I'm not sure that would fit in my austerity program. Can I get back with cha?

 

Norm, ya might want to spray em down with some Easy Off oven cleaner and let them sit in the sun a few hours. That stuff will dissolve almost anything gunky. And you're correct. Your car came from the factory with 14" rims.

EDIT: 14" vs 15" has nothing to do with SSII or SSIII. If the color of the wheel is argent, the wheel is SSII. If it's body color it's SSIII

 

Norm I work for Delta, just turned 25 years. No clue what could be on your wheels, but I'm pretty sure it was applied -after- manufacture.

Got hotel reservations in Reno for the third week of June. Haven't been out there in a couple years. Here's a question. I've always heard that there's likely several someones who are trying to hack your wifi and it should be considered that it isn't safe. So I wouldn't be logging into my bank accounts while I was there. But does that mean that the hackers will have my info the moment I fire my laptop up, or that I can't go to websites without fear of virus or being spammed? What about checking email? I've never taken my laptop with me but it sure would be nice, since I don't go out once I'm in for the evening when I'm there.

Didn't get the hole digger fired up but I did map out where the water line is and it isn't going to interfere with my fence posts. That's a relief. Though I'm sure I could have come up with a creative solution. Tomorrow is chiro day and Friday I'm going to bed about as soon as I get home, so I can get up and go to my Mom's early Saturday morning.

Did I say going to bed? That's what I'm going to do now. Hope everyone has a good evening.

 

I tried some HCl - no go, at all. I had thought about Easy Off (which is Sodium Hydroxide dissolved in EtOH), but want to steer clear of a strong base as a strong base is most often used to strip chromium (and in particular at higher temperatures as would be the case sitting in sunlight). The acetone is working fine. I think I'm correct on the GUNK. It's a type of acrylamide. Surprisingly, as I continue to remove more & more of the GUNK, I'm now able to confirm it really is an acrylamide since the dried compound on my rags is of the exact same color as sulfur - which is a bright yellow (not the color of my car) but of a bright yellow. The production of an acrylamide is conducted in the presence of sulfuric acid to form a sulfate ester of methacrylamide. So, it's an acrylamide which I find interesting. I'm very suspicious this material was used to protect the wheels after manufacturing to hinder oxidation of the chromium while they sat in storage at a dealer, warehouse, parts stores, etc. I'm even more suspicious whoever put these wheels on this vehicle found a set of NOS SSIII wheels - which may have been sitting in some warehouse (whatever) for 30-40 years, painted them to match the vehicle's paint, and never removed the acrylamide (plastic) cover wrap on the wheels.

 

Mike, you can't always believe what you hear. If someone was going to attempt to hack "YOUR" WiFi, they will have "targeted" you as a BIG ROLLER (maybe!). The hackers aren't looking for grated cheese, they're looking (if anyone is looking) at the big blocks of cheese. I would not have the absolute least worries about logging onto your bank account - AT ALL. You can logon with absolute no worries in particular to a bank. The Browser on your laptop will negotiate w/ your bank an encrypted 'handshake', your bank will load a certificate onto your laptop via your Browser interface. ONLY your laptop, ONLY your IP address, ONLY your bank certificate and the encrypted 'handshake' negotiated with YOUR bank will be sent via the airwaves (WiFi). You employ a Transport LayerSecurity (TLS) cryptographic handshake. Literally IMPOSSIBLE for ANY hacker to negotiate your encrypted secured certificate handshake - don't even worry about it. Your password is NEVER sent to a bank in clear text - ABSOLUTELY - NEVER.

Regarding logging onto other websites. The only way you'll get a virus isn't going to be via a hacker; it's going to be from the website you log onto. Same with spam, a hacker isn't going to load you up with spam. Spam will be introduced via a website.

The ONLY thing you even need to be REMOTELY concerned about is what's referred to as a MITMA - man in the middle attack. This is where an entity would try to capture your communication between your IP address and a destination IP address and then insert a clever piece of information to load a trojan (to capture keystrokes is the most highly regarded); but even then, that event is so entirely random, the chances of it occurring while you're in Vegas is less likely than you winning a million dollars at the slot machine (even if you don't play). Don't get too excited be cautious with your laptop itself, not with your ability to logon to websites.

