I guess it's time to update my thread after a one week delay.
The motor is almost complete now and waiting for it's first startup. I just have to put in a new exhaust-system. Therefore I ordered the Flowmaster 15802 tailpipes, which will arrive by the end of the week (hopefully).

Attached some before and after pictures. I am very proud of the result, but for everybody planning to do something similar, DON'T do it!

 

After my Dad has promised it for almost half a year, he finally started with the body work. Too late in my opinion but time didn't allow it...

He started with the right rear wheel opening, which was completely rotted and "fixed" by the former owner..."fixed" means he riveted in some sheets and covered all with a lot of surfacer

To replace the area, I ordered the Sherman wheel opening repair panels but unfortunately they are worse than we expected them to be...

 

some more welding pictures
And yeah I know my dad doesn't wear a helmet or anything to protect his eyes, but please notice that he looks away every time he makes a welding spot.
He always says that he wouldn't see enough wearing the helmet because of his glasses. But I'm sure he's just too lazy to put it on and off

 

Looking good Dan!!

 

Thank you Mark, your car looks awesome by the way. I like that color-combo!

 

Welding blind! Pretty impressive! Keep up the good work!

 

Looks real good Dan. Thanks for the updates. I think you should buy your dad a self darkening welding mask for fathers day. Maybe he would wear one if it was easier to see through. I love mine.

 

Thank you Erik and Dave I appreciate it!
Dave, can you recommend a mask? I know that he has one, but he can't see through, until the arc of light brings light into the dark sry but I don't know how to say it better^^

 

Looking good. Keep it up...

 

Dan, nice progress. Looks like your next project has just arrived too!

 

Thank you very much! I'm still looking forward to seeing your videos

 

Thanks Darrell! Do you mean the Studebaker? Yes it will be the next, but it should not be a big project. Although I'm sure many MAWs (I think that's how you call it) are waiting for me

 

I made a little progress. Assembled the grill and the headlights and mounted the rear bumper to see how it fits. I was a bit terrified about how it looks. It was really used as a bumper...a lot of times.
I too mounted one of the 2 new 15" Cragars with the new 225/70/15 tires on them. Looking neat in my opinion. It's just a shame that my Dad only brought the two new ones with him...the other two look awful. He bought the new ones for 54$ a piece. I have already kicked him for not buying 4...
One day I'll have a container shipped from the USA full with parts, where I'm not happy with what I have now.
Furthermore a garage 30 miles from me listed an Olds 455. I was shortly thinking about neglecting what the TÜV says and picking it up, but I decided to stay with the 330 and buying a TH350 instead.
I hope it will be started up until saturday. I'm still waiting for some exhaust parts
Pictures of my progress attached, as always!

 

I finally finished my exhaust system today, my camera didn't work, so the pics will be uploaded later.
I started the engine then and it started right up, but needs ignition work. No problem at all, but I don't have no timing light and dwell meter right now, so I'll have to wait for my buddy to bring them.
The rest went pretty good, except for a little exhaust leak, where the manifold meets the exhaust pipe and a leaking transmission cooling line. Hopefully it will be an easy fix.
It was very surprising how hot the downpipes were after the engine ran for about 5 minutes, don't know if it's normal...maybe somebody can help me with that?!
I'll post the pics and a youtube video soon

 

You are doing an amazing job with your car!! Thanks for posting all your pics. Do you have the same plans for the truck? You are tallented in the work you are doing. Keep up the GREAT work and keep the pictures coming!! Good Luck with completing the Olds project.

 

Thank you very much, your words are a great motivation
No the truck should just be a reliable driver and stay as is! Most important things are a new interior and repairing the Radiator, as it has a small leak. Other than that it's in pretty good shape, runs and drives and brakes
I will need the luck

 

Hi Dan, looks like you will match the desired date!

