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Hello all! Ive cruised these forums a few times in my searches for all questions olds. Im a young guy, not much experience with oldsmobile, but was raised around classic chevs and am currently in my 2nd term of my automotive technician ticket. Point being I have a fair bit of mechanical know how. That being said.... I will admit that this oldsmobile is a bit daunting. Im finding a fair amount of parts suppliers have options for 67 and up 330s, but limited on 66 and under. Sounds like a new stream for another day. Hey, almost forgot to tell you about the car! A lovely 1966 oldsmobile cutlass, holiday hardtop coupe? with a 330. Whats left of the car at least. Figuring I will likely do a sort of restomod build, keeping as close to originality as I can. Have quite a fair bit of questions but will answer them in their due sections to avoid angry moderators. (Dont bite the hand that feeds you I suppose) Will be asking a lot and by the looks of it, I will receive many good answers. Thanks in advance!!!
Your initial research is on target. It’s harder and probably more expensive to restore and Olds. The market is smaller than Chevy & Ford, the parts are harder to find, less stuff swaps.
In this site, you’ve found the right place. The depth of knowledge here is fantastic. 6 miles deep and a few feet wide. Which is cool if you want to go _deep_.
On the plus side, if you have a Cutlass, hey, it’s a GM A-body, so _some_ stuff swaps. And there’s more aftermarket support as compared to 1966 Toronados, Starfires, 88’s and 98’s.
I keep a ‘66 98 convertible (4,500 made, not many remaining) and a ‘66 Starfire (13,000 made, not many remaining).
It can be done, but should be done with patience. Focus on safety before performance, since you’ll eventually carry friends & family in the car. You’ll find strong opinions here in favor of keeping the 330. Or upgrading to 455, if you’ve got a rusty or tired car. But you might get an eyeful if you ask about LS swapping. I have no big thing against LS’s, I just choose to keep my cars closer to what it was in the ‘60’s. Sort of to remember what it was as GM built it.
But I’m no purist either - I’ve upgraded my front brakes to disc, use a quicker steering box (2.5 turns lock-to-lock), added HEI, and use a late 70’s quadrajet. Part of the fun is figuring out just where you want to go on the upgrade vs. originality spectrum.
Discover, learn, enjoy, drive, fix and have fun. Enjoy it your way.
Originqlly posted on my computer, on my phone now so here goes. Front bumper is a bit bent and a little rusty but altogether front end is ok Will have to take more pics but will need some right side sheet metal. Guy before me put in patch panels and didnt seal seams properly. All the chrome is together, including all the drip moulding around the windows. Except... the left side is missing the wheel well and side chrome trim from another body repair, this one solid. Personally i dont mind the look without it. Its like playing dressup and pretending i have a 442.
Welcome aboard! Looks like she has some pretty good bones! The 330 motor is mostly overlooked but has great potential. If you go camshaft shopping be careful to verify the lifter bank angle in case the motor has been changed by some previous owner. The 1966 and earlier 330 blocks are 45 degree angle; the 1967 and later Olds motors are 39 degree. The transmission if automatic was a two speed Jetaway (not the same as a Powerglide) with variable pitch torque converter.
graveyard 66
