Hello, im looking to do a power disk brake and 4 speed Muncie swap on my 56 olds 88. I have done a search and read a lot of threads on the 56 88 and I still have some questions. I understand I have to buy a adapter to run the Muncie behind the 324 but what can I use for a clutch pedal? Also what about linkage or should I use a hydraulic throwout bearing? I see there are a few options for the dick brake swap but I want to be sure I get a quality kit so any recommendations are appreciated. thank you.
Much easier to locate a 56 std car and get the clutch assmb. from it. Thought @F&J might see this and respond as he has the Olds books that ID which year would work besides 56. Might put a post over on the AACA forum in the Olds section as there are many Olds owners/restorers over there that might have a lead.
Clutch pedal is same for 54 to 56 Olds only, but there are a lot of other linkage parts and a bell crank on an original setup. These parts will be very hard to find, if not impossible. You most likely will need to make a pedal arm much like the ones made to fit under the floor on early Ford hotrods, then make a bracket to use a hydraulic clutch master cylinder. I would use an external slave rather than a hyd bearing. Hyd bearing always sound easier for inexperienced builders, but countless posts on here have shown many that either leak from over-extending, or frustration of finding the correct master to make it work properly. If you go with discs, you will need a power brake booster on that heavy car, and I don't know if there is enough room under the floor. All of the above won't be easy unless you have moderate or advanced fabrication skills, to not only make things fit, but to end up with a clutch and brake that works properly. One major thing on swapping to standard shift on a 56 Olds: If your car is a base model 88, it would have the older 4 speed Hydramatic that does have a pilot bushing in the crankshaft that you will need. But if it is a Super 88, it will have a Jetaway that does not have a drilled hole for a pilot bushing in the crankshaft end.
Thanks for the reply's. My plan is to get the car back up running and driving with the original drivetrain for now. But I have a 63 394 that will make its way into the car when I get the manual trans swap ironed out. The car is a super 88. I can handle some fabrication work, and what I cant do I am fortunate to have a very good hot rod builder a few miles away. Also does anyone know if the gas tank from the same year Buick work in my Olds? I would like to replace all the fuel lines and brake lines but I havnt had any luck finding replacements. I don't know how long the engine has been sitting but the previous owner put some oil in the spark plug holes to free up the engine. I plan on putting in a pertronix unit in the distributor and fresh plugs and wires. I would like to put an alternator on the car also as the generator is missing.
My son and I did a 455 and Turbo400 swap in his 55 Olds which included the addition of a power brake system. Although it is only one pedal you may find something of interest in his thread. He later did a drum to disc swap, don't think he did a thread on that. You could PM him but he is not on here much now. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...mobile-dual-mc-brake-and-booster-swap.991789/
Look for a post by Sir Whoosh (sp) from several years ago. I think he did the hanging pedals thing. I think.
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