a common 115.9 inch wheelbase shared with wagons of all three mid-price divisions and Chevrolet (and all B-platform sedans). In the redesign, the Custom Cruiser shed 14 inches in length, 11 inches of wheelbase, and up to 900 pounds of curb weight (though becoming taller). Though sharing its wheelbase with

891-403: Is quite similar with the same size block and heads. The 303-cubic-inch (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 1949-1953. Bore was 3.75 in (95 mm) and stroke was 3.4375 in (87.31 mm). Cadillac used

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972-511: The B body ) is a full-size , rear-wheel drive , body-on-frame car platform , that was produced by General Motors (GM) from 1926 to 1996. Originally made for Oldsmobile and Buick , all of General Motors's five main passenger car makes would use it at some point. It was closely related to the original rear-wheel drive C and D platforms , and was used for convertibles , hardtops , coupes , sedans , and station wagons . With approximately 12,960,000 units built, divided across four marques,

1053-580: The Buick -designed, all-aluminum 215 cubic inch (3.5L) V8 engine for the F-85 compact. Known variously as the Rockette, Cutlass, and Turbo-Rocket by Oldsmobile (and as Fireball and Skylark by Buick), it was a compact, lightweight engine measuring 28 in (71 cm) long, 26 in (66 cm) wide, and 27 in (69 cm) high, with a dry weight of only 320 lb (150 kg). The Oldsmobile engine

1134-472: The Rocket , is a series of engines that was produced by Oldsmobile from 1949 until 1990. The Rocket, along with the 1949 Cadillac V8, were the first post-war OHV crossflow cylinder head V8 engines produced by General Motors . Like all other GM divisions, Olds continued building its own V8 engine family for decades, adopting the corporate Chevrolet 350 small-block and Cadillac Northstar engine only in

1215-663: The air cleaner identification decal after 1974. Although production of the 455 ended in 1976, a small number were produced through 1978 for power equipment use, such as motorhomes , boats and irrigation equipment. Applications: Produced from 1968–1980, the Rocket 350 was entirely different from the other GM divisions' 350s. It used a very oversquare 4.057 in (103.0 mm) bore and Oldsmobile small-block standard 3.385 in (86.0 mm) stroke for 350.1 cu in (5.7 L; 5,737 cc). Output ranged from 160 to 325 hp (119 to 242 kW). 1968-1974 350s were painted gold; 1975-1976 350s were metallic blue like

1296-417: The "370" of 232 gross HP at 4200 rpm and torque 355 gross lbs-ft at 2600 rpm from 1957 to 1959. It had hardened valve seats and other features for heavy duty usage. Applications: Introduced in the middle of the 1957 model year, the 1957 and 1958 J-2 Golden Rocket had three two-barrel (twin choke) carburetors with a vacuum-operated linkage. Only the center carburetor was mechanically connected to

1377-489: The "Cruiser" nameplate across many of its 1970s and 1980s station wagon lines, including the Cutlass (Supreme) Cruiser, Firenza Cruiser, and Cutlass Cruiser (Cutlass Ciera). For the 1971 model year, full-size station wagons returned to the Oldsmobile product range (for the first time since 1964), coinciding with the redesign of GM full-size product range. In place of the previous Fiesta name used for Oldsmobile station wagons,

1458-497: The 10.25:1 1962-1964 version upped power to 330 hp (250 kW) and 440 lb⋅ft (600 N⋅m). A special 1963 10.5:1 version was also produced with 345 hp (257 kW). Applications: The high-compression four-barrel 394 cu. in. 1964 Starfire produced 345 hp (257 kW) and 440 lb⋅ft (600 N⋅m) for the 1963-4 Starfire and 98 Custom-Sports Coupe . It was optional on 1964 98s and Super 88s . From 1961-1963, Oldsmobile manufactured its own version of

