General Discussion Discuss your Oldsmobile or other car-related topics.

54-56 owners unite!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old June 2nd, 2015, 06:04 AM
  #201  
Registered User
 
cwh55555@hotmail.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 28
. Thanks a58strod! Agree.
cwh55555@hotmail.com is offline  
Old June 2nd, 2015, 09:18 PM
  #202  
Registered User
 
Tedd Thompson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Ranch Ca.
Posts: 7,714
I think it depends on what style back porch you have tacked to the rear of your car. Some appear to be a complete different bumper...Tedd...http://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/s...ntinental+kit+
Tedd Thompson is offline  
Old June 2nd, 2015, 09:32 PM
  #203  
Registered User
 
cwh55555@hotmail.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 28
Originally Posted by Tedd Thompson
I think it depends on what style back porch you have tacked to the rear of your car. Some appear to be a complete different bumper...Tedd...http://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/s...ntinental+kit+
cwh55555@hotmail.com is offline  
Old June 2nd, 2015, 09:34 PM
  #204  
Registered User
 
cwh55555@hotmail.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 28
Thanks Tedd.
cwh55555@hotmail.com is offline  
Old June 2nd, 2015, 09:40 PM
  #205  
Registered User
 
natedrag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Wellsboro Pa
Posts: 77
.
Anyone know if a Continental Kit can be taken off of a 1956 Olds Super 88? If so, how is it done? Thanks.
Any means possible!!
natedrag is offline  
Old June 3rd, 2015, 05:48 AM
  #206  
Registered User
 
cwh55555@hotmail.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 28
Originally Posted by natedrag
.

Any means possible!!
Concur!
cwh55555@hotmail.com is offline  
Old June 3rd, 2015, 07:55 AM
  #207  
Registered User
 
Tedd Thompson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Ranch Ca.
Posts: 7,714
What problems are you having ? I have never had a continental kited car but I would think it would be pretty straight forward if it is anything like a conventional bumper... Tedd
Tedd Thompson is offline  
Old June 3rd, 2015, 08:56 AM
  #208  
Registered User
 
cwh55555@hotmail.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 28
Originally Posted by Tedd Thompson
What problems are you having ? I have never had a continental kited car but I would think it would be pretty straight forward if it is anything like a conventional bumper... Tedd
Thinking about buying a '56 Super 88, but it has the Continental Kit. Wouldn't buy it if the Kit can't come off. Obviously, I'm not a fan of the Kit.
cwh55555@hotmail.com is offline  
Old June 3rd, 2015, 04:37 PM
  #209  
1956 oldsmobile
 
cobalt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: st. george, utah
Posts: 241
need help wiring a 455 engine to a 1956 olds car

I was wondering if anyone out there has pictures and info they could give me how to wire a 455 olds engine in a 1956 olds car..i need to know what altinator to get and any other parts and links and if i have to get a whole new wiring harness or if i could use my one i have in the car and what wires go to the starter alt ect ect...thanks shane
cobalt is offline  
Old June 4th, 2015, 12:55 PM
  #210  
Registered User
 
Chris289's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Essex, United Kingdom
Posts: 115
Hi Shane, assume your the same Shane from the Facebook group since you have the same car in your avatar pic lol. As said on Facebook, get a 10is alternator, you can use your exciting wiring harness, it's pretty much the same, I would upgrade to a HEI distributor unit, over a normal ignition set up, it's worth the money plus actually easier to wire in. If using a 10is alternator and HEI distributor then the alternator is hooked up using the fat live post straight to the positive battery terminal, then the 2 small wires, the red goes onto the battery (can go straight onto the alternator live post) then the white wire goes of to the gen light for the dash. Use the original 324 coolant temp sensor on place of the original 455 one in any of the inlet coolant ports and wire in as stock 324. Use the 455 idiot light oil pressure sender unit (don't use the rally pac one as it's calibrated different) and wire in as stock 324. The starter motor hook up is the same, permanant live onto the main starter wire and then switched live onto the one small terminal (same as stock 324) and the ignition if your using the stock 455 points and condenser set up found on the early 455s then wire it in as the stock 324 set up, if using the later 455 HEI set up you just need your ignition live feed onto the distributor, lastly a good ground wire onto the battery earth terminal. Very easy to wire it up and pretty much same as the original 324, you may need to lengthen or shorten wires but appart from that, it's that simple
Chris289 is offline  
Old June 4th, 2015, 01:52 PM
  #211  
Registered User
 
fuxl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 82
Another '56 here...
IMG_0052_zpssnlnv2tt.jpg
fuxl is offline  
Old June 7th, 2015, 06:47 PM
  #212  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Rocket331's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Maplewood, MN
Posts: 440
Welcome fuxl! That is a gorgeous '56!
Rocket331 is offline  
Old June 10th, 2015, 07:50 AM
  #213  
Registered User
 
fatback's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: coldwater, ms.
Posts: 77
55

88
Attached Images
fatback is offline  
Old July 11th, 2015, 06:47 AM
  #214  
Registered User
 
37OldsCoupe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Mosheim, TN
Posts: 153
Just picked this up on July 3rd. I am now the second owner of this car. Couple got married in 1955 and bought this new. He passed away some years ago and she is in retirement home. Last licensed in 1997. Has been repainted and interior redone. Wheel covers and fender skirts are in trunk. Motor and trans is 350/TH350. Motor is stuck, possibly from gasket leakage. Was driven into shed 12 years ago. Wife is pretty happy!!!!

