1966 Olds Cutlass convertible resurrection
#1
1966 Olds Cutlass convertible resurrection
Hi, I have already a thread in the newbie forum, but as the project is becoming bigger and bigger, I open this one here in the major builds and projects forum.
First of all excuse my english but I'm from germany and have learned english in school for a few years, but unfortunately I can't use it very much so it's a bit rusty...
To the project: It's a father and son project with me being the son and doing most of the work. My father brought this Oldsmobile from New York to Munich,Germany in 1989, 2 years before I was born. It was running and driving good, but was primered...and under the primer a lot of rust and even more surfacer, the frame had some holes, too. My Dad disassembled it and has parked it then for the last 22 years until I started to bring the engine back to live last year. From there on it has been my biggest aim to cruise around in it and listen to the engine, for that I actually neglected my own project car, a 1971 BMW 2000 touring. So you see I'm very into old cars.
Some pictures of the project are attached, the first two and the last show with what I've startet and the two remaining, where I'm now. It's not a A+ frame off restoration (even it would not have been a lot of additional work to do so), I just want to bring it back on the german roads.
I'll try to update my progress as often as I can.
Any comments, and constructive criticism(negative or positive) will be greatly appreciated, I will need your help
Dan
First of all excuse my english but I'm from germany and have learned english in school for a few years, but unfortunately I can't use it very much so it's a bit rusty...
To the project: It's a father and son project with me being the son and doing most of the work. My father brought this Oldsmobile from New York to Munich,Germany in 1989, 2 years before I was born. It was running and driving good, but was primered...and under the primer a lot of rust and even more surfacer, the frame had some holes, too. My Dad disassembled it and has parked it then for the last 22 years until I started to bring the engine back to live last year. From there on it has been my biggest aim to cruise around in it and listen to the engine, for that I actually neglected my own project car, a 1971 BMW 2000 touring. So you see I'm very into old cars.
Some pictures of the project are attached, the first two and the last show with what I've startet and the two remaining, where I'm now. It's not a A+ frame off restoration (even it would not have been a lot of additional work to do so), I just want to bring it back on the german roads.
I'll try to update my progress as often as I can.
Any comments, and constructive criticism(negative or positive) will be greatly appreciated, I will need your help
Dan
Last edited by dancutlass; June 12th, 2012 at 10:43 AM. Reason: horrible misspelling...
#2
From what I can see Dan, it looks like your doing it right...when you get it on the road it's going to be a rare site I suspect. The BMW touring (as far as I know) wasn't sold in North America, however the 2002 was and it has become very collectable. Good luck and good progress!
#3
From what I can see Dan, it looks like your doing it right...when you get it on the road it's going to be a rare site I suspect. The BMW touring (as far as I know) wasn't sold in North America, however the 2002 was and it has become very collectable. Good luck and good progress!
Thanks for the good wishes!
#6
Thanks for your kind words Ron and Erik!
I hope I will not cause any accidents, turning heads while driving on the Autobahn
I'm looking forward to drive it anywhere! Until then I can only imagine what a great feeling this must be
I have made a little progress during the last two days. I assembled the rear axle, the left front suspension and the brakes all around. Furthermore I prepared the engine to pull it on monday.
I hope I will not cause any accidents, turning heads while driving on the Autobahn
I'm looking forward to drive it anywhere! Until then I can only imagine what a great feeling this must be
I have made a little progress during the last two days. I assembled the rear axle, the left front suspension and the brakes all around. Furthermore I prepared the engine to pull it on monday.
#10
Thank you! Yes I attached two of them, bought it from the original owner! The front has already been disassembled due to serious rust issues that can unfortunately be found at the rest of the car, too...
#11
Well today I took my valve covers off just to replace the gaskests, but I found some broken valve stem seals lying in there.
I want to replace them but I don't really know which are the right ones for my 330.
Rockauto sells fel-pro seals, and other ones...the fel-pro are the umbrella type, but in the manual the seals don't really look like umbrellas. My question is now, if the fel-pro valve stem seal set, sold on rockauto is the right one?
Any thoughts or comments would help me a lot!
Thanks!
I want to replace them but I don't really know which are the right ones for my 330.
Rockauto sells fel-pro seals, and other ones...the fel-pro are the umbrella type, but in the manual the seals don't really look like umbrellas. My question is now, if the fel-pro valve stem seal set, sold on rockauto is the right one?
Any thoughts or comments would help me a lot!
Thanks!
