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Hi! I’m a newbie! I recently purchased a 64 dynamic coupe from a private seller and this car has been giving me some issues. Infact two days after I got it, it started acting up. ( I should add that in this time period I had driven it a total of maybe 4 hrs) so first I noticed it wouldnt start randomly one morning.. next day started right up.. it was good for 2 days then literally died idling at the gas pump and had to be towed home. It went and got the fuel pump replaced and returned home. It was idling in the driveway and ended up over heating and the antifreeze came bubbling out of the overflow and all over the ground. It’s back in the shop again…
the mechanic said that it might not be getting enough air flow when it’s idling which is causing it to overheat? And that it only had a 4 blade fan on it, and a thermostat that’s too large for that car.. sounds like there are a few things that need to be worked out. It only has roughly 43000 km on it. Anyone have any ideas or info to throw my way?
I have a 1964 Dynamic as well, and I just rebuilt the motor and went through lots of what you're dealing with. I'm still sorting most of it out, but I can give my experience so far... I want to see the engine. A lot can be told from the look of the engine.
The fan shroud on my '64 is just a steel ring- it ain't much of a shroud, more like something that prevents a dumb *** from getting a dangling necklace tied up in the fan. If you're not moving, air flow through the radiator is reduced. And if your radiator is clogged/old/ inefficient, your car can overheat when it's not moving along well, with plenty of air flowing through the radiator. Add to that a poor thermostat, you'll overheat. So yeah- idling in the driveway, tired coolant, the wrong thermostat and a clogged radiator would explain that.
Starting problems- do you have an in line fuel filter? You said the mechanic replaced the fuel pump. So, how did he do that? I had to rebuild my fuel pump because I can't find a fuel pump for a 1964 Olds 394. Does it look like this?
top view- what you see when you open the hood and look down removed from the car- it's a big mechanical pump with a glass bowl. that bowl should be full to the top, and it should have a paper filter in it.
You could have crud in the gas tank that gets sucked into the fuel pump and clogs it, so you're not getting fuel pressure. Could be the car has an electric fuel pump that someone modified, or is an after market fuel pump. It's a good idea to use an in line filter ahead of the pump, and if you have an in line filter, replace it.
I can help I think. Post pictures of the engine- I'll reply
Last edited by davek1661; Jul 25, 2024 at 06:33 PM.
Also- sorry... you have a full set of gauges under the dash. What is the temperature, and oil pressure? Assuming they are Fahrenheit and PSI, your temp shouldn't get above 210. You should have a 180 degree thermostat, so the water temp should stay below 200. Dunno about oil pressure off hand, but it should be around the middle of the gauge, or higher. With oil pressure, more is better. Low is bad.
I have a 1964 Dynamic as well, and I just rebuilt the motor and went through lots of what you're dealing with. I'm still sorting most of it out, but I can give my experience so far... I want to see the engine. A lot can be told from the look of the engine.
The fan shroud on my '64 is just a steel ring- it ain't much of a shroud, more like something that prevents a dumb *** from getting a dangling necklace tied up in the fan. If you're not moving, air flow through the radiator is reduced. And if your radiator is clogged/old/ inefficient, your car can overheat when it's not moving along well, with plenty of air flowing through the radiator. Add to that a poor thermostat, you'll overheat. So yeah- idling in the driveway, tired coolant, the wrong thermostat and a clogged radiator would explain that.
Starting problems- do you have an in line fuel filter? You said the mechanic replaced the fuel pump. So, how did he do that? I had to rebuild my fuel pump because I can't find a fuel pump for a 1964 Olds 394. Does it look like this?
top view- what you see when you open the hood and look down removed from the car- it's a big mechanical pump with a glass bowl. that bowl should be full to the top, and it should have a paper filter in it.
You could have crud in the gas tank that gets sucked into the fuel pump and clogs it, so you're not getting fuel pressure. Could be the car has an electric fuel pump that someone modified, or is an after market fuel pump. It's a good idea to use an in line filter ahead of the pump, and if you have an in line filter, replace it.
I can help I think. Post pictures of the engine- I'll reply
I have a 1964 Dynamic as well, and I just rebuilt the motor and went through lots of what you're dealing with. I'm still sorting most of it out, but I can give my experience so far... I want to see the engine. A lot can be told from the look of the engine.
The fan shroud on my '64 is just a steel ring- it ain't much of a shroud, more like something that prevents a dumb *** from getting a dangling necklace tied up in the fan. If you're not moving, air flow through the radiator is reduced. And if your radiator is clogged/old/ inefficient, your car can overheat when it's not moving along well, with plenty of air flowing through the radiator. Add to that a poor thermostat, you'll overheat. So yeah- idling in the driveway, tired coolant, the wrong thermostat and a clogged radiator would explain that.