You do have a couple options - just to (maybe) help settle your nerves. Your laptop probably has a WiFi built in. Use your own WiFi as opposed to using the hotels WiFi (which is often free). Hackers will be more apt to trace a hotel's WiFi than an individuals WiFi. Even then Mike, you really aren't considered to be a decent hit target - unless you're walking around with gold teeth, gold rings, gold bullion, and tossing down $1,000 chips at the craps table.

I might add, the encryption on a bank TLS certificate handshake these days is nearly always a 256-bit encrypted algorithm - which means the fastest Cray computer in the world (which costs hundreds of thousands of dollars) would take nearly one month to attempt to break a 256-bit encrypted algorithm handshake.

 

Norm - The factory wheels were never wrapped in anything. What you likely have is aftermarket wheels from Wheels Vintiques when they were producing them.

 

Allan - Thanks. I'm going to clean the inside-face of the wheels tomorrow and look for some numbers - I should be able to track-down (hopefully) manufacturer. I'm not sure (at this point) how I'll tell if they're OEM, Wheels Vintiques or whomever, but I'll wait to get some numbers first.

 

Mike - Good on you 25 years w/ Delta - very nice young man.

 

Gee, I wonder if I will be able to get my car out of the garage tomorrow? Got into my vehicle to go to work, hit the garage door opener and, groooan coming for the door and motor, with the door lifting about 2" and dropping back down. I pulled the door release cord and nothing. tried to lift it, and it did not budge an inch (drugs for my back soon after). Tried lifting while operating the remote, got it open about two feet. Called the garage door guys, but got an answering machine, will try again with them in the a.m. Called a co worker who lives about a mile away for a ride to work.

 

Norm, I have no idea what is on your wheels, I don't have any type of coating on my SSIII's that I know of- certainly not sticky.
Dan, maybe your helper spring broke on your garage door? I had one of mine break once and couldn't lift the door- too heavy..
Rainy morning here but nice- feels like spring. I spent $1400. at lumber yard yesterday and had OSB and other lumber delivered for the 2nd floor of the barn. Quite a project. Keeps me busy. It takes me all day to do what a couple experienced guys could do in a hour, but I'm retired, Its all good...
My wife just started golfing yesterday on 2 leagues. I just can't seem to get into "smacking whitey" though I am in in the minority. The neighbors all do it, I am the oddball. I thought I would take it up after I retired but really have no desire.
I took the old 56 f100 to the lumberyard yesterday to pickup some 10' 2x4's. It was fun and drove good. It has a 6' box which works better than the 05 Ford which only has a 5 1/2' box. It's funny when I take that as people act interested in it as when happens when I take out the Olds. But when I have the Olds I get compliments such as nice car, etc as it is all shiney. When I take the truck they usually don't say anything but you can see on their face a little confusion. The lady at the McDonalds drive thru asked me if I planned to restore it, I said no.

 

Norm, so sorry, couldn't find anything but a Hurican

 

Based on a thread posted by hurst68olds (Post # 7) it suggests my wheels were produced by the Motor Wheel Corporation of Lansing, MI (closed 1975). Lots of cool historical articles on the Motor Wheel Corporation and the Superfund site to clean up its wastes products - interesting history. I suspect they were produced at Plant #5 during 1972. There are other stamped numbers on the wheels (S30, B, L) but it appears they were produced during the era my vehicle was born. Motor Wheel Corporation produced one-third of all wheels manufactured.

M = Motor Wheel Corporation
5 = Plant Number
2 = Year

 

Norm, are the wheels in question the ones pictured on your car? The SSIII with the chrome rim didn't appear until the 80's, so I think that the "2" is for 1982 at the earliest. One of the main springs on my garage door is broke, unlike yesterday, I had time to have a look at it. The garage door guys won't be here until noon, the are working on another car stuck in he garage! I told them over the phone that while they are here, they can write me up an estimate for a new door and hardware. Rained like an s.o.b. last night, we got some of that rain from the system that belted Iowa and caused severe flooding. We got nowhere near as much as they did.

 

Good morning everyone,

Anutter beautimus day shaping up here. Spoda get up to T shirt weather for those in de south.