1539-855: The 19-foot long station wagons in tight parking spaces. Heavy and complex, the system was not included in the 1977 redesign of the model line. Over one foot shorter and over 1,000 pounds lighter overall, the new body was designed with a two-way tailgate (a design first developed by Ford). Note: 1971–1976 model years are the only production figures that Oldsmobile broke down specifically by body configuration (i.e., woodgrain, two-row or three-row seating) Three-row: 9,932 Three-row: 18,087 Two-row, woodgrain: 7,142 Three-row, painted: 7, 341 Three-row, woodgrain: 19,163 Two-row, woodgrain: 2,960 Three-row, painted: 2,528 Three-row, woodgrain: 8,947 Two-row, woodgrain: 2,837 Three-row, painted: 2,315 Three-row, woodgrain: 9,458 Two-row, woodgrain: 3,849 Three-row, painted: 3,626 Three-row, woodgrain: 12,269 For

1620-492: The 1937, 1939, 1941, 1949, 1954, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1965, 1971, 1977, and 1991 model years; along with interim styling changes for 1942, 1969, and 1980 that included new sheetmetal and revised rooflines. The platform was downsized in length by approximately 10 inches in 1977 and reduced in weight by an average of 800 pounds. In 1991, the platform received its last major redesign, regaining several inches in length and featuring numerous frame improvements and reinforcements, while

1701-763: The 1965–1970 B platform is the fourth best selling automobile platform in history after the Volkswagen Beetle , Ford Model T , and the Fiat 124 (and its licence-built copies , mainly classic Ladas ). Originally, the B platform was used for Buick and Oldsmobile products, with the A platform for Chevrolet and Oakland, and the C and D platforms devoted to Cadillac. During the General Motors companion make program , Vikings and Marquettes were also manufactured on this platform, as were La Salles from 1936 to 1940. The B platform became GM's base model platform in 1958, when all existing Chevrolet products were upgraded to

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1782-628: The 1973 redesign of the Chevrolet/GMC Suburban (129.5 inches). Oldsmobile offered the 455 cubic-inch Rocket V8 in various states of tune from 1971 until 1976 (the "Rocket" brand itself was discontinued in 1975). A 190 hp 400 cubic-inch Pontiac V8 was offered for 1975. From 1971 to 1976, the model line was offered solely with the GM Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed automatic transmission. While sharing its roofline and doors with its divisional counterparts,

1863-469: The 1977 Oldsmobile 98, the fascia was given four square headlights with outboard marker lights. Along with all other 1971–1976 General Motors full-size station wagons built on the B-platform, first-generation Custom Cruiser wagons feature a " clamshell " tailgate design. A two-piece tailgate configuration, the tailgate slid into a recess under the cargo floor while the rear glass window retracted up into

1944-478: The 1977 model year, the second-generation Custom Cruiser was released as part of the downsizing of the entire GM full-size range. In another revision, the Custom Cruiser became a direct counterpart of the Delta 88 sedan. Again the counterpart of the Buick Estate and Pontiac Safari, the Custom Cruiser now shared its body with Chevrolet station wagons. Following the exit of Chrysler from the segment after 1977,

2025-824: The 1990s. All Oldsmobile V8s were assembled at plants in Lansing, Michigan while the engine block and cylinder heads were cast at Saginaw Metal Casting Operations . All Oldsmobile V8s use a 90° bank angle, and most share a common stroke dimension: 3.4375 in (87.31 mm) for early Rockets, 3.6875 in (93.66 mm) for later Generation 1 engines, and 3.385 in (86.0 mm) for Generation 2 starting in 1964. The 260 cu in (4.3 L), 307 cu in (5.0 L), 330 cu in (5.4 L), 350 cu in (5.7 L) and 403 cu in (6.6 L) engines are commonly called small-blocks . 400 cu in (6.6 L), 425 cu in (7.0 L), and 455 cu in (7.5 L) V8s have

2106-594: The 2-barrel carburetor 303 produced 135 hp (101 kW) and 253 lb⋅ft (343 N⋅m). Its output of 0.45 hp per cubic inch was 7% better than the 0.42 hp per cubic inch of the popular and widely produced 100 hp (75 kW) 1949 Ford Flathead V8 . 1952 88 and Super 88 V8s used a 4-barrel carburetor for 160 hp (120 kW) and 265 lb⋅ft (359 N⋅m), while 4-barrel 1953 versions raised compression from 7.5:1 to 8.0:1 for 165 hp (123 kW) and 275 lb⋅ft (373 N⋅m). Applications: The 324 cu in (5.3 L) version

