Hello,

I have been in other automotive forums, and have worked on other large, rear drive vehicles, but this will be my first Oldsmobile. It has great sentimental value as it is presently my Grandfathers car, but we have agreed on terms and I will be picking it up and relocating it to Austin, Texas in the coming months. Once I have the car here, I will have many questions about what things to do first as I want to actually drive the car to church and lunch every Sunday and potential do the occasional parade / cruise-in. As such, I will want to do any and all "bolt on" things to make it more drivable and safe without modifying to the point where it cannot be easily returned to original state.

It is a goosebump moment for me because it is the year I was born, my grandfather was just the 3rd owner, and he garaged it for 30 years when it was not in parades or nursing home visits.

 

Welcome to the site, it looks to be in awesome condition.

 

Thank you. Overall, I think it is in great shape. I can't speak for the first owner, but my grandfather and the couple he bought it from kept it under roof and off salty Midwest roads. I am sure it will need new tires, springs, and shocks as well as all the usual fluid changes and tuning. But once those are done, I'll be looking at things that can be done to make it last longer as well as deal with Texas heat. (Radiator / Fan upgrade)

 

Welcome to C.O. Very nice looking.
Do the proper maintenance.
You do know they sold those cars in Texas when new ?
This "upgrade" word is over used and abused. Flush the cooling system, put in a new thermostat, make sure the proper fan shrouds are installed and refill with the correct coolant.
Keep in mind you have "boat", not a Ferrari.

 

^^^THIS^^^

Beautiful Olds. Do a tune up and make sure the suspension and drivetrain are in good condition so it will last another 50+ years.

 

Thank you!

I am glad I didn't use the word "upgrade" ;-) Also have no intention of hot-rodding or racing. It's a cruiser, plain and simple. Just want to get maximum life for it, and comfort while driving it.

 

What a gorgeous car! Y'all done well.

Ralph was only commenting on your desire to "upgrade" the cooling system.

And his point was that if you restore the cooling system, you won't need an "upgrade".

 

I guess I did use the word... d'oh! All great info so far though... much appreciated. Looking forward to getting this baby into fresh road condition!

 

Nice.. I had a 69 98 rag top back in the day, I love that car....

 

Nice car great story. Welcome to the site. Very fun cruisers, and they move right along for a big car if you have the 455 365hp. Enjoy, glad to hear its staying in the family.

I picked up a 69 Blue on Blue ragtop at a garage sale for 4k plus 50bucks for the 6 barstools. That was in 1998 only kept it for a couple years and sold it to a guy that had a 4dr in high school and really wanted mine I gave it to him for what I had in it.

Keith

 

Welcome! That car is sweet, I love it's stance low... low... looks great with the skirts.

 

Thanks guys...

My dad and I were wondering if maybe it's so low because the springs are wearing, but from the feedback here, it appears it's at a desirable ride height, which is fine with me! :-)

 

Very cool, and very clean. I imagine cruising will be a joy in that. I always liked the Cadillac style of the rear wheel fenders covers.

 

The stance is right on I think, ahoy!

 

Preserve and make it safe. Do not exchange any parts for cores. Rebuild the OEM parts.

You have found the #1 source for Oldsmobile info.

Attached is a running list I have complied for situations such as yours. Not all of it applies but you'll get the idea.

More pictures pleae.

 

I agree. My car has the factory clutch fan, shroud, etc and I drive it in Phoenix 115+ summer heat with the AC on with no issues. Austin isn't gonna get that hot, so I suspect you will be fine.

 

X3!!!

And don't wholesale replace parts that are in good order.

 

Agree with all that has been mentioned above.
I would not replace the springs. Shocks, maybe. I have yet to see replacement springs put the ride height at a stock level, and with your 98, the aftermarket selection is limited. You'll end up with a "one size fits all" spring that generally raises the car too much.
This is a heavy car but if you bounce each corner of the car with your hand and it recovers quickly (i.e.one rebound) I'd say the shocks are ok.

 

What a great looking 98 !! It has obviously been very well taken care of. It looks like a fun car to cruise.

 

Welcome to classicoldsmobile.com!
Come and join the " Darksiders " (61 thru 70 big car owners ) at this thread;
61-70 Big Cars, "Darksiders" unite ! - ClassicOldsmobile.com

 

[/QUOTE]
Cut the grass and check tire pressure. Look how much of the sidewall of the tire the grass is hiding. It might not look like its sitting low.

 

True that! Will see what it looks like when I get it down here and all checked out. Won't be driving it from Michigan to Texas...

 

Thank you... will check that out!

 

My uncle is a retired diesel mechanic and lifelong GM fan & owner. He has been Grandpas right hand man on this car. Well, in talking with he and my aunt last night, it appears that in 2020 when COVID first hit and they needed things to do, he invested $500 in parts to replace the timing gears and chain as well as rebuild the carb. It is likely that it was driven more in the summer of 2020 than it had been in the previous 4-5 years combined. In fact, he asked me "why would you trailer it to Texas? Just drive it. That engine could use a long hot trip."

Seriously considering changing oil, coolant, tires, and doing exactly that...

 

Beautiful car! Congrats!

 

Drive it. No matter it will be a journey and there be no getting the smile off your face.
do the usual check belts ad hoses

 

The definitive song for anyone who has ever owned or loved a big Osemobile! @1:20

 

New timing chain is awesome news.