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Projects 1956 Super 88: "Elizabeth" gets a heart transplant

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by jakespeed63, Jan 2, 2021.

  1. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    Hey folks, just can't seem to get away from these Oldsmobile projects. My damn 1964 98 project ain't even done yet...
    "Elizabeth" came into my life 7 years ago, with a frozen motor. Try as I might, just couldn't free up this Rocket 324. a full overhaul was recommended. At that time, even had access to a whole 'nother 324 engine to build. Owner had no spare cash, so back in the garage it went. About 6 weeks ago, he says she's gotta go, after being in same family since new. Elizabeth, his great aunt, received the car as a present, from her husband. apparently he had a successful ice business, in Iowa.
    She served the family well, over the years. Seller remembers being picked up from school in this car, as a kid. It spent some time in D.C. in early 90's, before making her way to Orlando. Funny thing, besides the great aunt, his Mother and sister were both named Elizabeth. Guess what, my Grandmother and middle sister both named Elizabeth. Was meant to be.
    Any-who, somewhere between all the coincidences, my love of cl***ic Oldsmobile's and a price I couldn't p***-up, she came home with me.
    So, fast forward to last week. My car club brother runs across a fully rebuilt 1974 Olds 350/350 combo, for sale on FB marketplace. Guy is willing to trade a vintage motorcycle. We just so happen to have a basket case 305 Honda Dream resto-project, at our workshop, that fit the bill. Today Flip(yes his actually name) was kind enough to bring the engine to the shop, so we could both inspect the merch' Long story short, he left with a bike and I scored a new engine for Elizabeth.
    What makes this deal even better, is his partner is an expert in those bikes...and, this engine used to reside in Flip's 1951 Oldsmobile 88. He gave me all the parts to make it fit, except for trans cross-member. Sometimes, you meet the nicest people in this hobby.
    Engine is a fully rebuilt 1974 350, aluminum intake, Quadrajet, Mallory dist., "RV" cam, double row timing chain and stock bore. Only has less than 10,000 miles on block, this was a fresh rebuild 5 years ago and never installed. Owner decided to go the Street Rod route with his car. TH350 has also been fully built with mild shift kit, even came with a driveshaft, but not sure '51 and '56 are the same length.
    Also scored a much better steering wheel, from a separate FB marketplace vendor. noticed they are available from e-bay and Fusick for around $300 clams, but this was only $100.

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  2. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    Short term plans call for:
    • remove old Rocket 324 and hydro trans(both available $$, for local pick-up, PM me)
    • detail engine bay
    • fab engine and trans mounts
    • rebuild brake system as needed.
    • sort all electrical systems.
    • detail interior, perform minor repairs
    • 2 additional wide white walls
    • fender skirts
    • buff existing paint
    • possible lowering kit.
    • enjoy
    • (everything's for sale at the right price)
     
  3. Greg Rogers
    Joined: Oct 11, 2016
    Posts: 1,053

    Greg Rogers
    Member

    That will make a really cool cruiser. Olds in a Olds, what's better?
     
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  4. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    Greg, those fake Rocket Olds valve covers, on SBC’s make my skin crawl


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  5. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    FINALLY cleared the shop lift and got her inside and up in the air.
    Floors and frame look great/solid. Probably result of the years of oil leaks.
    Rockers inside and out a bit crusty and should be replaced
    Unsure if I’ll get into them. Staying focused on running and driving. 63734193784__04C6E397-0ECD-4ACA-BDE2-73D3D05EB68B.JPG
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  6. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    Flip, whom sold me the engine, dropped off his home made front mount/cradle
    Looks like it will make installing the 350 a snap
    The trans crossmember I’ll have to fab myself. But with the “X” frame shouldn’t be difficult


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  7. 57JoeFoMoPar
    Joined: Sep 14, 2004
    Posts: 6,507

    57JoeFoMoPar
    Member

    Looks like you're off to a great start!

    While you have the engine out, you should address the steering too. Much easier then!
     
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  8. JC Sparks
    Joined: Dec 8, 2008
    Posts: 733

    JC Sparks
    Member
    from Ohio

    My Grandfather had one just like it in the early 60's. It was black & white 2 tone. When I saw that pic of the interior I could smell that interior of his old Olds.
     
  9. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    What do I need to know about the steering??
    Hopefully mating the Cutl*** 350 pump to the ‘56 p/s box
    Will this be a problem??
    One thing’s for sure, the header tube will need some help
    Flip “m***aged” it to fit his ‘51 Olds ch***is


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  10. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    Whipped up this little walk around video. Actually made some headway Saturday. Underneath stuff all loosened/unbolted. No surprise all exhaust bolts required use of the blue wrench
    Radiator weighs a ton, but appears to have been redone and in good condition. Taking hood off gonna require 2 men and a small boy.



