OK – I’m in that purgatory between “FNG” and “Newbie”, and I’ve tried to contribute, asked a few questions, and pissed off someone with enough clout to get me banned for sure (all good now) – but I’ve yet to really ask a “HAMB How To” question. So here it goes Got a ’55 Olds 88 2 door post – super solid, super straight – really only needs to be blocked and painted to be perfect…Zero rust The car has a ’57 Olds 371 and a factory 3 speed syncromesh. I’d like to make it a ‘mild’ custom with that lowered “Stance” that is frequently talked about here. I don’t have the cash to get into bag systems, Fat Man front ends, etc. This is a ‘get my feet wet in HAMBing” project. So my question is, can I just install (i.e. replace) the spindles with lowered ones (***uming they make them), and modify/replace the rear springs to lower the stance, or am I way oversimplifying things? I know you folks are typically helpful about this stuff, but I’m also bracing for the sarcasm and cynicism (both of which I love about this siteSo – where do I start?
S-10 frame swap. Simple. Just kidding! Cool project. If you put "lower 55 olds" in your thread ***le you'll get more helpful viewers. Newbie.....
Oversized text Oversized text Oversized text Yep change your ***le Edit, go advanced , and have at it.
My 56 was a low buck rod with a 57 371 and a early 4 speed hydro. sold it for $2800 AND MADE MONEY. I cut 1 1/2 coils out of the front and home made 3 inch blocks in the rear. gas shocks and radial tires and rode and drove like stock
Awesome car - what do you mean by "home made 3 inch blocks" - how does this lower the car? Please forgive what I'm sure is a stupid question.
Yup, that's all you need to do. Cut a coil or more, and lowering blocks. Luckily, the Olds' have a pretty good kick-up in the rear, so they ride relatively well, when lowered.
If you don't piss off someone on here daily, you are not contributing...!!! I used three inch blox in the rear of my '55 Caddy...didn't affect the ride.. As for the front, I went a bit farther than you are, I used a '78 Pontiac Trans Am sub frame...with a heavy sway bar...fit like it was made for it...and am using stock TA coils...a bit on the heavy side but they work fine... Wanna see my build? Go here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329070&highlight=the+best+55+caddy+build There's about 40 pages now... R-
If you're not familiar, "lowering blocks" go in between the rear axle and the rear leaf springs. The leaves are under the axle, so putting a block (basically a spacer) between the axle and the leaves effectively lowers the car the height of the block. If your shocks mount directly to your axle, you may have to find shorter shocks. If they mount to the plate under the leaf springs, then you don't have to worry about that. Lowering blocks are available on eBay, through Speedway Motors, even AutoZone carries them. They'll come with longer replacement U-bolts to install them. A pretty simple thing that you can do in your driveway. As for the front springs, it's as simple as removing each coil, cutting off one turn of the spring (depending on how low you want to go) and replacing them back into the stock location. Again, if you take a lot of front spring out, you may have to find shorter shocks. But one turn off of the spring (which should give you about a 2" drop) should still be OK. A hard day's work and about $30 should do the job.
LOL, at your ***le..... You would think we're a bunch of sharks around here..... The best way to lower your olds is to put it on a trailer and lower it into my driveway, OK?
Glad you started this post. I'm planning on doing the same thing to lower the rear of my '56. Yeah it needs to be lower right? Shouldn't be too hard to do, but since I almost drive it daily now, I'll have to plan carefully. Please don't be afraid to share your progress with us! We're not all that bad
I would'nt want a bag system on that car anyway... somebody surely has cut coils and kept the suspension geometry nice and driveable.... I personally like the more traditional methods than bags and compressors etc. .... just my two cents..
Love that '56 - Got a '55 Holiday Sedan in the works as well - too many cars, too little time, never enough $$
if you've never seen a set of lowering blocks in person, PM me and make arrangements to visit my shop (since you're probably close) and i can show you how they're installed in my ford. not an olds, but same principle.
Thanks, man! I like the collection in your garage. You got 4 '55 Olds? That's just awesome! Please create an album in your profile, and share some pics of your rides. I got a sweet spot for Oldsmobiles myself. But my collection is not nearly as big. Yet.
Well, the Four '55's isn't as glorious as it sounds. Only one is presently on the road (my daily driver - four door sedan - rattle can special). My 2 door sedan is the one I'm asking about here. I then have 2 holiday sedans (4 door hardtops) in various stages of restoration. They will all get there - just takes the time I dont have.
agreed on the lowering blocks for the back. but for the front you might look at fatman fabrications(or other aftermarket companies). i think they have dropped uprights/spindles for that car(forgive me, i didn't know if the olds was like the buick and still had kingpin suspension by that year) Mine for my 56 buick were right around $400. I know that's pretty spendy, but they don't screw with the geometry of the front suspension. And your alignment shop wont kill you, or charge you an arm and a leg. I cut the coils on an "off topic" truck of mine, and payed dearly at the shop to have it aligned, and he could only get it "close." so eventually i ate through my tires too. All in all, it would have been cheaper to get dropped spindles for that truck.
One could cut from the front will allow the front end to be aligned without any trouble. Funny this Old thread turned up...they have always been dear to me. My first two drivers at age 16 were a '53 88 and a '57 88. Last night, at the local cruse-in, one of my old buddies related how the dealer he worked for during the 1950's would order '57 88 wagons with J-2 set-ups and 3 speed manual transmissions... and only in dusk rose with vintage white two tones. They sold as soon as they hit the lot... we both wondered where all those cool old wagons were today!
"Back in the day" I had a 56 2dr post with the factory 3 on the tree. What we did was drill out the "A" arms and use big "J" bolts and washers to pull down the coils. Totally reversible/adjustable by removing/moving the J bolts. Of course back then J bolts were made in the USA and trustworthy.
Thanks for the offer - yes, I'm close (Rumford) - when I get closer to doing this, I'll definately take you up on it.
Very cool! Thanks for taking the time, to post up all the pictures. Seems like you got a lot of work ahead of you, but isn't that half the fun
I've spent the better part of the last 5time years researching and collecting parts. I've also gotten all the chrome done for the 2 door and the S88 hardtop...even the window frames. So all the pieces are in place, kids are out of diapers, and most of my home improvement is done (which included my 4 car garage/shop) so progress should be more visible soon..and yes the work is the fun
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