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Greetings all. JB here. (I am trying this again after finding the "start here" stuff!!) While a Mustang guy my whole life (still have/drive my very first one. a 65 - 6 banger 3 speed, I bought in '74 when i went off to school), I am new to Oldsmobile. I have always loved the 69-72 Vista Cruisers, and heading into retirement, I finally decided to get myself one to play with! Recently purchased a 70 Vista cruiser, 455 engine (-48 code) with a 4 barrel (though the carb intake cover says "Edelbrock" instead of "Rocket" so I am guessing that is a change!). She is also a candy apple red color (with a -19 color code on the body) and I have found the occasional chipped paint location showing the Ebony Black underneath. Only 106K miles, some after market wheels, wrong (442) markings, but otherwise (so far) she appears mostly original. Excited to be getting into the forum and learning all the things I don't know yet! (I know "Where's the picture"....hope it came through right!!)
Pick yourself up a used (OEM) 1970 Oldsmobile Chassis Service Manual (CSM). It's basically your bible for all things mechanical on your vehicle (e.g. tune up, wheels, tires, transmission, etc.). CD/DVD are often terribly sketchy, missing pages, poor illustrations etc. An original CSM also contains an original "color" wiring diagram. Paperback is the way to go. Shop around, you may find others less expensive &/or free shipping.
A Product Information Manual (PIM) AKA Factory Assembly Manual is an excellent addition to your library. It describes in detail how your vehicle was assembled when it shot off the assembly line.
Get in touch w/ member Hairy Olds he has exceptional quality PIMs.
Thanks!! I got an "Assembly Manual" for cutlass....I have not seen one for the VC yet. The one I got was a re-pre and of terrible quality. I will check him out!!
Welcome aboard and good luck with the wagon. Just out of curiosity, what do you think about the driving dynamics and behavior of the Vista compared to your Mustang?
Welcome aboard and good luck with the wagon. Just out of curiosity, what do you think about the driving dynamics and behavior of the Vista compared to your Mustang?
That is a great question! The weight of the VC really plays into the vehicle dynamics. When I corner in the VC you can feel her sway...a bunch! Perhaps a stabilizer would help. The mustang feels a more solid in the corners. (as you might expect for something that weighs ~2300 lbs less!) But I know from experience the mustang willl break and slide if you push her too hard..very light back end. I have not tried to do that yet in the VC. The 455 power is awesome compared to my 190 cid 6 banger....but the 289 HiPo was also a real power machine in the earlier mustangs, espec. since they were so light. I need a little more time in the VC when the cops aren't looking to see what she has in her.
When I corner in the VC you can feel her sway...a bunch! Perhaps a stabilizer would help.
jb,
That's the VC feeling!
I put a Herb Adams 1 3/8" Trans-Am stabilizer bar in front and a 442 bar in rear (you need to add the reinforced lower control arms, or weld the reinforcement in yourself, to do that safely).
The huge front bar took the sway away!
I can make the rear step sideways with throttle in a corner. Yes, the 442 bar turned out to be too large, but it is fun.
I put a Herb Adams 1 3/8" Trans-Am stabilizer bar in front and a 442 bar in rear (you need to add the reinforced lower control arms, or weld the reinforcement in yourself, to do that safely).
The huge front bar took the sway away!
I can make the rear step sideways with throttle in a corner. Yes, the 442 bar turned out to be too large, but it is fun.
G.
I took the "big boss" for a ride in her today. She loved it (Thank Gosh!! ; )' She also commented on the sway. That 455 pushed up over 80 before you could think about it....pretty schweet!