#12
Sorry I can't answer your valve seal question as I haven't gotten into my engine build yet but I do want to compilment you on the fantastic job you are doing. I can't wait to see it completed. Good luck! (your english is a LOT better than my german (lol)). By the way, what brand suspension parts did you use, especially the springs?
#13
Thanks for your nice words Mike! Though you can't help me concerning the valve seal question, comments like yours are a great help as they keep me motivated. Good for you that you are not working on German cars, having to search for help in German forums
Sometimes I really have problems to explain exactly what I mean
All the suspension parts I used are from MOOG, since I've read only good things about them parts. Rob used them as well as you can see in his almost famous front end job thread :-)
The springs are nothing special, just got them powdercoated in red! ;-)
Anybody with a good advice concerning the valve seals out there?
Sometimes I really have problems to explain exactly what I mean
All the suspension parts I used are from MOOG, since I've read only good things about them parts. Rob used them as well as you can see in his almost famous front end job thread :-)
The springs are nothing special, just got them powdercoated in red! ;-)
Anybody with a good advice concerning the valve seals out there?
#15
Thanks!
-Dan
#16
Nice Job
Dan you are doing a real nice job, and your english is better than a lot of folks over here. I believe the Felpro seals will work fine for you. They are an updated design. I think they are different on the intake and exhaust valves. If I could make a suggestion, I would recomend you purchase a full engine gasket set so you can seal everything up tight. You've already got the engine out. This would also give you a chance to inspect the bearings. An economy freshen up with new rings, oil pump, hone job, boil out, new bearings, and maybe even a modern grind cam would really be smart. Just don't do what I did or you'll be an old man before it ever hits the road again-
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...e-chassis.html
I'm going to give you a link to more links of some real good Olds sights-
http://highperformanceolds.com/phpbb...hp?f=26&t=2190
I highly recomend you pick up Mondello's technical reference manual-
http://www.mondellotwister.com/CatTechAcc.htm
and Bill Travato's book-
http://highperformanceolds.com/phpbb...hp?f=28&t=2712
Boy I envy you having a hoist to work on. Please keep us updated on your progress and give us more details about the cars options and drivetrain. If you've got the old powerglide trans, that would be the first thing I'd dump. Thanks for sharing with us.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...e-chassis.html
I'm going to give you a link to more links of some real good Olds sights-
http://highperformanceolds.com/phpbb...hp?f=26&t=2190
I highly recomend you pick up Mondello's technical reference manual-
http://www.mondellotwister.com/CatTechAcc.htm
and Bill Travato's book-
http://highperformanceolds.com/phpbb...hp?f=28&t=2712
Boy I envy you having a hoist to work on. Please keep us updated on your progress and give us more details about the cars options and drivetrain. If you've got the old powerglide trans, that would be the first thing I'd dump. Thanks for sharing with us.
#17
Dan you are doing a real nice job, and your english is better than a lot of folks over here. I believe the Felpro seals will work fine for you. They are an updated design. I think they are different on the intake and exhaust valves. If I could make a suggestion, I would recomend you purchase a full engine gasket set so you can seal everything up tight. You've already got the engine out. This would also give you a chance to inspect the bearings. An economy freshen up with new rings, oil pump, hone job, boil out, new bearings, and maybe even a modern grind cam would really be smart. Just don't do what I did or you'll be an old man before it ever hits the road again-
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...e-chassis.html
I'm going to give you a link to more links of some real good Olds sights-
http://highperformanceolds.com/phpbb...hp?f=26&t=2190
I highly recomend you pick up Mondello's technical reference manual-
http://www.mondellotwister.com/CatTechAcc.htm
and Bill Travato's book-
http://highperformanceolds.com/phpbb...hp?f=28&t=2712
Boy I envy you having a hoist to work on. Please keep us updated on your progress and give us more details about the cars options and drivetrain. If you've got the old powerglide trans, that would be the first thing I'd dump. Thanks for sharing with us.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...e-chassis.html
I'm going to give you a link to more links of some real good Olds sights-
http://highperformanceolds.com/phpbb...hp?f=26&t=2190
I highly recomend you pick up Mondello's technical reference manual-
http://www.mondellotwister.com/CatTechAcc.htm
and Bill Travato's book-
http://highperformanceolds.com/phpbb...hp?f=28&t=2712
Boy I envy you having a hoist to work on. Please keep us updated on your progress and give us more details about the cars options and drivetrain. If you've got the old powerglide trans, that would be the first thing I'd dump. Thanks for sharing with us.