Last edited by 37OldsCoupe; December 14th, 2020 at 04:02 PM.
37OldsCoupe is offline  
Old July 11th, 2015, 07:17 AM
  #215  
Proud Viet Nam Veteran
 
redoldsman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Rowlett, TX
Posts: 9,934
Very nice. It is surprising it has a 350/350 since it was an original owner. That is not necessarily an easy swap. Do I see two mirrors mounted on the dash? That would be unusual. Fusick has the repro outside mirrors in case you are interested. Welcome to the mid-50's group. There are a good many of us on here.

Last edited by redoldsman; July 11th, 2015 at 10:21 AM.
redoldsman is offline  
Old July 11th, 2015, 05:56 PM
  #216  
Registered User
 
a58strod's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Suffolk, VA
Posts: 32
Congratulations on your new car! If the wife's happy then you're golden! http://www.facebook.com/groups/54to56olds
a58strod is offline  
Old July 12th, 2015, 05:08 AM
  #217  
Registered User
 
37OldsCoupe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Mosheim, TN
Posts: 153
"Do I see two mirrors mounted on the dash?"


Yes, he added them at some point. It's a shame, as the padded dash was perfect. I will take them off and see what I can do to fix the holes, maybe nothing. Outside mirrors would be great.
37OldsCoupe is offline  
Old July 13th, 2015, 08:08 PM
  #218  
Registered User
 
shapcars's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
54 Olds

great to see your cars. we cruise ours as often as we can
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
image.jpg (2.47 MB, 33 views)
shapcars is offline  
Old October 4th, 2015, 05:55 PM
  #219  
Registered User
 
sweet56olds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Peculiar, MO
Posts: 57
Question Just an observation

My wife and I attended many car show events over this past summer. A Good Guys show and a couple of others with more than a thousand cars. Not once did we see any 56 Olds. There were a few 55's and 57's but not one out what would be at least six thousand cars did we run into any 56's. We didn't have ours in driver condition to take or it would have been the only one. Is the 56 rarer than say a 54, 55, or 57? Just wondering.
sweet56olds is offline  
Old October 4th, 2015, 06:36 PM
  #220  
Registered User
 
Ozzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: S.E. Louisiana, so far still in U.S.A.
Posts: 1,613
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._A...uction_Figures
Ozzie is offline  
Old October 4th, 2015, 06:36 PM
  #221  
Registered User
 
cwh55555@hotmail.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 28
Originally Posted by sweet56olds
My wife and I attended many car show events over this past summer. A Good Guys show and a couple of others with more than a thousand cars. Not once did we see any 56 Olds. There were a few 55's and 57's but not one out what would be at least six thousand cars did we run into any 56's. We didn't have ours in driver condition to take or it would have been the only one. Is the 56 rarer than say a 54, 55, or 57? Just wondering.
cwh55555@hotmail.com is offline  
Old October 4th, 2015, 06:47 PM
  #222  
Registered User
 
cwh55555@hotmail.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 28
Agree. '56s are rare at shows, but I did see one today at the VA hospital Loma Linda car show. For sale $30K. Way too much $. Had a crate 350. Finding a '56 88 with a 455 will take a long time I'm afraid.
cwh55555@hotmail.com is offline  
Old October 4th, 2015, 08:24 PM
  #223  
1956 oldsmobile
 
cobalt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: st. george, utah
Posts: 241
good to know mine will be a rare site... here is my 56 and my 455
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
SAM_2282.JPG (176.6 KB, 39 views)
File Type: jpg
SAM_4635.JPG (181.9 KB, 43 views)
cobalt is offline  
Old October 17th, 2015, 11:00 AM
  #224  
Registered User
 
mpolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Hempstead, New York
Posts: 934
The major reason you don't see these cars at local events at your local little car show
-- is that all of these cars are in Sweden, Norway, Finland, etc....
I just completed the HERSHEY Car Show -- and easily, half of my sales were inter-national... Americans have become "parsley - pickers" while the International crowd
are "eating" the MEAT and POTATOES.....
mpolds is offline  
Old October 17th, 2015, 02:45 PM
  #225  
Registered User
 
Chris289's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Essex, United Kingdom
Posts: 115
Just remember though for those of us overseas to restore one of these cars is easily twice the struggle you guys in the USA have. I got my car on ebay, took a chance, was no were near the condition as described, needed easily 10 times the amount of work it needed, then had to ship the thing to the UK, any parts we order we have to pay a huge cost on shipping, then import dutys on those parts plus finding parts in the first place, the new stuff you can get is fine, it's the stuff you can't get that's a problem, no option of heading to a local wrecking yard over here, I spent 8 months searching online for 1 missing piece of trim.