2187-410: The 350 was detuned to 160 hp and the 403 offered 175 hp. After 1980, both the 350 and the 403 were replaced by the 307. For 1980, Oldsmobile introduced its third (and last) V8 engine for the B-platform, the 307. Initially producing 150 hp, the 307 was detuned to 140 hp for 1981. For 1985, new "swirl port" cylinder heads were given to the 307. While engine horsepower was not increased,

2268-446: The 400 CID engine were made: The 1966-1967 4-4-2 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8 was a short stroke engine which featured B and C cast large-valve cylinder heads and hydraulic lifters of larger diameter, as well as push-rods of different length and diameter than the standard Olds Rocket V8. It was rated at 350 hp (261 kW) and 440 lb⋅ft (597 N⋅m) of torque with a Rochester 4-barrel, and 360 hp (268 kW) with

2349-416: The 455; 1977-1980 models were painted GM Corporate Blue. The "Rocket" name disappeared from the air cleaner decal in 1975, the same year that the catalytic converter was added to the emissions control system. The Oldsmobile 350s made from 1968-1976 have heavy castings, beefier crankshafts, and better flowing heads. The 1977-1980 350s have lighter castings, including a thinner block with large "windows" in

2430-751: The B platform. The B platform was used for the Pontiac Streamliner Torpedo and Streamliner ; the Oldsmobile L-Series , Series 70 , and Series 88 ; the Buick Special and Century ; the LaSalle Series 50 ; and the Cadillac Series 60 , Series 61 , and Series 63 . For the 1959 model year, the previous A- and B-bodies were built on the new B platform that lasted until 1996. During this period,

2511-683: The B was the most modest of GM's three full-sized platforms, slotting below the upscale C and the luxury D. The A platform designation would be resurrected by GM in 1964 for a new series of intermediate-sized cars including the Chevrolet Chevelle , Pontiac Tempest , Oldsmobile Cutlass , and Buick Skylark . The GM B platform was introduced in 1926 with the Buick Master Six , and the Oldsmobile Model 30 , and had at least 12 major re-engineering and restyling efforts, for

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2592-643: The B-platform vehicles from Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick from 1941 to 1948 had the fuel filler door in the rear fender on the driver's side. By 1986, the Buick LeSabre and Oldsmobile Delta 88 moved to the GM H platform . And in 1991, Chairman Robert Stempel said: There are some corporate things we're going to drive; we are a front-drive corporation. He also stated that the rear-wheel-drive 1992 Buick Roadmaster and Chevrolet Caprice had been produced "over my dead body." No successor for this platform

2673-587: The Buick-style pistons, heads, and valve train gear. The Oldsmobile engine block formed the basis of the Repco 3-liter engine used by Brabham to win the 1966 and 1967 Formula One world championships . The early Repco engines produced up to 300 bhp (220 kW), and featured new SOHC cylinder heads and iron cylinder liners. The 1967 and later versions of the Repco engine had proprietary engine blocks. In

2754-517: The Custom Cruiser 96 and Custom Cruiser 98. For 1942, the Custom Cruiser 96 was dropped, leaving the 98 as the flagship Oldsmobile. Dropping the Custom Cruiser name after 1947, the 98 (later renamed Ninety-Eight ) remained on the C-body chassis through its 1996 discontinuation. Following the introduction of the Vista Cruiser and the return of the Custom Cruiser, Oldsmobile expanded the use of

2835-828: The Custom Cruiser competed primarily against the Ford LTD Country Squire and Mercury Colony Park, which remained in production through 1991. After the 1985 model year, the Custom Cruiser became the largest Oldsmobile, as GM shifted Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac B-body sedans to the front-wheel drive H-platform , downsizing them again. Along with the Chevrolet Caprice remaining the sole B-body sedan/wagon, Oldsmobile and Buick station wagons became distinct model lines (the Pontiac Safari ended production after 1989). The second-generation Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (as with all full-size GM station wagons)

