Charlie Jones

Those 455 pistons have a pin to crown height of 1.720 inches .
The 394 has a 1.765 pin to crown height .
That means that the 455 pistons will sit .045 in the hole at top dead center.
That will surely lower the compression .
My guess would be 9 to 1 or lower .
Exact compression ratio can be figured with this calculator ;
https://butlerperformance.com/n-1287...alculator.html

The Edelbrock carb will work OK , but make sure to connect it to the transmission throttle rod correctly .
It should be connected so that the lever on the side of the trans is all the way forward at curb idle and all the way back at wide open throttle .

I hope you haven't already assembled this engine .
If so , it will need to be disassembled again to have the crankshaft machined for a pilot bushing .

394 Guy

Thanks for the information about the pistons and carb. The 394 is assembled and that's why I'm going to stay with the healthy 324 that's in the car. My neighbour has 2 or 3 Slim Jim transmissions in his yard so I'll buy one and bolt it to the 394 for future use.

Charlie Jones

Or buy all three , so you'll have two spares to fall back on .
When they go to hell .

kmakar89

Ok, you can add me to the "Darkside"...... ordered fuel pump and carb rebuild from Fusick this morning and Mike is sending a catalog. Been doing inventory of parts to replace, so I'll be picking your guys brains.

Here's a picture of the original owner I bought it from last week (she's my neighbor and wanted me to fix and preserve the '64 Starfire)

GCH

The car looks to be in good shape, congrats
would be nice to se more pics , red interior ?

kmakar89

Yes, it has a red interior that is in very good shape (no tears or rips) and the seats are soft.

Soon as I have the carb and fuel pump rebuilt and I can pull it out of the garage I'll take more pics. Right now it's bottom of my 4 post lift ('68 GTO convertible is on top).

hotrod_Kustom

Here it´s my 61 i just start with. Be a mild Kustom.

Rust in left front floor and trunk and need recrome lot of

74747474

Anyone have any tips? TY

Charlie Jones

Yes , get the 1969 Oldsmobile chassis service manual.
It will explain the proper procedure from there .
1969 oldsmobile chassis service manual | eBay
This book is invaluable when working on your car .
And also to loan to your mechanic when you choose to have work done by them .

Delmont1968

I have a 1969 chassis service manual sitting around can send to you for less than on the internet if you don’t have one. PM if interested.

hotrod_Kustom

Have just got one ex from Ebay but thanks. Whole car it´s in boxes

snail

Hi all,

this is my 1969 Delta88:


Trim line: Custom - Engine: 455-2 - Trans: Auto - Interior: Gold (vinyl)

I bought "Goldie" exactly 6 years ago (2015/12/12) in the north of San Francisco area from the doughter of the original owner (but not sure whether he bought it new or as a used car), shipped it to Germany, converted to European regulations, did the safety inspecion and paperwork for historic vehicle and finally received the German registration papers in spring 2016
Since then I enjoy the car (too rarely) on weekend drives or local meets.

Now it is time to replace the window felts/ beltline weatherstripping, but so far I could not find any source to buy the replacement parts,
so I would be glad and would appreciate if anybody could give me an advice or information where I can buy these parts (therefore I also started a thread in the "large oldmobiles" section).

Charlie Jones

Steele Rubber should have what you need .
Steele Rubber Products - Search Results

snail

Hey Chrlie,

thanks for the advice!

It looks like these are universal parts that have to be glued but are not specific parts matching exactly a 69 Delta.
Also in my understanding they just can be used for the inner beltline weatherstrip.
As the parts have to be shipped to Germany, parts with a length of 3 or 5 foot are not really suitable for oversea shipping...

Are there no specific kits for a 69 Delta available?
Are these parts interchangeable from other GM cars e.g. from a Buick LeSabre?

joe_padavano

Snail already has another thread going about this exact same topic. There's probably more specific information available there. It'd typically not in your best interest to ask the same question in multiple forums here. You'll get a better answer sooner when all responses are contained in a single thread.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...1/#post1389899

snail

I agree - thank you Joe !

455Dave

Hello Darksiders, I’ve added a 3rd 68 full-side to my collection. Made the 2200 mile run to Colorado to pick it up on a lark…with minimal photos or information. After getting it home and doing some cleaning and minor repairs I can say that I’m impressed on how original and unmolested it is. It is a 1968 Delmont 88 Town Sedan with the B07 Highway Patrol Apprehender package. Always in Western CO, rust free but not pristine by any means. I am curious and would like to know if the rockets in hubcap centers were painted or not…and if so what color. Also, all 4 trim rings are present…are they correct? My 2 other 68s also have discs w/these 15” wheels but have the deluxe full wheel covers so I’m leaning some on this one. Thanks for any advice …Dave

Delmont1968

The 1968 dog dish caps I on my 88 have the shield area of the rocket logo painted garnet red. Will send a photo later.

