Purchased this from an estate. Has been stored for 30 ish years. Will be slowly getting this back on the road. Looks to have had a repaint at some point but underneath is solid.

I had mostly Chevrolets when I was young so an Oldsmobile will be new for me. This will be a project for my kids, wife and I.

Motor is free but I am soaking the cylinders now.

Convertible top works but the fabric needs replaced.

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Congrats! Lots of Olds knowledge and expertise available here, just for the asking. Nice too that you started with pictures. Welcome

 

Wow. Super cool car. Super cool colors. I love your car. 64 even. Tell us more
Welcome to Classic Oldsmobile

 

Looks like a pretty solid car. Good find.

 

Nice find. Question for you: Is that an AM-FM radio I see in your car? I didn't know AM-FM went back that far.

Randy C.

 

To be honest I haven't even looked. It has an 8 track though. I dont know what year 8 tracks started either

 

Great find. That is going to make a very nice car. Please keep us posted.

 

Radio definitely looks aftermarket.

 

It seems to me that 8-tracks started in 66 but could have been 65, I am pretty sure GM did not have them in 64 but that was a long time ago and memory from then gets a little fuzzy.

 

I believe GM offered am/ fm in Oldsmobile's in 64. My 63 Corvette came with a AM/FM radio..

 

I had a 64 Grand Prix with an AM/FM radio.

It's funny how FM was such a big deal back then. I remember my Brother had a 66 Corvair Corsa with the seeking/scan feature. I forget the name. You had AM or FM. Now look at the choices. 🤯

I will completely date myself. I remember tuning in short wave radio...🤔

 

Decoded part of the cowl tag...picture below.
looks to be a factory V8 car with factory console and tach. How do I tell build date?

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Looks like first week of June by the stamped 06 A , real close to the L in Lansing.

 

Finally a bath!!! Weather and family schedule cooperated to get her cleaned up.

Also had to cut one of the rear drums off that was seized so I could roll it outside.

Engine is free. Top works. Ignition switch seems to be a problem. Radio stays on in all positions and I cannot get the starter to engage.

Shop is getting insulation in January so will be slow going until then

 

Nice car, had one in yellow with a black top and interior. 64 was one year only for the water pump, radiator, timing tab and rocker arm assemblies. Since it has sat for a long time consider removing the valve covers and thoroughly oiling the rocker shafts, they are made of unobtainium.

Good luck!!!

 

Been slow coming on the car. We insulated the shop and added heat which has really slowed us down.

BUT... After soaking the cylinders, changing the oil and putting in new plugs...it fired on starting fluid today. Motor sounded fine (just a little tick in one lifter).

The ignition switch would not crank the starter so I jumped it in the engine bay to turn it over.

Next will use a small tank and see if the carb works. Then drain gas.

Anybody know where to find casting numbers on the heads or block? I cannot imagine the motor is original but would like to see

Photos below

 

Casting # for block is on top of the block at the top of the timing chain cavity toward the driver's side of the oil fill tube.

Heads should be #1's. Look to the left of the number one spark plug.

I don't believe you'll find the matching last six of the VIN on a '64 on the block. You'll know if it is the correct engine by casting #'s but won't be able to tell if it is THE engine with which the car was born.

Good luck!!!

 

I don’t think AM/FM was offered on the Cutlass in 64, just full size cars.

 

Been there done that, have FUN...

 

Thanks for helping me along on this everyone. Found the block casting number

1 381917

Both heads have a 1 cast in them. Passenger on the rear and driver's on the front.

Anybody know where to look to see what the motor is?

 

It's a 330 CID with #1 (1964) heads and shaft rocker assemblies. There is a fair chance that it is the original engine. A good engine with a steel crank coupled to a two speed automatic with a "switch pitch" torque converter. As you progress confirm that the switch pitch works it makes a difference.

Good luck!!!

 

Sugar Bear is right-I sold my 330 to a Olds guy in Houston years ago just for the steel crank.

 

The 330 in my 65 shows (1)08,000 miles and runs like a top!
you might have the original engine for sure!
Whats the odometer reading?
treat it well and they will last a LONG time.

 

In terms of quality, durability back in the 60's era I would put the 330 right up there with the small block Chevy. I always though they were almost bullet proof-still do.

 

Do you have the original air cleaner, what color is it?

 

Yes. It is orange and says super high compression but only has a single outlet on the snorkel.

I just don't know what I really have and I am at the edge of what to do with it. If I put on disk brakea, 200r4 etc. Am I ruining something special?

I only bought the car because it had a console and buckets....I knew just enough to know you don't see that very often.

 

Had that engine/trans in my '64, ran quite well.. Would a different transmission improve the driveability? Absolutely. Did it drive well as is? Again, absolutely.

IMO, if you plan to drive it a lot upgrade it, if not leave it original.

 

Odometer reads (1)14000.

 

Sugarbear the Rochester 2GC carbs had a black air cleaner in 64 the 4GC had red ones. The air cleaner is long gone...

 

The OP says they have the air cleaner.

 

Air cleaner was in the trunk and even had the sticker on it in decent shape. It is a rochester carb, this week I am going to try and run it off a small tank and see what it does.

 

Be certain all of the rockers are oiling. Replacement rocker shaft assemblies are made of unobtainium.

 

If the carb isn't working...there's a few rebuild kits you can get.
It seems daunting but it's not so bad once you tear into it.

https://daytonaparts.com/

BTW...I don't think you're ruining anything by putting in a 200-4R
If the trans went bad on one of mine I wouldn't hesitate.

 

This is the second time this has been mentioned. I will pull the valve covers before starting it the next time. I am assuming I can visually confirm that they are oiling since it has been ran? Or should I fire it with the valve covers off?

 

Should be able to tell after running it and pulling the covers. Could pull the coil wire and crank it over with valve covers off after it is still warm. Running with the covers can get messy in a hurry.

Some choose to pull the distributor and run the oil pump, your call.

Good luck!!!

 

Sounds like pull the coil wire and turn it over if something is suspect. Thanks for all the help on this.

 

Ok. Pulled the valve covers....whoever designed the power steering pump support ought to be shot. But I was able to get the covers off. I have only built small engines and one small block Chevrolet motor. I did not expect to see this:



I Turned the motor over for approximately 20 seconds. I don't know where I am looking for oil....and I couldn't really see any. After photos

any thoughts

 

Looks quite good. Those are the '64 only unobtainium rocker shafts.

The oil will come through the lifters into and through the pushrods up to the rocker arms. Next, into the rocker arms, through the rocker arms into the bushing inside the rocker arm that the rocker pivots on on the rocker shaft and some oil flows out the hole that is on top of the rocker about two thirds of the way down toward the valve tip from the top of the rocker. The shaft isn't pressurized internally as on a slant-six Mopar by getting oil through the head, there isn't pressurized oil flow through the head.

Oil and filter are fresh? The odd oil pan drain plug on the '64 can be removed using a 1/2" drive ratchet without a socket.

You could start the engine with the covers off but shut it down immediately as oil begins to flow, have a fire extinguisher ready (so you won't need it).

Good luck!!!

 

Kirby1 I wish you were close by I bought the tool that you use when you pull the distributor, attache it to your drill and spin the oil pump. That's what I did to my 330 seen in the previous picture. Spun it until the rockers got some oil. But after sitting in a field covered up for over 20 years she fired up. The lifters clattered like shaking a coffee can of marbles until they filled with oil and that 330 purred very quietly. Good luck.

 

This is why I am confused. That motor sounded like a sewing machine when I started it...nice and smooth
I will try to let the starter run a little longer tonight and see what it does