Hello all, first time joining an enthusiast forum. I am new to Olds (GM in general) and just picked up a 99.8% complete 64 Starfire. North Dakota car, off the road since 1972 and tucked away in a machine shed. I've done about 5 cars previous to this, but all mopar stuff and all 66 and later. Looking forward to the challenges of the Roto-Hyrdo and getting the 394 going again. A few initial questions: The original hi-comp 394 was replaced with a low compression unit at some point (stamping prefix H, suffix L), it turns freely and has compression, and it complete (still a 4bbl carb/intake at least). Hoping to get it running enough to be a reliable driver for the time being. In the future, is it worth finding an original hi-comp engine? For the cost I am also considering a LS swap, since mounting kits are available and a modern drivetrain sounds pretty nice. Second, the Roto trans ( I am told) leaks profusely from the pump area. I have not yet investigated. Is this a common seal problem or should I expect deeper issues? I know these have higher line pressure and the TV rod/kickdown linkage was never set-up post engine swap. I am not sure if it ever saw the road after this though, as most of the bolts were finger tight. Last, someone put a Quadra-jet and adapter on top of the original manifold. I found a complete 4GC in a box in the trunk, but it doesn't appear to be the correct base-plate or linkage for the Starfire w/ Roto. ID tag comes out as 59-61 Chev but it has #67 jets in the secondaries which seem very large for a SBC. Find a correct 4GC? New Edelbrock? Othe advice? Photos are attached of the car. Ver straight, NO rust except three quarter size holes in trunk pan. Thanks a lot!

 

Welcome to the site, nice find. From what I read here, Starfires are really nice cars when they are set up correctly and can be a bear when they aren't. I'll let others who are more familiar with your car chime in.

 

Looks like a pretty nice straight car. I've only had mine for 2 years now, but I've been taking note of others that pop-up on ebay or here. For what it's worth yours would be the 49th different one I've seen.

 

Just my thoughts, I love the 394 and Starfires but the low compression engine could be a blessing. Many of the high compression engine have trouble with our modern gas as they are very high in compression( like 11 1/4 to one). The Slim Jim is a POS right out of the box in my opinion but that's just me and the troubles I had when I had one so I'm bias on that account. You will have to make your own linkage, doable but not easy on a already problematic tricky system If you go with the Q-jet or a Edlbrockd but others have done this. Nothing wrong with a correctly set up 4GC carb and you bypass a lot of linkage issues if you can find the linkage out there someplace

To swap in a LS motor will require a custom cross member change and all the ones I've seen will set very very low below the frame, watch out for the speed bumps.

You will have to prune the transmission tunnel just about what ever transmission you choose as that original transmission is a skinny bugger from the factory and not much is out there that can be used without some pretty major modification. There again doable but not a easy swap.

It sorta pick your poison plus nothing is going to be cheap ether way you go. 394's are expensive to rebuild and a LS swap will need a different engine and transmission and probably a different drive line. No easy answer here They are beautiful cars and it's a shame but Me I would pass and find ether a older or newer car to restore...... Tedd

 

Thanks for the replies so far. The car is arrow straight with perfect floors and all the chrome. As I mentioned, I'm a mopar guy but I've never found a car this complete and nice in MN for $3k so I had to jump on it. Basically I want a reliable cruiser that looks nice and goes down the road straight. Hoping to paint it gloss black when time allows. Chrome is looking superb after some polishing.

 

I love those 61-64 Starfires and I don't think there is a better color than black. As nice as this car is, I would restore it. It would be gorgeous in black.

 

Redoldsmn: That's the plan for now. I hate the sickly yellow, and it is beyond repair in terms of buffing out. I sold a 66 Charger about 5 years ago that was the exact same color. I am actually looking forward to the body work. Shouldn't be more than a bit of smoothing on the surface rust areas. Compared to the MN flintstone-mobiles I'm used to, this thing is a dream.

 

There is a lot of truths with what Ted had to say. I've had some difficulties with front pumps leaking in the Roto 10 Transmissions, Shifter "O" Rings leaking where they go into the side of the Tranny, and the Rear seal where the Driveshaft slides in, but putting a Chevy small block and an Overdrive Transmission of your choice, has ppl cutting Large sections from the front X member to get the motor lower and a very large section of Transmission Tunnel floorboards to remotely get started. Find a decent 4GC Carb, get it cleaned up or rebuilt, (easy enough) and a shop (ie Service Manual) and start reading about the adjustments on the throttle linkage (TV Rod) and everything will start coming together. Patience is the master of your success. Carbs frequently are on Ebay and elsewhere too.... I hope it has the correct dual exhaust manifold on the left side, as they breath easier.

 

Welcome aboard and congratulations on picking a big Olds! Before you do anything else do a detailed search on this forum for Starfire, Roto-Hydramatic, and slim jim related posts, these topics have been covered many times. Keep the drivetrain stock and enjoy it.

 

Welcome!
Classicoldsmobile is an awesome resource.
That's a tremendous find.

 

Welcome to classicoldsmobile !
Come and join the "darksiders" at this thread ;
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ers-unite.html

 

Yep, thats a great find. Keep it stock as driver and ride the heck of it!

 

Welcome to the world of Oldsmobiles! I too joined the site after buying my first Oldsmobile -- a white 1964 Starfire. Mine was already mostly restored, but had a bad transmission. It would drive, but slipped too much to drive above about 30 mph, so I really haven't had a chance to go cruising with it. After doing a lot of research, I opted to swap in a 700r4 transmission which has been modified by Ross Racing Engines to bolt up to the 394. As a result I didn't have to chop up the floor and mess up the beautiful red leather interior. It is currently in the shop getting the transmission installed. Doing the swap requires modification to the crossmember, shifter & linkage, driveshaft, etc. I hope to get pictures of the process posted in the future. For now, here's a picture of mine.

 

I just visited Ross Racing Engines on Monday. Tony is a wealth of information and very knowledgeable. I was very impressed. I don't think there is much that Tony can't do. He has the equipment to do just about anything, and he can have cranks re-heat treated.