Norm - If your wheels are chrome 15" I suspect they were produced for the 1980's model cars. Your information is skewed slightly; the plant at 725 E. Saginaw St, Lansing may have closed in 1975 but those wheels were produced for/by GM into 1988. I suspect the code on yours reflects 1982, not 1972 because as I previously noted Olds didn't produce 14" SSII or SSIII in 1972. If you take the #7 post to a logical conclusion those wheels Hurst68olds coded for you are 1976 which is past the closing date of 1975 for that previously mentioned factory. 2 Noteworthy examples: 1983 Hurst Olds and 1987 442? They're stock BTW




EDIT: Dan - ya beat me to that by a minute...

 

Allan, I just saw that!

 

Thanks you guys. Same wheels as shown on my car. On my phone now, will look something up again when back in house. I can’t recall correctly. I don’t think they closed the factory, I think they sold to Perdue(?) then Goodyear then finally closed the factory (evidently there were several plants). Agree, like you said the date code is probably 1982 not 1972. They may not even be for Oldsmobile? Didn’t some of the other divisions use these wheels? During what years - same as Oldsmobile? I’d have to suggest though they weren’t produced by Wheels Vintiques. Good stuff. Thanks.

 

You're helping me figure this out - it's not a huge deal, but knowing their originality & history is of merit to me. Thanks. So, to add a couple things which I've found out along the way (now). The wheels on my vehicle are 15" and the spare wheel is a 14". The 14" spare wheel is of the center cap bolt-on type, but the 15" wheels are of the push-in snap-on type - no biggie - only pointing this out. The wheels cleaned up awesome. Cruised around the undercarriage examining the rear control arms and 'stuff', preparing a list for next winters project - body-to-frame rubber mounts look to be in good shape. Rear control arm bushings look to be cracked and degraded. Really don't know about the springs though. As long as I'm going to have drop the axle & remove the control arms I might just as well install new springs, as well. Same appears to apply to the front-end - upper & lower CA bushings looked cracked & degraded as well as the ball joints. Some things were replaced at sometime, others not. Anyways, you know how it goes - observations yield MAWs.


Cleaned up well.

15" snap-on cap

Spare 14" Don't care if it's mounted upside-down. Saves damaging other sides surface.

Bolt-on for the 14" spare

Bolt-on for the 14" spare

Bolt-on for the 14" spare

 

My brain is working over time as I clean these wheels. The vehicle is not the original paint color (as Allan knows, & thanks for the previous assistance in deciphering the cowl tag). Original color was PNT 61 E - Lower body: Sandalwood upper body (convertible top) matching.
Sandalwood color.

So, here's my latest 'theory'. The vehicle was painted - all good & well - I do like it's current color, they did a good job - not an excellent job, so be it. Yet, those wheels have exterior body matching paint color. Let's suppose how'd you go about painting those areas on the wheels. I'm now suspecting the possibility they masked off the wheel chrome w/ an acrylamide - perhaps something you could easily spray from a gun. Far easier to mask the entire surface of the chrome with a (plastic) acrylamide and render only the remaining surface requiring paint for the body-matching colored paint. A theory, but it has possibilities.

 

Norm, those wheels are sharp! If your car originally came with SSII's or III's then the bolt on center cap would be correct. My former '71 was Sandalwood, but was repainted at one point with a shade that had a little more yellow in it.

 

I miss that car.

 

Norm,
A couple observations if you don't mind my comments.