2916-575: The Custom Cruiser drive with a numerically higher rear axle ratio for better performance, while offering improved fuel economy with the overdrive range In its final year of production, the second-generation Custom Cruiser marked the end of the Oldsmobile-produced V8 (formerly the "Rocket V8"). Shifting from its long-running practice of each division developing its own engines, during the 1980s, GM consolidated V8 production in non-Cadillac full-size cars towards Chevrolet and Oldsmobile, with

2997-476: The Custom Cruiser name was revived, slotting it above the A-body Vista Cruiser wagon. Sharing its body with the Buick Estate and Pontiac Safari ( Grand Safari ), the Custom Cruiser was slightly longer than Chevrolet Impala/Caprice station wagons. Though designed without the distinctive glass roof panels of the Vista Cruiser, the Custom Cruiser and its counterparts shared its interior layout;

3078-463: The Custom Cruiser was given its simulated wood design, with wood following the curve of the wheel wells. Though interior space was reduced only marginally through the downsizing, the full-size Custom Cruiser and the intermediate Vista Cruiser/Cutlass Supreme wagon switched places as the longest Oldsmobile wagon; this lasted only for 1977, as GM intermediates underwent their own downsizing for 1978. GM B platform The B platform (also known as

3159-698: The Custom Cruiser with no sedan counterpart. After the discontinuation of the Cutlass Supreme Classic , the model line became the sole Oldsmobile sold with rear-wheel drive. Following the 1992 model year, production of the Custom Cruiser was discontinued. Alongside an extensive redesign for 1991, Oldsmobile had already initiated station wagon alternatives, introducing both the Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan (1990) and Oldsmobile Bravada mid-size SUV (1991). In total, Oldsmobile produced 451,819 Custom Cruisers over 21 years. Following

3240-726: The GM B-body chassis, extended to the 127-inch wheelbase used by the GM C-body platform (used by the Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight and Buick Electra). In contrast to GM B/C/D-platform vehicles of the time, GM 1971–1976 full-size station wagons used a rear suspension of multi-leaf rear springs (in line with the C/K trucks of the time). At 5,161 lb (2,341 kg) shipping weight (5,186 lb (2,352 kg) with woodgrain ), or about 5,400 lb (2,400 kg) curb weight,

3321-466: The J-2 option with the three-speed manual (or in the 98), $ 314 with the automatic. In practice, owners who did not regularly drive hard enough to engage the front and rear carburetors experienced problems with the linkage and carburetor throats becoming clogged, and some J-2-equipped cars had the front and rear carburetors removed and blocked off. Moreover, correct tuning was a continual headache. The package

Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser - Misplaced Pages Continue

3402-450: The L69 tri 2-barrel option in 1966. A nominal 360 hp was claimed in 1967 when equipped with a W30 camshaft, 4-barrel, and outside air induction, 502 of which were factory produced. They were all painted Bronze and had V and G stamped on the cylinder heads. The 7.0 L (6,967 cc; 425.2 cu in) big-block was the first tall-deck "big block," produced from 1965 through 1967. It

3483-436: The Olds 215 made 195 hp (145 kW) at 4800 rpm and 235 lb⋅ft (319 N⋅m) at 3200 rpm with an automatic. The Buick version was rated at 200 hp with an 11:1 compression ratio. The Oldsmobile Turbo-Rocket had 10.25:1 compression and was rated at 215 hp (160 kW). The Buick version of the 215 V8 went on to become the well known Rover V8 , which still remains in limited production, utilizing

3564-428: The V8 engine was a small-diameter Garrett T5 model with integral wastegate, manufactured by Garrett AiResearch , and produced a maximum of 5  psi (34  kPa ) boost at 2200 rpm. The engine had 10.25:1 compression and a single-barrel carburetor. It was rated at 215 hp (160 kW) at 4600 rpm and 300 lb⋅ft (410 N⋅m) at 3200 rpm. In development, the high compression ratio combined with

