Newone from Finland
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 35
From: Turku, Finland/Europe
Newone from Finland
Hello everybody!
I bought few months ago Oldsmobile from Florida.
Car has landed to Finland end of the may.
Before Florida car was in California about 40 years.
Now car have finnish registery plates after some works and (big taxes, what we have here in Finland
)
I already have changes some new parts to Olds:
- front springs
- front gas shock absorbers
- lower ball joints
- front stabilizer bushings and link kit
- centerlink and steering idler arm
- bushings for the lover- and upper controll arms, same time I blowin with sand those control arms sprayng with black paint
- heater core
- front tires
- exhaust pipe and silencer
- signal lever
- some hoses for ventilation and vacum steering
- thermostat housing
and plenty of some small things....
And still I have lot of left.
I need also some parts. I writing later about part what I need, maybe You can help me get parts and give some good "tips"
By the way car is 1966 Dynamic 88 2 HT Holiday Coupe with 425 cid
Here are two picture of the Olds.
vasensivu.jpg
vasentakakulma.jpg
I bought few months ago Oldsmobile from Florida.
Car has landed to Finland end of the may.
Before Florida car was in California about 40 years.
Now car have finnish registery plates after some works and (big taxes, what we have here in Finland
)I already have changes some new parts to Olds:
- front springs
- front gas shock absorbers
- lower ball joints
- front stabilizer bushings and link kit
- centerlink and steering idler arm
- bushings for the lover- and upper controll arms, same time I blowin with sand those control arms sprayng with black paint
- heater core
- front tires
- exhaust pipe and silencer
- signal lever
- some hoses for ventilation and vacum steering
- thermostat housing
and plenty of some small things....
And still I have lot of left.
I need also some parts. I writing later about part what I need, maybe You can help me get parts and give some good "tips"
By the way car is 1966 Dynamic 88 2 HT Holiday Coupe with 425 cid
Here are two picture of the Olds.
vasensivu.jpg
vasentakakulma.jpg
olds..older..oldest
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 364
From: Ontario, Canada
FineFinnish Ride
Welcome to the site! That is one beautiful car ya' got there...I" m sure the members here will be able to give you all the help you need with your new toy. If not mistaken,there are a few other Finn's around this site.That Olds is really going to stand out among the smaller European/Japanese econoboxes over there.My wife is from Rotterdam,and had a big Plymouth there in the early 70's ...it sure got noticed! Send more pics and info...Derek
Registered User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,273
From: Northern California
Chassis Service Manual
Nice 66 big car. I have a couple of these - a 98 convert & a Starfire.
In case you do not already have one, a good investment is a Chassis Service Manual and the Fisher Body Manual for 1966. These two books have a great deal of information on how the factory intended for you to maintain & repair these cars. Check Ebay for it, or check Faxon's auto literature.
Mechanically, be aware you can add an HEI distributor, internally regulated alternator and front disk brakes as good improvements. Of course this will make the car less original, but it will be better to drive & stop.
Also some parts from other GM "B body" models like Buick Wildcats and Chevy Impalas will fit your Dynamic 88.
Welcome.
In case you do not already have one, a good investment is a Chassis Service Manual and the Fisher Body Manual for 1966. These two books have a great deal of information on how the factory intended for you to maintain & repair these cars. Check Ebay for it, or check Faxon's auto literature.
Mechanically, be aware you can add an HEI distributor, internally regulated alternator and front disk brakes as good improvements. Of course this will make the car less original, but it will be better to drive & stop.
Also some parts from other GM "B body" models like Buick Wildcats and Chevy Impalas will fit your Dynamic 88.
Welcome.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 35
From: Turku, Finland/Europe
Thanks for tha nice words
It's nice to be here and also get good information!
Yes, that is true, head turns, when i driving Olds. It's big one between japanese cars.
In case you do not already have one, a good investment is a Chassis Service Manual and the Fisher Body Manual for 1966. These two books have a great deal of information on how the factory intended for you to maintain & repair these cars. Check Ebay for it, or check Faxon's auto literature.
Mechanically, be aware you can add an HEI distributor, internally regulated alternator and front disk brakes as good improvements. Of course this will make the car less original, but it will be better to drive & stop.
Also some parts from other GM "B body" models like Buick Wildcats and Chevy Impalas will fit your Dynamic 88.
Welcome.
I was already bought manuals from Ebay and faxon's auto literature.
Look under hood there was already HEI distributor. The previous owner had made the distributor change.
Good to know about alternator. Now i have front drum brakes.
Enginebay.jpg
It's nice to be here and also get good information!
Yes, that is true, head turns, when i driving Olds. It's big one between japanese cars.
I am sure that this forum has other Finns.
In case you do not already have one, a good investment is a Chassis Service Manual and the Fisher Body Manual for 1966. These two books have a great deal of information on how the factory intended for you to maintain & repair these cars. Check Ebay for it, or check Faxon's auto literature.
Mechanically, be aware you can add an HEI distributor, internally regulated alternator and front disk brakes as good improvements. Of course this will make the car less original, but it will be better to drive & stop.
Also some parts from other GM "B body" models like Buick Wildcats and Chevy Impalas will fit your Dynamic 88.
Welcome.
Look under hood there was already HEI distributor. The previous owner had made the distributor change.
Good to know about alternator. Now i have front drum brakes.