I bet your recommendations and links will help me a lot!
Concerning your suggestion: I don't feel like I have enough knowledge to rebuild the engine, yet. My plan is to do that within the next winter, so that I have enough time to educate myself and read book's, like Bill Trovato's, because when I do it I want to do it right you know? I guess it's easier to pull the engine out once more and do it correctly, than to eliminate the possible mistakes I could make now.
But do you have any recommendations for me concerning a good cam or other parts for my engine? I think it's always good to know as I want to do the rebuilt anyway...
For now my plans with the engine are: replacing the valve stem seals, sealing the oil pan, timing chain cover, intake manifold and valve covers, for sure. Then paint it and put it back in for the summer.
The hoist facilitates the work enormously! I really have luck that my Dad has a body shop
I'll keep you updated and will do some research about my drivetrain and post it then, but man you guessed it right, I do have the stock 2-speed Jet-A-Way
but until now I can't find a good TH350 here in germany
Thanks again!
Dan
#18
dancutlass wrote:
You are correct. If you feel that you do not have the skills to rebuild your engine, then don't do it. You should still get the full gasket set, it will save you money in the long run. I recomend that you wait on the cam until your ready to rebuild. There's a gent on here named Mark that goes by the screen name "Cutlassefi" that can help you choose the right cam. The real reason I say wait is because many things need to be taken into consideration to choose the right cam.
Here's a short list:
1) Engine displacement and compression ratio
2) Cylinder head # and any porting mods
3) Intake manifold
4) Carburator
5) Transmission and stall speed
6) Rear differencial gear ratio
7) Tire size
8) Weight of car
9) Intended use of car (Drag Racing?)
I know things are different over there concerning availability of parts, but I really would ditch that trans first, then build up the rear diff, then hop up the motor or start building a 455 while you run whatchagot. Now that's the ticket. Too bad your so far away. I'm sure there's a lot of hoarders on here that would help you out with parts, including me, but the shipping would send you to the poor farm. Please keep those pics coming- Dave
Concerning your suggestion: I don't feel like I have enough knowledge to rebuild the engine, yet. My plan is to do that within the next winter, so that I have enough time to educate myself and read book's, like Bill Trovato's, because when I do it I want to do it right you know? I guess it's easier to pull the engine out once more and do it correctly, than to eliminate the possible mistakes I could make now.
But do you have any recommendations for me concerning a good cam or other parts for my engine? I think it's always good to know as I want to do the rebuilt anyway...
For now my plans with the engine are: replacing the valve stem seals, sealing the oil pan, timing chain cover, intake manifold and valve covers, for sure. Then paint it and put it back in for the summer.
The hoist facilitates the work enormously! I really have luck that my Dad has a body shop
I'll keep you updated and will do some research about my drivetrain and post it then, but man you guessed it right, I do have the stock 2-speed Jet-A-Way
but until now I can't find a good TH350 here in germany
But do you have any recommendations for me concerning a good cam or other parts for my engine? I think it's always good to know as I want to do the rebuilt anyway...
For now my plans with the engine are: replacing the valve stem seals, sealing the oil pan, timing chain cover, intake manifold and valve covers, for sure. Then paint it and put it back in for the summer.
The hoist facilitates the work enormously! I really have luck that my Dad has a body shop
I'll keep you updated and will do some research about my drivetrain and post it then, but man you guessed it right, I do have the stock 2-speed Jet-A-Way
but until now I can't find a good TH350 here in germany
Here's a short list:
1) Engine displacement and compression ratio
2) Cylinder head # and any porting mods
3) Intake manifold
4) Carburator
5) Transmission and stall speed
6) Rear differencial gear ratio
7) Tire size
8) Weight of car
9) Intended use of car (Drag Racing?)
I know things are different over there concerning availability of parts, but I really would ditch that trans first, then build up the rear diff, then hop up the motor or start building a 455 while you run whatchagot. Now that's the ticket. Too bad your so far away. I'm sure there's a lot of hoarders on here that would help you out with parts, including me, but the shipping would send you to the poor farm. Please keep those pics coming- Dave
#19
dancutlass wrote:
You are correct. If you feel that you do not have the skills to rebuild your engine, then don't do it. You should still get the full gasket set, it will save you money in the long run. I recomend that you wait on the cam until your ready to rebuild. There's a gent on here named Mark that goes by the screen name "Cutlassefi" that can help you choose the right cam. The real reason I say wait is because many things need to be taken into consideration to choose the right cam.