3645-660: The automotive industry. It was the first mass-produced OHV V8, in 1949. The factory painted "small-blocks" gold or blue (flat black on the late model 307 cu in (5.0 L)), while "big-blocks" could be red, green, blue, or bronze. As is the case with all pre-1972 American passenger car engines, published horsepower and torque figures for those years were SAE "Gross," as opposed to 1972 and later SAE Net ratings (which are indicative of what actual production engines produce in their "as installed" state - with all engine accessories, full air cleaner assembly, and complete production exhaust system in place). The first Oldsmobile V8

3726-594: The body of the Custom Cruiser was styled as a hybrid of the B-body Delta 88 and the C-body Ninety-Eight, using components from both model lines. From the Ninety-Eight, the Custom Cruiser shared its front fascia and rear quarter panels (and front fender skirts ); the interior adopted trim elements from both the Delta 88 and Ninety-Eight. In line with the Vista Cruiser, simulated woodgrain trim

3807-500: The charged load created problems with spark knock on hard throttle applications, which led Olds to develop and utilize a novel water-injection system that sprayed metered amounts of distilled water and methyl alcohol (dubbed "Turbo-Rocket Fluid") into the intake manifold air-stream to cool the intake charge. If the fluid reservoir was empty, a complex double-float and valve assembly in the Turbo-Rocket Fluid path would set

3888-550: The compression to 8.5:1 for 185 hp (138 kW) and 320 lb⋅ft (430 N⋅m) in the 88 and 202 hp (151 kW) and 332 lb⋅ft (450 N⋅m) in the Super 88 and 98. For engines built during the first part of 1955, the 324 skirted pistons had a reputation for failing due to the cast aluminum skirt separating from its steel interior brace. This problem did not appear until the engine had over 50,000 miles (80,000 km) on it. By late 1956, many Olds dealers learned about

3969-495: The design increased torque and driveability; at the expense of high RPM power and performance, the heads featured relatively small intake ports. Along with the new cylinder heads, roller lifters replaced flat lifters. For 1980 in California-market examples, Oldsmobile introduced a new E4ME electronic carburetor, using CCC (Computer Command Control); in 1981, the 4-barrel carburetor was adopted in all 50 states, replacing

4050-462: The discontinuation of the model line, GM ended full-size station wagon production after 1996, becoming the final American-brand manufacturer to do so at the time. The Custom Cruiser nameplate was introduced by Oldsmobile in 1940, as the division introduced formal names for its vehicles for the first time, introducing the flagship Custom Cruiser 90. For 1941, the model line was offered with both inline-6 and inline-8 engines, with Oldsmobile renaming it as

4131-552: The high preload valve spring forces. Following the Automobile Manufacturer Association ban on factory supported racing, power ratings went down for the 1959 and 1960 88 models: 270 hp (200 kW) and 390 lb⋅ft (530 N⋅m) for 1959 and 240 hp (180 kW) and 375 lb⋅ft (508 N⋅m) for 1960. It was no longer available in cars in 1961. This engine was used in GMC heavy trucks as

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4212-430: The intermediate Vista Cruiser (and nearly 200 pounds lighter) prior to its 1978 replacement, the Custom Cruiser remained in the full-size segment, as its body was several inches wider and taller. At its 1977 launch, the second-generation Custom Cruiser was offered with two engines, a 170 hp 350 cubic-inch Oldsmobile V8, with a 185 hp 403 cubic-inch Oldsmobile V8 as an option. For 1979, both engines were detuned:

4293-685: The latter division developing diesel engines. Towards the end of the decade, GM phased out the Oldsmobile V8 family, as the 307 was the final engine produced by the company without fuel injection. After 1990, Oldsmobile would not have a division-produced engine; the only GM division-unique engine family developed since 1990 was the Cadillac Northstar (developed with some Oldsmobile and Pontiac applications). diesel (diesel) diesel (diesel) 1981–1985: THM200-4R 4-speed automatic For 1978, Oldsmobile introduced its first diesel engine,