Enginebay.jpg
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,127
From: Rathdrum, Idano
Welcome aboard
Love the big cars. the blue looks great. There are several big car guys on the site just waiting to help out all you have to do is ask. I am sure you can offer some help as well from the sounds of it you have done a lot of your own work already.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 35
From: Turku, Finland/Europe
Sometimes it's hard to have old American cars other side of the world, but now it's easier, thanks to internet.
Same times I get new practise my english language. (Talking guy how was sitting backseats in the school clas, if he was there
).
Same times I get new practise my english language. (Talking guy how was sitting backseats in the school clas, if he was there
).
Registered User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,273
From: Northern California
Good fixes for 1966 big cars
I've had mine for a while, 25 years for one and 10 for another. Anyway I'm waiting at a hospital. A few more unsolicited suggestions:
Get a dual circuit master cylinder for your brake system. Starting in 1967 Olds went to dual circuits so that if you blow a brake hose you don't lose all your brakes. 66 had a single hydrualic circuit. Less safe. Drum & disc master cylinders are different, go with the right one for your car's brakes.
Upgrading to disc brakes can be done using 1968-1970 88/98 disc systems from a donor car, but you have to use an adjustable proportioning valve to be sure the rears lock up first. Go for the single piston system from 1970, more common than the mult-piston system from 68-69.
You can fit an aftermarket radio in the glove box if it's not too full of other stuff. It's not that convenient, but is hidden from theft and looks more original. Along side you can put 3 gauges too - I use water temp, volts and vacuum. Close the glove box and it's 1966. Open it and you can see what's going on with your motor.
Look out when you change the lower ball joints, you may want to have a local welder reinforce these arms with a plate or rebar. I've snapped 3 A-arms after new balljoints. The impression I have is that newer balljoints just put too much pressure on the interference fit and snap the arm somewhere around the balljoint hole. Both my cars have reinforced arms now.
Great to hear you have HEI. It really works better than points, at least on my cars. I like the internally regulated alternator conversion too. You can run higher amperage alternators and they're simpler to replace when you have to. More consistent voltage so headlights don't dim when you are idling too.
Also, at least on the big cars I like rubber bushings. I found the poly bushings too stiff and went back to rubber after a couple of years.
You've probably seen the great debate what carburetor. I like qjets after having used a Holley for 5 years or so. Qjets are more complex, but if you invest the time to learn to tune them, they fell more precise at all rpm ranges than the Holley. On the other hand Holley's are easier to tune and great at high RPM's.
You can add power windows, 6 way seat, vacuum trunk release and power door locks from most any 88 or 98 from 65-70, even from some Buicks and Cadillacs. These are fun projects, if you can find the parts. In Finland.
cheers
cf
Get a dual circuit master cylinder for your brake system. Starting in 1967 Olds went to dual circuits so that if you blow a brake hose you don't lose all your brakes. 66 had a single hydrualic circuit. Less safe. Drum & disc master cylinders are different, go with the right one for your car's brakes.
Upgrading to disc brakes can be done using 1968-1970 88/98 disc systems from a donor car, but you have to use an adjustable proportioning valve to be sure the rears lock up first. Go for the single piston system from 1970, more common than the mult-piston system from 68-69.
You can fit an aftermarket radio in the glove box if it's not too full of other stuff. It's not that convenient, but is hidden from theft and looks more original. Along side you can put 3 gauges too - I use water temp, volts and vacuum. Close the glove box and it's 1966. Open it and you can see what's going on with your motor.
Look out when you change the lower ball joints, you may want to have a local welder reinforce these arms with a plate or rebar. I've snapped 3 A-arms after new balljoints. The impression I have is that newer balljoints just put too much pressure on the interference fit and snap the arm somewhere around the balljoint hole. Both my cars have reinforced arms now.
Great to hear you have HEI. It really works better than points, at least on my cars. I like the internally regulated alternator conversion too. You can run higher amperage alternators and they're simpler to replace when you have to. More consistent voltage so headlights don't dim when you are idling too.
Also, at least on the big cars I like rubber bushings. I found the poly bushings too stiff and went back to rubber after a couple of years.
You've probably seen the great debate what carburetor. I like qjets after having used a Holley for 5 years or so. Qjets are more complex, but if you invest the time to learn to tune them, they fell more precise at all rpm ranges than the Holley. On the other hand Holley's are easier to tune and great at high RPM's.
You can add power windows, 6 way seat, vacuum trunk release and power door locks from most any 88 or 98 from 65-70, even from some Buicks and Cadillacs. These are fun projects, if you can find the parts. In Finland.
cheers
cf
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 35
From: Turku, Finland/Europe
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 360
From: Korat, Thailand
Welcome to the forum. Beautiful car and your terriers are adorable. Too bad I am in Thailand as I am looking for a small terrier as I am too old for a standard. Here's a phot of my old girl. I do really miss her.
Scan0009.jpg
Scan0009.jpg
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 35
From: Turku, Finland/Europe
First I have to thanks for everybody about nice warmy welcomes, when I jump in this Olds forum
I have get also good information about Oldsmobiles!!
Old "lady" looks very nice in the photo with red scarf round the neck
I think, your Old's engine bay is full of engine and plenty power
I have get also good information about Oldsmobiles!!
I think, your Old's engine bay is full of engine and plenty power
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