Hi guys! I was combing Craigslist as usual and saw this for sale:

http://corvallis.craigslist.org/cto/3434661746.html

My close friends and I all love old cars and I'm the Old's guy of the lot, so we've been trying to convince each other to buy projects so we can all work together on our projects and help each other out and cruise.

We think this car is fantastic for him because he wants a cheap cruiser, and I want to see more Olds on the road He really likes the car even tho its a 4-door and wants to buy it. One of my friends is coming back from WyoTech and will source and rebuild an engine for it. I was wondering what your guys' two cents were on the car as well as any words of caution or advice for him or us when we go to look at the car.

Thank you very much for your time as always and happy holdays!

-Andres H.

 

Looks like a good car. It's a four-door, yes, but it's a hardtop, and those are always good-looking body styles, whether they're two or four-door.

 

If you want a cheap cruiser and want to rebuild a 394 then you really picked a bad car to start with! And you have one of the worst transmissions known to man in there as well

 

Let's not try to discourage him or anything.

 

Andres, while I like the 61-64 cars (I own two), they are not for everyone. This one looks good enough and is low option enough that you won't get into any vacuum/ electrical screwiness with it, and it's priced right. If the rear bumper has no rot thru it's worth half what he's asking for the whole car. But- as 59 has pointed out a 394 is an expensive engine to rebuild properly, and a Slim Jim can be "weird" if you're not used to them. The PNDSLR shift sequence will probably eff with your head a little, but it is completely normal for that car.

They weren't the best transmission in the world but the problem with them now is that no one knows how to work on one if it needs work. Though a WyoTech grad should have enough gumption to understand it and repair if needed, as well as properly RB the 394.

Couple places can adapt a TurboHydraMatic to the 394 block, but I honestly think that with an engine job staring you in the face, the thing to do with this car is to find an Olds 350-403 and a THM and adapt it to the car. I normally like to keep things as original as possible, but you and your buds have to ask yourselves if you're capable of and willing to deal with the quirks of an early 60s Oldsmobile's original drivetrain.

 

I agree with "Rocketraider". With the stock engine needing major work and the trans leaving something to desire. Any 350 or 403 Oldsmobile engine and trans combo would be a nice conversion. You will need to fab a trans X-member. Also some engine mount brkts off the front cross member to the side engine mounts. Adapt the late model p/s pump hoses to the stock power steer box. Best to get as complete eng & trans combo as possible with acc brkts. Stock rad should work fine. Muffler shop can do the exhaust sys.
Talk to "2blu442" John in Medford ,He should have all you need. If you have mechanical skills, it should be nice project.
Also search "Cittcap" 455, his '57 conversion should help with a few ideas.
PM me if you need more info.

Gene