hi, brand new to this forum so please be patient.
two hours ago i just bought a 1952 rocket 88 four door for $900.00
now the way i look at it any cool old car is worth a grand. originally he wanted 1700 but i got him down to 900.

sooooo. ill admit that im a mopar guy i have a 66 valiant wagon and a 65 dart GT. i saw the ad for this car and had to go look at it and it just looked so cool. so i was wondering a few things about them and if you all think i got a decent deal on it. please be blunt. first off the problems i found.

1. have no idea if it runs or even turns over, i think its a 6 volt system but im not sure. whats this reverse ground stuff? missing the air cleaner.
2. front windshield is busted and sitting in the back seat, drivers side window is broken and left rear wing glass also broke.
3. few minor dents and front bumper is a little tweaked rear bumper is dented a little.
4. RUST there are a half dozen or so quarter size holes in the floor pans and a 11 by 13 inch section of the trunk pan rotted out. the usual wheel well rust also.
5.interior is in bad shape door panels, seats, headliner need to be replaced. there is a strange black thing sticking out of the top of the drivers side dash,
no clue what that is. also there is no park id on the shift gauge. missing a few handles, radio etc.
6. rear springs need to be re arched, needs tires, brakes out, etc.
7. only missing a small peice of trim on the drivers side rear door and the bullet tail lights are busted.

now the cool things.
1. its a 1952 oldsmobile rocket 88
the front end on that thing is just beautifull!

i just want some basic info if you guys could help me out i would love it!!!
i already love the car and its not even home yet im picking it up tommorow paid for it today got my dmv paper work and i cant wait to just get it clean and see if itll turn over!

thanks in advance for your help!!!!!!!!!

 

Kayle, you got yourself a gem!

-Reverse ground means the positive battery terminal is grounded on the frame and the negative battery terminal is "hot" but I don't think your car has that, at least my '48 did not.
-It is probably a 6 volt system, how many vent caps on the battery? If there are only three then it is definitely six volt. That can be converted, that way you can replace the generator with an alternator as well.
-The glass might cost you some money. If you plan on registering and driving the car often most states make glass an inspected item. Some states have a certain status that does not require an inspection so you could delay the side glass replacement if the car is garaged. The windshield, of course, has to be replaced.
-Rust, it seems you expected that and have a plan.
-Interior, ditto.
-Suspension and running gear, as well as other Olds stuff can be attained. Check out these two names, Fusick and Kanter. Brakes should be the first thing to fix, even before you get the car running.
-Ebay has lots of little stuff often, I see replacement or OEM tailights for my '48 all the time on ebay.

Back to the turning it over, if you convert to 12 volt system first the starter motor will turn faster and that may help the engine start but if you want to be real careful about it take out the plugs and see if you can turn it over by hand using a breaker bar on the crankshaft nut in the middle of the front pulley. If you can that is good, you might also want to squirt some light oil into each cylinder to pre lube them. I would bet that the carb gaskets are dried out and you may have trouble with fuel delivery. You could prime it with a tablespoon of fuel and see if the engine will start, if it doesn't that won't hurt the carb. Also, go ahead and change the oil first. Let us know what happens.

 

thanks dan!
i ripped out all the door panels today and already the interior looks better. i had the sheriff stop by and verify the vin so i can go non-op it next week. sad news is the motor is frozen, tried the breaker bar and stopped when i thought i was gonna snap off the bolt. the strange thing is that the water pump is also frozen.
the tranny fluid looks clean but who knows.

im not sure if i can afford a engine rebuild right now. i was stoked when i first saw those "rocket" valve covers on the v-8 (303 i think) but it might be out of my price range right now. i might have to turn it over to someone who can give it the love it deserves. ill have to ponder that.
in the meantime im gonna soak some penetrating oil in the cylinders and see if itll work free.

i figured out the black thing sticking up out of the dash is an automatic light dimmer, how cool is that? i also cant help but love the fact that all four tires are a different brand, size and three are bias and one radial lol.

see how things come along i guess
thanks!!!!!!

