Found this locally for 800 bucks and as Ive been tearing it down for a full on frame off and have been weighing down my options on what direction to go. Ive decided to go the "old school/lead sled" route. I do have a ton of questions. I would like to add power steering, A/C, power disk brakes and an O/D transmission. I was thinking doing a late model LS engine but I think I'm going to stay with the 303 and rebuild it. I would like to put either a 200r4 or 700r4 but totally lost on what is needed to make that work. Now for pics.
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Neat project you have going there. Ross Racing should have that adapter you are looking for(not cheep). I would think the original engine and maybe drop the column shift to the floor would be a cool change and could be done reasonably. Some Olds stick transmissions( the same as were used in Cadillacs) are hell for strong and were sought after by hot rodders in the sixties ,I'm not sure if yours is that transmission but it would be worth looking into. Multiable carb manifolds come up on Ebay from time to time and look neat on old school sleds. Vintage Air can set you up on A/C with out much problems and Scare Bird makes a disk brake setup for your car. Lots of possibilities ahead of you, should be a fun project, It's got my imagination going and I don't even need another project... See you in the fifties ....Tedd

 

Cost really isn't an issues since I was looking at spending 2-3k just on a Mustang II front suspension. Everything I drive is a stick and I'm really getting tired of shifting. (never thought I would say that) Ive found dropped spindles, disk brakes and the a/c unit. I know these cars came with power steering so hopefully I can find a unit and get that rebuilt.

 

That's a good looking 53 Olds. It's looks pretty solid so you shouldn't have to worry about a lot of rust repair. If cost is not an issue you might look at a FatMan fabrications front stub. They make them for the 53 and that would give you all the late model stuff in the suspension. It probably depends alot on wether you want to keep the 303 or go with a late model 403 or 455. One thing I would do is keep it all Oldsmobile. Good luck and keep us posted with updates.

 

I really contemplated doing the front stub but looks like its more involved then I want to tackle. Not to mention the new welder I would need since I wouldn't trust my little 110. And everything I want to accomplish can be done with stock, or bolt on parts.

 

I've never attempted a Mustang 2 front end so this would only be speculation but I would be surprised if a fifty year old power steering unit would adapt to that new of a front end but something will work. Just a thought...Tedd

 

I can turn a wrench better than I can weld, so the stock suspension is staying. Just getting rebuilt. Its also getting bagged and Fatman spindles. Also going to try and fab up a Saginaw 605 power steering box. Also I think the 303 is going to be replaced with a 350..........Rocket! I found a few dirt cheap and since ive never rebuilt an engine I'd rather work on something not so rare. This is going to be a slow build as it will be very detailed and it seems when I have the time, I dont have the money, and when I have the money, I don't have the time.

 

I think you got a steal on that for $800.00! As to the time/money equation, most of us probably suffer from that malady..........LOL!

 

First, decide on your theme. If you want it to be a modified car, do you want early Olds power, looking like a 1960 era gasser or drag race stocker? Or, late Olds power, maybe with a late Olds frame, suspension, and drivetrain under it? Do you want to mimic a stock interior more or less? Or do you want race seats, roll bar, etc.

It will really help you later when there are 1000 decision points if your theme is clear to you.

 

My "theme" is to do as much as the work as I can. As I do more research on the Olds my plans might change slightly. Ive never rebuilt an engine and thought that rebuilding the 303 would be affordable (just incase I messed something up) but I was wrong. Ive found running 350/455 Olds motors for $500 or less locally and would like to get this thing rolling under its own power because its a pain to push around. I know the look I'm going for but how I get there is still up in the air.

 

Looking forward to watching this one come together.

 

So been spending some quality time with the Olds. Got the doors gutted and the side windows out. Also been playing with the ride height a little. It will be on airbags but I still want to be low while driving and still have ample suspension travel. Ive also been searching on Fatman Fabrication's website and I really need to give him a call. I'm interested in his dropped uprights and saw something about a kit to put a power rack and pinion out of an '89 cavalier. I took a pic of the car sitting on the bumpstops and with a standard offset wheel I can still turn lock to lock. So with the dropped uprights i should be able to ride at this height and still have 2.5-3.5 inches of upward travel with smaller bumpstops.

 

Ok, so the Oldsmobile gods must be looking down at me. I have found 2 hydramatic transmissions in MN.....Ones attatched to a 324. Of course I find them when I have no money. One of these days I'll get the body off the frame and off to the sandblaster.

 

Sitting just right.

 

I agree with Richard. perfect stance

 

Well, I got bored this weekend so I decided to find out how much body filler is in the quarter panels. There's a lot!!!! I spent half a day on one side and I may need to consult a professional. Looks like it may have been in a little fender bender and the metal is banged up and stretched out quite a bit.

 

Checking in so I get the updates...great project!

That car will be a real beauty when done.

Keep those cards and letters coming!

 

Did you just pull the coil springs out to get it to sit that low? I have a 51 that I'm doing. Going with dropped spindles and bags

 

That's sitting on the bumpstops with stock spindles and no springs. I plan on running dropped uprights and airbags also.

 

has there been any more progress?

Gene

 

I haven't had much time to work on it lately, and it might be awhile before I get to spend some time with the old girl. We had a catastrophic fire at my work on Monday so I get to go from building cars to building a ready mix plant.