Just discovered this site about a week ago and it is very informative. I have been working on a 68 442 for about a year total frame off and just finished the paint. Not my first rebuild I finished (as much as they ever get) a 65 Chevy pickup a couple of years ago and have a late model TA with a few go fast goodies and custom paint. Finally realizing my dream of building a classic muscle car and happy I chose Oldsmobile. Hopefully I can contribute to the site and learn some along the way.

 

Welcome aboard!! This is THE place to learn about Olds,as members here have just about every model ever made.The 68 was a fine machine..was the first Olds I owned.Practice on it,and when you`re serious about muscle cars,get a 69 and join the huge crowd of 69èrs on this site!! Send some pics of your work so far...Derek..69 442 post

 

Welcome aboard

Glad you chose to join the group. Don't let Derek kid ya. We got 'em from every year possible and every size and shape.

 

68's are great cars and we can always use a little more knowledge on the site.

 

Hey guys thanks I tried to upload some pics but it didn't work I will try again when I get some time. I have to do all large files at work because I have dial up at home and the internet time is limited here. I did make more progress over the weekend color sanded and buffed some of the car and repaired and painted many interior pieces.

 

Found some time on lunch break I will try to get some before pics also. I took these with my phone so the qaulity isn't the best. Keep in mind I do 99% of my own work so it isn't perfect but it looks good and keeps my budget intact.

 

here are some before pics and a pick of my pickup (65 c-10).

 

Looks like a real nice project. Welcome to the board.

 

jj1965 I am moving your thread to the major build & projects forum. Keep us up to date with your build and pictures. Great job to date

Pat

 

Welcome to our site. I am sure your 442 will be awsome. That truck is as straight as an arrow. I wish I had a huge work shed like that where I could put a rotissere.

 

Thanks citcap. That rotissere actually belongs to a friend but the shop is mine! Very valuable on a restoration, it is good to have a group of friends that you trust and can borrow or loan tools to seems like the list is always to small though

 

Welcome. Nice to have another '68 member on the boards. What color did you paint it? Looks like the rare Toronado Cinnamon color.....

 

I think I gotta chubbie for da chebby. Love that truck, and very nice 68. Welcome to the site.

 

The color is called Mayan Gold it is in the Omni line from PPG. It does resemble the color that you are talking about. The top will be black above the chrome strip for something a little different. Thanks for the compliments on both the truck and the Olds I will try to take more pics as I build and post them.

 

Nice, we need more 68's and welcome.

 

Lookin' good! Has anyone ever told you, you look like a cat?!

 

With fleas.

 

Hey guys thought I would post an update and a couple of pics. I colorsanded the doors trunk and fenders and installed them over the weekend and also started putting on the stainless trim. Painted alot of interior parts and started on the wiring and installing some of the dash items. I reinstalled the inner fenders but they have a little more wear and tear than I would like I tried painting them with truck bed coating but it doesn't look as good as I want. I might purchase new ones but I would rather spend the money on interior and engine parts and maybe buy them later. I also polished the bumpers but I picked up the wrong size cariage bolts and it was time to go to work. I will post more pics when I get more done will probably be a couple of weeks starting to get behind around the house.

 

Nice car--and I like those wrinkle slicks...

 

coming along nicley. Like the paint

 

I'm doing a 1968 Cutlass, not 442, but that's looking good man. I wish I had all those skills to pull off my own body work and a rotisserie for pulling the body. Oh, and a huge shop like that would be nice. haha

 

Looking really good.

If you need to buy new seat covers or door panels, go with Legendary Auto Interiors. I was not pleased with the '68 PUI covers. Dimples weren't nearly deep enough in the pattern on the vinyl.

Also, I'm sure you know but now Fusick and The Parts Place have the correct front armrest backing plates with the ribs. Also, the Parts Place has reproduction headlight and winshield wiper ***** that are quite nice for the '68.

