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Thanks Don. Here you can see the color difference in the 61 rear panel and the 62 door panels. The top kind of matches so it doesn't look too bad. Still waiting on the mylar from SMS.
So I finally placed my order for the embossed metal Mylar for the center of the panels.....6-8 weeks and $235 for enough to do 3 door panels.....that extra material should give me enough to make my custom rear panels. That is the only way I could get it because I was told that the panels are all die cut and the rears would not be long enough for me to use. So I'm looking at the end of April or early May before I even get the material.
Still waiting for the Mylar for my door panels.......... I sent an Email today (They aren't giving order status over the phone because they are so busy....) We'll see what kind of response i get.
Hand made dual snorkels to increase airflow a little. The lower air Cleaner had the original snorkel cut off and that made a noticeable difference in power. I fabbed some custom dual snorkels ro really let it breath. Trying to make it all look somewhat original. The tag is just a fun conversation starter.
So nothing really new done to the car but I did take the time finally to re-do my garage. I took most of the clutter out and put either in the garage attic or basement and just left the essentials. I used Rustoleum garage epoxy on the floor for the second time.....the first was 16 years ago and it was wearing thin after many engine swaps/rebuilds and a couple of back half jobs on some friends cars. Repainted the walls too and finally put up some rubber base board trim as well as sealing and repairing the cracks and damaged concrete. All that is really left to do is hide the neon clock power cord and relocate my thermostat for the gas furnace.
Well the door panels are done finally. I'm going to start on the rear panels when the weather turns regardless if I have the trim or not I can always add it later.
At this point the car has Starfire- front and rear seats, console, door panels, shifter, dash nameplate, wiring harness, grille, rear panel, taillights, intake and carb, valve covers and air cleaner.
I'm guessing at least nine cars have contributed parts. That's not including some things yet to come 😀.
Yes, those are 61 Starfire floormats. Super nice too, i just had to clean them up a little. I think they look amazing, open the door and all that chrome and metallic red just "POP" especially at night with all the courtesy lights on. Im biased but this car has the coolest interior all wrapped up in a sinister black wrapper, i love it.
Apparently they streched the 98 in more places than one. Pretty bummed as i was really looking forward to see how much of a difference the big swaybar would make.
Apparently they streched the 98 in more places than one. Pretty bummed as i was really looking forward to see how much of a difference the big swaybar would make.
I don't know where you got that red bar from, but according to the parts book, 88s and 98s used the same front sway bars. There are three listed for the 61-62 full size cars.
P/N 579845, which appears to be the smallest
P/N 581487, used on 88s, S88s, wagons, and 98s
P/N 581264, for police package cars, and also listed as the HD option.
Is that sway bar from a '63 or '64 ?
63 & 64 sway bars were different than '61 & '62 .
In '63 & '64 the 88 sway bar was smaller than the 98 , and the police cars used the same bar as a 98 .
I was told it came off of a 1961 98. There are no numbers visible on it. It did come with the front bushings and mounts and they look identicle to what came on my car. I have the 1961 repair manual and it doesn't show any different bars for different models. I'm going to guess this bar positions the end links around 1 1/2" farther back than stock. You guys have given me hope that there is a larger front away bar out there....I just have to find it.
You guys have given me hope that there is a larger front away bar out there....I just have to find it.
" #581264 , for police package cars and also listed as the HD option . "
Probably most likely to find one under a 61 or 62 wagon . (hard to find ) or an old ex- cop car ( really hard to find ) .
It will be 1 and 1/8 inch diameter .
Good luck , and " may the force be with you ."
Last edited by Charlie Jones; November 5th, 2019 at 08:39 PM.
So update....the big front sway bar IS from a 63 98. My mistake, shoulda done my homework FIRST. That project is on the back burner for now......
What i do want to do is put out a list of the current modifications I've made to the car.1961 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88
Parts replaced-
INTERIOR-
NOS lighted ignition switch
Installed an original ignition switch escutcheon which was missing.
NOS headlamp switch
Replaced wiring harness with original 1961 Starfire wiring harness
Replaced front and rear seats, door panels, arm rests, rear ashtrays, steering column, shifter, and dash emblem for original 1961 Starfire parts.
Added original 1961 Starfire bolt in floor mats.
Added original 1961 Starfire floor console with automatic shifter. Uses original wiring harness that plugs into factory harness. Features working rebuilt tach (plugs into factory harness) and custom billet cup holder replacing the power window switch panel. All lights and switches work. Console lights also come on with factory Starfire Accessory light switch under dash.
Installed heat and noise reducing Hushmat to the original rust free floors and replaced the carpeting with a molded carpet set from ACC.
Door panels were recreated on PVC foam board with all new vinyl using the original metal trim. The embossed metal panel is new from SMS interiors.
Added working NOS clock.
Replaced all dash bulbs with LEDs.
Replaced glove box liner and added a dual USB charger and digital volt gauge. Added factory glove box light.
Added the emergency brake light and switch to the parking brake.
Recovered dash in matching marine grade vinyl with heavy foam padding.
Fabricated a custom rear package tray covered in matching marine grade vinyl and foam padding to replace the rotted original.
Restored the original deep dish steering wheel.