Here's a short list:
1) Engine displacement and compression ratio
2) Cylinder head # and any porting mods
3) Intake manifold
4) Carburator
5) Transmission and stall speed
6) Rear differencial gear ratio
7) Tire size
8) Weight of car
9) Intended use of car (Drag Racing?)
I know things are different over there concerning availability of parts, but I really would ditch that trans first, then build up the rear diff, then hop up the motor or start building a 455 while you run whatchagot. Now that's the ticket. Too bad your so far away. I'm sure there's a lot of hoarders on here that would help you out with parts, including me, but the shipping would send you to the poor farm. Please keep those pics coming- Dave
You are correct. If you feel that you do not have the skills to rebuild your engine, then don't do it. You should still get the full gasket set, it will save you money in the long run. I recomend that you wait on the cam until your ready to rebuild. There's a gent on here named Mark that goes by the screen name "Cutlassefi" that can help you choose the right cam. The real reason I say wait is because many things need to be taken into consideration to choose the right cam.
Here's a short list:
1) Engine displacement and compression ratio
2) Cylinder head # and any porting mods
3) Intake manifold
4) Carburator
5) Transmission and stall speed
6) Rear differencial gear ratio
7) Tire size
8) Weight of car
9) Intended use of car (Drag Racing?)
I know things are different over there concerning availability of parts, but I really would ditch that trans first, then build up the rear diff, then hop up the motor or start building a 455 while you run whatchagot. Now that's the ticket. Too bad your so far away. I'm sure there's a lot of hoarders on here that would help you out with parts, including me, but the shipping would send you to the poor farm. Please keep those pics coming- Dave
I purchased a full engine gasket set today because as you said, buying a set is cheaper than buying each gasket seperately.
Thank you for your recommendations! I will contact cutlassefi when I'm ready to rebuild. I guess his name is mentioned in almost every thread where the word "cam" is used so he will definately be able to help me
Here are the things I can answer about my car:
1) 330 cid, comp. ratio: 10.25:1
2)#3 Heads
3)stock intake
4)stock 4-barrel Q-jet
5)transmission: 2-speed Jet-A-Way
6)I can't find out which rear differential I have, but I attached photos of the numbers stamped on it. I just can't find them in my service manual
9)My intention is just cruising around, no drag racing or something like that. But it should have some power and should sound good.
How true...I spent nearly as much money in shipping, as I spent in parts
It's a dream to live in the USA, then I would be a hoarder myself
Building the 455 is another great proposal but I wouldn't get a historical registration here. It has to be an engine, that was an option in this model and year. So the only possibility would be a 400 out of a 442.
Thanks Dave, for taking your time and helping me out with great recommendations and tips!
#20
Progress!
Well, my vacations have ended 1 week ago, so only very slow progress is made.
in the last 2 weeks, I rebuilt the carburetor, painted the pulleys and brackets, prepared the engine to replace the valve stem seals, when the needed tool arrives and rewrapped, and repaired the wiring harnesses.
in the last 2 weeks, I rebuilt the carburetor, painted the pulleys and brackets, prepared the engine to replace the valve stem seals, when the needed tool arrives and rewrapped, and repaired the wiring harnesses.
#22
Well my brake lines, engine paint and some other things arrived.
I made the first brake line, replaced the valve stem seals and cleaned and installed the rocker assemblies.
I'm coming closer to paint the engine right now, but I don't find a good method to clean it properly...
Pictures of everything attached!
I made the first brake line, replaced the valve stem seals and cleaned and installed the rocker assemblies.
I'm coming closer to paint the engine right now, but I don't find a good method to clean it properly...
Pictures of everything attached!
#24
Hi Dan, now I had a chance to check your pictures. OUTSTANDING!!!
As I thought you have much better space and tools to do the job than I ever will have... For my luck mine is in better shape when I bought it..
As I thought you have much better space and tools to do the job than I ever will have... For my luck mine is in better shape when I bought it..
#25
Thank you very much Marko!
Yes I'm lucky that my dad has his own garage and I can use all his tools and a hoist, but I wished, I wouldn't need it
Wanted to update my thread...I've cleaned and derusted the engine with Pelox RE, which contains Phosphoric acid, so that it's almost rust-free and covered by a zink-phosphate coating (glimmering white in the picures), at least good enough for the POR15 engine enamel.
