Hey people, I have been lurking for awhile now and your site is great.

I am going to look at a 78 Omega tomorrow and could use a little help.

What should I be looking for as to problem areas with these cars?

I know it needs the trim around the windshield so are there replacement parts available? and if not am I able to use Nova or Skylark or any of the other similar body styles for parts?

He also says that it is the original 307 engine in it but from the research I have done the only V8's available that year were the 305 and 350. Are the casting numbers easy to see on these engines?

Thanks for your help and if all goes well I will have a Omega by weeks end.

Cheers...Rob

 

Well there are a few possibilities here. The car probably came with a chevy engine seeing as you are in Canada. My guess would be a 305. If by chance it has the oil fill tube up front it could be a 350 Olds, 307 or even a 260 or 403.
If an Olds engine the casting number on the shelf next to the oil fill tube will tell us what you have.

 

Welcome to the site!! Where in Canada are you located . There is an OCC member near me in Wasaga Beach who has the car you are looking at . I will see if I can get contact info . There will be a lot of answers to your specific questions from those in the know here at CO. I look forward to hearing from yet another member of the Canuck Olds Nation ! Derek....69 442 coupe

 

I am in North York Ontario and the car is actually in Vaughan not Wasaga.

And thanks for the info Randy. I am hoping he has just made a mistake and that it is indeed a 350 but I have not seen any pics of the engine yet so when I go look at it I plan on checking the vin and the casting numbers.

 

Omegarat ref. my last post... the car you are looking at... was as in the same year and model , not literally the one you were going to see in Vaughn...sorry for any confusion ! Just thot , as I know nil about that particular Olds , he may have some insights for you . Derek

 

sorry Derek i was confused lol. and usually am and that's why I'm looking for help.

 

Welcome to CO. Hope you find the trim you need.

 

Welcome aboard

Glad you joined us.

 

Good luck with the Omega. Hope its what you're looking for

 

Welcome.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. Still would like to know about the trim and if novas and the like are the same.

I wasn't able to see the car yet but am meeting with him on Saturday...so hopefully by the end of the weekend I will truly be a part of this board.

 

Omegarat,

Here is a secret decoder page from the 78 Manual to help you determine
engine size. Print it or use the zoom buttom in your browser.

From one newbie to another welcome. Hope the car turns out to be what you want.

Dan

 

Hey Dan,

Thanks for the info but unfortunately I cannot read it. It blurs when I blow it up and I cannot print it and see it that small.

If you could mail me the scan that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob

 

Rob,

Tried to send you file as pdf but file limits prevent it.

Dan

 

Hey Dan,

I got it . Thanks so much!

 

Ok, so I go see the Omega and it looks pretty good. The body work has been done and its all metal. Floors and trunk have been done. All the triim is there with a new carpet as well. The body is in primer and there are still a couple of spots to touch up but no big deal. Engine is a 305 with headers and dual exhaust. No leaks and runs strong but I will probably be pulling it anyways.

It needs new leaf springs and control arm bushings. All the chrome will need to be done.

The frame looks good but when I looked under the car I noticed that in the middle there are hocky pucks koining the front and rear frame. The owner says that there are also pucks on the front and rear of the frame as well...so 6 overall. Now being unfamiliar with this car I am wondering if these are suppossed to be bushings and he just took the easy way out instead of finding the right stuff. Have any of you guys heard about doing this? And if so is it safe to drive? The car felt ok while driving.

This is the only thing I am worried about as the rest of the car looks great and for 1500 its a steal I think.

Let me know what you guys think about this whole hockey puck thing and if I am going to have to replace them how much am I looking at to get it done right.

 

That was common back in the day. It was cheaper and easier to find hockey pucks rather than the correct body mounts.

 

so the pucks are nothing to be worried about then?

 

Nope. But I would still be on the lookout for a body mount set if I were you. It's not anything urgent though.

 

Thanks Randy, now I just have to talk my wife into letting me get it lol.