manifold. The 303 was produced from 1949-1953. Bore was and stroke was . Cadillac used 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 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. The 303 was available from 1949 until 1953. From 1949 until 1951, the 2-barrel carburetor 303 produced and . 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 1949 Ford Flathead V8. 1952 88 and Super 88 V8s used a 4-barrel carburetor for and , while 4-barrel 1953 versions raised compression from 7.5:1 to 8.0:1 for and . Applications: 1949–1953 Oldsmobile 88 1949–1953 Oldsmobile 98 1952–1953 Oldsmobile Super 88 324 The version was produced from 1954 until 1956. Bore was increased to (same as the later 283 Chevy) and stroke remained the same at . 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 and , respectively. The 1955 model upped the compression to 8.5:1 for and in the 88 and and 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 on it. By late 1956, many Olds dealers learned about the problem. Compression was up again in 1956 for and in the 88 and and in the Super 88 and 98. Applications: 1954–1956 Oldsmobile 88 1954–1956 Oldsmobile Super 88 1954–1956 Oldsmobile 98 371 Making its debut in 1957 as standard equipment on all Olds models,