Let the project begin.......



What I have:
A 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S Convertible, 89,000 miles, 350 (not original) with TH350 (not original). Has 14" Chevy rally wheels. I'm the third owner.

Short history:
Original owner sold it just before he died many years ago. The guy I bought it from has had it in his garage since 2002. He went through the transmission putting in new seals in it. He put a motor in it because the previous one was shot? He was told the motor was good and when he started it up after getting it mostly together, he discovered it had a head gasket leak as it did not want to run very well at all. At that point, he let it set. He also bought himself a 1969 Olds Delta 88 455 with TH400. And, decided to sell it last month. Which is where I come in. I bought the whole car with the extra motor and transmission for a pretty good deal, I think. I've always wanted a convertible classic and this is my first! So, let the learning begin.....

The car:
When I bought it, the motor was locked up. Spark plugs were out. Guess he didn't get the water out. Probably was bummed and walked away from it. It's not the original motor. The motor was installed by the second owner I bought it from. Old original motor is long gone. I sprayed about 5 cans of Liquid wrench lube into the cylinders and through the carburetor. About a week later I put a big breaker bar with a 28mm socket on the crank pulley.....and well...it broke free fairly easy. Turned it several times by hand, l letting it puke the oil out of the spark plug holes. I'm pretty happy about that. Was thinking the motor was really shot. I'm wondering how I should approach this. I'm thinking about either testing the pressures to see which side has bad gaskets and replace the one side or just replace both head gaskets. Would like to get this thing driveable.

The 455?
Well, I dropped that off at a shop with the TH400 and have been waiting to see what he says about the motor condition. That motor spins pretty easily and also, the plugs were in..soo....really worn? The guy doesn’t know much about Olds motors and from what I’ve heard, those Olds motors were a bit of an odd-ball motor that wasn’t made very well compared to the Chevy 396/400/454. He was going to contact some guy he knows about how to rebuild it. I’m a little concerned on how it will turn out. I’m also wondering if I should just make the current 350 work and just wait for a while on the 455.

The body:
The rear quarters are very deceptive in the pictures, believe me. They are not as good as they look! Lets just say bondo is amazing. There are old man dents or, whiskey dents as one guy from Canada calls them.
I have no problems with replacing the quarters, I just would like to see if it would be cheaper to get another car and chop it up.
The trunk lid would need to be repaired or replaced....dented.
Right front fender is pushed in so the passenger door won’t open properly. Trim piece is broken off. Grill on passenger side is broken.
Left side of car looks like an 80+ year old person drove it in and out a small garage because, it was. Hahah. Also, they guy I bought it from towed it to his garage with a dolly and the rear axle came out, whacked the quarter panel and punched a hole in the inner house. He fixed the rear end after that.

Roof:
Well, it’s crispy. And the hail damage proves it! Hahah! Looking to replace it but, wow are there a lot of choices out there.
These guys on ebay....Tamraz have a top...vinyl with glass rear window. http://www.ebay.com/itm/260433642901 It’s $546 now but, was more before. Saw they would match prices and I contacted them. The guy who responded wasn’t the most friendly. Probably because I was asking them what made their limited warranty top nearly $600 (at the time) while another vendor was selling one with a 6 year warranty for hundreds less, $279 http://www.ebay.com/itm/311680123490 They make them to order as well. So, it’s not a folded up top waiting to sell. Nice to have no creases, right?
I asked the guy at Tamraz what the brand was because he said it had to be the same brand . I found their supplier (ARO2000.COM) and saw it was cheaper there. Then looked on ebay again to see if there was another seller and there is, http://www.ebay.com/itm/302032582202 $438. So, I could probably get Tamraz to match that price. There are other choices as well on ebay. I do like the idea of cloth though. I like canvas much better than vinyl. But, it's a bit pricy.

Tamraz has a lot of parts for the Olds in regards to quarters, inners/outer wells, and trunk lids for the convertible. I find that quite exceptional. It’s all aftermarket reproduction but, I would rather have the OEM parts. Would probably be cheaper too. But, maybe it won’t matter at this point. I’ve been thinking it would be a major PIA to try locate original quarters, inners, trunk lid and then cut them out. That’s if they are any good. Having a Non-original motor/transmission and likely putting in the non-original 455/TH400 makes me think Taiwanese quarters and wells really won't matter.
Quarters: $545 http://www.ebay.com/itm/251988235253
Inner wheelhouse: $176 http://www.ebay.com/itm/391337489041 with correct stamping (GM Restoration Parts)
Outer wheelhouse: $171 http://www.ebay.com/itm/252385512038 (Auto Metal Direct)
Convertible Trunk lid: $569 (ouch!) http://www.ebay.com/itm/331848043355
Weatherstrip: $334 http://www.ebay.com/itm/331653179127

Interior:
Interior is actually very good condition considering. Floors front and trunk are clean! Amazing. I think it was a summer driver car ONLY. Just the typical rust in the quarters for these cars, convertible or not.

I'll be posting more later on.....

 

Good luck with the project!

Check Rock Auto for sheet metal pricing. There are also 5% discount codes pretty easily gotten.

 

When I talked to my upholstery shop several years ago they used Robbins tops and I think that is what Chili has on his. I was back there this spring and he told me the brand they are using now but the name escapes me. They want about 1000-1100 to replace it.

Good luck.

 

Looks like a good start for a project. If your guy has never rebuilt an olds engine I would find someone who has. They are as good as a chevy with a lot more low end torque.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

What about what this guy.... 455's always blew up says the sales guy. Don't really care for the sales guy's personality but, seems he knows about some things.

He says Mondello Performance is the way to go. http://www.mondellotwister.com/

Thanks for the feedback!

 

Take your time getting a engine builder who does these motors regularly. I got in a hurry once and ended up wasting more time and money than I would like to admit. Mondellos can do a good job but there are a number of other shops that are very good with these motors. If you plan to stay stock than they are not too complicated. If you plan to raise the HP & Torque there are some things that need to be done to help with oil distribution and main bearing support. They can make crazy torque with not a lot of effort! Looks like a great car for some TLC.



My 68 Vert project

 

The engine builder said a mild cam and a more or less stock rebuild would be the simplest path to go. I'm thinking that as well. But, then again, I'm still thinking about just going with the existing motor as well. Thanks for your input and that 68 vert looks nice!

 

9 motors, under warranty? That doesn't smell right.

455's always blew up? Only if you spin them above 6K RPM.

Seems he knows about some things? Yeah, selling Mondello products and services. And selling used cars! Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.

 

Yeah, he is a car sales guy.

 

Nice project following along