1. If the spare is a 14" wheel, you want to change it to a 15". That's a 'just in case' situation where you get a flat tire. Not a good idea to run different size wheels/tire sizes on a car. The bolt pattern on the 14" and 15" wheels is still the same, just the diameter changes. It's easy to see the overspray from the paint job on the back of those wheels, and part of the tire as well. IF you decided to go with the proper 'specialty wheel' storage, it would also present much nicer if you show the car and have the deck lid open. JMHO. BTW when I detail my wheels and tires, I admit to being a little **** and do both sides.
2. The spare is not stored properly as per "specialty wheel" storage. Refer to Dave's thread where that was changed over to the proper storage. OR, it it works for you, just leave it.
3. The paint on your wheels was likely just masked off with tape. Cheap, fast and convenient in a body shop. I don't think they used any special chemicals to coat the wheel just for the paint on those spoke areas.
4. Your bolt in caps. To clean that over spray, may I suggest you use some 0000 steel wool and water? The cap has chrome on it and that grade of steel wool will clean it nicely. The recessed areas you can paint an argent color. To avoid the scratching that occurred from tire irons on the lugs, use only a socket. I suspect that's the reason the wheels were modified to snap on caps to avoid collateral damage from tire irons. If you'd like a picture of what NOS bolt on cap looks like LMK. I have 4 and can take pics for your reference. PM me your email and I can send them if you wish.
5. It's much easier to do the rear LCA's by dropping the axle, but much much more easy if you also drop the gas tank. You'd be surprised how much room that gives. Plus you can replace the rubber lines to the vent and fuel lines at the same time if you haven't done that already.
6. Bushings are soooo much fun. If you elect to do it yourself and have access to a press they're ezpz. If not, use the autozone loan a tool program. Free use of the ball joint press also works on the bushings. BTW the bushings on the differential ears are fun to press back in. One side is slightly more difficult but not impossible. I did it back in 2012. Don't torque the control arms till you have the car weight on them (80 ft lbs front and rear)
7. I wouldn't bother replacing the springs unless you absolutely know they're no good. Like you alluded, there's been some work done to this car, so if it has good components I'd leave them in and just clean them up.

Here's a reference item for you that shows the 83 Hurst Olds (partial) specs. Note the wheel and size.

 

Dan - That's a nice 71. Great example of the Halo roof too. I see it has both snap on center (rear) and bolt on center (front) wheels.

Here's a picture of my SSII's I restored back in 2017. Hard to see in that light but they are argent. Interesting enough, argent also has some light metallic in it. I was unsure about that, but was reassured when I looked at an unmolested 76 442 that had the SSII wheels and noted that. I bead blasted everything, primed and painted both inner and outer. Inners were black, and that was done after the argent was sprayed to avoid the overspray coming through. I used Frog tape to eliminate the possibility of bleed through. This is before the 225/70/14 BFGs and new valve stems.

 

Dan - Thanks. Nice car. They have your door issue resolved?

Allan - Thanks for your comments - they're always appreciated.

(1) I don't want to change the spare from a 14">15" (this was previously discussed on Dave's thread) & I won't be changing the spare. My vehicle will operate fine w/o any problems after changing the tire and motoring to the nearest service station w/in 10-20 miles to have the flat repaired or replaced. I also carry a tubeless repair kit so unless it's a blow/tear out or a sidewall slice, I can repair it myself with nothing more than an air hose. I don't see any overspray on either my wheels or my tires. I'm not sure what you're seeing, but it isn't overspray;
(2) I have a 'spare' (refer to Dave's thread);
(4) I have 'one' bolt-on cap which is for the spare. Since the spare is a 14", the bolt-on cap will never see daylight; in fact, the bolt-on cap is in my stash of parts;
(5) I plan to drop the axle - hadn't thought about dropping the gas tank; but, you present a good suggestion regarding more room (always a plus) and changing out the rubber lines while the tank is off. The hoses could use a fresh set - I can see witness to some cracking but no leaking. The worst cracking is the one leading to the vent;
(6) I've changed bushings on vehicles - honestly I don't find them to be such the big deal everyone purports them to be. I see lots of folks bit&^ and complain about inserting bushings and yet even though they've probably read about putting them in the freezer x24 hours before inserting - they just don't get it and don't do it. I am happy for them as they struggled and complained about how difficult it was because they couldn't follow simple instructions. I will change the bushings & ball joints myself. Understand about torquing control arms;
(7) I don't plan to change good components; although, I will admit - yes, it's a mushy cruiser (LOL) 2.56 rear-end but I prefer a more rigid stiffened ride. So, I'll address springs when I get there.

This car, while numbers matching and for the most part nearly all original, will never be entered into a judging event for any type of award(s) and/or displayed in any show-car events - therefore, I am not concerned in how it presents regarding any points - never. It is a daily driver. I consider the work I perform on this vehicle to fall w/in the category of required maintenance and auxiliary upgrades in order to maintain the integrity of the motor vehicle.

