hello everyone. I have a 1955 Olds holiday 98 four door hardtop and I have a few requests of knowledge. I am looking to replace the gas tank or at the very least test the one that I have. First off the car is in great shape and very minimal surface rust as it has been sitting in a quansit hut for the past almost 40 years out of the elements and I didn't know how to check if the gas tank is good...Do I just put gas in it and swash it around and dump it out to see if it turns a rusty color? or possibly put water in and do the same thing? Secondly I would like to know if I change to disk brakes does anyone have any recommendations on the rear bolt patern and what kind of stuff I would need. I don't know if I can just buy a conversion kit or if it is easier to find a rear differential from a different vehicle. My goal is to try and have it running by the end of summer this year and then worry about paint and body, and interior next summer. I also don't have any idea of what I am doing besides Youtube video's and this forums so any and all help would be a great help. Any insight to the engine rebuild kit or underbody coating and such would be awesome also. I am in the Green Bay WI area and offer free beer to come over and give guidance.

 

Here is a place to look into for a disk brake conversion. You do know that you will have to change and move your booster and master cylinder to the firewall on any disk conversion you make don't you?....http://www.discbrakemike.com/. Are you planning on 4 wheel disks( lot more work )or just fronts. which will work just fine in my opinion and don't require messing or changing the rears at all.

Often new gas tanks for 55 Oldsmobile aren't listed but one for 55-56 Buicks are listed and will fit with just a little adjustment needed on the filler tube. Have you removed and inspected your tank? Radiator shops can clean and repair tanks if not to far gone or you can buy a quart of gas tank sealer and coat the insides if a lot of particulate (rust) is present.That has worked for many.

Luck with your project, keep us informed on your progress and or problems.... Lost in the fifties... Tedd

 

I will be honest I have no idea what is all entailed with a disk brake conversion. Someone at work who seems to know a lot about cars said that with the old cars you should do a disk conversion so it's safer. I didn't know I would have to move anything besides not being able to use the same rims and hubcaps that are already on the car which i'm kind of bummed about since the painted rims with the chrome hubcaps looked real sharp. The same guy said to get a new gas tank and since I have started doing more research it seems that tanks are around 500$ and I will do some more digging before spending the cash on something that might not need like you said I might be able to get some sealer and that would be an easy fix. I appreciate the feedback and the help guys.

 

If there is no visible damage to your tank, I would take it to a local radiator repair shop and get it boiled and pressure tested before buying a new one. Drum brakes have been around for decades and are pretty safe. I would save the disc brake project for down the road when all else is finished.

 

If your tank is not repairable, Fusick has new ones that are supposed to be perfect reproductions. They are not cheap. Tanksinc also has a tank that will work. It is listed for a Buick as Tedd mentioned. It is listed for 41-54 but I think 55 is the same as the 54. It is a good bit less than the Fusick tank but probably does not fit as well. Here is the link for Tanksinc.

http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/pa...rod/prd130.htm

Does you car have power brakes now. If so you may just want to have the treadle vac rebuilt. Several of us can recommend places for that.

 

i'm leaning towards leaving the drum brakes but repacking them and greasing and depending what we find inside a spring rebuild kit. Thanks for the advice on the treadle vac rebuild because I have no idea what your talking about so I will have to look into that, im assuming that the treadle vac is something that I can ship out rather reasonably? I have lots of extra boxes of parts that I have been trying to sort out but I am unsure what they actually are, so I think im going to start taking pictures and posting them on here and asking what they are so I can tag them all and keep them separate and determine if I need to service them/rebuild or purchase replacements. Thanks again for all the help guys

 

I agree with the others on having a radiator shop clean and inspect it for you before replacing it. I've got a used one I could have checked if you need to replace it but don't want to spend what the new ones cost. John

 

A belated welcome to you. Lots of 50's help here. I've relied on Tedd and Redoldsman in particular for several years of solid advise.

I kept the drum brakes on my '56. Just make sure your e-brake is working!!

 

Hey paddles, I just rebuilt my drum brakes on my 55 and they are great. It wasn't cheap but they work really well and believe it or not I fitted a new break pedal and it made a big difference in adjustment due the wear in the back of the old one wear the cylinder shaft comes into it.


I got my fuel tank acid washed, it was not very expensive.


Cheers

 

A treadle vac is the type of power booster used in early Oldsmobile's (and many other cars) of this era. Though reliable in there time they are getting long of tooth and getting ready for repair by now and It's getting harder to find someone to work on them. They are a bit unique in design with a remote booster tank and a system and peddle setup that works backwards of modern master cylinders which makes conversion to something new a bit more difficult. Most of us fifties guys have been there and have addressed this problem. When you get there (if you do) and need options let us know there are several ways to go..... Tedd