DELTA-FORCE-88

Hey guys!


I've been into old cars for 30 years, real big into Buicks from the 60s now. I'll be getting a '68 Olds Delta 88 2 door soon. Almost completely rust free! Complete but doesn't run. Hopefully I'll get her going and be cruising this summer! Any major problem areas with these cars?

pogo69

pretty similar to a 60's buick i guess...pretty straight forward with the mechanicals but in your case depends on why the engine wont run...hidden rust on frame,quarters window channels etc but you say pretty rust free so hopefully no big surprises, again the engine issue may be minor or needing a rebuild depending on condition

DELTA-FORCE-88

It was stored inside for years, just gonna check all the fluids and get a new battery. Maybe drop the oil pan and pull the valve covers. Ya, real similar to the '68 Buicks. She's not seized up which is nice!

DELTA-FORCE-88

A couple pix.

redoldsman

Welcome. Very nice car to start with. I love a lot of those old Buicks. My first job out of high school in 1964 was in the parts department of a Buick dealer. I do love the old nailhead Buick engines.

DELTA-FORCE-88

Ya, that Delta definitely has potential! I really like all the GM cars from the 60s. I have 3 '67 GS 400s and 1 '67 Skylark right now. Mostly all parts cars though.

vette442

Wow, nice car and color.

Oldsmaniac

That is a "large barge", cool. I believe the standard engine in the Delta was the 455. 68 was the first year for it which was an increase over the 65-67 425.

Octania

Nice score
not seized, it may start right up with new points and fresh oil/fuel

15" wheels are rare for back then, see if you have 14's or 15's

Disk brakes would be great

Dual xst would be great

steering center link is $200, another thread just went over that.

speakfordadead

Beautiful car.... will be a stylish ride

MDchanic

That's a really nice color.

It's a Delta Custom, which came standard with the 356HP high compression 4bbl 455.

- Eric

DELTA-FORCE-88

Yes it does have the 455, I was excited to find that out!

DELTA-FORCE-88

Hoping it won't take much to fire her up! Not sure on all the options, it does have ac! I think it had aluminum drums like my Buick GS cars.

DELTA-FORCE-88

Thanks! Needs a new black vinyl top.

DELTA-FORCE-88

Hoping to cruise in her this summer!

DELTA-FORCE-88

Sweet! I think the 2 barrel only had 310 horsies.

DELTA-FORCE-88

Wish I could rotate those pix!

MDchanic

You can, but I can only tell you how to if you have a Mac - I don't do Windows very well, but I know it lets you, too.

- Eric

DELTA-FORCE-88

I can rotate them on my computer, but couldn't figure out how to save them and then load them into the thread. I'll keep trying. I have Windows 7.

MDchanic

You didn't take them with an iPhone or iPad by any chance, did you?

- Eric

DELTA-FORCE-88

No android, if I take some new ones with the phone rotated in the opposite direction, then they should post correctly.

MDchanic

Yeah. They should.

There's a known problem when taking pictures with a Mac product and then uploading them to a Windows machine - Mac has a piece of information in the photo that specifies which direction is up (because you can hold an iPhone in any orientation), but Windows does not recognize it, so Mac photos usually come up upside down or sideways on Windows machines.

- Eric

Sampson

Welcome! Nice looking car. Looks like a good find. How long has it been since it ran? I guess it goes without saying to drain clean the tank!. Love the big barge Buick cousin's as well.

Allan R

Here you go. Looks like a front flat.... Very nice looking car! How's the interior?

DELTA-FORCE-88

Supposedly it hasn't run in 10 to 15 years, definitely needs new gas, oil, plugs, points, battery. The headliner is mint! Left sail panel is shot and the front seat is tattered. I think all the door panels are nice. Needs all new tires too. Does anyone make new interior components for these cars?

DELTA-FORCE-88

Thanks for rotating those pix!

Allan R

You're welcome. Far as interiors I don't know of any vendors. The traditional ones like Legendary and PUI both cater to the Olds A body. You might need to have custom work done. Maybe some of the other B Body guys will chime in on this but I doubt there is much for you in aftermarket.

One vendor that does have limited B Body is Fusick Automotive. B Body pdf file

Oldsmaniac

Unfortunately the interior would need to be made from scratch by an upholstery shop. Original pattern fabrics can sometimes be found from places like SMS in Oregon and there used to be a place in Chicago I believe that sold original fabrics but dont know if they are still around. If the interior is vinyl you are much better off in matching the original.

DELTA-FORCE-88

Pretty much the same with the Buicks. Much more A body items than the other models. I'll have to find some nice original parts hopefully.

DELTA-FORCE-88

83,872 miles, hopefully original. Only a 2 barrel. O well.

MDchanic

Probably the L66 10.25:1, 2bbl, 320HP / 500 ft/lbs. Not a bad engine.

If I'm not mistaken, it uses the same cam as the 365 horse motor, so you should get the same power if you swap in a QuadraJet and a set of duals.

- Eric

DELTA-FORCE-88

The torque rating is very impressive! Maybe in the future I'll put a 4 barrel on. Just want to get her running first.

DELTA-FORCE-88

More pix!

DELTA-FORCE-88

Sorry about the sideways pix! Back seat needs a good cleaning.

DELTA-FORCE-88

Got a new battery for the Delta, hope it turns over!

Allan R

Here ya go. Saves turning your monitor sideways. The back seat looks like it has mold. Clean that with bleach to kill the mold and maybe you can re-dye it with Dupont Fabric/cloth dye.

It might turn over, but unless you have the rad hooked up I wouldn't run it much. Also on that note, if the rad is out, what's stopping critters from gumming up the inside of your engine through the water inlets? Really flush that sucker out instead of just connecting some hoses.

The dash looks really good.

DELTA-FORCE-88

That seat should clean up pretty good, the radiator is already hooked up. The radiator inside the car is for something else. Driver's seat upholstery is shot but everything else is fairly decent. Can't wait to hear it run!

DELTA-FORCE-88

Got a new battery in it and she turned over! Didn't get it running yet through. Probably needs points.

oldcutlass

Cool

DELTA-FORCE-88

Will 18 or 19 inch wheels work good on this car? Maybe lower profile tires?