 

Allan - BTW, you are over-the-top **** on restoration and I admire your dedication and commitment to the work you perform - truly outstanding. If I had a bead blaster lurking about in my man-cave somewhere (which I've yet to 'find'), I'd surely bead blast everything. I'd love to own a good quality bead blaster but I can't justify the expense for one. Those wheels you bead blasted are outstanding!! **** might be an understatement.

 

Norm, If ya give me a few more strokes, Ya can come use my bearing press and blasting cabinet

 

Hi everyone.

Surprise surprise. We finished all our work with an hour to spare today. Someone said he saw the lead really giving it to the fat man, so he must have instructed the minions to amp it up.

It's nice out today but overcast. There's supposed to be some bad weather roll in late this evening. My sister is flying through so I hope she doesn't get into it. Supposed to be bad here all weekend. Hope it isn't in Florida as well, I am planning yardwork.

Norm thanks for the info on hotel wifi. I really would have no need to look at my bank accounts but good to know that when I run all my credit up gambling I can transfer funds to keep going. So are you saying if I bring my mobile hot spot and use it for wifi I'll have even less worry looking at the internet?

Jamesbo I didn't know you had a blasting cabinet, too. I still want to come up and get that other blaster so I can blast the hell out of big stuff outside. Now that I have access to that big blaster at work again, I have shelved my plans to get a cabinet of my own. It would pale in comparison.

Dan that's a nice looking car. Why did you sell it? Hope you can get your car out of garage jail soon. Can they open the door before they replace the springs? Out of control springs would make a mark on your car that wouldn't easily buff out.

Okay chiropractor today. Friday tomorrow. Florida Saturday. Hope everyone has a good evening.

 

Mike - That would be spot-on correct.

 

Mike, If you're waiting on me, you're backing up

Don't tell Norm but I've got 14" and 15" bolt on center wheel all over the place

 

Who's Norm?

 

Evening Guys:
I have a set of 14" rally II's or maybe III's in my attic with bolt on center caps. I will never use them since I don't have a Cutlass anymore. I also have a Toronado oil pan. two early generation dual snorkel air cleaners, a tilt column for a column shift, two new oil pumps and pickups (1 high volume and 1 regular, both Melling) and probably some other parts I am forgetting.
My wife and I got back from Granbury yesterday afternoon. It rained yesterday but we had a nice time. We had a very nice dinner on our anniversary at a place called the Mesquite Pit. It is fairly new and casual. We split a 1 1/2 " ribeye. It probably weighed 20 ounces and was plenty for both of us. The Ironhorse Inn was great. We stayed there on our anniversary two years ago. It is a huge home and the couple that bought it six years ago and redid it are getting ready to sell it and retire. It had been a B&B previously but went into foreclosure and sat vacant for several years. They did a great job. They are great hosts and we will miss them. I took Lucy for our walk this morning and then this afternoon I decided to weld the extensions on the bumper bolts for my rear bumper. I needed 1/2 bumper bolts 3 inches long. Looked all over the internet and never found any. So I bought a piece of 1/2" threaded stock and got out the Mig welder and welded a short chrome headed bumper bolt on each end. I then cut them to 3 inches in length and ground the weld down and they worked perfect. I had some 3" carriage bolts that I had painted the head of with chrome paint but they still didn't look right. It is amazing what a difference these little things make. I guess I should have taken some pictures when I started.
Well, I have to get ready to go to the youngest grandsons final band concert in the 8th grade. He turns 14 on the 23rd and then I will have two grandsons in high school next year. Granddaughter is graduating this month.
Have a good afternoon everybody.
Glenn

 

Great eye Allan. When I bought it had 14" wheels all around with 225-70x14's, but I wanted something wider in the rear, so I went with 245-60x14's. The problem was in this wider width, I could not get anything taller in a 14" Radial T/A, and these were 1" shorter than what was offered in 1971 for a factory tire. I had a set of 15x7's in the garage, so I painted them to match and had 245-60x15's installed. They filled the wheel well much better. Norm, The was car freed from it's prison. They said $175 to replace the spring, but I said to quote me a new door & hardware. They have 20 doors to install, so I am on their waiting list. Mike, I sold it after I was laid off for 20 months during our recession. By the way, Ford had a wheel very similar in style to the SSII that they used on the Mustang around 1965 or 66. They quit using it, and Olds came out with their version in '68.