4374-523: The main bearing bulkheads, and have crack-prone cylinder head castings manufactured by Pontiac Motor Division (castings are marked "PMD"; these heads were also used on the 260), and a lightened crankshaft. The 1976-1979 Cadillac Seville was equipped with a version of this engine featuring an analog Bendix/Bosch electronic port fuel injection system , making this the first American mass-produced car with EFI as standard equipment. Applications: Oldsmobile's own L34 R code 350-cubic-inch (5.7 L) V8

4455-468: The mid-1980s, hot rodders discovered the 215 could be stretched to as much as 305 cu in (5 L), using the Buick 300 crankshaft, new cylinder sleeves , and an assortment of non-GM parts. It could also be fitted with high-compression cylinder heads from the Morgan +8 . In 1962 and 1963 Oldsmobile built a turbocharged version of the 215, designated Turbo-Rocket . The turbocharger fitted to

4536-510: The optional third-row seat was faced forward. Similar to the Chevrolet Suburban , the third-row seat was accessed by a split second-row bench seat that folded forward, expanding seating to eight passengers. Following the fitment of 5 mph bumpers, the 1974–1976 Custom Cruiser grew to over 19 feet long, becoming one of the longest vehicles ever built by Oldsmobile. The Custom Cruiser (and its Buick and Pontiac counterparts) used

4617-476: The previous mechanical M4ME version. In Canada, E4ME was not adopted until 1986. 1977–1990 Custom Cruisers were fitted with two different automatic transmissions. From 1977 until 1980, the 3-speed THM200 was the sole transmission. From 1981 through 1990, the THM200-4R 4-speed automatic with overdrive was added, as GM added a lock-up torque converter and a 0.67:1 overdrive ratio. With the overdrive transmission,

4698-874: The problem. Compression was up again in 1956 for 230 hp (170 kW) and 340 lb⋅ft (460 N⋅m) in the 88 and 240 hp (180 kW) and 350 lb⋅ft (470 N⋅m) in the Super 88 and 98. Applications: The 371 made its debut in 1957 as standard equipment on all Olds models, and was produced through 1960. Bore was up to 4.0 in (100 mm) and stroke was increased to 3.6875 in (93.66 mm) for 371 cu in (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 (207 kW) and 400 lb⋅ft (540 N⋅m) and 305 hp (227 kW) and 410 lb⋅ft (560 N⋅m) respectively. A 1958 2-barrel version produced 265 hp (198 kW) and 390 lb⋅ft (530 N⋅m), but had problems with early camshaft failures due to

4779-409: The rear until 1958, when they switched to coils in the rear; one exception is the 1959–60 Oldsmobile 88, which used coil springs in front and multi-leaf springs in the rear. All B-platform cars since 1965 used perimeter frames with side rails, along with the 1961–64 B-platform Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles. The 1958–60 Buicks and 1959–60 Oldsmobiles used a ladder-type frame, while an X-frame without side rails

4860-408: The roof; the design operated either manually or with optional power assist. The first powered tailgate in automotive history, the powered option ultimately became standard, as the manual tailgate required a degree of effort to lift out of storage. The system was operated from either an instrument panel switch or by key on the rear quarter panel. The clamshell tailgate was intended to aid the loading of

4941-439: The same stroke of 3.385 in (86 mm). The big-block engines initially used a forged crankshaft with a stroke of 3.975" for the 1965-1967 425 and 400 CID versions; starting in 1968, both the 400 cu in (6.6 L) and the 455 cu in (7.5 L) big blocks used a stroke of 4.25 in (108 mm), with crankshaft material changed to cast iron except in a few rare cases. These were wedge-head engines with

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5022-405: The shorter wheelbase remained unchanged. The last B-cars rolled off the line in 1996, leaving only Ford producing domestic large rear-wheel-drive sedans until the line was phased out in late 2011, with Chrysler reentering the market with their LX platform in 2005. Known for being durable and reliable, most B-platform cars used suspensions utilizing coil springs in the front and leaf springs in

