So, I am just about ready to purchase my first oldsmobile, and my first car to restore. I have seen it once, and didn't look at it long, but going tomorrow to take pictures. It is a 1969 or 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Convertible. Blue exterior with blue interior and white top. It did run the owner said, but she hasn't drove it in two years.

How difficult will it be to start? I am going to put a new battery in it, and change the oil once i get it home. I am going to trailer it to my house since it is an hour away but want to make sure it runs.

I look forward to owning this car and driving it. I know this forum will be a wealth of information and tons of help, all of the respective forums for my other cars are. I look forward to being here, and will let you know when I get her home and get pictures up as well.

 

New gas is a must. either drain the tank and lines and change the filter before you try to start it or use a gas can disconnect the fuel line from the tank to the fuel pump and run a temp line from the gas can to the fuel pump then try to start it check the oil to make sure its up to snuff. take along a can of starter fluid as well. Don't run it very long unless you change the oil as well. Crank it over with the coil wire disconnected to get the oil flowing before you try to start it.

 

You might also pre-lube each cylinder with just a little (1/2 teaspoon) spurt of oil. You should probably inspect the plugs anyway before you start it. An old style oiler with a long neck on it would be the best tool to pre-lube with. Also take a quick look at the points and contacts on the rotor and inside the cap to make sure they aren't heavily corroded, look for a white flaky buildup. Welcome to CO.

 

You could always start it the redneck way.

1) Drink lots of beer.
2) Pour lots of gas into the carburetor.
3) Drink lots of beer.
4) Hook up jumper cables to your truck.
5) Drink lots of beer.
6) Crank the heck out of it until it starts.
7) If it doesn't start return to step 1.

 

Is that the Okie redneck way or just the generic redneck way?

 

Definitely the generic redneck way. If it was an Okie redneck OU or OSU would be involved somewhow. That is all I ever hear about down here.

 

And you can say the famous Redneck's last words.

"Ya'll watch dis."

 

so, i guess this is good american engineering, or luck either or. So, i followed your advice, there was almost no gas in the tank, i put in a few gallons of premium gas, plugs looked good. I put the battery on, and, turned the key, i put the pedal half way down and she fired right away! No coaxing at all, i was completely surprised. now to change the oil, filter, fuel filter, coolant, transmission fluid and filter! Will post pictures soon when i get her home, and get here cleaned up, 2 years of not being driven, sure is dusty.

 

Congrats, now the fun begins. You must post pictures you know, or we come over and steal you car and replace with a 70 Yugo

 

I will post pics when I get her home. The owner is finding the title, and we are going to get it changed over, then I am trailering her home, and then cleaning up, buffing and waxing, and then will take the pictures, inside, outside, under the hood...and then will come the wish list!

 

Oh yeah!

Now for the pictures... before and after please.

 

Here are pics from today, gotta get her cleaned up. and stuff done so i can enjoy it! I changed the oil, but have to flush the coolant and check the tranny, hoping to cruise in it sun or mon, but not too hopeful.

 

Looks great, nice find

 

she is a nice old girl.what she have for a powerplant.

 

I am 90% sure it is a 455. It is a 2 barrell.

 

That is one nice ride! that isn't one of those "Little Ol' Lady" stories, is it? Where/how did you find it. She truly is a nice car!

 

nice my car has a 330 2brl but I am building another and have a 455 4brl for it

That is not always a bad thing or good thing with a back story first owner elderly man or woman owning it.The story I was told on my car is a elderly gentlman owned it posibly from new and twords the end let his grandson or nephue use it for college and college was in cali though this car has made it's trips has a I belive south carolina campground sticker on the front bumper would have to look.But the best thing is the frame is great hardly anything but a little surface rust.The body needed a bit of tlc and will have to do till I can do a frame off.But I enjoy it and go to shows along with the car club I joined last year.

 

I took a picture of the sticker and was right it was south carolina. Ocean Lakes Family Campground Myrtle Beach, SC. The sticker is faded and damaged.But I got a kick out of it so I left it on

 

Lookin' good!

 

nice find, great looking car you will love the ride better than any new car today ,my grandkids love our 70 delta

 

Just wanted to quick post on this again. After an 8 month hiatus I am back on board. I am settled into HHI South Carolina and I am starting to contact transport companies (thanks to the handy search feature on this website and recommendations from other members) to get quotes and time frames to get it shipped from Minnesota to Florida here. I am looking to hopefully have it down here in Mid-March to enjoy the weather to come for the summer.

 

Sweet car - I like those wheels! Were they an option to that model and year? Nice!!