I am starting my build/detail of the engine and bay on my 72 Olds. My goal is to have it be as close to stock appearing with out going completely crazy (Don't have the money to make every little part the exact correct color) My plan is to clean and degrease the engine block and bay. replace the Intake, valve cover and water neck gaskets. It has a Edelbrock intake on it right now and will prob leave it on but will be replacing the Edelbrock carb with the original rebuilt quadrajet 4bbl. We will also be replacing the distributor and coil with a Pretronix ignitor 2 system as well as a new master cylinder and power brake booster. I will post pics as I progress. We got all the gaskets, paints for the bay, block and manifolds, New positive and negative battery cables and top plate info stickers.

 

Don't forget your firewall colored letter stamps!

 

??? Did Oldsmobile do these??

 

I just taped mine off before I painted.

Good luck JP. It can be a little painstaking but fun too.

 

Thanks! I like doing this type of project. I did the same type of work on my old 69 Chevelle I had prior to this car.

 

I spent a lot of time detailing my engine about 400 plus hrs and be thorough about it and think everything through fuel brake lines headers etc and use stainless for a lasting look and ceramic headers and get touch up paint to avoid future hassles and label the different paints. I would also suggest painting the suspension with p==15 tinted,plus the frame. I also used heavy duty paints for racing purposes for minimal nicks and have had almost 0 problems and minimal upkeep.

 

 

One lesson I learned, although i still don't know the answer to, is that I wire-wheeled all my steel stuff; brake lines, trans lines, steel fuel line, etc. Degreased and shot them with clear-coat. A year later they are all rusting again (except for the fuel line). Even though I never take the car out in the rain or winter weather.
I also used a cheap paint on my grill, not anticipating the amount of smashed bugs it would encounter. Derp!

 

I've done a lot of homework on paints to use and not use. My past experience is the Eastwood ceramic enamel engine paint works extremely well (used it on my chevelle) Lasts very long and very easy to clean up any grease and such. I also degrease, scuff then use a wax and grease remover before spraying. I also got enough clear plastic car cover we wrap our cars in at our shop in the paint booth to prevent any over spray. Bought all new rubber products (hoses and belts) as well as gaskets and other sealers.

 

I like this kind of clean up

 

Me too! I will post some pictures tonight of what the engine and bay currently look like. It is going to be nice this weekend I think we will have to go for a ride or 2 before decommissioning it to start the project in motion.

 

before and after of the motor and bay I did on my old chevelle it was very clean to start with

 

I hear that! I'm getting ready to tear out my interior but it's just starting to get nice out. I'm torn

 

This is one job I actually enjoyed, although it took many hours over several weeks to complete. I like what you did to your Chebby, it takes a while and your ocd side tends to come out after you start but the satisfaction of the finished job is worth it.
A few pics of mine before, during and after.

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the lacquer paints break down quickly spray cans especially. I use a p--15 paint tinted or eastwoods or left over urethanes. this will give durability.

 

Beautiful work aussie!!

 

Here are some pre photos of what I am working with. Please don't mind the dryer sheets I use them in the winter for storage to keep any kritters away

 

Pffft, your bay looks pretty good to me. Here's one of my favorite before pics. Dig that metallic radiator hose.

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My engine was a black, greasy mess with weird wiring all over the place. Check out this triple fuel pump set up. Scary!

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I actually pulled the engine while I did my renovation. Here's a couple after pics.

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I went for a bit a bit of a cliche look with all the chrome but it makes me happy, lol.

 

The VC's you have are from 73/74 Olds. Those were the only years the embossed OLDSMOBILE covers were used. Looks like your master has been leaking?

There should also be a circular hose tie that holds the upper hose to the radiator support

 

I keep mine very clean sos I don't have to do it all over again! Macadoo, Aussie, my hat's off to you. Nice work.

 

Prior owner who did the intake and carb swapped out the covers. I know they aren't right but I like them. The master is leaking and being replaced with a new master and booster as well. I got the upper hose tie to go on when done. I will also be replacing the clamps with tower hose clamps for a more original look.

