Update or Stock

dingusboy · January 31st, 2009, 10:26 AM

I warned ya! Here comes another newbie question. I want to use my 65 F85 for cruising. Obviously I want to keep it as stock as possible. However, what mods do you recommend I consider to make it more safe or reliable? It has front lap belts, no back seatbelts, drum brakes, no air (but it is a convertible). I know a lot of this is personal preference, but I'd like to hear from those who have gone before.

rocketraider · January 31st, 2009, 10:41 AM

It was safe and reliable when it was new, wasn't it?

I have no problem with adding disc brakes or quick ratio steering boxes. Adding rear seat belts is a comfort zone thing, and may be required by law for passengers under 16. Aftermarket air conditioning was a popular add-on when the cars were new.

I would probably not grumble about a 200-4R transmission just for gas mileage, though I don't think you'd see any great performance improvement over a Jetaway.

An Edelbrock/Carter AFB carb may be a little easier to live with than a grumpy 4GC. Fuel injection is exotic for a 330 engine and would take a lot of driving to recoup the investment.

Now, you start talking about a "modern" GM crate (read Chevy) engine, you're going to get slammed.

wmachine · January 31st, 2009, 10:58 AM

A disc brake conversion makes sense if you're going to do a lot of driving, but if you decide not to go to discs, a conversion to a dual brake cylinder would be advisable.

Olds64 · January 31st, 2009, 02:41 PM

Sounds to me like you have a good project car. I would tinker with the engine and put "go fast" parts on it. Who cares if all you have is a lap belt. Do you have any pictures?

Oldsguy · February 1st, 2009, 03:20 PM

This is kind of an oxymoron that I am going to describe but, brakes first, they are important and even if you don't upgrade you need to have the original brakes in the best condition that they can be it, second I have never thought much about upgrading from just lap belts to full lap/shoulder belts even though I do use them in my modern daily driver and wouldn't consider not doing so. A dual master cylinder on the brakes is a good idea.

Jamesbo · February 1st, 2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldsguy

, second I have never thought much about upgrading from just lap belts to full lap/shoulder belts even though I do use them in my modern daily driver and wouldn't consider not doing so.

With all due respect Oldsguy, this is gonna be a tuffy in a "drop top"

January 31st, 2009, 10:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
dingusboy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 95	Update or Stock I warned ya! Here comes another newbie question. I want to use my 65 F85 for cruising. Obviously I want to keep it as stock as possible. However, what mods do you recommend I consider to make it more safe or reliable? It has front lap belts, no back seatbelts, drum brakes, no air (but it is a convertible). I know a lot of this is personal preference, but I'd like to hear from those who have gone before.

January 31st, 2009, 10:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
rocketraider Oldsdruid Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Danville Vajenya, the Last Capital of Dixie Posts: 1,214	It was safe and reliable when it was new, wasn't it? I have no problem with adding disc brakes or quick ratio steering boxes. Adding rear seat belts is a comfort zone thing, and may be required by law for passengers under 16. Aftermarket air conditioning was a popular add-on when the cars were new. I would probably not grumble about a 200-4R transmission just for gas mileage, though I don't think you'd see any great performance improvement over a Jetaway. An Edelbrock/Carter AFB carb may be a little easier to live with than a grumpy 4GC. Fuel injection is exotic for a 330 engine and would take a lot of driving to recoup the investment. Now, you start talking about a "modern" GM crate (read Chevy) engine, you're going to get slammed. __________________ I know absolutely nothing about Oldsmobiles. Just ask the owner of Oldspower.com

January 31st, 2009, 10:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
wmachine Trying to remember member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,467	A disc brake conversion makes sense if you're going to do a lot of driving, but if you decide not to go to discs, a conversion to a dual brake cylinder would be advisable. __________________ Kurt http://wmachines.shubes.net

January 31st, 2009, 02:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	Sounds to me like you have a good project car. I would tinker with the engine and put "go fast" parts on it. Who cares if all you have is a lap belt. Do you have any pictures? __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

February 1st, 2009, 03:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	This is kind of an oxymoron that I am going to describe but, brakes first, they are important and even if you don't upgrade you need to have the original brakes in the best condition that they can be it, second I have never thought much about upgrading from just lap belts to full lap/shoulder belts even though I do use them in my modern daily driver and wouldn't consider not doing so. A dual master cylinder on the brakes is a good idea. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

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