A lot more goes into owning one of these cars overseas than you may think.
Chris289 is offline  
Old October 17th, 2015, 04:58 PM
  #226  
Registered User
 
oldave55's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 69
Cobalt: I'm interested in putting a 350 of 455 in a plain 1955 88 2-door hardtop body that I have. Can you post any photo or drawn information on how your modified engine mounts are located and fabricated. I have some thoughts of my own, but would like information from someone with real life experience (what to do, or probably more importantly what not to do in this engine swap.
oldave55 is offline  
Old December 7th, 2015, 10:44 AM
  #227  
Registered User
 
fatback's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: coldwater, ms.
Posts: 77
55 88

55
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
55.jpg (1.69 MB, 33 views)
File Type: jpg
88.jpg (1.96 MB, 28 views)
fatback is offline  
Old December 7th, 2015, 07:42 PM
  #228  
Registered User
 
oregontopcat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Eagle Point, Or.
Posts: 112
56 88

I have a nice 56 holiday 88 hardtop, 455 with a turbo 400.
oregontopcat is offline  
Old December 7th, 2015, 07:49 PM
  #229  
Registered User
 
cwh55555@hotmail.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 28
Is it for sale?
cwh55555@hotmail.com is offline  
Old December 7th, 2015, 10:48 PM
  #230  
1956 oldsmobile
 
cobalt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: st. george, utah
Posts: 241
olddave55... im just going through all the motions right now..when im done i will give you a complete breakdown of what it took...
cobalt is offline  
Old December 11th, 2015, 04:26 PM
  #231  
Registered User
 
MarkV's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: London, England
Posts: 8
56 88 2DHT in England

Hi I'm also here, here being in England. She arrived in September, just in time for winter !!!!!!!.

Whilst I'm here can any of you 54 / 56 experts help me with a technical issue.

i am looking to convert my 1956 88 2DHT from manual to power windows.
I have found a parts 98 4DHT that has the power window mechanisms, but are the rear windows mechanisms on the 2DHT the same as those on the rear of a 4DHT, i always thought not due to the way the 2D rears go down, they rock back then drop.

I am assuming that the window mechanisms in the manuals are totally different from the power windows, and that everything needs replacing.

Any help much appreciated

Thanks

Mark
MarkV is offline  
Old December 11th, 2015, 11:27 PM
  #232  
Registered User
 
Chris289's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Essex, United Kingdom
Posts: 115
Hi Mark. You will need to find the 2 door mechanisms. The rear go down at a strange angle plus the front doors on a 4 door are shorter than the doors on a 2 door. Your best bet is find somebody breaking a 2 door 88 or 98 and buy the whole lot from them. Will be pricey though. Fusick sell some of the parts new still, I think switches are available. Have you searched ebay?
Chris289 is offline  
Old March 14th, 2016, 04:31 AM
  #233  
Registered User
 
Richierich's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 3
Is this active? Me & my 56 are new

I'm new here & also new to this car. I've been looking for solid 57 2dr for awhile because of my dad. Well I ended up grabbing this this 56 88 2dr sedan. The only rust on the entire car is two spots on the fenders (common here) only repairs look to be a couple patches in the floors. Runs great, sounds awesome (355/350TH) Olds fitted valve covers & breather. I'm happy. Plans are to replace the shot bumpers, body & paint to match dads red/black. After that look into upgrading the suspension, brakes, steering etc.









Richierich is offline  
Old March 14th, 2016, 09:22 AM
  #234  
Frank Ignachuck
 
ignachuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Maynard, Massachusetts
Posts: 1,285
Welcome! You'll find a lot of good advice here as you move along with your project.


Frank
ignachuck is offline  
Old March 14th, 2016, 11:30 AM
  #235  
Registered User
 
Richierich's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by ignachuck
Welcome! You'll find a lot of good advice here as you move along with your project.


Frank
Thank you & I will need a lot of advice
Richierich is offline  
Old March 14th, 2016, 01:00 PM
  #236  
Registered User
 
citcapp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Rathdrum, Idano
Posts: 9,127
Welcome to CO

Great to have you with us. Nice 2DR.
citcapp is offline  
Old March 14th, 2016, 06:46 PM
  #237  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Rocket331's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Maplewood, MN
Posts: 440
Richierich, Welcome! Also check out our 54-56 Olds Facebook group !
Rocket331 is offline  
Old April 1st, 2016, 10:40 AM
  #238  
Registered User
 
56 super 88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1
Just got my 56 super 88 4dr ht a couple weeks ago. In original paint rosemist and white.Its a hoot!
56 super 88 is offline  
Old April 1st, 2016, 11:23 AM
  #239  
Frank Ignachuck
 
ignachuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Maynard, Massachusetts
Posts: 1,285
Welcome. Lots of good folks here. Post some pics, please.


Frank
ignachuck is offline  
Old April 1st, 2016, 03:58 PM
  #240  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Rocket331's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Maplewood, MN
Posts: 440
Nice! Welcome to the gang!
Rocket331 is offline  


Quick Reply: 54-56 owners unite!



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:08 PM.