Guys I bought a 62 Dynamic 88 and should be shipped to me late next week. The car is a time capsule spending a lot of time in climate controlled storage and started and moved once in awhile. Years ago the owner put on a Starfire air cleaner and valve covers, other than that is a stock untouched original. I think it may have Starfire hubcaps on it to? How you find out what HP the engine is? I have this chart below, but I'm assuming there's ID numbers on the block or heads? The engine is red, I saw where the low compression 394 were green?
1962 D88 394 10.25-1 280@4200 430@2400 4 bbl Super 88/98 394 10.25-1 330@4600 440@2800 4 bbl Super 88/98 394 10.5-1 345@4800 440@3200 4 bbl

 

did you get that car from a guy in northwest iowa.i knew a guy years ago that had that exact car.he also had a 62 starfire conv.

 

Nice. Very Nice.

Look for the engine code cast into the left side of the block. It'll be on a flat boss right below the middle screw on the bottom of the left valvecover. It's right behind a hose in photo #1.

 

I'm curious to see if the car was ordered with the higher HP engines that were available.. This car was stored up in Wisconsin for 5-6 years. Originally from Arkansas.

 

By any chance do you have the Olds Service Manuals for your car? This sort of information is covered well in the manuals. Lots of good photos. for a 1962 car you'll need to buy both the 1961 and 1962 service manuals.

 

Bob p , I believe these are the originals along with the floor mats. Notice on the passenger side wheel well, looks a white plastic tie wrapping around and holding two lines?

 

Those floor mats look just like my original 62 mats... blue. Did your car get a color change? I ask because those mats are blue, and the car is black/red. What do the paint codes say?

I was going to look up the engine codes in my service manuals, but since you have the books I won't bother. IIRC my Super 88 has the G engine code.

Someone did a nice job respraying your trunk. I still have the original yellow cross-hatched fabric in mine. It was in mint condition until the weatherstripping recently failed. Now it's all trashed and I'm going to need to re-do my trunk like yours has been done. I really regret having lost the original trunk lining, but almost nobody has them in their cars anymore.

All things considered, your car looks exceptionally nice for being an original 62. The engine bay is ridiculously clean. If your 394 is anything like mine, then the breather will have the engine bay oiled in no time. My Super 88 is still totally original except for the seat bench fabric and the tires, and has 64k on the clock. With 64k miles my carpet is worn thin. Even though my mileage is comparable to yours, my car doesn't look anywhere near as nice as yours looks. Someone's done a very nice job on it.

 

The guy I bought it from is an older guy, he said there is a little paint bubbling starting behind the rear fenders on the bottom, there was some touch up paint done by the previous owner here and there, but the rest is supposed to the original. He also said except for a great front and back seat reupholstering the rest on the interior is original. I want to keep this car intact, restore-rebuild what is necessary. I had a white 62-88 back in the day when I thought I met "the one" I have the Muncie out for rebuild out of my 67 442, 455-4 speed resto mod and just got in a new pair of vent window rubber seals, going to change them out (not that easy) and a few other repairs and have decided to find a new home for her, its been 12 years or so.

 

The 280-horse 394 w/ 2-barrel carb was standard in D88. The 330-horse 4-barrel SkyRocket was optional and I think you could get the 345-horse Starfire engine in Dynamic but not 100% sure for 62.

The Deluxe spinner caps were also optional for all big Oldsmobiles. They were usually color-keyed to the car.

 

Very nice car, great find. what are your plans for it?

 

Keep it where it is, rebuild, restore what needs to be done and enjoy. Don, I may have rode in your Starfire up to the drag strip in Denton when we had the Olds Nationals here? I'm excited about this find-OLDS.

 

The 62 full-size cars with the big block, premium fuel, 10.25:1 motors have an abundance of torque, and that makes them a blast to drive. My Super 88 came from the factory with a G-code motor and the 4 bbl carb that made 330 HP and 440 ft-lb.

My understanding is that the Dynamic 88 had the 2 bbl carb, which limited HP to 280, but still made 440 ft-lb. I don't know if your car still has the 2 bbl carb or if it's been upgraded to the Starfire's 4 bbl carb. Either one is good -- with the 4 bbl you'll consume more gas, and with the 2 bbl you should get better fuel economy.

I don't think that the difference in 2 bbl vs 4 bbl HP rating is all that relevant in these cars -- I don't really get the RPM high enough in real world driving conditions to realize the HP differential. In terms of real world driving, it's all about torque, and the 394 has plenty, regardless of which carb you've got. For me, it's a blast driving these big block monsters in the torque band. You're going to love it.

Keep us posted about when it arrives.

 

That wasn't me but I'd be glad to help with any questions once you get your car.

 

My first Olds was a 64 Dynamic 88 4-door. My only previous driving experience had been with mid-50s Y-block Fords, so the first time I floored that Olds I was absolutely amazed at the acceleration even with a 2-barrel. With the Fords, at 60mph you felt like the engine was going to blow or you were going to fly off the road. With the Olds, 75 mph was just as smooth as 50 and you knew there was more...

 

Don R , I believe now that the Starfire was white that I rode in, and his car was hit with hail, do you know him?

 

I like that "salesmen only" price and feature comparison booklet. That would be cool to browse through.

 

Sorry, no. Hail...ouch.

 

That's a good idea, when I get the car here I will post pictures of the "salesman only price and comparison guide". Still waiting for the transport company to schedule the pick up. In the meantime most that have replied to this thread are Club members of the Big Oldsmobile's, Have you seen my ground up 'Nut and Bolt" 64 F-85 Pro Touring build in Major Builds and Projects titled Update Progress on 64 post? I call it my Picasso.

 

cherokeepeople, I went through a ton of receipts and this car many years ago, around 1998 to a Rex Hefley from Evansdale Iowa. Attached are some images of the Protecto-plate etc. The starter solenoid has failed, ordered a new one from NAPA. Will have to push the car into the shop this coming weekend and get that fixed.

 

Car was put in-service 4/22/1962. few more images.

 

Bob P its a 394 2Bl. motor.

 

I love seeing these time capsules

Thanks for sharing

 

Was reading the comparison to the Galaxie from the pic you posted. Says the length is "four and six tenths inches" longer than the Ford. Six tenths???? That truly was a different time and place. I've never heard such terminology.

 

Sorry to hijack thread but you mention selling your 67 442 resto? Price? Pics? Thread to see build? Many thanx DynoDon88

 

Dyno Don no problem. Fact I had the M-21 completely gone through and re-installed it yesterday, ordered new Spin Tech mufflers, and vent window rubber. Going to get all that done plus repaint the blackout around the rear tail lights. After all that's done, then I will stick a sign in it. I have enjoyed the car for I think 12 years. 18.5K is what I need for the car. PM me and I will send you more pictures. I'm going to video the motor running before I have the exhaust put back on. It sounds really cool.

 

v- nice..

 

Beautiful 62, I learned to drive in a 62 98. Good luck with it. And may i ask what kind of headers are on your 67 and were there any fitment issues with them?
Thanks
Steve

 

Hooker Competition Headers, no clearance issues on my 64 pro-touring build or 67. I think some of the issues with headers not clearing on early A-body Olds comes from improper engine and frame mounts. Pictured, the 64 has a 67 400E, with a highly modified 200-4R. I have seen some BB Olds in early A-bodys and have noticed that the owner gave one of the drivers side tubes a massage with a hammer to clear the steering shaft-that I contribute the motor sitting a tad to high, improper engine mounts.

 

Oh since the F-85 had a 330, I used 330 engine mounts to work with the 330 frame mounts. Do not mix and match.