When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello just signed up today because I’m going to need some help and pointers working on this new-to-me 1965 olds Jetstar 88. I am really excited as this is my first classic car that just so happens to be an Oldsmobile 👍 it runs and drives but is in desperate need of some serious tlc hopefully I can restore it to its former glory. The pro’s are many it is pretty much all stock from what I’ve seen so far. Very minimal rust to speak of considering the age, some starting in the trunk and the front lip of the hood. Most of the decals, trim and accessories are intact save a few easily obtained pieces. 330ci rocket paired with the th350 auto trans, please let me know what you all think and thanks for having me.
Great cars had a couple of 65's. You will find that most mechanical parts are common to the Cutlass and Jetstar 88 only. The Jetstar 88 is basically a Cutlass mechanically in a big body. You don't see many of these anymore, I had a Dynamic 88 and 98 both good running cars and very reliable.
Looks to be just the 2 speed Jetaway trans which was standard in the 330 Jetstar. Car looks clean enough!
That’s what I was thinking when I got it at auction, nobody was willing to bid on it so I did and ended up winning 😀 so far I feel it was a worthwhile investment especially since I was able to drive it home 👍
Welcome. The original trans in your car is the two speed Jetaway (aka, Super Turbine 300). There was no TH350 in 1965 and the Jetaway was the only automatic that Olds installed behind the 330 motor in that year. That's why the shifter says P-R-N-D-L. It is popular to replace the Jetaway with at TH350, however without a picture of the trans pan, there is no way to know if that has been done to this car. No, the Jetaway is not a Powerglide, despite having two speeds.
Be aware that your Jetstar uses the small 9.5" drum brakes from the Cutlass line. All other Olds full size cars that year used the 11" drum brakes. Good luck with the car.
Welcome. The original trans in your car is the two speed Jetaway (aka, Super Turbine 300). There was no TH350 in 1965 and the Jetaway was the only automatic that Olds installed behind the 330 motor in that year. That's why the shifter says P-R-N-D-L. It is popular to replace the Jetaway with at TH350, however without a picture of the trans pan, there is no way to know if that has been done to this car. No, the Jetaway is not a Powerglide, despite having two speeds.
Be aware that your Jetstar uses the small 9.5" drum brakes from the Cutlass line. All other Olds full size cars that year used the 11" drum brakes. Good luck with the car.
Thank you for your input on this it’s very helpful. The little bit of research I’ve done on this car has brought up a couple of questions I guess the main one is this bank angle configuration and how it may hinder me in finding replacement parts. 45 and 39 degree bank angles I believe this has the less common of the two but I’m still not quite sure what this could effect?? Any help or pointers are appreciated
Re: which transmission...how many times does it shift when driving? Once = Jetaway, Twice = TH 350, 375 or 400.
Enjoy it and good luck!!!
Just once so far lol haven’t really got on it yet but I have a feeling it’s the original super turbine everything else in this car is original so I’m assuming the trans is as well.
During the repaint someone got carried away and painted the hood underside and neglected to remove the underwood light and bulb.
I am well aware lol they also over sprayed bumpers, trim, tires etc. it’s unfortunate but these are all things I will be revisiting in the future to correct
Well I hope I don’t get bashed to terribly bad for asking this but someone near me a selling a 1971 ninety eight with a big ol 455 in it for less than scrap value I’m curious what you guys think about getting it for the motor, trans and other misc. parts to drop into the Jetstar. Please let me know if there are any reasons why I should or should not do this, of course I would keep the original motor and trans for the overall collectibility of my vehicle in its original state but I just thought I’d throw this out there. Thanks for any input
IMHO go for the 455 swap. The 88 is a lot of car for a 330 2 bll with a jetaway tranny to move.
That's kinda how I felt about it, the 330 moves the car but I think the 455 would give it much more of a "muscle" feel. I guess my question is will the 455 and trans out of the 1971 ninety eight drop in and bolt up or am I going to need to do some modifications?? of course I will be beefing up the drums from the smaller 9.5" to the 11" and that sort of thing but will I need to add any extra support brackets etc?
