I had to post an update!. We brought the '48 home yesterday. By the time we were finished and I got inside was just too tired to post anything that night. Mick and a highschool kid helped me pick it up. The old guy that owns the yard had the car ready in front of his property that morning. We backed up the trailer and he put a sling under the back of the Olds and pushed it up on the trailer. The right front brake was locked up with age and the wheel scrubbed all the way up. His wrecker was an old one and died more than twice but that thing has some torque! One time when the car didn't want to move he was actually moving the trailer and the pickup we hauled it with! Almost pushed the rear tires of the pickup off the ground. We were wondering how we would get the Olds off the trailer and decided to just tackle that when we got back. It turns out the wheel turned a little easier backwards than forwards. We hooked a heavy duty tow strap to the back axle of the Olds and the other end to the front crossmember of my '69 Dela and pulled the Olds right off the trailer like nothing! The engine in the '69 is going into the '48 eventually. I made some preliminary measuments and it should fit no problem. After manuevering the Olds back and forth to get it positioned in the driveway by using a couple of floor jacks, Mick and I had two or three hard ciders and talked for another hour about the '48 and his project ('40 Chevy). We finally both were tired enough to call it a night. Man what a day! I think Mick is going to post some pictures he took tomorrow morning. Maybe some of you could make some suggestions on the direction I might take. I think this may take a few years to finish. Well, better go for now....
No wonder your brain kicked into gear when you found this one! Anyway, I started coming to the area back in 1993 when my wifes aunt lived in Independence. Now she lives in Lees Summit! Are you anywhere near NE Browning Lane?" I have to drive 1,000 miles just to get to the closest White Castle"! I love those burgers fresh. Anyway, we are going to visit and stay a night with the aunt and then off to northeast of St. Joe this August. I wound'nt mind checking out your progress while the women are busy talking, heck I'd even bring the cold root beer! Gary 4T950 Chevy Guy
Mick, thanks for posting the picks, words just can't describe it. So, what do you all think??? Gary, Mick and I both live in SE Lees Summit, but I would guess we are no more than five minutes from your aunt's house. Sure, look us both up, you could also see Mick's '40 Chevy since you ARE a chevy guy . 816-524-5651, give me a call before you come out this way. Upon closer inspection of the car, someone tried to fill the seam on the driver's side back fender between the fender and the body with filler, don't know why?? The driver's side lower body panels (below the running board area) are damaged, maybe some lake pipes would fit well there. I didn't notice a crack in the driver's door window the first time I saw it but it isn't bad. The car has a six cylinder not an eight . But the 455 will go in there anyway. There is some rust through one side of the trunk floor behind the fender. And the chrome is pretty well peeled off especially on the front bumper, back isn't too bad. There is a lot to work with I think but it looks like this might turn into a two year project. Who knows? What about the differential on these cars, are they strong enough for a V8?
That's the same model as mine! Nice pick . I am keeping the stock rearend in mine, I've been told they are very stought. I checked my gear ratio, by turning the tire, and counting the drive shaft turns, the rear ratio seems to be very high(low numerically). Something you may want to check. I may be chopping mine, once I get the drive train done. Haven't decided if I'm up to all that work though
I sort of thought they might be the same. Good news to know about the differential. First thing I have to do is get the running gear solid and safe. As I said, one of the wheels are locked up. Thinking maybe a MII front.
If you decide to keep the stock front, I have the original lever action shocks(top A-arm), knuckles, and front drums. My car only had 32,000 miles, so they seem to be in good shape. Just if you may need them, we can work out a deal. I've been told, the original front suspension on those Olds, was pretty good, so the extra cost and effort for a MII, may not be necessary.
so maybe this is a 60's series car? you should take a pic of the vin plate on the firewall so we can cipher it.. given the radio delete plate. i bet it is the cheaper model??? I am almost certain that 455 will still fit.. In my car I actually built a new firewall forward of the original so I LOST about 6 inches of room in my car... and I could certainly still get a big block in there.. I think a 455 will fit well.. and althought I could be mistaken I thought denises car was an original 6 cyl car? as for the lower section of the driver side body panels.. are you talking about the area under the driver door? or are you talking about behind the driver door? if your talking about the bolt on extension under the driver door.. I Bought NOS running board extensions for my car from fusick .. the parts I am speaking of go under the door out at the outer edge of the body.. I believe that fusick still has more.. good luck OH BY THE WAY.. that radio delete plate in your car.. I was looking for one of those for ALONG time.. I forgot to mention in the email that i have 4 of the chrome strips that run down the center of the hood... I am not going to use any of them... sawzall
Yes, Sawzall is correct, mine is the '66 series and my 455 fits in there with plenty of room. I mailed a copy of 10 years worth of build-up materials for Project Big Olds. This will give you plenty of ideas of what can be done. Should be there today if you didn't get it over the weekend. As far as those fender extension rockers, even if they are completely trashed you should be able to make new ones fairly easy using what you have as a pattern. You've got what looks to be a solid start. If it's only those two things that you mentioned as surprises, then you did well my friend. Do it right from the start, even if it does take 2 years, you won't regret it. Cut corners and it will come back to bite you in the **** later. Big Olds is a 14 year build so far and he's still not done. (10 years with Just Steve and 4 years with me) If I can help in ANY way, just ask.
That is a BYOOTIFUL green! I Really like that color. I could see one two tone with a very light creamy green top. I did check the plate on the firewall the first two numbers are 76 with about four more digits after. That's why I think it's a 70 series but could be wrong. There was no plate on the front driver's side door post which is where my Oldsmobile book stated the other identification plate should be. I am talking about below the door, yes, the extension piece is missing/and the rest of the bottom of the door where the fender isn't and the small portion behind the door (rear quarter?) is all mangled. As if someone drove over a big piece of debris or maybe had a flat front tire and ditched the car along a dirt shoulder years ago. Who knows. It's good to know Fusicks has that part. Since I am going Kustom instead of restoration I considered the lake pipes but Denise you have a point, it would look nice corrected. I have seen some cars Kustomized with shaved Everything, liked them. But also like the chrome on the car as it is, especially the hood ornament and the door handles. I am thinking, first get the car safe, then transplant the engine so I can drive it some and have fun with it, that way I will stay motivated. finally, all the pretty stuff, body work, paint, upholstery, etc. Mick says, satin black w/ flames
Hello Olds Guy! That sounds great! So I get to see an Olds & a Chevy. That'll be great. I'll save the number & give you a call this summer. Thanks Again (By the way, back in 1989 my stock car was a 1974 Olds Cutl*** with the Olds 350. Got plowed into the wall - a month before season ended & still took 7th in point standings There were 2 of us with Olds Cutl***' & the rest Chevys in the top10) I'll bring along a picture or two of that one. Gary 4T950 Chevy Guy
Ok, The old skins are off the wheels, my son and I cleaned the wheels up and painted them with three coats of RustOleum safety yellow. Had some good rubber mounted and cleaned the hub caps with CLR (gets all that dingy s*** right off!). Mounted everything on the car and it looks 100% better. Bought a six volt battery and installed it, the horn works, the lights work, the engine turns over with the starter motor! I think some tune up work on the points will get it to fire. Not that I plan on keeping the six banger, but if it runs I might be able to sell it for a couple Ben Franklins anyway If I can get Mick to take a profile picture of it and post it maybe someone could photoshop wide whites on it...
Sounds cool Oldsguy! Hey, I have the straight six outa mine, maybe you could put em both side by side, and have a flathead V12 .
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