enginenine

I am I correct in assuming that a front suspension rebuild kit for a '64 88 dynamic with fit my car?
I know that the spindles, brake backing plates and rear axle shafts are Jetstar specific and the brakes drum, hubs and shoes are Cutlass. When I ask for ball joints and a-arms bushing for my car I get a blank stare but the Rare Parts part numbers are the same for both
The reason I ask is there is a company that list a complete front end kit for the Dynamic but not for a Jetstar 88.

Thx James

joe_padavano

Yes, you are correct. The control arms and steering linkage are the same on all 1964 full size cars.

enginenine

Thank you, Joe

enginenine

Would a regular B body frame fit under my car?

joe_padavano

Define "regular B-body".

The 1963-63 Olds B-body frames are the same (allowing for the boxed convertible differences), EXCEPT that the J88 has special welded-in motor mount tabs that are not present on the other frames. It also has mounting holes for the trans crossmember that are not there on the other frames due to the bellhousing trans mounts. If you are looking to replace your frame, and plan to use a non-J88 frame, you'll need to carefully remove these tabs from your original frame and weld them to the replacement. You'll also need to locate and drill the crossmember holes. If it's a boxed convertible frame, you'll need to weld on the tabs that the crossmember bolts to.

Olds64

I thought there were two different steering / suspensions used on B and C bodies in 64? I remember measuring the front spindle of my 64 98 to determine if it had a Saginaw or Tecumseh front end.

joe_padavano

My point was that the 1964 J88s used the same suspension and steering as all other 63-64 B/C body cars except for the spindles. The Thompson vs. Saginaw center link issue is the same for all of those cars and is unrelated to the J88's differences. There are still people who think that the J88 uses A-body suspension. It doesn't, just the brakes and rear axle style are A-body.

Octania

Joe.....

You MUST write a book.

Tip o' the Hat once again.

Olds64

Thompson... ok. It's been so many years since I did the suspension on my 64 98 (2000). I knew there was something squirrley about them. Thanks for clarifying that Joe.

my second olds

What is the name of the company that offers the front end kit? Is it an upgrade kit?
My 64 jetstar 88 has very sloppy steering/suspension. I need an upgrade, to tightening up the suspension.

enginenine

PST was who I was looking at. It is an upgrade from stock but not really a performance upgrade. I have used them for several other projects and like their product.

my second olds

Thanks for the info!


Do you know of performance upgrades for the front or rear suspension?


I've seen some upgrade rear tubular suspension.

enginenine

my second olds

Yeah, those are the ones.


So, I guess with the rear arms and the front suspension bushings, it's got to be some kind of upgrade.

joe_padavano

I don't know what catalog you're looking at, but I just checked the PST website and the only suspension parts they show for a 1964 J88 are stock rebuild parts (and many say "call for availability"). I'd be amazed if anyone sells performance suspension parts for a 1964 J88 or any 1963-64 Olds full size car.

my second olds

In my dream world I would love to install air bags or a ride tech system.


But I know no one makes this.


So I guess replacing bushings and tubular arms with some stiffer shocks should make a pretty good difference.

enginenine

Joe I did not mean that it was a performance upgrade. What i meant was their bushing material is an upgrade from stock rubber. They don't list much for the jetstar 88 but they list a full front end rebuild kit for a dynamic. Nothing performance oriented.

joe_padavano

I'm curious as to where you got that info. From what I can read, they are just stock replacement bushings. They might be an upgrade as compared to worn original bushings, but I don't see where the rubber is any harder durometer than stock, or any other type of "upgrade".

enginenine

I have to apologize. I guess I was reading into it. I was sure that the bushing were poly graphite but I don't see that now. They must be plain rubber