I'm a 394 guy at heart, but economics prevail and the 394 rebuild will be steep. You can always keep it around and do it up later. I freshened up my first one in my '64 88 back in 1973, lol. Does the 455 come with a TH400? That would be an upgrade on the Slim Jim especially if that needs to be gone through as well. Bob
Front drums and brakes are off. Steering column is out. Firewall is nearly cleared. Most of the inside trim is out... Front carpet is now out.
That was at the heart of my decision. 455 is complete from pan to air cleaner. Has all accessories, includes the 400 trans, with the driveshaft.... The engine has been rebuilt in the last 5000 miles, and it runs like a top. Even if the 394 were usable, it has a ton of accessories on it that would need rebuilt too, and plugs and wires, and... and... The list goes on. Monetarily, it is an easy decision. Basically the price of engine and trans plus mounts and a driveshaft.
Wow, just weeks ago this was a complete car.... now it's all kinds of dismantled. Seems like you're all over the place on this thing. Wouldn't it be better to work on it one section at a time. ie. brakes, suspension, engine swap, then head towards the interior? Just a observation, I know sometimes things get lost and it takes up way more space to store all the parts separately rather than in one place on the car.
Well, this ride in my opinion was in a precarious state. Sitting since 87, and out of its barn tomb earlier this year, the interior is rotten due to mice. Floors have lost their paint, and they are solid but have rust. Rockers are the same. Underside frame is solid but has heavy rust. If it doesn't get torn down now and addressed, the car would be swiss cheese in a short period of time. Those who are familiar with me know I move fast and I like to tackle big projects in a short period of time. This one will be no different. Basically, there is no way with the smell I could leave the interior, and the carpet was just soaked. Not with wanting my kids to be able to enjoy time in the car as well. No way I could let that stay for long. There would be no floors left. Scary part, is that I could have been alot further along if I had an air compressor that I could use right now. I am going to have to build me an extension cord to work with my compressor from a spare dryer outlet in the house. I just can't wait for my tax check. Lots of parts going to be bought.
Ok... Well, today, I found rust. I finished taking the roof rail trim off from around the flat top, and guess what. It was pretty rotten underneath. The driver's side is the worst. Then, when the lower rear window trim came off, there was extensive rust underneath. Someone help me out, my guess is there is a patch panel made for that one. As far as the roof, since there really is just 4 posts holding it up. I am thinking the easiest way to fix it is to weld on a new one that isn't rusty. Thoughts? Anyone done it?
I really dont have any other better pics. Theres some snow on it now. If theres anything you really need just let me know.
Have you ever checked out "Jack's Auto Ranch", just east of Johnson Creek Wi.? They have ALOT of 1940's - 1960's cars in the junkyard. Also, the roof is probably the same as any 1959 - 1960 G.M. flattop sedan.
Mike it's good to see you on another project. I met you and your wife and daughter at the Tulsa Belvedere show...you had the green pickle at that time. The Olds should be a nice cruiser. Good luck with the roof....maybe roadster time.
Well, a roof I found turned out to be just as rusty as the one I had.... But I found nice fenders, inners and some other miscellaneous parts. Going to have to find another roof though.
Man, I threw away a top for one a few years back. If it helps you any, you can pull one off any of the 1959-60 4-door hardtops except for like 2 models - Caddy, Chevy, Buick, Pontiac.. well, if you find a good Pontiac just ship me the whole damn thing. We do have a few of them but I'm betting they're not much better under the trim. I can peek if you want next time I get up there. That other '59 doesn't look like a parts car, I'd have swapped a coupe for it... Also, the '59 trans is NOT a "Slim-Jim" - those pieces of **** didn't come about until 1961. '59 is a dual-coupling Hydramatic and those are a pretty decent trans. 4 speed at that.
My roof is solid. The floor is rotted out of my car but the roof is solid. I f you are interested im sure we can figure somthing out.
A heads up for ya; the 98 is 3 inches longer (in the rear floors) than the 88 so your roof will need to come from another 98, big Buick (Electra?) or Cadillac. Pontiac and Chevy didn't use the longer body. Or use the middle of your old one to stretch a shorter one..
WHAT?? You mind putting a tape to that? I've never heard of that, not saying you're wrong, just saying I've had both and the parts from my 98 worked fine on my 88. Where's the the extra at?
I gots a Chevy one and the one on my car. I will measure it and let you all know, but everyone has told me that I could use any of them. I would like to know where the extra 3 inches comes from. I was thinking it might be the rear bumper for part of it....
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