 

You def put in a lot of work. Mine isn't that clean up close and in person. Did start the clean up last fall with a couple of cans of engine bright and a hot power washer

 

If you can, get the brake booster rebuilt. That should include replating. The stamping on the new replacement ones are not the same as OEM. For the master, if you haven't already got a replacement? Have a look at The Right Stuff or InLineTube. From their web catalogue - this even has the correct bleeders as OEM would

 

I purchased the booster and master from inline tube. Nice and local for me

 

Where might one find this little fiddly bit? I'm missing mine as well.

 

Beautiful!

 

Looks good even before you start. But it is nice to see all shiny clean when you pop the hood as well. Look forward to seeing your finished pics. We did the same to the engine/engine bay in our 72'. Hadn't heard of using dryer sheets to keep critters away. Interesting idea.

 

Mac, looks like this:



Common repro part from all the vendors. That pic is from Parts Place - 5.00
Part number CS4839T (1968 - 1975 Cutlass/442) UPPER PLASTIC HOSE CLAMP

Fusick calls it HC20 and charges 6.50 (same part BTW)

In Line Tube : 68-77 Top Plate Hose Clamp Pn # - INL11049 -2 pc $6.00 Set 1968-77 Oldsmobile, Cutlass, 442, W-30 Radiator Top Plate Hose Mounting Clamp and Screw. Used to hold the upper rad. hose

Supercars Unlimited Item #: 54-070 Description: All models. Price:$7.49



You get the idea - shop around.

 

I used to keep my car up north in our garage up there and someone said the smell of dryer sheets detour mice and rats and such. I put them in the engine bay, interior and exhaust tip openings. I stored my cars up there so long its just force of habit to do at home in the winter.

 

One thing I am on the fence and look for your guys input is the intake manifold. It is gold now and I know it should be gold but I like the look of the intake when it is silver. What are your guys thoughts??

 

Generally the ones you see that are silver are aluminum intake manifolds. If you want to paint yours silver you can do that. Keep in mind that soon afterwards the heat crossovers on the top of the intake will start to discolor close to the carb and heat choke tubes (burn rusty brown). It shows less on gold than on silver unless you have something guaranteed to stay bright silver? Your call on appearance as it's not going to affect the performance. It would look cool for contrast IMO although I wouldn't do it - after all it's a cast iron intake. Not sure why manifold color really matters since it's not really a show car.

 

Both would look good. Myself I like seeing all that gold under the hood. It will basically come down to which you like to see best.

 

The prior owner put on a edelbrock aluminum intake and painted it gold. I do have the original intake manifold as well. Not sure what to do but don't want to have any really nasty discoloration and don't have the funds for powder coating it.

 

Powder coating would be a complete waste as it also would retain heat which you don't want. If you already have the aluminum one on there, just media blast it clean and keep it silver. It should be just fine and aluminum is a great heat dissipation part. Keep the OEM manifold for anyone who wants it when/if you sell the car.

Generally the EB manifolds flow much better than the OEM ones, so I'd just keep it on there all nice and cleaned up. It shouldn't show much discoloration even after it's been run any length of time.

 

That's what the prior owner did and I will do as well. Thank goodness he kept the original carb (and pieces) that is going to go back on the car cause I hate the edelbrock lol

 

x2

 

Got the green light from the wife to start tearing down the motor Saturday. Will be nice to have a whole weekend to my self to work on the car.

 

I used to wait for the go ahead from the finance department too, I've since learnt its easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission lol.

Sounds like a great way to spend a weekend, tinkering with mechanical stuff. I find it relaxing in a guy sort of way, much like some people meditate. Of course, after a six pack or two it's not much like meditating at all..

 

Thats where I consider myself lucky. My wife was eager to get her hands dirty the same as I was.

 

My wife helped out a lot on the Chevelle motor and I know she will help out as much as she can with our 2 year old little gear head also.