Delmont1968

Here is what mine looks like. And, yes the chrome rings are correct for the dog dish cabs. Probably can surprise a few folks at a red light with that police interceptor 455. Nice car.

455Dave

Thank you this really helps! Would love to see pics of yours. You are right, this thing really moves! My Ninety Eights have the 365-455s with factory duals. They are powerful but not quick, the 390-455 Delmont is very responsive plus it has the 3.08 rear to help. The car still has original plug wires, hoses, shocks and rear brakes. The front pads are thin and say Delco but I doubt at 67,000 miles that the are original. I have nos pads and have to change the cracked hoses. Just put new exhaust on with nos resonators. Still needs paint /body work and seat covers/dash pad. Trying to keep it as original as possible. Thanks again! Dave

Charlie Jones

Finding an old cop car is rare indeed .
Most lived a hard and fast life and were junked before their second birthday .

Those wheels are 15 X 6 and 1/2 wide . And are specially reinforced .
They were only offered with the B 07 " police package " .

Charlie Jones

Are you going to paint the hood , trunk lid , and doors black ?
And add lights and siren ? Would be cool .

455Dave

Thanks Charlie! I originally planned on doing just that, but since I discovered this was civilian ordered/owned I will probably just keep the “sleeper” look. It was ordered by an older couple in Grand Junction CO (Jim Fuoco Olds/GMC/Rambler) in March 1968 then the widow sold it in 1992 to the gentleman that sold it to me this October. The paint/body is sunburned and bruised in spots and the seats are too. No rust, perfect pot-metal and chrome..etc. Kind of an oddball, I’m guessing the original owner read Tom McCahill’s review in Popular Mechanics and ordered one! Thanks…Dave

Delmont1968

Glad you took her in. Sounds like she is in good hands now. BTW, here is my 1968 88. Coupe with ac, disc brakes, posi rear end, and bucket seats. Odd thing is it is a column shift, so no floor console.

455Dave

That is stunning! And you are right, kind of odd that they didn’t order the no charge console, but they did check a lot of other goodies that makes it pretty special. Dave

65B01Delta

Caps & rings are correct. What a Find.....
I bought my1965 Delta 88 3 on the tree B07 out of Center Colorado also pretty much rust free.

65B01Delta

That's what I figured civilian ordered/owned means not beat and cared for....

455Dave

Thank you for confirming the wheel trim too. This thing has stuff you wouldn’t usually see on a police car… rear seat speaker, window frame and door edge moldings, rear defog, foam padded rear seat, deluxe interior, a/c…etc. According to the seller (second owner) it was pristine when he bought it in 1992…then spent most of the next 29 years outside, so cosmetics suffered. Mechanically it is very good. Removed valve covers to replace gaskets and it looks new inside. So, I’m just cleaning and sorting out minor things for now. Thanks! Dave

Risky98

That is such a cool car, Dave. You just don't see ones like that.

Elbert999

Bought my 1966 Dynamic 88 six years ago and I love it. Good 20 footer. Mechanically excellent. Needs an interior (anyone know a good shop in or near Ohio?). Power brakes up front (YAY). Want to convert to power steering - looking for parts.
My own previous Olds big bodies... 66 Toronado, 70 Toronado ... my Dad and his father drove big Olds their whole lives.

eric66

Nice car ,What part of Ohio you located in?

Elbert999

Thanks! Central Ohio, but also North Central Ohio at Lake Erie.

Bfg

Looks like you have a busted spring on the picture, sharp ride otherwise

Elbert999

It was actually a broken shock. The mounting pin had sheared.

Charlie Jones

Nice car !
It looks really sharp in black.

Elbert999

Thanks, the car is mostly original…original colors, but an average repaint. Doesn’t matter I love the drive!

eric66

Give Lee Auto Trim in Akron a call and Benny's Upholstery in Barberton a try.I seen some their work at car shows and on friends cars.

Elbert999

Awesome…Thanks! Will give them a try.

sd28740

Greetings from Nashville Darksiders, 1965 Starfire convertible

OLDSter Ralph

Welcome, beautiful car. Those wheels are beautiful. They are very, very hard to find. I had to settle for SSIV wheels for '64 Starfire.