So tomorrow should be OLDS-GOLD-day
Yes I'm lucky that my dad has his own garage and I can use all his tools and a hoist, but I wished, I wouldn't need it
Wanted to update my thread...I've cleaned and derusted the engine with Pelox RE, which contains Phosphoric acid, so that it's almost rust-free and covered by a zink-phosphate coating (glimmering white in the picures), at least good enough for the POR15 engine enamel.
So tomorrow should be OLDS-GOLD-day
#26
Well here it is...I think the gold comes out pretty good..I'm just not very pleased with the way it looks on the valve covers I presume the underground was too slippery for the POR15 engine enamel. So I will have them sandblasted and repainted!
Pics attached...
Pics attached...
#28
Thanks Dave!
I purchased all that at the Korrosionsschutz-Depot, a german company specialized in selling restoration stuff.
I've bought nearly all the non-olds-specific parts from them, like the brake lines and all the paint I used.
http://www.korrosionsschutz-depot.de/
It's definately a must for everyone restoring a car here
I attached more pictures of the engine with a better exposure.
The intake is about to get dry-ice-blasted and painted afterwords!
Can't wait to see it built-in and running again!
I purchased all that at the Korrosionsschutz-Depot, a german company specialized in selling restoration stuff.
I've bought nearly all the non-olds-specific parts from them, like the brake lines and all the paint I used.
http://www.korrosionsschutz-depot.de/
It's definately a must for everyone restoring a car here
I attached more pictures of the engine with a better exposure.
The intake is about to get dry-ice-blasted and painted afterwords!
Can't wait to see it built-in and running again!
#29
Another toy arrived...:)
Just wanted to inform you about our newest member of our car family, that has just arrived from Joplin Missouri after a 2 month trip to New York and then overseas...
Well it's not an Oldsmobile, but I think it's still a cool car. A 1955 Studebaker truck with a V8 engine.
Needless to say that the Olds is still my favourite
Well it's not an Oldsmobile, but I think it's still a cool car. A 1955 Studebaker truck with a V8 engine.
Needless to say that the Olds is still my favourite
#33
Marriage!
Thank you all for your nice words, what can I say...I just love old cars
Saturday was a good day for me. It's always good to see things coming together. Just like an engine and the chassis. It was a very easy job to do.
Sry for the quality of the pics, I had just got my mobile phone with me, not the camera. But I think the most important thing can be seen...
The Olds got it's heart back
Saturday was a good day for me. It's always good to see things coming together. Just like an engine and the chassis. It was a very easy job to do.
Sry for the quality of the pics, I had just got my mobile phone with me, not the camera. But I think the most important thing can be seen...
The Olds got it's heart back
#35
Thank you L69! I want to swap it for a 400 E-block one day, like you did, but I guess it will be very hard to find. It's the only option for me to build in a bigger engine, without getting into conflicts with the german regulations for Oldtimers.
You have a great car there!
You have a great car there!
Last edited by dancutlass; April 22nd, 2012 at 12:38 PM.
#36
Thank you L69! I want to swap it for a 400 E-block one day, like you did, but I guess it will be very hard to find. It's the only option for me to build in a bigger engine, without getting into conflicts with the german regulations for Oldtimers.
You have a great car there!
You have a great car there!
#37
Sounds like a great motor, you're building there! Do you open a thread to share the build with us?
Maybe you'll come across a 400 one day you might send to Germany Just dreams I know
But if I'll rebuilt my 330, may I contact you to give me some advice?
I've read, you've already built alot of them, bored them over to make it a 340 and so on.. Sounds interesting to me
Thanks for the good wishes, I'll keep the pics coming!
Maybe you'll come across a 400 one day you might send to Germany Just dreams I know
But if I'll rebuilt my 330, may I contact you to give me some advice?
I've read, you've already built alot of them, bored them over to make it a 340 and so on.. Sounds interesting to me
Thanks for the good wishes, I'll keep the pics coming!
#40
Thank you very much I'll get back to you with that!
No problem I understood what you meant
I installed the transmission, the flexible drive shaft and the fuel-tank.
Today I ordered the Flowmaster 15802 tailpipes so that the exhaust can be put in soon
Can anybody of you tell me how much hangers I have to order for the complete system, and where they are mounted correctly, please?
Any pictures would be great, too!
Thanks in advance!
No problem I understood what you meant
I installed the transmission, the flexible drive shaft and the fuel-tank.
Today I ordered the Flowmaster 15802 tailpipes so that the exhaust can be put in soon
Can anybody of you tell me how much hangers I have to order for the complete system, and where they are mounted correctly, please?
Any pictures would be great, too!
Thanks in advance!