1k442

OK the deal is done. I have seen and purchased my old Jetfire back!! Should have it in the driveway next Sunday. The car is much worse than I thought. The garage roof had a 12" hole over the windshield. All the die cast trim needs to be replaced. Interior better than expected. All Jetfire parts under the hood in place. Engine turned over by hand. No keys or brakes!! I will attach a few photos.

Ken
Before photo!
JETFIRE30029-1.jpg



PS: Anyone with mint or NOS Die cast trim for sale email me back. I will up date everyone when I have a chance to clean up and inventory the car.
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jensenracing77

how long ago did you sell it? my dad tracked down his 71 W-30 that he got new. he found out that it had ben wrapped around a tree by a drunk driver and the passenger side front tire was sitting in the passenger seat.

citcapp

congrats on your reunion. Hope all goes well. Keep us posted on your progress

1k442

Just picked up my car from the current keeper! He was technically not the current owner! I was!!!!! He never transferred the title! So he just screwed up my car not his! Anyway the car is home and all the rugs, mice junk, and the car cover that was in the trunk I gave him is in the trash. Should start to smell better soon!! I will post more info as we get to work on the car.
Thanks,
Ken
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gearheads78

So did you remove it from him or buy it back? Cool that you can get the same car back. Good luck with it the second time around.

gearheads78

so that vin# and trim tag sold at BJ for big money last year as a one repaint survivor huh?

JPP

Hello, this is my first post on Classic oldsmobile !
Congratulations, beautiful car ! I own myself a 63 Cutlass (185 hp version).
Would you have a picture of the engine bay ?
Studying the workshop manual and collecting info about the cooling system, I learned the Jetfire has a bigger radiator, with the inlet on the driver's side, but I've never seen it for real !
Thanks a lot and congratulations again.
Jean-Paul

1k442

Jean-Paul,
I will attach a few photos of the radiator. It is a cross flow design and much thicker that the standard F85 unit. Take a look and let me know what you think.
Ken
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Red Delta

I'm not very familiar with the engine that is in your car. I saw that it is aluminum. Do you have a link to the specs? Is it turbo with injection? It's kinda hard to see whats going on underneath all those pipes.

You should take at least 30 more pics of the engine.

toro68

There is a guy from Davers ,Mass who is big into Jetfires.
Do you have his contact information?

1k442

Red Delta:
Try this web site. (http://oldsjetfire.com/index.php/membership)
I have a few more when I sold it. If you would like I could post more.
The Jetfire was the first auto turbo charged fluid injection all alum. 215 ci 215 hp. car made. Go to the web site and take a look!!
Thanks,
Ken



Toro68,
Thanks for the information. Bruce is a old friend of mine. When I sold this Jetfire I sold the rest of my parts and Bruce got them. Thank you again for the infomation.
Ken

JPP

Hello Ken,
Thanks for the pictures, they help a lot.
Yes, the standard F85 is a downflow designed radiator, with both ports on the passenger side.
Mine is clogged after 47 years (helped with amazingly thin tubes).
You can see it there (I couldn't attach the pictures to my post):
http://img195.imageshack.us/i/rademail.jpg/
http://img200.imageshack.us/i/sidemail.jpg/
I'd gladly change it for a more efficient crossflow.
The jetfire upper hose would be perfect for the job, but I can't find it
(the online shops I browsed sell the same hose for all F85).
Would you have any source ?
Thanks
Jean Paul

1k442

Jean Paul,
There are no after market parts for this car. You may have to find one in a USA junkyard. Looking at the radiator photo it is very thin. Why not have it re-cored with a thicker core in France?
Good Luck,
Ken

MN71W30

The car's looks, and engine tech seem several years ahead of it's time.
Great story, cool car, good luck with the resto.
Dave

1k442

Dave,
Thanks for your reply!! We will get it done it may take some time. We have located some of the parts. Soon we will be looking for the windshield channel. That should be the biggest problem.
Be well and thank you,
Ken

JPP

Thanks a lot Ken,
As you know, the 215 alum. V8 (Buick version) has been sold to the UK Rover Company during the sixties. It's been installed in their 4x4 and also in their "vitesse" SD1 coupe, till the 80's. I found this english shop, http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRH537, which sells parts for such vintage english cars, and also that double-bent hose...
Be careful, the block is a buick version (with a slightly different coolant outlet position on the intake manifold), but I think I'll push my luck...If it can help somebody...
I first thought to re-core my radiator, but my local specialist asked me for about $600... I think a (thicker) modern aluminum crossflow radiator will be a better deal.

Thanks a lot
Jean-Paul

1k442

Jean-Paul,
Take a look at this web site. They have a few trick parts that may help you.
http://www.aluminumv8.com/new/newstuff.htm
Good Luck,
Ken

JPP

Ken,

Thanks for the link.
I had already heard of alumV8, but just for the specific engine parts (pistons...).
It's not a problem to find a 215 V8 in Europe, but you'll find only a Buick (Rover) one... So if you look for pistons or heads, you're in a nasty mess...