 

Yours is 6 volt positive ground. GM V8s went to 12V in '53. Ford used 6V negative ground until '56.

Replacements for your flat glass can be cut to fit by your local auto glass shop. While you are there, you can ask about the availability of a new windshield.

The Rocket designation refers to the engine, not the car.

That V8 should be 303 inches, 145 HP (2 bbl) or 160 HP (4 bbl) depending whether you have an 88 or Super 88.

Norm

 

thanks norm!
it has the coolest logo on the trunk lid of a rocket with an 88 across it. and i cant find a vin decoder to tell me what exactly it is. i also would like to know if anyone knows about the auto light dimmer. when i get a chance next week ill post a few pics of it.

thanks!!!!!!

 

Same as on my '50 Coupes. Says you have an 88 with a "Rocket" engine.

If it doesn't say "Super" I would guess it is an 88.

Check the following, but be aware: I've recently been made aware that Factory parts/body manuals might show different information than the Factory shop manual shown.

Norm

 

I think the auto dimmer device is electronic, in fact I think it is called the "autronic eye" or something similar. At any rate, if it doesn't work and the wiring is good from it to the light switch to the lights without any breaks, shorts, or opens then the device will most likely need to be repaired. People do that but it isn't cheap. Someone on ebay has a store that does it. There are others I am sure.

 

When did the practice start?

Norm

 

Congradulations on your new old car, reverse is park if it is a hydro-matic, Keep us updated on how your car is coming. An excellent person to contact for ant gasket for any car is Ron's Classic Car Gaskets, his E mail is Hotwheels68442@aol.com

All the best with your new project.

 

thanks guys,
i really appreciate your help!!
went to a junk yard today and made off with a connecting rod for the rear driver side door latch to handle. went for the rear leafs but they looked pretty flat already. i think im going to have a local comany rebuild them.
they are charging $400 a pair with adding a leaf, re-arching, bushings, etc.

having a harder time locating a good front windshield. but i have a company to cut the side glass

gonna pull the seats and flooring tomorrow, get on the rust before it gets worse. and im waiting on pricing for a engine rebuild.

guy at another junkyard wanted $125 for the air cleaner and then couldnt find it. nice.

gotta figure out a way to post some pics of it for you guys to see.
ill keep you all posted.

THANKS!!!!!!!

 

Is that air cleaner housing the "batwing" one you were going to get? They are worth quite a lot, hot rodders and old skool guys like 'em, you see them on all kinds of engines.

 

There is 2 on E-bay right now, thats where I got mine. Looking foreward to some pics

 

I only have the rear window, and some other odds and ends if yur needing some parts. Let me know. I listed them, but I may seems a little CRAZY on prices. Ignore them, and let me know if I can help.

Dave

 

2½ year old posting......

 

Ha, Thats funny, I didn't even pay attention to that. Thanks

 

Great find!

I was looking at the NADA Price Guide per May/June 2009, and for a 1952 Olds 88 4 dr Sedan - the pricing is as follows:
Low Value Range = $7300
Ave, Value Range = $ 15800
High Value Range = $23800

The definitions of LOW, AVE and HIGH are for a quick definition (somewhat paraphrased) from the NADA Guide - please see the NADA Guide for a full blown description of the below:

LOW = the car should be in mechanically functional condition, needing only minor reconditioning and does not represent a "parts car". It can also be a deteriorated restoration or a poor amateur restoration. Exterior and interior paint and trim would show normal wear needing only minor reconditioning. The car is mostly usable "as is".

AVE = The vehicle would be in good condition overall. It could be an older restoration or well maintained original vehicle. Completely operable. The exterior paint, trim and mechanics are presentable and servicable inside and out.

HIGH = The vehicle would be in excellent condition overall. It could be a completely restored or extremely well maintained original vehicle showing very minimal wear. The exterior paint, trim, and mechanics are not in need of reconditioning. The interior would be in excellent condition. Note this does not represent a "100 Point" or "#1" vehicle (in a museum or non driven and transported in a closed trailer).

Good luck with it.
Dan W.