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  11. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

  12. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

  13. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

  14. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    Made a little progress today. Stripped off top of engine to investigate cause of not turning and lighten the load. Dammit Man that trans and short block gotta weigh close to 500lbs??
    Can’t imagine what the whole enchilada tips the scales at??
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  15. Greg Rogers
    Joined: Oct 11, 2016
    Posts: 1,053

    Greg Rogers
    Member

    Looks like you made a good choice to replace that 324. Odd how it seems to look good on the outside but so trashed and rusty inside!
     
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  16. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    Greg, I thought the same thing, but sitting in a closed up tight Florida garage was possible the worst thing
    So much humidity
    Also noticed new water pump and radiator
    Did she blow a headgasket at some point????[emoji848][emoji848]


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  17. klilek
    Joined: Sep 19, 2018
    Posts: 11

    klilek

    There is a lot going on there. Keep up the good work!!!
     
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  18. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

  19. AHotRod
    Joined: Jul 27, 2001
    Posts: 12,340

    AHotRod
    Member

    What a score brother!
    Your going have a great cruiser... could be your daily driver if you wanted it to be.
     
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  20. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    Excuse the ****py pictures. Managed to drop the 350 combo into the ch***is today.
    No way in hell that left side exhaust is going to work. Power steering box clearance is very tight. May have to resort to a set of stock exhaust manifolds. And raising engine up a bit.
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  21. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    Wow, last post all the back in April. Amazing how time flies by. Elizabeth had to take a back seat, while I was involved in a few other cars at the shop, selling my '64 Olds 98 to buy a Corvair Greenbrier Van and dealing with a sick wife and building a studio in the backyard for said wife. Don't ya hate it when that 9-5 job gets in the way of doing stuff??
    So she's back on the lift and making some progress with engine install. Had a new driveshaft made, which helped me position the engine in the ch***is. Trying to locate all the accessories like pulleys, brackets and p/s pump. Actually found a couple members that have what I need.
    Racked my brain with ideas to mount this engine, and have settled on buying a cradle style mount from Speedway. With a little slicing and dicing, it may just work.
    Happy New Year everyone.
    JT
     
  22. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

  23. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    ...and if all of life's distractions aren't enough, got a call from an old Hot Rod friend up in Cleveland. His health is poor and he wants me to come up and clean out his garage. Super cool details to come.
     
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  24. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    With some help from friend and coworker Eric, we finished the fabrication and installation of engine and transmission cradles. May not win any Ridler Awards, but it’s strong, straight and tuff.
    So excited to get past this part of the build. Now onto stuff I can handle easily.
    P/S pump, pulleys and brackets on their way from the boys at French Lake Auto Parts.
    Our annual Groundhog Gala gathering is February 5th. Going to shoot for having this in attendance 6AE57309-8596-4CB9-940A-D46AC046DE5F.jpeg A28C8FD7-9FB7-45F3-BA5F-68C41ECB4BB5.jpeg 6B2CDB13-DAC1-4BF8-9380-2D155278965C.jpeg 0714B45E-63D8-4626-A6DE-9AE4BF7B70B2.jpeg 6B1AA597-01C3-46AD-9FB1-C24270DD8E49.jpeg 6BE71AE9-FBAB-49F0-AAE3-8BE2462C5FC1.jpeg C156E260-8797-4FAF-A82A-964E7C96C441.jpeg 12AEC658-7623-431C-A785-A53B9A47FB61.png
     
  25. 57JoeFoMoPar
    Joined: Sep 14, 2004
    Posts: 6,507

    57JoeFoMoPar
    Member

    I like the way you used a crossmember for the front mounts. Clean install
     
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  26. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    '57 Joe, thanks because I lay awake countless evenings and stared at it for hours trying to come up with a solution. (OCD syndrome)
    Got a really nice mount/crossmember with the engine, but simply would not work with a '56. It was designed to work in his '51 Olds.
    Thought about pie-cutting/slicing and dicing the left side, to match the frame better, but hated to ruin the perfect piece of tubing and once again, not building a show car.
     
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  27. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,861

    goldmountain

    Since you are not too keen on those SBC Olds valve covers, what do you think of grafting the old Olds valve covers on the later Olds?
     
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  28. jakespeed63
    Joined: May 1, 2005
    Posts: 2,867

    jakespeed63
    Member

    Nah, got bigger fish to fry.
     
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  29. 1952henry
    Joined: Jan 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,591

    1952henry
    Member

    Wowsers, that is crusty. It is a shame that is so far gone. Like the progress, though. Best wishes.
     
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  30. nochop
    Joined: Nov 13, 2005
    Posts: 4,595

    nochop
    Member
    from norcal

    Or just add those 303 valve cover spark plug doo-hickies.
     
    loudbang likes this.

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