Starting problems- do you have an in line fuel filter? You said the mechanic replaced the fuel pump. So, how did he do that? I had to rebuild my fuel pump because I can't find a fuel pump for a 1964 Olds 394. Does it look like this?
top view- what you see when you open the hood and look down removed from the car- it's a big mechanical pump with a glass bowl. that bowl should be full to the top, and it should have a paper filter in it.
You could have crud in the gas tank that gets sucked into the fuel pump and clogs it, so you're not getting fuel pressure. Could be the car has an electric fuel pump that someone modified, or is an after market fuel pump. It's a good idea to use an in line filter ahead of the pump, and if you have an in line filter, replace it.
I can help I think. Post pictures of the engine- I'll reply
also the fan I guess was pretty small so the mechanic put on a larger fan. It seems to be running better but he told me that I need to do the transmission seal and power steering seal? Idk if that sounds right.
Actually I had it switch to an electric pump because I couldn’t find a part around here and didn’t want to wait forever to get one.
Usually people mount an electric fuel pump near the gas tank because they are "pusher" pumps. Do you have a fuel pressure gauge and a fuel pressure regulator ?
also the fan I guess was pretty small so the mechanic put on a larger fan.
Is that picture above the new fan or the old one? It looks like a flex fan, which would not be my first choice as they do not move as much air as a regular factory style fan.
Usually people mount an electric fuel pump near the gas tank because they are "pusher" pumps. Do you have a fuel pressure gauge and a fuel pressure regulator ?
thank you. I will have that moved. I see your right about that.
Is that picture above the new fan or the old one? It looks like a flex fan, which would not be my first choice as they do not move as much air as a regular factory style fan.
that is the new fan. The one that was in there before was a lot smaller. You think it’s not right?
When the mechanic installed the new fan was the OE fan shroud removed and saved? Even if the OE fan was smaller if it had the correct shroud it probably moved plenty of air. It's hard to tell but it looks like there's no fan clutch installed with the current fan.
When the mechanic installed the new fan was the OE fan shroud removed and saved? Even if the OE fan was smaller if it had the correct shroud it probably moved plenty of air. It's hard to tell but it looks like there's no fan clutch installed with the current fan.
im going to have a look because I don’t think there is one or has been since I got it 2 weeks ago. I don’t remember seeing one. I can also post a pic of the original fan. I see he left it in the car for me.
So...........I'm barely following along...I do like this car. I don't have specific knowledge of a 1964 Dynamic 88 therefore I can't speak to anything definitive as other members have far more knowledge. With that said, I did a rather exhaustive search of the GM Oldsmobile parts catalog for mentions of a shroud associated w/ 1964 models and they were very sparse, indeed. I found a couple "clips", etc. pertaining to attachment to the radiator shroud, I think I found the OEM radiator (can't recall I'd have to search again). As you can imagine the great majority of searching for radiator(s) and/or shroud(s) returned searches pertinent from 1968 through 1975.
I did however (by some peculiar notion) happen to find an eBay listing for a 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass F85 6 cylinder fan shroud which I thought interesting if not peculiar (if the listing is correct). I mention this only because if there existed a 1964 Cutlass F85 6 cylinder fan shroud I would have thought other 1964 models would have a fan shroud?
A thread and posting from one of our resident experts (Charlie Jones) on vintage metal might provide some clue(s). See this thread and illustration (below link). I was on this same page (I think) in my search(es) but may have missed it. Hope this helps.
Welcome.
Yes, only the A/C cars had a fan shroud.
The thermostat should be 160 degree.
My bet is on the radiator being clogged.
It should be taken to a radiator shop to be flow tested and cleaned.
Welcome.
Yes, only the A/C cars had a fan shroud.
The thermostat should be 160 degree.
My bet is on the radiator being clogged.
It should be taken to a radiator shop to be flow tested and cleaned.
thank you. I will have the radiator checked out and tested.
thank you. I will have the radiator checked out and tested.
When they reinstall the radiator, make sure it is not filled to the top. There is a fill to mark on the tank. Approximately 4 inches down. If the radiator is filled above that line it wil,l spew out.
When they reinstall the radiator, make sure it is not filled to the top. There is a fill to mark on the tank. Approximately 4 inches down. If the radiator is filled above that line it wil,l spew out.
so.. this is what happened the last time it over heated idling in the driveway. It seems to be okay since coming back from the mechanic this time but now I notice the signal lights all working intermittently so I’m going to have to take a look at that.
Last edited by Mwatts2024; Jul 30, 2024 at 09:04 AM.
Talk to every one in your area, that has old cars. Most Mechanics working nowdays are ignorant of that era of cars. No disrepect towards them meant in any way. These cars were common to their, Grandpops. The current Mechanics have little or no exposure to them. Current guys are working to feed themselves and theirs. The have to constantly train to keep up with the tecnology. You need somebody that knows these cars . Trouble being most are retired. Keep searching you wil find someone. You have to be patient with repairs on a car like this. Parts are not as quick to get as for new cars. Mechanics will offer "fixes" that are just band aids.
