BrianZ81

Hey, I am brand new to this glorious site and also new to my 1963 F85. I am looking for some parts, such as drums and sun visors. Does anyone have any suggestions? Feel free to check out the pics I have posted. I am a fairly young guy and do not have much experience with cars older than 1967. Any tips or advice would be much appreciated. I am from Lansing, Michigan and have a deep love for Oldsmobile cars. Thanks

jaunty75

Check this page for brake drums.

http://www.kanter.com///productdetai...0&Cat=6&Prc=35

$99 apeice, but they have them.


As far as sun visors, you will need to find used pieces from another car or maybe the occasional NOS piece that appears on ebay. While they're fine cars and fun to collect, the '61-'63 F-85/Cutlasses are the poor stepsisters of the Cutlass era. The '64-'72 models are far more popular ('64 was the first year for the 442 option), and parts are reproduced for those. Nothing is reproduced for the '61 through '63s as far as body and trim parts.

The Fusick catalog is one good place to look for Olds parts. If you're not familiar with them, they're the Pope of the Oldsmobile hobby. They're a bit pricey with some items, but they've been selling Olds parts for decades, support the OCA and many of the Olds chapters with their car shows, and have a history of giving good service. While their website looks like it's straight out of 1995, they're always a place you should at least check when you need a part. You want their catalog 44C.

http://www.fusick.com/


By the way, if you have experience with a '67 Olds, then you will have no trouble with a '63. Cars from those two model years have a lot more in common with each other than a '67 would with, say, a '77 or an '87.

BrianZ81

Thanks a lot! A friend just told me about Kanter.com about an hour ago, but Fusick, I was unaware of. I'll check them out.

It's funny you mentioned '77 and '87, as I have owned both of those years.

My Grandpa was an Olds guy and I got to work on a '67 with him. Before the '63, my oldest Cutlass was a 1969. I am learning about the 1963's driveline. I have never owned a car without a u-joint at the pinion or one that shifts so awkwardly....

I was born it the wrong era. I love older cars. It's really nice having an all aluminum v8 that is nearly 50 years old, listening to guys my age going on about how aluminum small blocks are a "new" thing

1969w3155

Welcome, another Michigander!

joe_padavano

Be aware that the 1961-63 F-85 line is unique and parts availability is not very good. These cars are not that popular and thus are not well supported by the aftermarket. Kanter sells trake and suspension parts but they are not inexpensive. NAPA sells rebuild kits for the brake hydraulics. NOS parts show up on ebay occasionally, you just need to keep looking. Steering linkage parts are unique to the 1963 cars.

BrianZ81

Hello 1969w3155.

Joe, do you know if any front disc brake set-ups will interchange with my '63, without serious modification? My car is in great shape, but a driver, not a trailer queen. I don't want to make any permanent alterations though.

terryp

i have a 63 also and i have the same car but in horrible condition and need to get rid of it does anyone no what i should take off that car thats rare or hard to find before i junk it?

BrianZ81

Do you have the air cleaner and carb? Sun visors?

terryp

no all of that was taken off when i bought it i think there might be one sun visor

terryp

actually the carb is still on it

Ancient Iron

Would you happen to have a clean Hood??????

Ancient Iron

I have a set of visors

russell-t

I would remove the power steering gear,pump,pulleys,and steering column
with coupling. Rocker arms and shafts from the engine.Intake and heads
if it's a 4bbl high compression engine.Center link if it's good.All chrome trim
that you can easily remove.There is so much you can recoup from this car
because body and mechanical parts are 1 year only.And they're rare.

Hetman

If you still have a set of visors for a 63 Cutlass, I'd be very interested since mine are missing. Thanks!

sam196370

Another good parts source is USA Parts Supply in VA, I bought visors from them years ago and am happy with the quality. I did buy an exhaust system which I wasn't satisfied with (they didn't put collar on y pipe and had to get it flanged myself) but I've bought a lot of stuff from them over the years and overall can't complain.

D&D Fabrications in Almont, MI is a great source for rebuilt engines and parts, they specialize in the 215; very nice and knowledgeable people. I bought a finished motor from them 10 years ago and am very happy with it.

I have an air cleaner, a complete 215 motor, an extra Rochester 4GC, power steering pump/bracket, radiator, some badges, some interior chrome/dash pieces and a slim jim trans if anyone is interested.

Anyone know the correct timing for this motor? I haven't set it recently and feel it's around 7-8 BTDC.

Hetman

Sam, thanks for the extra tips on parts availability.

I have a 1963 Oldsmobile Service Manual and on page 10-2 under Engine Tune-Up it says for the F85 engines to set timing at 5 degrees BTDC for the 2-barrel SMT engine, and 7.5 degrees BTDC for the 2-barrel HMT engine and 4-barrel models. The Jetfire should be timed at 10 degrees BTDC. If the engine detonates at these levels, fuel octane level is too low and you should lower timing by 2.5 degrees, and conversely, if you boost octane levels, timing may be advanced. Hope that helps.

What is a slim-jim transmission, if I may ask (sorry to sound so uneducated)?

What kinds of badges and interior pieces do you have? My interior dash Cutlass emblem is broken and cracked, and some of my dials/gauges are corroded.

sam196370

Timing info is much appreciated. I have some of the chrome pieces - headlight switch, wiper, lighter, etc but the pieces are somewhat corroded. I also have door handles, window cranks and a handful of other stuff but I'll have to check.

sam196370

Slim jim is the roto hydramatic automatic transmission that came with the car

Hetman

Thanks for that information, Sam. I have that transmission and I don't like it one bit. Is it normal for it to shift strangely under acceleration? Like it doesn't want to engage the next gear, and when it does, it sort of whiplashes.