I am a mobile mechanic here in the Napa Valley, California. Had a good enough finiancial year, thanks to the new lack of a wallet chasity AKA Ex wife, that I took a leap of faith. I have always wanted an 72 Oldsmobile 442 hardtop, but found a 1963 Oldsmobile 98 6 window hardtop in town for $1000 asking $1500.
My daughter whom is 4 loved it so i obviously felt obligations and had an excuse. Lol
Now I had heard of the roto hydromatic problems. But first driving it it was not that noticable figured I had the needle in the hay stack. Recently a total of three days now, it has gotten worse in that 2-3 shift. The car is IMMACULATE other than the paint and minor rust. Bone stock and original. Motor after a little tlc from my end purrs like a big fricken kitten. Never even when ingot it leaked a DROP ANYWHERE.

2 questions for anyone whom wants to answer.

1) good buy?
2) tv problem or did I get screwed?(have not touched)

HAPPY TO BE HERE THOUGH

 

Looks like it to me. These are great cars.


I don't think the slim jim has a TV cable - I think it's just a kickdown.
That being said, I know nothing about these, so I can't give you specific advice, but if it's got a problem, it CAN be fixed (note that installing a TH400 in one of these is essentially a ground-up fabrication project, so don't even think of it, unless that's the sort of thing you enjoy doing).

Welcome to ClassicOlds.

- Eric

 

Welcome to the site. Congrats, it looks to be a solid car. I think whenever you can get a decent running car at the price you paid, its always a good deal. Ross Racing makes kits to adapt different transmissions to your engine. As far as the shifting issue I'll let others chime in for suggestions.

 

Yes, but note that it's called the "slim jim" for a reason - you need to reconstruct the transmission tunnel to fit any other automatic.

- Eric

 

Welcome aboard,They are great cars except that funky slim jim transmission but the notorious 2-3 shift may be the best you will ever get and it may run many miles shifting as though you skipped a gear(but you haven't).My 63 ran a aggravating 5 years before we had it rebuilt where upon it continued to shift the same till it's demise. It sounds as though you have the skills you might look into swapping out the transmission some time down the road if the aggravation get to intense.... Tedd

 

The norcal and socal chapters of the Olds Club are active and a number of members have Oldsmobiles in this year range. Contact model year advisors and chapter presidents, etc. to find a good specialist in that transmission.

 

Not with our kit.........

 

I was not aware of that.

I've seen some elaborate work done to accommodate later transmissions on these cars.

I stand corrected.

Thank you.

- Eric

 

No problem..... I know what your refering to..... Thats why we built our own version..... to avoid hacking the car up

 

My nephew has this T-400 swap in his '61 Olds bubble top. It runs great and shifts just fine.
A bit on the price side, but worth the exspence for the great shift pattern.

Gene

 

That is a neat old car. Looks like another one saved.

If you have it purring like a kitten, I would say a good buy.

 

I appriciate all that relpied/reply here on out. I ready seems like hundreds of comments on other forums yesterday and my daughter and I took it for a cruise today. Taking some simple advice to baby it through to third I had ZERO issues. One happy SOB. now to make her new lol.

 

I love it. Plenty of room and rides good.

 

Welcome aboard and good choice of cars, you can't go wrong with a big Olds. (Although I am obviously prejudiced.) Those 6-window cars are like a mini limo. I take it from your last post that the trans is now working OK? If you have never driven a car with a Slim Jim it is easy to think something is wrong even if its working right due the weird shift feel, although it is usually the 1-2 shift that is the weirdest due to the enormous ratio change. I would recommend a fluid and filter change, Fatsco has the right filter. Good luck and show us some more pictures.

 

I love your car! Looks very nice...wish I could take the rust free areas of your car to patch on mine!
As far as the Roto, I have been reading around here that the kickdown is very particular with adjustment. Locate a service manual and make sure everything is within spec.
My 64 is the first car I have ever driven with the Roto transmission and on the test drive I though it was goofy as hell with the shifting...but at the same time cool as it is different. I hope mine lasts but if there are ever issues it looks like the adapter plates to a newer style transmission is the best bet!
Have fun with it!

Chris

 

Yes Don R. It seems to be running much better now, i have to treat it with some love and learn the beaut. COOL WITH ME. And any one have an idea where i can get the front bench, keeping in mind its electric, as Don R. Said, it is truly a limo.

Also i have all the skill to flush, service, and adjust the transmission. Staying skeptical as ive heard this car is practically the reason people say "if it aint broke, dont fix it" no leaks either.
Pictures coming soon