When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi all. I just inherited my dad's 1954 Olds 88 we build when I was in high school. It's got the front clip and running gear out of a 1979 98. He has driven it cross country a couple of times. I have a few electrical gremlins to work out.
Welcome and very nice car. How about a few more pictures of it.
Currently, that is the only one I have. It's still at my parent's house but, once I get it to mine I will be snapping tons of pics. so many you guys will get tired of seeing them.
It's got the front clip and running gear out of a 1979 98.
I don't think you mean "front clip," do you? "Front clip" usually refers to the entire front end of the car, including the fenders, hood, bumpers, etc. You didn't put the front end of a '79 98 onto a '54 Olds I don't think. Maybe you mean the "running gear." Did you put the engine, brakes, etc. from a '79 98 into the car?
But it still has the 1954 exterior pieces, right? Fenders, hood, bumper, grille, headlights? Technically you did not replace the front clip. You replaced a portion of the frame and part of the running gear. What about the engine? Is it the original, or did you put the 1979 engine in?
I realize there's no "official" definition of "front clip," just a commonly-accepted one.
For years street rodders have been installing Camaro front suspensions under old Fords, Chevies and pickup trucks. The term Camaro clip has nothing to do with sheet metal and widely recognized in the street rod industry. Installing a Camaro clip provides independent front suspension, disk brakes, power steering and motor mounts for a SBC. In this case the owner used an Oldsmobile clip and accomplished the same thing. At least he didn't put a Camaro clip and SBC under his Oldsmobile.
But it still has the 1954 exterior pieces, right? Fenders, hood, bumper, grille, headlights? Technically you did not replace the front clip. You replaced a portion of the frame and part of the running gear. What about the engine? Is it the original, or did you put the 1979 engine in?
I realize there's no "official" definition of "front clip," just a commonly-accepted one.
Man I didn't mean to set you off. I know the picture is small but you can clearly see the body is all 54. redoldsman said it best. Even though I have had thoughts about putting a 6.2 LS under the hood.
Man I didn't mean to set you off. I know the picture is small but you can clearly see the body is all 54.
You haven't "set off" anything. I was just trying to get an understanding of the term "front clip."
Yes, I can see that it is likely the front end of a '54, but who can be sure of anything about the front end in that photo? You could have stuck the '98's grille on there for all we know.
Tango, ignore the bickering, they really love each other. Good looking classic Olds you have there and I commend you and your father on grafting the newer front frame section on. We look forward to more pictures when you are able.
Welcome aboard, there's a good bunch of guys here that know the mid fifties Oldsmobile's well any issue you may encounter generally a solution can be found here. Most have been there and done that at sometime either recently or in the past. Feel free to ask. and many of the mid fifties guys hang around the Vintage forum but most always any forum that pertains to your problem will get a answer.... Nice ride.... Tedd
There is no love loss and I am not going to get into bickering. I just want the new member to feel welcome and am anxious to see more pictures of the car. We just don't see very many mid 50's Oldsmobiles that are street rodded. This one is tastefully done and they updated it with Oldsmobile suspension and drive line. It looks like a really fun car.
Welcome aboard, there's a good bunch of guys here that know the mid fifties Oldsmobile's well any issue you may encounter generally a solution can be found here. Most have been there and done that at sometime either recently or in the past. Feel free to ask. and many of the mid fifties guys hang around the Vintage forum but most always any forum that pertains to your problem will get a answer.... Nice ride.... Tedd
Only 2 "Problems" no brake lights and fuel gauge doesn't work (Never has). I may end up putting an Autometer fuel gauge in. My Dad was very good at writing down the mileage when he filled up and keeping track of the mileage so he didn't run out of gas. I am not that good at tracking things.
Really my biggest worry is I may not be able to get it in the garage. That would mean selling the house and moving or building a separate 3 car garage with a turntable and a lift. I got "THE LOOK" from the wife when I told her that. LMAO
Certainly there is no rule here that says you can't call the front end suspension a clip. Go ahead on.
I wonder if the brake lights were ever hooked up after the clip was installed. You probably now have a swinging pedal with the master cylinder mounted on the firewall. If you don't have a brake light switch installed you will need to fabricate a bracket and mount a switch. The connector for the original switch should be under the dash near the steering column. I believe the two wires are orange and white. Jump those together and see if you have brake lights. I think the brake lights are on the same circuit as the interior lights so if they are working the fuse should be good. The fuel gage is probably a sending unit. They are available from Fusick Automotive. Make sure the tank has a good ground. After that take the wire off the sending unit which will probably require dropping the tank. Jump it to ground and it should move to one side and take it loose and it should move to the other side. If it does that the gauge and the wiring is good. Tell your wife it was your dad's car and you can't leave it outside.
Certainly there is no rule here that says you can't call the front end suspension a clip. Go ahead on.
I wonder if the brake lights were ever hooked up after the clip was installed. You probably now have a swinging pedal with the master cylinder mounted on the firewall. If you don't have a brake light switch installed you will need to fabricate a bracket and mount a switch. The connector for the original switch should be under the dash near the steering column. I believe the two wires are orange and white. Jump those together and see if you have brake lights. I think the brake lights are on the same circuit as the interior lights so if they are working the fuse should be good. The fuel gage is probably a sending unit. They are available from Fusick Automotive. Make sure the tank has a good ground. After that take the wire off the sending unit which will probably require dropping the tank. Jump it to ground and it should move to one side and take it loose and it should move to the other side. If it does that the gauge and the wiring is good. Tell your wife it was your dad's car and you can't leave it outside.
Lights all worked for years. So I am really worried about that one. The gas gauge has never worked. So I think you are right on track with the sending unit. I had planned to drop the tank and fart around with it. Thanks for the pointers.
Trace the orange and white wires under the dash. They were probably spliced onto a new connector and that could be the problem. The wiring in these old cars gets pretty fragile after 67 years and with lots of splices in it.
And the ground coming off the gas tank is a clamp attached to the metal gas line. I would check it first as these were a problem from the beginning and add 67 years and corrosion and the fact that you are probably not using the original fuel pump plus there is a rubber splice in there somewhere from the frame engine conversion you have no ground. (sorry for the run on sentence) Just a thought though long winded. I would ground the tank to the frame and bypass all the grief Oldsmobile gave us.... Tedd
Ignore the noise, someone was a dick to my Dad on one of his first posts, and I don't think I've seen Dad post back in here since. The "correction" wasn't even relevant to the conversation, just as the "correction" above also was not relevant, nor warranted.
That's a nice thing that your dad left for you! My dad left me with an appreciation for vintage automobiles and enough mechanical knowledge to get myself into all kinds of trouble. I've built a couple of 30's Fords and had a variety of other pre 60's cars and trucks. I've gotten a new love of GM cars and now have a 55 Olds Super 88 and a 42 Buick custom. Welcome to the Oldsmobile hangout!
Please don't look at how dusty it is. As you can see it currently lives out in the country.
I do know I am changing the shifter. My dad put in a ratch shifter. I don't know why but that sucker is a PITA. I will be replacing it with a Lokar detent I am still deciding on that **** I want for it though.
I will flood the forum with all sorts of photos once I get it all cleaned and polished.
February 9th, 2021, 08:11 PM
