just bought a 68 cutlass with a 455 from a 72 buick thing is i'm new to the olds and v8 im a honda guy with newly found love for olds... so my problem is cannot figure out where to start to get this beast running it has been sitting for 5 years any help advice works thanks

just added some pics

 

First:
new gas
new oil
new brake fluid
new filters (oil and fuel)
new coolant
possible carb rebuild

 

thanks plugs wouldnt hurt eigther huh...

 

Since the car has a carburetor and old style points in the distributor it is no doubt going to be a different experience for you. I would suggest a complete tune-up too. New points, plugs, condenser, distributor cap, and probably wires. We used to factor in about a hundred bucks when buying a used car just to cover all that, it was automatic.

Welcome to CO.

 

thanks man ... its def a new experience. i helped my buddy put a 455 into his 442 sence then all oldsmobile

 

If you've got a Honda engine laying around hang onto it. The Olds might need a starter motor as well
Good luck mate & welcome to the site.

 

Welcome aboard

Nice to have you with us.

 

Matt,
Give me a call. I'm in Union City

Gene (510)-499-9235

 

So I got new filters oil plucgs a battery go to turn her on and nothing ... So I start checking my wires and no hot wire to ignition dash don't come on nopower to starter no power to coil so I'm lost right now? I'm thinking of tearing out all wiring and doing a wire tuck and just rewire car. Sugestions comments or anything will help thanks

 

I would clean all connections on your battery cables positive and negative. Check the positive at the starter it could have burned through.
Larry

 

make sure the hot lead from the battery is connected to the relay junction

 

been awhile sence i been on just want to update everybody i found out its a olds 455 f block and i totally got fed up with wiring situation so i rewired entire car now all wiring is correct.... just wondering about tail lighs are they suppost to i dnt know how to say but alturnated if that makes sence and having trouble finding a th400 with correct bell housing..

 

Good news about the engine being an Oldsmobile, that's great! If you are asking if the rear turn signals are supposed to be sequential like on an early Mercury Cougar the answer is no. If you mean are the rear brake lights suppose to flash when the brakes are applied the answer is no. If you mean are the rear lights supposed to alternate between left and right sides in any condition the answer is no. If you mean are the turn signals supposed to flash on the appropriate side when the switch on the steering column is activated the answer is yes; right side for right turn and left side for left turn. If they are not, it could be the flasher unit, faulty wiring, or a bad lamp/socket.

 

The TH400 your looking for has a BOP blot pattern it can be out of a Buick Oldsmobile or a Pontiac so you have a broad range of cars to chose from. Should be easy to find one in a wrecking yard. Good luck

 

thanks... but now i have a toss up on if i should rebuild the motor... or just work with what i have? being that the motor has not started in 10years

 

I think you should find someone locally that can help you out. You need to get the engine running before you make any decision on rebuilding it. It is really difficult to communicate car trouble and then to find a solution over the internet.

 

I agree with Oldsguy. Get the motor running and then decide if it needs a rebuild.

 

thanks guys ... umm has anybody got or have had a cowl hood for a 68? i dnt think thay make that? maybe special order?

 

I think "CFN" fiberglass has a '68 cowl hood.
I'm local,just down the road from you, so let me know if you need help on the engine.

Gene

 

thanks gene i'll save your number and give u a call sometime... have u ever used gm sport salvage in san jose? im looking to do a front disk conversion

 

Matt,
They are pretty pricey, but they have a lot of stuff. Look at craigslist I have a tall spindle disc conversion kit, check it out.

Gene

 

400 or 455 what is better as reliability and hp? heard early 400 are great and late 455 are nnot

 

Hey Matt,

Welcome to the forum! You are in the right place to learn and share all that is Oldsmobile!

As for starting your engine after it's sat for a while, all of the suggestion above are great. Another I've used is to pull out all the plugs and drop about a cap (from a quart of oil) of new oil into the cylinders. This will help lube the rings. I also pull out the distributor and turn the oil pump with an electric drill. Then turn the motor by hand using a breaker bar on the crank. This gets the oil circulating and parts moving without any compression.

Good luck and keep us posted!

John

 

got a th400 installed and hooked up shifter cable but is there suppost to be a bracket because when i move lever into gear nothing happens the cable just moves.... im shure there is a bracket or sum could i just mfg sum... to work
comments ideas sugestions welcome

 

Yes there is a bracket that bolts to the pan rail on the transmission. 'The Parts Place' and I'm sure others have that bracket and other things you might need.

 

http://youtu.be/Sbmt7QchpnE

finally got her running let me tell you best feeling ever!
open headers
timing a lil off
still exciting

thanks to everybody on this fourm for your help with out it this would not be possible!!!

 

Hooray! I know you are stoked! Great news.

 

Sounds good. Looks like you are on your way!

 

Just a couple things.
1) you need to get the timing up to par. I would run 12* to 16*advance.
2) You should have run the engine at 1800 rpm for a good 15 minutes to break in the cam.
3) most of all get those chebby wheels off that OLDSMOBILE!!!

Gene