I have a 1949 - Olds 88 that needs some repair/restoration. The cost of most of the parts I have seen seem outrageous compared to the later (55 or later models). The car is currently original but I am interested in making it drivable, not necessarly keeping it all original. The master cylinder leaks and the accellerator pump in the carb is shot as are the knee action shocks. Is there a repair/rebuild kit for the master cylinder? How hard is it to modify the suspension to accept the later model shock absorbers?

 

Welcome to the site.

Download Fusicks catalog and check pages 33 and 40.

How are your fabrication skills?

Easier to refill them with ATF (or hydraulic jack oil). If they don't leak, you are good to go. If they do, you can try a little brake fluid to soften the seals. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

If it doesn't, try Five Points to learn about more options.

My Grey '50 Coupe has its original (rears were rebuilt, and modified, about ten years ago) shocks, and they work just fine.

Norm

 

Thanks for your reply. Will check out access to the refill on the shock fluid. It (refill) sure didn't work on the master cylinder, which seems to make fluid disappear, probably thru one of the wheel cylinders.

 

I would think this would be quite difficult. Have you checked out these websites for parts?

http://www.kanter.com/
http://www.rockauto.com/

 

One thing I heard on the knee action shocks was to warm STP (so it will pour) and use it in the shocks. I have not tried it but the source is somebody I have lots of confidence in who has owned a 54 Olds for a number of years.

 

Thanks for the info on Fusicks! They show a rebuild kit for the master cylinder. $19 sounds better than $135! After I get the beast to stop I will work on the shocks....

 

You "might as well" do the wheel cylinders at the same time!

 

No reason why it should. They are totally different designs, for totally different uses.

Norm,