Just took possession of my "new" car today. Gave it a quick bath. Going up on jackstands tomorrow. My plans are to clean it up a bit and drive it. Motor is not stuck, was started every few years. 3 spd on column with 303/2 barrel carb.
Looks like a solid start. Good luck with your project. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
What a great car, looks in excellent original condition. The 3 speed trans is rather rare. They were a rugged well made car, you shouldn't have much trouble putting it back in commission.
My first 53 Olds was a 88 2 door sedan that also had the plastic dash knobs and painted dash trim,it had a automatic trans but nothing else. No radio,clock or any other accessory lights and definately no power brakes and steering,the only option was the automatic trans.
On the bottom alright with that stick shift... Not too many of these left, any model, but a stick even more so. Have fun...
Made some progress today. Used Naval jelly on the bumpers. 2 15 minute treatments on the front, 1 treatment on the rear. Got the old Sears tires removed today. They had 95% tread remaining, slam full of cracks.
Good lookin ole ride! I like using SOS pads on bumpers etc. like that, then touch up with silver (chrome) paint in the areas where chrome is missing, then go back over with SOS pad and clean any access paint overspray off actual chrome and kind of blend it all together, It wont look perfect but will look better and pretty good on a budget.
Got the engine fired up yesterday! Found a bad wire, no juice to coil, the wire from key is bad.Ran a cheater tank to byp*** the fuel tank, had 45-50 lbs oil pressure at idle. Upgraded to a newer coil, the old one was reading about 7500 ohms. The engine likes the new coil! Very pleased.
I had one of those back in the early 60s. Got it as payment for cleaning up a co-workers yard. It was a fun car.
Fresh tires. The carb threw me off a bit. Thought it was supposed to be a Rochester but apparently these were subs***uted. Cleaning this carb up now, but if it doesn't work out, I've got a Rochester.
The 2-barrel engines came with a Carter type WGD number 2015s. Your pictures do not show the tag, but carb appears original. The 4-barrel engines came with either Carter WCFB or Rochester 4-GC. The Carter WGD's are great carbs. If you keep the engine with a 2-barrel, keep the WGD. Jon.
Thanks for all the encouragement guys. Tearing down the carb now, the leather on the pump was shot. while I am doing that, I thought I'd just as well check out the tank. It needs WORK. I'll say one thing about this Olds, it's a cinch to work on compared to newer cars. I had the tank off in less than 10 minutes. Off topic car (firechicken) took 3 plus hours.
Thanks for that info Jon! PS I just looked at your location. I am moving to your area soon. Very likely within 50 miles of you. Just waiting on my property to close in NC.
The only good thing my old man did in his life was to buy a '53 Olds Super 88 2 door sedan new. Back in those days, it was the fastest stock car around. I was not old enough to drive, but my older brother was. I cannot tell you how many Fords, Chevy's and Mercury's we left in the dust. Neat car and do it justice.
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