 

Swiped from the web. Most of us have probably seen these wheels before.

 

Tee time 8:30am

 

Hit 'em straight Norm

Headed norte

Have a great weekend Olds friends

 

Good morning all!!!
What I miss?? I am reading I missed a lot!!!! See some nice photos of some good looking tires Just order a set of Cooper Cobras for Kelvin's car, think will look great on his 442.

Dan, be 1 of 3 things with your door. Cable jumped on the drum, look at the right side and left side to see if wrapped proper on the drums. Or the screw locks came loose and took the tension off the spring, or like Greg said, spring broke.
Its easy to fix, if you know what you are doing. Spring can be dangerous!!!! Been on a couple repair jobs where the springs actually blew apart. And these were big springs, big shop doors.

Mike and Allan, panels will pay off. Just takes time, price has come down lots in 10 years. Few things to look at
It adds value to the house. Once you hit the break even point, then power not costing you a dime. Just maintenance or a faulty inverter or panel you may need to change over time.
I will be tied to the grid,so selling and buying hydro. Will have system set up with future batter holding and backup generator power.
Is a 10% tax rebate if you do solar. Wind is cool too, but them pricey yet and you need wind. Here is hit and miss.

Well last 2 days of yard sale and am done with it. Gotta get these heads sent off for rebuild, hope valves are in soon.
The little CR85R is on steroids, Kelvin is too scared to ride it now. lol Sticks to his 230 4 stroke.

Cheers boys, have a great 1

 

Good morning everyone,

2 down, 1 to go. The Malibu was so easy to work on. Everything fit perfectly and no issues, unlike the Saturn. Test drive to Costco with the missus to get some dinner (rotisserie chicken - Costco has the best for the least $). Also bought new wiper blades for the Malibu. Michelin Stealth for $10 each. That's a bargain when other stores here are selling the exact same blade for up to 2x that amount. We looked at the garden center and didn't see much we wanted. Besides, the weather here isn't quite ready for seasonal outdoor planting or flowers.

Not heading norte or soute. Staying put today. Might overhaul the lawnmower carb though depending on whether it starts on the first or second pull.

Norm - I bought the bead blaster back in 2012 along with a 60 gal compressor. I prefer using glass beads as a media. They clean nicely and I can usually get several hours of blasting before I either change the media or filter the impurities out of it. Before I had a media blaster I had to make do with my wire wheels and trusty Makita. One more thing about when you drop your rear axle. That center brake hose is a prime candidate for replacement and may be cracked or badly aged. It's a PITA and an overlooked part of a lot of body on restorations.

Dan - So did they cut you a deal for the work if you're looking at a complete replacement? I have a 16x7 door but it uses 2 sets of springs. When one goes, the other isn't far behind. Last time it went I couldn't remember where I put my spring winders. Found them last year tucked into the lower tool cabinet in the garage where I put them in case I ever needed them again Yes, I remember those Mustang wheels.

Mike, sounds like you're about ready for another visit with your Mom?

Kyle - So how's the yard sale thing going? Run out of pipe tobakky waiting on the drive by traffic?

Where's Marc?

 

Kyle, a spring had broken. This door needs to be replaced as an un-named person backed into it last year Allan, they gave me a pretty good quote to replace this door and hardware and haul away the old one. Single sided w/insulation for $1025.00

 

Oh yes, good on the costco's. 90 percent of the time, no one can beat their price. Too bad the closest one is 3 hours away from me, or that might be a good thing. Lol.

Sorting my shed, found my bars to whind springs as well. My 1/2 inch and 3/4 bars. Kinda wanna put up a door now. Lol.

So when sand blasting, better to use glass beads?

Still over half a pouch of captain black, so good on that. Just call me the neighbor watch dog!!!

Went and seen a herbalist yesterday with wifey. She been on that for 2 months now, and feels alot better. So curiosity was killing me, got her to poke some blood from me too. Neat to see your own blood under a microscope. Apparently I ain't in good shape either. Getting old, thought body was slowing down. Who knows, maybe I will feel 25 again. Lol So giving this herbal medicine a try to clean out my blood.

 

Ah yes. Well that's a decent price for door and install

 

40 Front, 40 Back