That combo is a "drop in" you may need to source a driveshaft due to length issues. I don't see a problem as far as originality and the like with the Jetstar as the 330 and 2 speed if pretty ho hum... You will want to upgrade the cooling with a larger radiator too.
The 455 is externally identical to the 425 that was a factory available option in your car in 1965, so it fits, but there are a few nuances to be aware of. You need to use the motor mounts for the car, which are Anchor P/N 2262 and 2263 (these cars use different RH/LH mounts). These mounts bolt to the forward two of the three motor mount bolt holes in each side of the block, not the rear two where the mounts for that 1971 are currently located. You need to use the 1965-1970 exhaust manifolds for the full size cars. The ones from 1971-newer won't clear your chassis crossmember or steering. The correct dual exhaust manifolds for the 65-70 cars are available repro. You will need to source the accessory brackets for the 65-67 full size cars with 425 motor. These use the high-mount PS pump. That 1971 will have a long tail TH400, so that's the correct trans for your car. The 1971 trans has a speedo drive feature that is not used on your 65. You can remove the speedo drive adapter and fit an appropriately sized freeze plug in the hole in the trans case. The trans crossmember will need to move backward to accommodate the TH400, but since that trans was available in your car the holes are already in the frame. The good news is that unlike the A-body cars, the full size did not hang the e-brake cable from the trans crossmember, so moving the crossmember doesn't require changing that cable.
The 455 is externally identical to the 425 that was a factory available option in your car in 1965, so it fits, but there are a few nuances to be aware of. You need to use the motor mounts for the car, which are Anchor P/N 2262 and 2263 (these cars use different RH/LH mounts). These mounts bolt to the forward two of the three motor mount bolt holes in each side of the block, not the rear two where the mounts for that 1971 are currently located. You need to use the 1965-1970 exhaust manifolds for the full size cars. The ones from 1971-newer won't clear your chassis crossmember or steering. The correct dual exhaust manifolds for the 65-70 cars are available repro. You will need to source the accessory brackets for the 65-67 full size cars with 425 motor. These use the high-mount PS pump. That 1971 will have a long tail TH400, so that's the correct trans for your car. The 1971 trans has a speedo drive feature that is not used on your 65. You can remove the speedo drive adapter and fit an appropriately sized freeze plug in the hole in the trans case. The trans crossmember will need to move backward to accommodate the TH400, but since that trans was available in your car the holes are already in the frame. The good news is that unlike the A-body cars, the full size did not hang the e-brake cable from the trans crossmember, so moving the crossmember doesn't require changing that cable.
Wow that’s a lot of very valuable information thank you very much 👍 it is much appreciated.
Well I hope I don’t get bashed to terribly bad for asking this but someone near me a selling a 1971 ninety eight with a big ol 455 in it for less than scrap value I’m curious what you guys think about getting it for the motor, trans and other misc. parts to drop into the Jetstar. Please let me know if there are any reasons why I should or should not do this, of course I would keep the original motor and trans for the overall collectibility of my vehicle in its original state but I just thought I’d throw this out there. Thanks for any input
If it were me I would leave the '65 alone and just drive it.I think it's a lot of work for a used engine swap, Even though it's a 455 it's still a low compression motor. Your only going to drive it for fun most of the time (Not like you need it for work on Monday morning)
I would drive the 98 for grins looks like a cool car. Just a thought.
If it were me I would leave the '65 alone and just drive it.I think it's a lot of work for a used engine swap, Even though it's a 455 it's still a low compression motor. Your only going to drive it for fun most of the time (Not like you need it for work on Monday morning)
I would drive the 98 for grins looks like a cool car. Just a thought.
Thank you for your honesty and part of me agrees with you primarily for the sake of keeping the car as original as possible. With that being said is there a way to make the original engine/transmission more responsive and peppy? The only reason I am asking is this is a fairly large old car and it might just be me but the 330 seems somewhat under powered. Of course this may also be due to the engine/transmission needing an overhaul, I haven’t had a lot of time to tinker with it quite yet.
July 3rd, 2019, 11:22 AM
