Two years ago I bought this Olds 88 coupe from a fellow HAMB member. A year ago I picked up a 1965 425 Olds motor ready to go. I have a couple of Muncie 4 spds,so one of them will wind up in this car. Been gathering up parts for the last 2 years,so I think I have all the major stuff everything I need. Looking forward to the project.I’m sure it will keep me busy (and out of trouble)for the next 7 or 8 months. Delivery night 49 Olds delivered 10 15 10 by Baron posted Sep 27, 2011 at 10:16 PM At the shop with the then "under construction" COE and the 5W waiting in the eves. Olds at shop 9 21 12 rs by Baron posted Sep 22, 2012 at 10:29 PM On its way to get the 1950 windshield installed tomorrow morning.
Looks like you have great start, What do you plan for front suspension? I have a 50 coupe (long sidelined) project, I am using a 68-74 Nova clip and a 455 Olds engine. The frame blends pretty well. Good luck with yours.
I am using an early Camaro(69 rear steer). I took some rough measurements and it looked like a good fit. After looking at your pictures, it looks like the "perfect match". Nice job on your chassis. And thanks for the pictures. Answers a few questions I had about the radiator support, frt bumper mounts etc. Perfect.
Baron, I cut the Olds frame at the point of taper that the Nova clip would slip through. With the front of the Olds X-member plated over and the Nova sub-frame tails mitered, it went right together. I like the rear steer unit because you can use the original Olds core support, hood latch pan etc. I used a 76 latch pan as they are cut out for the longer 6 cyl engine. You will probably have to dimple the Nova frame to clear the corners of the core support, and shorten and re-drill your front bumper irons. Here are some more shots of mine, the pics do not do the color (laser red) justice. Also, check out my "Rocket simulator", I am thinking of charging 50 cents for rides! BTW p.m. me if you need any Olds parts, I have some stuff.
Hey Marty. All good info. I have done probably a dozen or more front clips over the years. And as you know, every car is different, and usually by the time you do your second (or third) install on the same type vehicle, you have figured out the best way to install them. Your infomation will save me a ton of time and has already put my mind as ease on some of the problems I have wondered about. Your car looks great. Mine is going to look pretty much as it does today. The car came from northern CA, and is absolutely rust free. Has one coat of primer over the original Crest Blue paint. I'll reseal it at some point before I start driving it. Sometime in the future I will paint it, but it is a long way off. Like my 55 Chevy, I'll be able to drive this and park it anywhere and not worry about it. Thanks again for the information! HAMB members are the best !
Picked the car up last night. Butchie ("the Glassman"/ Saugus Glass) did a great job installing the windshield as always. I'll bring it back to my shop on Friday (getting its "spot" ready ) and the next step will be getting it ready to install the subframe. Love this part of the build.
Baron, When you get going on the rear suspension, you might want to look at 68-72 GM intermediate rear coils, There is a wide range of spring rates from a standard Chevelle to a Vista Cruiser wagon. They bolt in a 49-50 Olds using the hardware from your Olds, and lower the rear about 4 to 5 inches. When you lower the rear that much with the stock "truck arms", the rear wheel moves back in the wheel opening. I had to slot the arms and move my rear axle ahead 9/16". I used a 9" Ford rear end with all of the Olds brackets and biscuits. I stayed with the original arms, because of how they lift on launch, that is part of the legend of a "Rocket 88".
The Olds back in my shop and I worked yesterday and today getting everything ready for the subframe install. Dropped the subframe off to the blasters Friday,and if all my front end parts show up, next week at this time the subframe install will be complete. Marty. Thanks for all the information. No plans to have this car super low. Really want it to look like it would of back in the 50's ,just a little lower and a little rake.
Picked up the front end from the blaster today and gave it a quick coat of primer to keep it clean. Looking forward to starting the install on Friday. Marty , I just PM'd you with a couple questions when you get a chance. Thanks.
Thanks to the info and pictures from Marty, today went very smoothly. So far , everything is working out fine. Where I am leaving the stock brake and clutch pedals in there stock location, I will have to do a little surgery on the left rail on the subframe for pedal clearance. More pictures tomorrow night. The old front suspension removed. The Camaro clip ready for install. The Olds ready for the transplant.
Baron, I will send you pics of the motor mounts, I used the bolt in frame pieces and the engine mounts from a 73 Olds full size car. Use the forward set of holes on the block, weld flat plates on the back of the crossmember and bolt the frame brackets to the plates. Beautiful job by the way!
Finished the subframe install this week-end. Once again, thanks to Marty for the pictures and info. Took all the guess work out of it. Other than having to notch the Camaro front crossmember for radiator support clearance, everything lines up perfect. Front cross member and radiator support. Frames welded together. Welded to x-member and clearance for pedal assembly
Front bumper mount cut off , shortened and ready to weld to Camaro clip. Welded on and bumper reinstalled. Frame painted and inner splash shield tacked in place(will weld solid later).
Inner fender panels are cut and fit and bolted back on. Back in its spot looking like nothing has changed. Perfect.
I think I will install the steering column. I have a tilt column I bought out of a 63 Caddy and I think my stock Olds wheel is the same spline. Looks like one U-jt and either a rag joint ( or a Borgenson vibration damper) with a short connector shaft will take care of that.
Baron, It looks like it worked out good for you, The steering column I used in mine is a late 70's,early 80's Chevy van, they are 2" and I used the original u-bolt and a rag joint, it was a bolt in. Mine is a 400 Turbo and I needed a column shift, in your case with the 4-speed, if the Caddy unit doesn't work out, Chevy might have made some vans with a floor shift.
You doing an awesome job on the frame ... I envy you.... Cant do that heavy stufff no more..----- trying to do a lil repair from the hurricane another set back
61 or 2 oil change sticker ... Been laid up since around late 63---------ABOUT 39 K MILES LOOKS LIKE ON IT
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