Hi Guys, Just got this, prior owner passed on, wife/kids didn't want it.....really nice O/T Olds big block, TH400... had 13 year old tires on it, replaced those fresh oil change new battery issues: nice seat covering but springs foam are saggy some play in steering, looks like original style 5083903 Saginaw steering box, there's a set screw on top with lock top for adjusting (lash?)....it has a few inches side to side on center but the box itself is clean/nice looks rebuilt.... no seat belts, putting those in next week can't wait to get it on the road!
Play in the steering is usually the sector shaft adjustment, as you mentioned '' there's a set screw on top with lock top for adjusting (lash?)'' Back off the lock nut on the set screw, and with the box centered, rock the steering while slowly tightening the screw (inwards) when all the freeplay has gone, (don't over tighten) lock up the nut..
My 1st car was supposed to be a '56 Olds 88, $80 from a friend who was going into the Navy. I was 18. The day I was to go get it, he calls me and says that the engine is seized. Like an idiot, I believed him and passed on it. Someone comes by to look at it... it had a green connection at the starter. Cleaned it up, gave it a jump and it started. Away it went, still kick myself in the ass almost every day since.
Familiar story! I was 12 years old, and my dad had a '54 Olds Holiday 98, red and white like the OPs new acquisition. One day, it wouldn't start. My dad was not a car guy, he just needed to get to work. He bought another car, a '62 Rambler wagon. He traded the Olds for a set of tires to put on the Rambler. The guy he traded with shows up, does some fiddling, disconnects the power window wires going through the driver side door, she fires up and the guy drives away. My dad was not happy. It was a beautiful car, and there's a soft squishy place in my heart for the mid 50s Oldsmobiles.
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