 

Dan it looks awesome nice work on the quarter panel. I love the look of the cragars :-) they are very "correct" looking what we call a day 2 look meaning what the car would have looked like after bringing her home from the dealer and changing wheels etc . Just thinking about the 455 you know it is very hard to tell the difference at first glance from a 455 or a 330 I mean everything sort of looks the same if you put the 330 air cleaner on who is going to know? Lol just saying . Great job looking forward to more updates:-)

 

Hey Marko, I'm not totally convinced but I'll do my best

 

Thanks a bunch Eddie! Yes I love them, too, but I think I wouldn't hesitate a second to swap them for some SSI's
You said it! Nobody would see the difference which makes it even harder to refuse the offer (and he would give it to me for a more than fair price) as you can imagine, but I'd have to change the front coil springs, the tranny and the rear end as well and that's too much for now, so I'll start with a new tranny and maybe, who knows, I'll find a 400E one day, that I can build.
Though I know most of the brackets and pulleys would fit...hmmmmm
Always those daydreams...
Update is on it's way

 

Well, here's the promised update!
I sanded the hood, the trunk lid and both fenders to bare metal. the hood and the trunk lid are in great condition, the fenders had rust in the usual places. the right one more than the left one.
Pictures #2 and 3 show the left fender, where the rust has already been cut out. A selfmade panel was welded in then and the weldseam was tinned, so that nearly no surfacer is necessary.

 

Awesome work my friend outstanding .

 

Many thanks for the compliment Eddie
I finally managed to upload a short video of my Olds running. The Idle is a bit high IMO it's at 1000 rpm and the Idle adjusting screw is already turned out completely. I'm at 10 degree initial timing. Couldn't find a vacuum leak or anything that could cause the high idle.
Is 1000 okay or do I have to worry about that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4315u-mcdk

 

So Guys, yesterday I made my first short trip with our cutlass It was an amazing feeling to drive it, after I've worked on it for over a year. The last four days were also very exhausting, because we sanded the rest of the car down to the metal, primered it, and reassembled almost everything.
I know it's still a long way to go and a lot of things to do, but the first step was done.
The paint will be the last that gets done, when the roof is new, the rear seats are upholstered and everything else is perfect. Until then I think the grey primer looks good, too. Not everybodys taste, but in my opinion nothing can blemish a beautiful car (except for oversized rims and something like that, you know what I mean )
Let me know what you think about it, what you would do first! I'm always open to criticism, suggestions, and compliments for sure, because this is what keeps me going
Thanks

Thanks

 

Yeah..... that is what she tells you now! Just make sure that you make a seperate contract regarding the Olds when you finally marry her. Make sure it will stay with YOU!

You are looking for suggestions what to do first? Well first make above mentioned contract. Than make sure the rear seats are well padded..... but first get ready with the car!! We will have a us-car-convention in Dresden 13-15.06.....

 

Dan Compliments on the Car and The fraulein!! both look outstanding
It is a great testament to your relationship, as she is also a friend!! those are the best kind... My wife ( 24 years now) has always helped me look for parts, help as she could and always supported my love for "another woman" so to speak

As for things to do, enjoy, but i would start getting the stuff together for paint!!! put some shine on Her.. I know folks like the primered look, and a beutiful women will look good in anything, but she will be stunning with a new paint job, you are so close already.... then start planning your upgrades... ( like the 455 dressed up as a stock 330 )


great work my friend...

 

It doesn't even belong to me officially, so that should not be a problem
Rear seats are definately standing at the top of my list! As I've e-mailed you already, Dresden is an option for next year when it's ready for a 320 mile trip!

 

You won't stop referring to the 455 would you? I attached the picture of the official german data-sheet for a 1966 Cutlass convertible. The validator will compare the facts on the sheet with the car. Fortunately we know the validator pretty well, otherwise we wouldn't even be allowed to run 15 inch tires, but he won't accept an engine with numbers, that are not original to that model. So as I said the only option is the 400 if I want to maintain the historical status of the car.
Or do you know someone who can provide me with a 455 with 330 numbers on it?

I've got a big problem with my motor right now...while parking after the first drive the engine got hot pretty fast (but not too hot) and it had too much pressure in the cooling system, so that the coolant sprayed out of the radiator overflow. We tested the coolant and the gauge indicated, that I have a blown head gasket
At least the oil system is not affected...
I could punch myself for not having changed the head gaskets, while the engine was out of the car. I just didn't want to see what is below the heads and I was sure they were good...well, lesson learned and I'll replace them with Mr. Gasket Ultra seal head gaskets. I assume it will bring the CR down a little?!
Call me stupid if you want^^

 

I document is not big enough to see what numbers they are looking for. So, I assume they look at casting numbers on the block. If that is the case, with a die grinder, JB Weld and some engine paint your 455 can be numbered as a 330.

