This question is for a 1948 Olds Owner.
I have not driven this auto for many years. The grill is not in, as the auto is getting ready to paint. It appears that what held the hood in place was the catch in front of the hood but nothing to catch on now.
I need to replace the carburetor and need to get the hood open! It will not budge! What is holding it? I shouldn't have closed the hood I guess because now don't know how to get it open again. Does anyone have any clues for me?
I am not having very good luck.
Lee Noga

 

The latch to the grille should be the safety catch.

The hood is released by a cable from the inside.

 

You say it is released from a cable from inside. Where is the cable located? I don't see one. Are you referring to the 1948? Usually if a hood release inside, it is usually located at the far left. Nothing there!
Lee

 

 

Yes, The T-handle on the lower left of the dash... That is not the E-brake release.

 

I hope you figured it out.

 

Yes I did find it. It is located further up on the dash and more towards the center of the auto. I just wasn't looking up that high. Most hood releases are down lower etc. Okay got the carb back on that I rebuilt and now wondering what the recommended idling speed is? I unfortunately do not have the service manual for this auto. Have an old Motors Manual but it does not provide this info. What's the best way to set the idle screw adjustments? For the highest RPM or the highest vacuum?

 

Either the highest RPM or the highest vacuum - both, are acceptable. I don't know the specific idle speed for your car. During some reading & discussions with others on this site with similar year/engines I believe the idle was 450 RPM? Don't hold me to that.

 

Nice to get responses from you guys on this venue. Really appreciated! Okay I believe the carb after I cleaned it etc and put in a new kit, is going to work.
Only one other question I am going to ask which is not that important at this stage, but perhaps for my own knowledge.
With the idle adjustment clearly not engaged, the engine is running at it's slowest of 500rpm. On other autos I have been able to adjust the idle screw linkage, to where the engine would stop. On this auto I could not get the engine to run any slower than 500rpm. I am looking at all the complicated mechanism on the drivers side of the engine where some of the linkage goes to the Hydramatic trans. I am wondering if that mechanism is controlling the idle speed? I understand that the hydro transmission kind of requires some kind of rpm speed(maybe minimum) for whatever reasons. If anyone would care to comment it would be appreciated.
Just me/Lee

 

You have a flat head straight-8 257 (3rd gen) L8 coupled to a 4-speed automagic hydramatic transmission I believe, correct? I think Oldsmobile separated itself from the other divisions by identifying that transmission with it's own Futuramic name tag on the front of the transmission?

I really can't answer your question regarding transmission linkage as it relates to idle speed of the engine. My gut impression is to suggest the transmission linkage(s) have no influence on controlling the idle speed of the engine (or the setting of the idle speed). If you have your dwell & timing set correctly and you've achieved an idle speed of 500 RPM I'd say hats off to you, sir.