Tom57Fiesta

Hi All, Never ever did this before, my first thread. New to the Olds site, not new to Olds'. Have a 57 Fiesta I built 6 years ago and want to change a few things. Rather than experiment, thought it would be smart to ask someone who has already done it. Never liked the 700R trans I installed, want to go to a 5 speed stick. Whats the hot setup?
Motor is stock 371 rebuilt, nothing tampered with except lowered suspension. I rebuilt everything when I built the car. I will need pedals and, Im sure, a new crossmember. Stock brakes that work good, no real need to change them. Tom

tru-blue 442

Welcome to CO Tom.
I can't help with your project
but I am looking forward to some pics.
Those 57 Fiesta's are awesome.
Good luck with it!

Allan R

Welcome aboard Tom!
Just curious, what's wrong with the 700R? I know lots of guys prefer MT over AT but the 700R is a good trans and IMO better built/upgraded than the 200R.

Fiestas don't show up here everyday so I'd love to see pics of it. The only one I have seen in person is this 1958 that shows up regularly at the Olds show here each year in July. They are gorgeous looking cars.

Tom57Fiesta

Hope Im doing this right, guess I'll find out if you dont get my reply.
Let me know how to add photos & I'll shoot some over.

2blu442

Welcome to the site! X2 on the pictures!

Pat is putting a 5 speed into a 1948. He's also got a 1957 2 door hardtop but I don't know what transmission he used in that. He's going with 455's for both cars. Here's his 1948 build thread, if it doesn't help then you might contact him direct to see if he has any experience with what you're planning.

If all else fails create a thread asking if anybody has installed a newer manual transmission in their 1957.


https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ect-455-a.html

John

Tom57Fiesta

Hi Alan,
Had the trans rebuilt before I put it in, after about 2000 miles it sounds like its coming apart if I jump on it hard. If I baby it, it shifts and runs smooth but I could never adjust it to shift at lower rpm's. The motor really revs high between shifts. I had it built to stock specs. Havent had it looked at by a trans shop yet. I have an Edelbrock carb with the correct mount for the trans linkage.
Glad to send photos if you tell me how.

Allan R

Tom,
Here's some info I put together for anyone who's having trouble uploading pics to the C.O. site. Try it and see if it works for you. If you run into any problems send me a PM and I'll walk you through it.

* clik the 'go advanced' tab
* Press the icon that looks like a paper clip; and A 'Manage Attachments' box will appear
* Choose (navigate on your computer to where the pics are stored) and hit 'open'. repeat for all 5 pics.
* Hit 'upload'. It may take a bit of time depending on your pic resolution. If you have ultra high res, you will have to 'resize' them with your picture editor to a 1024X768 size or smaller for the C.O. server to accept them.
* Close the "manage attachments' box.
* Preview your post and the images will be at the bottom
* Hit 'submit post' and the thread will have the images installed at the bottom. Unfortunately you can only do 5 pics at a time this way.

If you have the pics hosted on another web server?
* Copy the IMG url and Press the icon that looks like an envelope with mountains on it. Paste the URL into that box and hit 'ok'. You can install up to 20 images this way.
* Be sure to preview your work.
* Make sure the images don't carry on across the page, stack them for easier viewing.

2blu442

Not that I need another project car.... but I missed a 1957 Fiesta Wagon on Craigslist last summer. It had a Pontiac 400 engine in it but had been a running/driving car. His asking price was $3500 but he took $2500 for it.

These are way cool wagons and I hope you enjoy your project



John

Tom57Fiesta

John,
That would have been a steal if it was in any decent shape. Guy in N.Y. was selling one at Hershey swap this fall, car was completely torn down, in boxes, didnt look promising, and he wanted $6500, with no title. And it wasnt a Super 88, just the plain 88. I'd like to find another one in fair shape and build it into a 2 door wagon.

Tom57Fiesta

Olds64

Tom that sounds like an awsome project. I think it would be cool to have a manual in your Fiesta. Before you delve into a big project like that though make sure your tranmission linkage is properly setup. The troubles you're having with your 700R4 sound like they may be due to an improperly adjusted linkage. Keep us posted.

D. Yaros

You are aware that Olds did in fact offer a manual tranny in '57, albeit a 3-speed?

citcapp

Glad to have you aboard Tom. I am using the Tremec TKO 600 5-speed in my 48 Olds. Its not complete yet but should be great.

I assume you must have used a conversion bell housing to mount the 700R behind the 371 (rocket racing or another brand). I believe you will have to find a original stick bell housing and modify it to take the 5-speed. The clutch issue should not be much of a problem as there are several aftermarket hydraulic bearing style setups available that you could fabricate to fit your needs. You could also move up to a more modern 350 or 455 drive train.

Lets see those pictures.

2blu442

I may have a 1950's stick bellhousing, its much thinner than the 1965 and newer ones. I need to dig it out and have someone help i.d. it for me anyway. So if you are needing one watch for my thread.


John

oldsguybry

Love the 50's cars !

Tom57Fiesta

Allan,
Thanks for the directions, hope this works.
Car has been on the road for 5 years now, great highway ride, have taken it to Goodguys show in Indy from Pa.several times. Have dressed up the engine compt. since these photos, Edelbrock valve covers, some chrome, etc.
Bought it out of Alabama, a one family car. Grandpa was going to give it to his grandson but he wanted a Honda, he didnt want this old ugly wagon. It was completely worn out, motor barely ran, brakes were gone, trans was shot, all rubber gone but it was absolutely rust free and everything was there. I did a frame off, rebuilt the stock motor, replaced the Jetaway with the 700R after the stock trans died. I dont care that this car wont do giant burnouts (I have streetrods that do that), I wanted a low/slow cruiser, which this is. We dont see many 50's Olds' at car shows here so this one really draws attention.
If I can get the 700R to work properly, I'll keep it. When the weather breaks here, I'll take it to a different trans shop & see what they think. Thanks for the advise.
Tom

tru-blue 442

Tom, that is too cool!
Very, very nice ride.

OLD SKL 69

x2

Don't think I've ever seen one of those in person before. Would love to see more pics when you get a chance.

oldcutlass

That's is a sweet ride!