5103-620: The standard ultra high compression engine and factory dual exhaust. This engine was only available in the Oldsmobile Starfire, delta 88 and a performance economy model called the Jetstar I. It shared the same compression ratio of the Toronado Rocket at 10.5:1. It also used the .921 in lifter bore size of the Toronado Rocket. An Ultra High Compression Toronado Rocket version of the 425 cu in (7.0 L) V8

5184-470: The three-seat 1974 Custom Cruiser wagons are the heaviest Oldsmobiles ever built. Along with similar versions of the Buick Estate, the model line also serves as the heaviest sedan-based GM vehicle ever produced. The Custom Cruiser used the longest wheelbase in its segment, besting all Chrysler wagons (124 inches), the AMC Ambassador (122 inches), and Ford/Mercury wagons (121 inches), shorter only than

5265-573: The throttle pedal, and it was the only one equipped with a choke. When the center carburetor was opened to 60° or more engine vacuum drawn from the windshield wiper pump would simultaneously open the front and rear carburetors. These carburetors did not open progressively; they were either open or closed. The J-2 engine also had a slightly thinner head gasket, raising compression to 10.0:1. It was advertised with gross power and torque ratings of 312 hp (233 kW) at 4600 rpm and 415 lb⋅ft (563 N⋅m) at 2800 rpm. Oldsmobile charged $ 83 for

5346-509: The world's very first turbocharged commercially sold vehicle. The second generation of Oldsmobile V8s was produced from 1964-1990. Most of these engines were very similar, using the same bore centers and a 9.33 in (237 mm) deck height, raised on " big-block " versions to 10.625 in (269.9 mm). Big-block and Diesel versions also increased the 2.5 in (64 mm) main bearing journal to 3.0 in (76 mm) for increased strength. All generation-2 small-block Olds V8s used

5427-533: Was called the Super Rocket , and was the most powerful engine option for the Oldsmobile 88 and 98 of 1965-1967. Compression ratios of 9.0:1 at 310 hp (230 kW) or 10.25:1 at 360 hp (270 kW) were available in the U.S. A special 1965-1967 425 cu in (7.0 L) V8 was the Starfire engine. The main distinguishing features of this engine were a slightly different camshaft profile from

5508-413: Was expensive to produce, and Oldsmobile discontinued it after 1958. Bore was up to 4.125 in (104.8 mm) for the largest first-generation Rocket, the 394 cu in (6.5 L). 394s were produced from 1959–1964 and were available on many Olds models. Most 394s used 2-barrel carburetors, but special high-compression 4-barrel versions were available starting in 1961. Power for the base engine

5589-513: Was lengthened to 4.25 in (108 mm) to achieve 454.6 cu in (7.4 L; 7,450 cc) to create the Rocket 455 for 1968. It kept the retired 425's 4.126 in (104.8 mm) bore to produce between 275 and 400 hp (205 and 298 kW). Initially the paint was red, except for metallic blue in the Toronado applications; 1970-1976 versions were metallic blue at first, then nonmetallic blue. The "Rocket" name disappeared from

5670-1058: Was made after 1996, when the Roadmaster and Caprice ceased production. However, the Caprice would be revived and built on the Opel -developed V platform for the Middle East but built by Holden , while years later, the Caprice for police use along with the Impala SS successor, the Chevrolet SS , would return to the United States, built on the GM Zeta platform developed by Holden in Australia. Chevrolet Pontiac Oldsmobile Buick Cadillac Oldsmobile V8 engine#455 The Oldsmobile V8 , also referred to as

5751-420: Was made for the 1966 Toronado. It had the same 0.921 in (23.4 mm)-diameter lifters of the first-generation Oldsmobile engines, rather than the standard 0.842 in (21.4 mm), which let engineers increase the camshaft's ramp speed for more power, 385 hp (287 kW), without sacrificing idle or reliability. Unlike all other 425s, this version was painted slate blue metallic. The 425's stroke