I've bought a gasket set, planned to open the engine next month, hope not to see bad things...(The car will be my daily driver soon, so I have to check everything : engine, brakes, suspension, upholstery, electrical...).

Well, looking back to the pics you've posted, it's good to see your beautiful healthy 63.
(nb : I have the same blue upholstery on my cutlass).

Congratulations

Jean-Paul

64starfire

Just think, If i bought my first car back it would be an 81 Dodge colt...yuck!

1k442

OK! 22 year since I last heard this engine run!! We rebuilt the brakes and now its time to restart the engine. Pulled the spark plugs and oiled the cylinders when we purchased the car. We have had a few projects before this one but we are there! First order of business is to change the oil and pack the pump to prime the engine. We made an oil pump/distributor adapter so we could prime the engine oil. New battery cables! Checked that we had spark. Took the bowl cover off and filled it with gas. We then primed the engine with gas. Four turns of the engine and it started and idled. Wow! Sounded real quite!!! Next project is to hook up the fuel pump and get it to run for an extended length of time. Could be a week or more before we get that done.

Thanks to everyone who helped with parts!!
Ken & Kenny Dennison

Franks442

Congratulations on a unique vehicle and definitely great to have it back. This is a great story. Would love to see updates as you go. Rare and unique. Best of luck with
it.

aliensatemybuick

Ken, I look forward to further updates on the car. Just bought an old issue of JWO (January, 1984) off Ebay...because it had a picture of a 1965 Jetstar I (I was under the impression it was a whole story, but alas it was just the picture). Anyway, I saw your name listed as an advisor on the Jetfires in that 26+ year old issue.

For sure, there is longevity in love of Oldsmobiles (bought my first Olds in 1991, a '70 Cutlass convertible, but wanted one since I saw a similar car back in 1986).

1k442

OK!
Removed the fenders, bumper, grille & hood. Will be cutting out and welding in the new windsheild frame. Will post more photos as we progress.
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66ninetyeightls

Looks good. Keep those pictures coming.

I have always been a big fan of turbos. Would love to have something like this in the garage.

1k442

Just a few more photos of the windsheild area. We are getting ready to start cutting more out. Should start welding the new parts later this week. Will post more photos later.
Ken
Looking for 61/62/63 Olds Cutlass/ Buick Special/Skylark, Pontiac Le Mans right front inner fender. Email me or call!!
Thanks,
Ken
732-870-6964
kid442w30@yahoo.com
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joe_padavano

Two words Ken: Optima Battery

1k442

This is the 1963 Jetfire windshield frame repair update. The rusted metal is out and the new is in! Now a lot of sanding and finishing! Windshield re-installation!! Next to find an inner right front wheel well. We will keep moving!
Ken
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citcapp

Looking good Ken, keep up the good work. I like many will be watching your thread

425starfire

goog stuff!just wondering what the white car is in youre garage?i fist thought a 65 starfire,but....

1k442

425 Starfire,
PM sent.
Ken

1k442

Just a quick update post! Dropped the gas tank for inspection. Looked good but the sending unit needed work. Had a hard time finding a fuel filter sock. Found at Englishtown at a Pontiac dealer. Reinstalled tank, new fuel lines, plugged all the vacuum leaks filled the float bowl and started up and ran good. Moved it in the garage. Just a quick video of it running!! Will keep you posted. Still looking for parts!
Ken
Youtube Video: ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG7LFV5fEME)

OLD SKL 69

Congrats on finding your old car. Looks like you're making great progress already. Keep the pics coming.

71 Cutlass

Lots of work, but I'm sure your heart is in it. Great that you found your old car. Look forward to hearing of the project's completion and your first cruise out in your "new" car.

1k442

1963 Jetfire
The windshield frame is installed & inner fender well repaired. I will keep you updated on progress. Car starts and drives. Should get the winshield installed in the next few weeks.
Still Looking for any mint or NOS trim parts!!!!
Thanks,
Ken Dennison
kid442w30@yahoo.com
732-870-6964
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Chesrown 67 OAI

you lucky dog!!! you didnt even tell me about it last week in carlisle!!
Wanna help me recover my original car?

1k442

We put some paint on the windshield area. Will start working on the right inner fender in the next few days.
Ken
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goodkarmech

Great story and thread! You are very lucky to have found your old car and get it back in any shape. Good Luck on the continued restoration. The youtube video is great.

1k442

Al,
Thanks for the positive input!!!
Ken

goodkarmech

You bet! I always wanted my Dad's blue on blue 68 Cutlass S hardtop, but he traded it in for peanuts at the dealer on a new 81 Omega. I had to one up him finally by buying a convertible 68!

wanderalone

great looking car! wish i could find one of those motors! what kind of boost will that handle?