Howdy- Bought this beast about a month ago and had to use it as a daily driver when my commuters bottom end broke. My truck is getting a new engine and its been too rainy to make it on the moto. So- I would kinda like to have it running tip top before i start to worry about the looks. I have been combing through the car and realized it needs a few things.

First on the list is a fuel pump. The one on there is a bit weak. I have heard bad things about the aftermarket ones and a NOS one is 300+. Should i bite the bullet or try to mount an electric in tandem back by the gas tank. I hear there are no kits, but a shop is willing to rebuild it for 120.

2nd- I tried to have it aligned after a new set of tires and what do you know. Bad bushings. (and 1 is missing!) I have been looking for upper control arm bushings and seems to run into a strange thing. Advanced seems to have a lot of my parts listed and for pretty reasonable prices. I just had to replace the starter drive today after placing an order on Thurs. No one else even had anything listed and there it was on their website, 3 days later it was in my hand.

Anyways- Advanced has the upper control bushings listed here. Advanced Auto has them listed at $4 a pop, while kanter and fusick have them listed for $95 a pair. At that rate it would be better to have the front end kit. As it sits, after replacing all the things I already have (tires, carb, batt, plugs, wires, sparks, etc), I am starting to run out of money to sink into this gal. So, is advanced auto just wrong on their fitment ( they guarantee fits) or is this just too good to be true. Any other options? Like I said, I prefer the $4 option over the $100 option, however when things seem too good to be true.....usually is.

3rd- Wiper motor- its not working and a new one is once again $300. Common price for everything on this car that needs replaced. Is there another one that will fit in there with some coaxing? with ease? Should I just buy a jug of rain-x and a big squeegee? I am not going to pay 300 for a wiper motor.

Thanks a lot! I love these forums, you all rock. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

When I needed a new wiper motor for my '64 Jetstar 88 when I had it about 15 years ago, I found that a motor from a '64 Cadillac was identical. The guy I called at a not-too-far-away junkyard told me this when I called, and he was right. I had my old motor with me when I went to pick it up, and we set them side by side.

I'm guessing that if you do a little checking into this, you'll find that the wiper motor for your car interchanges with other GM lines from 1963 and possibly for several other years as well.

I'm actually kind of surprised you can get a new wiper motor for this car. Is this new as in manufactured in 2010, or is this NOS? When I was looking for a replacement for my '64, I could find nothing new, and, like I say, that was 15 years ago. I thought I was lucky to get a working used one.

 

I have read a few times on this forum where people ordered the cheaper bushings from local parts places and ended up with incorrect parts multiple times.

 

You should be able to get that fuel pump rebuilt with modern materials for a lot less than three bills. I would not even consider putting an NOS pump on that car- as soon as this rotgut stuff that passes for gasoline now hits it, the diaphram will disintegrate. You can try installing a pusher electric pump at the back of the car.

Wiper motor? Any 2-speed (round) GM motor from that time should interchange, and maybe on up into 70s. This was 25 years ago, but I was able to get a rebuilt one thru NAPA for a 1960 Chevy. I'd say NAPA or CarQuest can get you a lot of things for this car that you won't have to pay Kanter prices for.

I'm scared the Advance bushings may be for a Jetstar 88 or Cutlass.

And just curious- where are you, and do you have any idea where your family came from? My mama was a Buckner, and there are still a few of them scattered around here. Not exactly a common name and hasn't been easy to research.

 

There was no Jetstar 88 in 1963. First year for that was 1964.

 

I know when the J88 was introduced. 1963 and 1964 fullsize Olds except 1964 J88 are mechanically identical for all practical purposes.

The point being made is that the Advance listing may be published as 1963-64 Oldsmobile, when in fact it actually covers only the 1964 J88. I've run into that with them several times.

But just because I've been in those years Oldsmobiles since 1980 doesn't mean I know anything about them, does it?

 

Hey pal, lighten up. I don't keep track of your life. I don't have a photographic memory of every single person who posts on here and what their background is and what cars they're familiar with. I can only go with what their postings say.

 

Thanks for the advice! I happened to get the wipers working last night. Don't really ask me how, as all I did was take it apart, clean and then put it back together. I don't really like it when things seem to fix themselves, so I will not hold my breath.

I'll look into the fuel pump and shop around to see where i can have it rebuilt with modern materials. I know these are old cars, but I agree- 300 is way too much.

Good advice on the bushings. This is what I was afraid of. I will get the front end rebuild kit, if you are going to do something, do it right. Is there anything I should be looking out for when replacing all the bushings?

Next up is the upholstery. This is where I haven't a clue.

 

I am living in Colorado, I was born in the midwest but I think most of my family came from Virginia and Maryland back in the 1700s. Buckner is my middle name passed down for a few generations. I'll have to check out where it came from, I feel kinda bad i never really asked.

 

Here is an excellent source for fuel pump kits and rebuilding.

Dave

http://www.maritimedragracing.com/th...automotive.htm

 

Thanks, I think I'll give em a call and get a kit ordered.

 

What were the symptoms when your fuel pump is failing? Mine seems to be out of gas, until it sits for an hour or so. Then cranks up fine.

 

Mine did the same thing. Combo vapor lock resulting from a weak fuel pump I think. I would be driving just fine and then it would choke and sputter. Then it wouldn't restart for an hour or two.

For the fix, I decided to run a auxiliary electric fuel pump and put it on a switch. The fuel pump can be had at any autozone. To be honest I could have just wired it being how I have it on 94% of the time. That was the last i had to worry about vapor lock or anything. Its been running like a top. Now I am almost done with the front end kit. Can't wait to drive it.

 

Thx buddy. My mechanic has it now. Previous owner apparently installed a new fuel pump but perhaps its just not sufficient. Does seem to be worse on a hot day...

 

I know this is kind of late but if your still looking at doing the upholstery try
www.smsautofabrics.com. they are in Oregon and might have the original material for the interior. You'll have to find a shop to install it.