Customs I just picked up a 1946 Oldsmobile project

I just picked up this solid 1946 Oldsmobile project. This car lived in a garage across the street for the last couple of years. The chance to buy it came up and I jumped at it. Not sure of the Plans yet. Leaning towards a mild custom. Lower a couple of inches and make it able to drive highway speeds. Might not be the easiest with the stock straight eight that is in there. So I will probably be looking for a motor trans swap. I really am digging the great body lines on this car. I definitely want to paint it as I don't like the "patina" look. Many cars deserve to be saved but this one I think is a little too far gone.

 

A friend made his early 50's Buick straight eight freeway friendly with an automatic overdrive transmission.

 

That car looks extremely solid. No rust in the usual places (that I can see), and the trim on the drivers side looks real good. That puts you ahead of the game.

As to highway friendly, I don't know much about Oldsmobile straight eights except they are 257 cubic inches. I have a 255 merc in my '51 Ford with no overdrive and 3.55 gears, and it will cruise all day at 65. I can't believe that Olds is much heavier than the Ford, and it looks more aerodynamic. I would think a little head work, a better ignition, and upgraded carburation would make that a decent highway cruiser.

BTW, Hydra-matic or stick?

 

I have a couple of books for '48 Oldsmobile, 1 is body parts and the other is chassis. They are old, worn & dirty. If you'd like them, pm me. I'd donate them to your cause if they'd be of any help. I googled 48 Oldsmobile images and they look close to yours.

 

Cool project.. I like your plan.. I really like the fastback look....

 

The car is an automatic Hydromatic drive. I will see if the engine runs and then decide what to do for engine and so on. Here is a few more pictures!

 

The potential's there..just add motivation, time and dollars.
Good luck!

 

Though you aren't "preserving" it, you ARE saving it! Looking forward to following your progress.

 

One more of the engine.

 

Saved one of those from the crusher many years ago, still sitting in my storage building and will probably be there when I die?

 

I'll follow along as I have a '47 Buick Sedanette I'll have to get to one of these days.

 

BTW, I agree with you on the "patina thing".

 

When you go to pull the wheels remember the driver side lugs are left hand thread .

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Found a little gas leak .pulling the tank.
This is a 48 66 series . had it since 1978.
Can't help with st8 . but can help with putting in a later old's v8 and auto,if interested.

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1957: At 15 years of age, I worked at the best garage in town. Boss told me to 'snap the head off that '46 Olds, get ready to give it a valve job'.
At 90 lbs. soaking wet, when I lifted the head off the block, I was severely 'over-centered'. Went over the fender head first into the engine room...
Boss's partner pulled me out by the feet, and I never let go of the head! Whew!

 

That’s a fantastic car to start with. A mild custom would be my way to go with the car

 

Here's one that belongs to a customer of mine. Just for a little inspiration. I know it's a Buick but their kissing cousins.


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Nice score John! I see why you snatched it up.... the review committee assembled now to put them to work.
Well by the looks of the trunk you may have already

 

Thanks for the Heads up. I have a '61 Dodge Lancer wagon that has the same left hand threads on the lugs. I would probably break one off trying to pull one off if I didn't know. The possibility of running a later olds engine in it is pretty appealing. I am excited to get a nice smooth big car for longer road trips. My banger powered A isn't very comfortable after an hour or two on the road.

I didn't expect this much interest in this car. Does anybody know about the availability of parts like brakes and suspension components? Are they difficult to find? I haven't began looking for parts yet. How are the drum brakes given they are in good repair and adjusted?

 

I had the crew to push the car home. It literally had to come from across the street. maybe about 150 feet total. I ended up with more help than necessary. I think some of them just wanted to see the new project. @winduptoy are you and Rick going to make the Hill Climb in about a month? I hope to see you down there.

 

John, don't know about Rick but I am planning to be there

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Same body as my Olds 46 sedanette, model 76 (Straight 6) Dynamic Cruiser however spears on your front fenders aren't 46 but 47/48, check your data plate for style as prefix indicates YOM. 76/8 was the intermediate 'B' body, 'A' bodies were 66s with 'C' bodies being 98s. Yours is a 78 (Straight 8). Wrap around rear bumpers give it away as a 'B' body. 'A' and ''C' body parts won't interchange with 'B' body however some may.

• 1946 - OLDSMOBILE name in an oval recess in the fender molding;
• 1947 - OLDSMOBILE name in the molding but not in oval recess as per '46; and
• 1948 - Plain chrome molding without Oldsmobile name.

1946-1947, triangular emblem with grill blocks and full chrome grill. Rubber gravel shields on rear fenders


1948, circular emblem with no grill blocks and painted lower grill tray. S/S gravel shields on rear fenders


Serial:- 76-******
Style:- 46-3607 1946 - YOM et al, 3607

OEM Hydramatic emblem with '8' cylinder emblem on trunk

1946

1947
1948
Some inspiration

 

https://books.google.com.au/books?i...MzAC#v=onepage&q=1947 Oldsmobile trim&f=false

 

Thanks @mgtstumpy That information is fantastic! I will have to check my Data plate and figure out what exactly it is. Title says 46 but who knows.

 

for a big ass car, you need a big ass chevy engine with a 400 tranny, good luck on your project

 

yep, Cool body style - obvious that there is a lot of hours & dollars needed to get it right no matter what you do if you keep it

 

If chance it's a 46 with 47/48 fender spears I've got similar data here. I bought a workshop manual to assist with my car, invaluable and worth it.
I'm onboard to watch things progress; mine's ten (10) years in the making and finally a lot closer to being finished.
If there is a 'D' suffix after 47-3607 it's a deluxe, hence the rear seat centre arm rest and other additions.

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I have some experience with 455 Oldses; this engine with 400 Turbo Hydro transmission is excellent, package is very 'torquey', ideal for the 'heavier cars'.
The late 'Doctor Olds' ( Joe Mondello) made a name in SBC head porting/ angle porting/ re-designing, then turned to Oldsmobile performance, in which once again, he excelled. His 'factory' was/ still is located in Paso Robles, CA.
The Mondello Co. will provide you with the complete book to Oldsmobile Performance, along with a supplement. I recommend it, a better parts source is non-existent.

 

Any progress updates?