 

Oh I didn't notice that, thanks for the pointer! I'll try to upload it big enough...
Yes they look at both,the casting numbers and the stampings on the heads (WG in this case)
The head-stampings would be easy to change though...

 

Okay guys, after I wrote the last of seven tests yesterday (in materials engineering together with chemistry) I finally could get back to work on my beloved Olds As I mentioned in my last post, I have to change the head gaskets on my newly painted and detailed engine It's all my own fault....Today I took of the heads and was positively surprised how good the cylinder walls and everything look. Even the crosshatching is still visible. So I don't see the need to do anything but replacing the headgaskets. I ordered them today from summit. I chose the Mr. Gasket Ultra seal gaskets together with Mr. Gasket fiber intake manifold gaskets. And I also added a 160 degree thermostat and a triple gauge kit, that it's worth the horrible shipping costs (133,55$ for the parts and 88$ handling and shipping)

 

Sucks abouty the head gasket but keep up the good work.

 

A 330 will still getup and rock N roll a bit. Mine runs 15.0 flat in the 1/4 mile spinning off the line. Not bad by 1960's stock standards.

If i weren't building a 455 for mine, I'd stick a comp XE268 camshaft in my 330 and keep beating on it. Actually my 330 runs so good that i may look for another car to stick it in.

More aggressive rear gears (3.33+) & a 2800 stall converter will do wonders for any small block... and those aren't something anyone is going to validate on the car. :-)

Anyway, Keep up the good work!

 

Thanks Ron! Yes it sucks, but sh*t happens and I'll learn from my mistakes...

 

Wow sounds good! I won't race it anyway, because I don't know where it is possoble, but I sure want to have a little fun with it
Have you changed anything on your 330? Carb or intake?!

Maybe that's the way to go! I currently have the stock 2.78 rear gears and the jetaway...definately going to be swapped sooner or later!

Thank you for your kind words Ben! I could really use your seat restoration skills for my rear bench seat

 

My engine was rebuilt by the previous owner around 1988 and they put in low compression pistons at that point, no idea what the cam is, but its very mild. Edelbrock performer 350 intake.

When i bought it, it had a Carter 600 on it, i changed it out to a holley 650DP.

Rear end is a 3.23 and i have a HD 3spd manual tranny.

it doesn't have much bottom end, but once it passes 3500 rpm it takes off and pulls hard up to 5500.

Due to the lack of bottom end, they desperatly need better gears, 3.42 at a minimum, 3.73 preferably (but may not be idea depending on how much high speed freeway driving you want to do)... That will get the engine up to the ideal operating RPM's for power faster, so it will feel peppier.

Not sure what kind of stall converters are available for that tranny, but if they have one that is rated higher than stock, that will also help a bunch to make it "feel" more powerful that it really is. Basically just making it more efficient by putting the operating RPMS where the power is.

-----------------

On the bench seat, i'd be happy to talk you through redoing it. Its not rocket science- you can quite easily do it yourself.... especially after all the other stuff you've done to the car!

 

Okay I understand that I'll have to get better gears in the future! I just bought a TH400 yesterday, which should be a big improval in comparison to the 2-speed
The head gaskets are replaced as well, and it seems that there is no overheating problem anymore.
Have you already found a car for your 330?

Thank you Ben I appreciate it! So tell me whats the most important thing in redoing a bench seat?
We have already tried to put new covers on the front buckets and I'm not very pleased with how it looks
Just don't have pictures from the seats available right now, but you would probably throw your hands up in horror

 

Picture taken near to where I live, besides the biggest satellites ever

 

Dan Glad your tests are out of the way and back to working on your car!!! I think the 3 speed 400 tranny will be great, you may not notice a lot of performance gain but the drivability will be much better, in the "old" days I had a 64 gto with what was called a powerglide 2 speed, I am unsure of what converter we put in that I think it came from a vega or something strange but it would shift like a poormans lenco tranny ( racing 2 speed for drag racing) but drivability sucked as it had hi and low, no passing gear really .

anyway wanted to stop in and check on your progress....

 

Wow , the car really looks great ! Nice satellites too.