There's a lot of stuff here. I'm 15 and my Dad was crazy enough to let me get a '61 f85 wagon. It needs lots of work so we have lots of questions that we are sure have been answered many times but can't seem to pull them up on searches. Any tips for searches? Oh, yeah, and my Mom has a '66 Dynamic 88 2 dr hardtop. My Dad has an Olds 350 he trying to get into a '37 Chev coupe.

 

Well, it's a very cool car for a young buck to start in, but as you're finding out not a lot of info. There aren't many around.

But- CO has Joe Padavano who is doing a 62 F85 wagon and will be your go-to guy for info on these neat little cars.

You have one advantage in that the 215 aluminum engine was used in Great Britain in Rovers for many years and the Brits have a ton of performance and stock rebuild stuff for it. Even EFI and other goodies. Land Rovers sold in US have a version of that engine.

Is yours a stick shift or a HydraMatic? Details, young'un, details!

In an Oldsmobile family, pretty sure you know about Fusick already; if not www.fusick.com though they, like most, don't have a lot for the 61-63 F85.

Tell us roughly where you are and someone may be nearby enough to help.

 

Welcome, Another member here Joe is building a similar wagon. I'm sure he will pop in when he sees this.

 

Welcome to the wagon club! The car you have is the car I wanted before I got my Vista! Like everyone said, you and Joe will become buddies! He's the man....glad to see your enthusiasm!

 

Welcome.

My car is what your car dreamed of and then finally became when it grew up.

 

Always glad to see another young motorhead getting into Oldsmobiles. Have fun with your new project

 

Hi! Welcome to our site!! Another family of Olds lovers... yessssssss.....

 

Welcome to CO.

 

Shoot - someone else looking for parts for these cars!

Seriously, welcome. By now you may have found out that parts for the 61-63 cars are almost non-existent. You can get suspension parts from Kanter, but they are expensive. You can actually get parts to rebuild the brake hydraulics from NAPA. Body parts are unique to the 61-62 cars and good used is your only option. Interestingly, Steele Rubber does have all the weatherstripping for these cars, even for the tailgate.

The stock wheels are 13" with a 4 x 4.5" bolt circle. Unfortunately the only 13" tires you can get today are lower profile and smaller in diameter than the originals. That bolt circle is common with the 64-70 six cylinder Mustangs and Falcons, and I was able to find a set of four bolt aluminum slot mags on Craigslist that were 14", so I was able to run decent tires. About 25" outside diameter is what you want.

Here are some threads that I wrote about my 62 wagon:

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...-projects.html
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...otor-62-a.html
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ting-work.html
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...dark-side.html

 

Speaking of which, I just got back from picking up my 4.6 Rover short block today.

 

Welcome to CO JSF85! You are cutting your teeth on a very unusual, neat Oldsmobile, and yes, Joe P. should be your Go-To-Guru! Eric: Saw your shot from the Lake at Sturbridge, remember looking at y'all taking those from our balcony! Joe P: You ARE going to do a build thread on the Rover 215, aren't you? LOL! Once again, so great meeting all of you. And once, again, welcome to CO, JSF85!
Aron

 

Actually, the Rover 4.6 liter motor comes to 278 cu in, which is why I'm swapping it. The 215 is only 3.5 liters.

 

The interior is good and the doors are good but the front fenders are shot. Front brakes were redone before went into storage but rear brakes need overhaul. 1 spark plug stripped out so will need to do something with the head. Lower rear qtrs rusted out. It's an automatic.

 

As you're probably aware, there are no aftermarket patch panels for these cars, so you'd better start searching for used sheet metal. The front fenders are the same on 61-62 cars. The wagon rear quarters are also the same on 61-62 cars. Good luck in your search.

The back brakes are tough to find. You can get rebuild kits for the wheel cylinders, but the shoes are not available. You'll either need to have yours relined or get lucky on ebay (as I did for mine). Kanter sells complete brake sets, but they are pricey and require your old shoes as cores. Also, you'd better plan on doing the master cylinder as well. I just finished rebuilding mine. Napa sells the rebuild kit for about $18.

 

Welcome to Classicoldsmobile! What part of the country are you in? There's a wrecking yard in Springfield Oregon parting out a 1962 Cutlass Convertible. Here's a link to a front fender on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/61-62...ts_Accessories

I know there's also a member from Bend Oregon who has a project and at least one parts car from this vintage. I can't think of his name right off, but if I remember it I'll post it. He might have some extra sheet metal for you. John

 

Found a front fender reasonably priced Its off a 62. Is it the same as my 61? Went back and read a previous post - says its good! Thanks

 

Yes, the 62 fenders are the same as 61. The 62s used a bolt-on extension at the front edge to change that area, but the extension comes off and the fender underneath is identical to a 61. The only difference may be in the locations of holes for trim parts. You may need to weld up some holes and drill new ones.