62 Super 88 The project begins!

sshriber · October 20th, 2009, 11:44 AM

After much proding from many of you over on the general forum, I have brought the 62 home to work on. I intend this to be a project for my son to learn on and in the end, give us a car we can take out to have fun with. This is a low budget project and we will choose labor over new in most cases to keep costs down. I have watched NAS Backyard on his 61 and it has inspired me to move forward.

Many of you helped me get the engine free and my next step is to get the distributor out. It is not budging, but the attack continues. Once it is out, we will use a drill to turn the oil pump and get the old 394 some internal lubrication. If we can get it out, we will move on to getting it running and then the cosmetics under the hood.

I posted a pic of the old girl coming home and one of the engine. I will update as progress continues.

I must say that the SX convertible looks rather small next to her big sister!

citcapp · October 20th, 2009, 12:02 PM

This will make a great father and son project. I look foward to following it. Good luck

colby · October 21st, 2009, 07:16 AM

Cool find. Best of luck.
PS-I'm investing $'s in the company that makes PB Blaster!

sshriber · October 24th, 2009, 07:41 PM

The work continues. I have attached photos of the distributor and the power booster. Looks like the booster is a goner. Hope there are options out there for a replacement. The distributor continues to be a problem. It will not rotate or move up. I have used heat and plenty of muscle. Anybody have any ideas?????

Thinking I better remove the intake manifold so I can get better access.

dan2286 · October 24th, 2009, 09:12 PM

Have you tried turning it with a pipe wrench? It might be enough to free it up. I would soak it with PB Blaster for a couple of days before trying this.

59-59-59 · October 24th, 2009, 10:10 PM

Try soaking it ( some people swear on diesel fuel ) and try to turn the distributor with one of those universal oil filter wrenches with the adjustable band around it. Or a crow bar if your desperate

NAS Backyard · October 25th, 2009, 02:53 AM

WD-40 for sure, you will probebly trash it cosmetically with a pipe wrench but thats probebely the only way to break it loose. Definately remove the manifold, I've had mine off twice. Same original gasket by the way also. Then you can really see what the insides of the heads look like. Hopefully no rust, but I'm betting there is.

Mongoose · October 25th, 2009, 06:34 AM

Will the motor turn over by hand? While I'm sure that the distributor collar is rusted to the block, if the distributer gear is rusted or frozen to the camshaft, that could be making it extra difficult to free the distributor up.

sshriber · October 25th, 2009, 09:35 AM

Thanks all for the advice. I have been soaking it for 3 weeks. PB has been the solution of choice, but have used WD and Marvel. I used Diesel fuel in the cylinders to free up the engine. It worked great. I was trying not to remove the intake if I did not have to, but I just can not get a good pull on it with the manifold on. I will start the removal. Thanks again and stay tuned.

sshriber · November 12th, 2009, 06:41 AM

Here is the latest. The distributor remains lodged in the block. We have removed all accessories and have the intake manifold removed. The distributor still resists any rotation or upward movement. It has been soaking for weeks and I have tried a bernz-o-matic for heat. I removed the lifter valley pan and the cam and lifters are rust free. The push rods are not as good of a story. 2 of them are bent.

There must be stuck valves in the head. They must have bent when I turned the engine with the bar. I only went 1/4 turn, but that must have been enough to bend the push rods

I will now start to remove the rest of the valve train to see if I have any other stuck valves. Do any of you have any experience with getting those valves unstuck? I did not want to pull the heads, but I may have to. Advice please?

Any other thoughts on the distributor would be appreciated. I have ruled out C4 due to the damage it might bring to the convertible parked next to the 62

I have attached pictures of the current mess

October 20th, 2009, 12:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
citcapp Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 3,437	This will make a great father and son project. I look foward to following it. Good luck __________________ Pat 1957 Super 88 with a 455 1948 2dr series 76 with a 455

October 25th, 2009, 02:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
NAS Backyard Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Woodbridge CA Posts: 127	WD-40 for sure, you will probebly trash it cosmetically with a pipe wrench but thats probebely the only way to break it loose. Definately remove the manifold, I've had mine off twice. Same original gasket by the way also. Then you can really see what the insides of the heads look like. Hopefully no rust, but I'm betting there is. __________________ 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan 1975 Pontiac Ventura SJ 260 Olds 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner 1968 Pontiac Firebird WANTED: 61-64 Olds 88/98 3 Speed Syncromesh set up, everything, from shifter to driveshaft. Finders fee paid for the right parts. Will be traveling cross country summer 09.

October 25th, 2009, 09:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
sshriber Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 41	Thanks all for the advice. I have been soaking it for 3 weeks. PB has been the solution of choice, but have used WD and Marvel. I used Diesel fuel in the cylinders to free up the engine. It worked great. I was trying not to remove the intake if I did not have to, but I just can not get a good pull on it with the manifold on. I will start the removal. Thanks again and stay tuned. __________________ *Scott* *Akron Ohio* *1970 SX Convertible*

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October 21st, 2009, 07:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
colby 71CutlassConvertible Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 31	Cool find. Best of luck. PS-I'm investing $'s in the company that makes PB Blaster!

October 24th, 2009, 09:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
dan2286 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Ridgeville, Ohio Posts: 338	Have you tried turning it with a pipe wrench? It might be enough to free it up. I would soak it with PB Blaster for a couple of days before trying this.

October 24th, 2009, 10:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
59-59-59 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 307	Try soaking it ( some people swear on diesel fuel ) and try to turn the distributor with one of those universal oil filter wrenches with the adjustable band around it. Or a crow bar if your desperate

October 25th, 2009, 06:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mongoose Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ft. Wayne, IN Posts: 37	Will the motor turn over by hand? While I'm sure that the distributor collar is rusted to the block, if the distributer gear is rusted or frozen to the camshaft, that could be making it extra difficult to free the distributor up.