Hello! My name is Doug, and I'm a rural postie from Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada. I've been fixing up and having fun with old cars all of my adult life, but this is my first GM product. I found her in a small wreckers near here that is doing a final close and crush. The seller's mom bought it in 1964, and it was laid up in 1976 after a load of rebar avalanched and punched the holes that can be seen in the passenger front door. The engine was supposedly replaced in 1974 with a brand new unit from the dealer, and it does turn over OK, although the small battery from my daily needed a boost from my truck to do so!

Looking forward to learning all about my new find and sharing the progress as I recommission her for the road. My plan is to get her mechanically safe, cosmetically presentable, then just drive and enjoy! Any comments, feedback, and advice is much appreciated as I know absolutely nothing about Oldsmobiles or any GMs of this era.

 

Welcome to the site (and the world of GM), Doug!! What was your prior car make preference?
Looks like you've got your work cut out for you with that Olds. It will be a labor of love, for sure. Parts for that baby will be tough to come by but not impossible. The "Parts Wanted" forum will be your friend.
I'm impressed you got as much history on that car as you do, seeing as it was scheduled to be crushed. Good work!
Best of luck with your new toy!
-Doug (nice name, by the way )

 

Thanks for the welcome! I've always been a Ford man, with AMC being a close favorite. I also enjoy English cars as well. My collection includes a 68 Galaxie XL rat rod, 68 Falcon Futura sedan, and a 74 AMC Matador sedan. For English cars I have a 1962 Standard Vanguard Vignale automatic that is 1 of 1, a 1968 Ford Zodiac Mk IV that is the only LHD in Canada, and a 1962 Vauxhall Velox. The last two need restoration.

I was lucky with the Olds in that the seller grew up with the car and was eager to have it saved. He claims to have the paperwork and is trying to find it, but due to recent disability he is very limited to what he can do. I would take it all as hearsay except I've known him 20 years and can tell when he's joshing.

 

Welcome; We'll have to send you to Oldsmobile University in Lansing, Mi. for a fortnight...get you indoctrinated!

 

Any idea what it is? It certainly could not have been identical to what was in the car, which would been a 394, I believe, as Olds stopped making those after 1964. If it was a new 1974 engine, it would have been most likely a 350?

 

Welcome to the site, it's always nice to see one saved from the crusher. Hopefully your get all the doc's from the previous owner.

 

Welcome to the forum, GM cars, and Oldsmobiles. You picked a good car to start with although I am a bit predjudiced. The engine in your car is a 394 based on the photo, the last version of the original 1949 "Rocket" V-8. The very first thing you should do is get a copy of the owners manual and factory service manual for the car then read them cover to cover. Since it's been sitting so long, change all the fluids, flush the cooling and fuel systems, and probably rebuild the carb and fuel pump. Take out the plugs, squirt some Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders, and turn it over until the oil pressure comes up. Do a compression test while you are at it. Then see if it will start. Most of all take more pictures and keep us posted - good luck!

 

Thanks for all the info and tips! I will definitely keep everyone up to date, I'm not sure how much I'll get done this year before winter hits and everything goes on hiatus until spring. Going to pick up some fluids and filters in the next day or so and once the rain stops I can start the recommissioning as suggested by Don R.

 

Welcome. Gotta luv those 62's!

You will find the 394 c.i. was made by Olds from 1959 through 1964. Some interior hardware may interchange with the offerings found on the Chevy Impala.