 

and in mortal danger

 

Thanks for the tip on the interior parts. I had noticed that Fusick had the armrest parts but I haven't looked at the Legendary Auto for the seat covers I will check them out. I did paint the hood this week and installed the rear bumper, the bumper needs rechromed but I will save that for last and spend the money on gettting the car running. I didn't mention this before but the car hasn't been tagged since 1978, it feels good to return something to the road after that long. I only had one afternoon to work this week so not to bad. Does anyone have any tips on installing the rear glass. I have installed glass on my truck but it had weather stripping not glue. I stopped by the local paint supply and bought the glue and some new clips for the chrome trim should be a good learning experience.

 

Looks like they're running a free carpet special with an interior kit right now. Often, they run 15-25% off, which is pretty nice. Although a carpet is $139, so that's pretty good too, provided you need one. http://www.legendaryautointeriors.com/

I didn't attempt the window myself, but stood there as the window guy installed mine. He used little foam blocks as stoppers on the bottom of the windshield to prevent the window from sliding down once he put in the glue. It's very messy. He had these wipes handy at all times in case the black mess got on the window, car, or your hands. All I can say is, wear some rubber gloves. haha.

 

Thanks for the tips on the glass I have the foam that you were talking about couldn't remember what it was for. I will post when I do it hopefully this weekend but my free time seems to be drying up.

 

You're doing an awesome job on your 68,and thanks for the progress pics! I had my 69's rear glass pulled and it was a royal mess as all the 40 yr. old butyl rubber had melted and spread a bit along the glass.A friend with way more experience,helped me and that tip about LOTSSA cleaner and wipes is so true. The new acrylic tape is so much neater and the cars rear view is now as good as it's front end.Be real careful pulling the chrome trim as kinks are hard to get out!.....Derek

 

Thanks Derek I managed to get the chrome off without damaging it the clips that hold it on were very rusty and that helped alot. I wish I had done a better job with the roof rail chrome I don't think I can save it. What kind of cleaner do you recomend. I have used lacquer thinner before but you have to be careful around the paint and the edge if the glass.

 

A good year! I finished my resto about 2 years ago. Also have a '69 in progress (forever!). Nice car jj!

 

Nice car wish I had a convertible the t-tops on my TA will have to do for now maybe build a convertible some day.

 

Thought I should update the build. Been working alot of OT lately so I haven't had the time to post but I have had some money for parts! I am about 80% finished with the interior, the seats, carpet and headliner are all done. This was my first headliner but it looks pretty good a couple of wrinkles in the back but everything else is smooth. The seats still need the chrome trim installed I hope to get to that this week. I am waiting on backordered parts to finish the rest. I thought I had alot more pics but these will do until I take some more. I also tore the engine down, looks pretty good I was thinking complete rebuild but after inspection I might just do a re ring.

 

looking good ...keep it up

 

It has been a long time since I updated this thread. Family activities and a couple of home projects have had the 442 on the back burner but not anymore! I picked up some headlight housings from Ebay a while back they needed a repaint but otherwise looked quite good.

 

Tuesday afternoon I installed the Grill and headlights. I used my old headlights so I could see how it would look I haven't decided what to do for a halogen conversion. I think I will just use halogen headlights and a good relay setup, but am toying with the idea of an H4 conversion. I polished the original front bumper and it looks much better than I expected. The chrome for the headlight housings was to far gone I will have to buy some replacements.

 

I ordered most of my engine rebuild parts but I havent begun the process yet. I have tore the 455 down and started cleaning parts. I plan to drive this car so I am going with a mild street build and overdrive transmission.

 

I bought a reman wiper motor from Oreilys and istalled it, I also recoated the inner fenders with truck bed coating. The original black plastic was very oxidized with a good clean and repaint they look pretty good. I might change them at a later date but it will work until I buy the parts that are more important to get it running.

 

Attaching myself....car looks great.....4 piston calipers?

Ted

 

Just single piston I would love four piston though! I am installing rear disc before I bleed the brakes but I will have to save a little more money.
My new wheels and tires arrived yesterday I will take pics and upload soon but I have to work this weekend.

 

I decided to upgrade the wiring with an aftermarket 18 circuit from speedway motors. The harness is nice I have used harnesses from many manufactures and I like how this harness is put together only bad thing is it isn't US made. Here is a pick of the bulkhead to attach the harness in the factory location. Also some pics of misc parts for the engine. I didnt take a pic of it installed I will get that uploaded soon.

 

My headlight trim was in bad shape.