ENGINE
Pertronix Ignitor III ignition and coil. 12-19
Replacement cap and rotor. New wires /12-18
Replaced 2 bbl carburetor and intake manifold with a correct 1961 4 bbl intake and a 1964 4GC Rochester carburetor with correct 4 bbl water neck and custom dual inlet air breather fabricated from an original Starfire chrome air breather.
Chrome Starfire valve covers
Cleaned, painted and detailed engine and exhaust manifolds.
Added factory reproduction dual exhaust with Cherry Bomb glasspacks in place of the original resonators and 4 inch wide oval tips.
Added Cadillac 4 note horns
Replaced rubber fuel line with braided steel Aeroquip fuel line from filter to new solid steel 5/16 fuel line to electric fuel pump. Engine has block off plate in place of engine driven fuel pump.
CHASSIS
Added rear sway bar from a 1970 Olds Cutlass with custom brackets attached to the factory lower control arms.
Previous owner added new shocks all around
Previous owner rebuilt the original drum brakes. Features all original BIG flared drums on all four wheels.
Previous owner added 15” wheels painted body color and wearing original 1961 Oldmobile 88 Poverty caps that have been detailed wearing 15” red line radial tires.
So update....the big front sway bar IS from a 63 98. My mistake, shoulda done my homework FIRST. That project is on the back burner for now......
Why don't you list it for sale here and E-Bay ?
Maybe someone with a 63 or 64 Starfire or 88 would want it for better handling .
On the 63 & 64 's the bars on the 88 Police cars was the same as the 98 .
Thanks for the compliments, suggestions and advice from all you guys!
Don, . I really like the plain jane vibe of the Dynamic so for now it's gonna stay the same. I've got a kid in college so forking out the $$$ for Starfire exterior trim is going to have to wait. I agree though that eventually I'd like to do the whole car as a Starfire. As for what's next, I'd like to get the bumpers re-chromed at some point and there is some bodywork that will need to be done eventually. On the list of things I'd eventually like to do would be to redo the trunk area like a Starfire, shave the rear valence of the back up lights, re-chrome the bumpers and maybe eventually do some bodywork and cherry it out. It's too fun to drive to take off the streets long term so I really dont want to blow the whole car apart to paint. Its really so clean that just some bodywork and a re-shoot would probably suffice. That's a ways off though. I'd love to find a little 61 Cutlass I can make a Gasser or radical street car out of. I'd also like to restore a canned ham Shasta camper to tow behind the Olds. i also did just find a real cool boat with fins from the 50's too.......
Just picked up an AM/FM radio in excellent shape cosmetically.....I will probably ship it off to have it reconditioned. Does anyone have a shop they would recommend for this?
I'm also super excited I did find a complete set of 61 Starfire aluminum side panels off of Ebay. They were inexpensive enough that i thought I'd take a chance on them. They may never go on the car, but you never know. One shows damage and I'm not sure if I can fix it or not. Steve Westlake, do you sell individual pieces of the trim or only complete sets? Also, I do have the Starfire front fender "ornaments" but does anyone know if the side spear chrome trim is different for the Starfire than it is for the Dynamic 88? I did just discover that the Super 88 had ribbed side trim in 61. I've never seen a 1961 Starfire in person, I'd love to be able to check one out for all the little details.
I would also be interested in 61 garnish moldings that go around the side windows. I'm assuming only 61 Super 88's would have this as the 98 would be different and the Dynamic didn't come with them. Would garnish moldings from a Buick, Pontiac or Chevy work since they all share glass? I also need one side of the rocker molding for a Starfire or Super 88.
"IF" I do find all these components I feel the only mechanical and cosmetic difference for my Faux Starfire would be the wiper cowl. It seems bizzarre to me that Oldsmobile would go to all the trouble of making two different cowl and windshield wiper setups for the Dynamic and the Super/Starfire/98. My car has one speed wipers and no washer. I'm assuming (again) that the higher trim level cars came standard with 2 speed wipers and washers? When i rewired my car with the Starfire wiring harness i had to switch two wires in the wiper plug to match up to my wiper motor.
I would also be interested in 61 garnish moldings that go around the side windows. I'm assuming only 61 Super 88's would have this as the 98 would be different and the Dynamic didn't come with them. Would garnish moldings from a Buick, Pontiac or Chevy work since they all share glass? I also need one side of the rocker molding for a Starfire or Super 88.
".
First , we find the part numbers of the mouldings ;
My $100 side trim arived today. I will definitely need to get another rear section. It looks like they are symmetric so that "should" make my search for another 1/2 as difficult.😆 Id appreciate it if anyone had any tips or advice for refinishing them.
Installed the AM/FM radio after I bench tested it; I also installed a rear speaker while I was at it. I also installed a beautiful NOS clock and a new glove box liner and glove compartment light.
The old 394 got a little love too in the form of a Pertronix Flamethrower III ignition system. It surprised even me how simple and easy it was to install and it fired right up with the first twist of the key.
April 7th, 2019, 01:26 PM
and $235 for enough to do 3 door panels.....that extra material should give me enough to make my custom rear panels. That is the only way I could get it because I was told that the panels are all die cut and the rears would not be long enough for me to use. So I'm looking at the end of April or early May before I even get the material.
because they are so busy....) We'll see what kind of response i get.
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