5832-747: Was of a flathead design that was developed by Northway Engine Works before GM assumed operations. It was installed in the Oldsmobile Light Eight and was related to the Cadillac flathead V8 engine . In 1929, Oldsmobile installed a 90 degree monobloc flathead V8 engine in the Viking companion brand before the monobloc was used in LaSalle and Cadillac vehicles from 1929-1931. The first generation of Oldsmobile V8s were tall deck big blocks available from 1949-1964. Each engine in this generation

5913-405: Was offered as an option, with nearly 80% of buyers selecting the feature. During its production, the Custom Cruiser followed the exterior design of Ninety-Eight, receiving a new front bumper for 1972; front and rear 5-mph bumpers were adding during 1973 and 1974, respectively. For 1974, the grille underwent a redesign. For 1976, the Custom Cruiser received a second revision. Largely a preview of

5994-554: Was offered exclusively on the Oldsmobile Jetfire , a special version of the Cutlass compact hardtop coupe, which is noteworthy as it is one of the world's first (in fact the second) turbocharged passenger car ever offered for public sale. The Chevrolet Corvair Spyder Turbo , likewise a forced induction i.e turbo-powered car, predated the Oldsmobile Jetfire Turbo, however by only a few weeks, thus being

6075-513: Was produced from 1954 until 1956. Bore was increased to 3.875 in (98.4 mm) (same as the later 283 Chevy ) and stroke remained the same at 3.4375 in (87.31 mm). Two-barrel carburetion was standard; all high performance 324s came with four-barrel carburetors. The 324 was shared with GMC trucks. The 1954 88 and Super 88 V8s used an 8.25:1 compression ratio for 170 and 185 hp (127 and 138 kW) and 295 and 300 lb⋅ft (400 and 407 N⋅m), respectively. The 1955 model upped

6156-457: Was released one year earlier than the tall deck 425, and debuted the standard 3.385 in (86.0 mm) stroke; bore was 3.938 in (100.0 mm). 330s were painted gold and had forged steel crankshafts. The 4-barrel versions had a larger diameter harmonic damper, the 2 barrel only a balancer hub without the rubberized outer ring. The 400 cu in (6.6 L) version was the second, tall-deck "big-block" Olds. Two distinct versions of

6237-533: Was to have been marketed as "Kettering Power" after chief engineer Charles Kettering , but company policy prohibited the use of his name. Instead, influenced by the Space Race between the United States and the USSR , the legendary Rocket was born, available in Oldsmobile's 88, Super 88, and 98 models. The engine proved so popular, the division's 88 models were popularly called Rocket 88s . From 1949 until 1951,

6318-564: Was up to 315 hp (235 kW), even though compression was down a quarter point, to 9.75:1. 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 1962-1964. Applications: The 1961 through 1963 Sky Rocket (and 1964 Rocket ) was a high-compression, four-barrel 394 cu in (6.5 L) engine. The 10:1 compression 1961 model produced 325 hp (242 kW) and 435 lb⋅ft (590 N⋅m), while

6399-400: Was used in the 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass "S", 1979 Hurst/Olds models and 1980 "4-4-2". The L34 used a 4-barrel carburetor and produced 170–190 hp (130–140 kW) and 295 ft⋅lbf (400 N⋅m). The 455 big block Olds V8 was replaced in 1977 with the 402.6 cu in (6.6 L; 6,598 cc) small block, which used a 4.351 in (110.5 mm) bore, the largest ever used in

6480-412: Was used on 1959–60 Pontiacs, 1959–64 Chevrolets, and 1961–64 Buicks. The B platform was the last platform design to have the gasoline tank filler port behind the license plate after 1958. Exceptions included all station wagons, as well as all 1961–64 cars (which had the tank filler in the rear fender on the driver's side) and 1965 Buicks (which had their fuel filler door above the license plate). Also,

6561-407: Was very similar to the Buick engine, but not identical: it had larger wedge combustion chambers with flat-topped (rather than domed) pistons, six bolts rather than five per cylinder head, and slightly larger intake valves; the valves were actuated by shaft-mounted rocker arms like the Buick and Pontiac versions, but the shafts and rockers were unique to Oldsmobile. With an 8.75:1 compression ratio and

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