1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

[DanStokes]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

I have a soft spot for trim rings. They were "in" when I was a kid so I've always thought they were kinda cool. Either way look pretty good, though.

Dan

[CheapThrills]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

First let me say I love what you've done with the car. Reading this thread makes me want to get out and work on my cars. I vote for the white rims with just the caps. With the trim rings I think it looks like smaller rims and white wall tires. Thanks for keeping this thread going I look forward to each of your updates to see what you have fixed or modified.

[milner351]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

I definitely like the white over the black - I could go either way - I like the trim rings, and I like just the caps too.

I always like the chevy rallye wheel look on just about anything - so - I guess I'm a trim ring guy, but they do make the wheels look a bit smaller.

I still can't believe you pulled this thing out of a junkyard!

[383S-10]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

The main thing he has given himself choices for changing up the look in performing one task & using car crafting techniques.......NAS not to be nosey but one day you are going have run down the cost of the budget build for us just from the time you put in you garage to started the work on it. It will be a mind blower to bad you dont teach at a tech school because a lot of younger guys need to be taught this style of junkyard saviness. Keep up the great work.......

[NAS Backyard]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Thanks for all the cool comments, it keeps me motivated. As far as money spent, I paid 1500.00 for the car and 600.00 for a spare 455/400 and a BUNCH of parts. To get it running was less than 200.00 so far and the DMV was 107.00 I have been buying and stock piling parts on rockauto and ebay as time and money allows. It's mostly time that I have in it. I drove it to work last light so I was able to have "visions" everytime I looked out to the parking lot. It really looks better in the pictures than in person. I would say it's a good 50 footer. I have some parts on e-bay so when they sell, I'm going have the front end aligned and see if the steering box really needs replaced.

[DanStokes]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

I don't remember if I posted this before so I may be repeating myself. It's actually pretty easy to adjust the steering box and it often helps, although there are limits as to how far you can go with this.

- Look on top of the box. There will be a jamb nut (maybe 3/4" or so) with a screw slot inside the nut.
- Back off the nut and tighten the screw w/slot which will tighten the steering box - turning the screw in (to the right) takes slop out.
- Retighten the nut making sure that the screw doesn't move (they like to).
- Check to be sure that the wheel returns to center after a turn. If not, it's too tight. I take the tools with me and do it on a quiet street. As soon as the wheel returns OK, stop.
- Sometimes I'll do the adjustment with the wheel half way to one of the stops. Makes for less hunting to find the right spot.

What this does is to pull the worm and sector closer together. If the sector is excessively worn this won't work because worm gear will have differing amounts of slop depending on where in the travel of the sector it's located. The sector sometimes does not wear evenly and so it depends on how much wear yours has. But it's absolutely free and worth a shot. I did a TON of Buicks back in the dealership days and most worked OK. Your results may vary, may cause drowsiness, do not take with Viagra, etc, etc.

Hope it helps
Dan

[milner351]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Dan -
I've done as you described with some success - one F150 was just too worn out - and I tightened it as much as I could, and lived with the slop.

Adjusting only when the wheels are centered definitely helps.

I seem to remember some rule of thumb like a carb idle screw, go in till it tightens up - come back out a turn......
- but I can't remember exactly.

[NAS Backyard]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Dan, I already tried that and it made it worse. Today is my lucky day, I got 3 blocks from the house and the tread came apart from the RF tire.(still holds air. Will post pics later, got to go to work early today.

[NAS Backyard]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

A word to the wise: when penny pinching on a car project it's not always a good idea to comprimise safety. I knew these tires were old, some of the tires I've run in the past would make this one look new. So I will be shopping for some good used tires today. New ones aren't in the budget at this time.

[383S-10]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Lesson learned......very glad you are alright & secondly the car too.

[DanStokes]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Had a friend who said it was bad thing if you could see the air your in tires. This one seems to qualify. If you were in the Detroit area I'd send you to my son who is a manager for Discount Tire.

Dan

[383S-10]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Well er......I plan to be the Detroit area sometime in June..........some Power Tour thing :

[DanStokes]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

PM me and I'll hook you up. Ben is a GREAT guy.

Dan

Well er......I plan to be the Detroit area sometime in June..........some Power Tour thing :

[NAS Backyard]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Well I went shopping for tires today and found 2 nice Michelins mounted and balanced for 70.00.I still need a rim since one of mine is bent, so I'll be going over to a buddy's tomorrow and see if he has one. I also found a pair of Grand AM's for 60.00 but I didn't buy them yet. I did pick up a nice Firestone for 25.00 It will probebly be my spare when I get 2 more later. The size is 225 70-14. The cheapest new set was 350.00 for Chinese Primewells. I'll be springing for a frontend alignment soon also. The tire place I get my new tires from always takes care of me on alignments.

[NAS Backyard]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

I was able to parlay my ebay profits directly into a rebuilt steering box for the Olds. 147.00 out the door after getting back the 50.00 core. I also got a steering coupler rebuild kit. I borrowed some pullers from my friend Charlie, man I want a set of these, what a difference it makes having the proper tools. All I have is the brutal pickle forks. Got to go to work,more tomorrow.