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Customs I just picked up a 1946 Oldsmobile project

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Binger, Aug 11, 2019.

  1. Binger
    Joined: Apr 28, 2008
    Posts: 1,734

    Binger
    Member
    from wyoming

    IMG_2302.jpg IMG_2309.JPG IMG_2304.jpg IMG_2303.jpg IMG_2300.jpg I just picked up this solid 1946 Oldsmobile project. This car lived in a garage across the street for the last couple of years. The chance to buy it came up and I jumped at it. Not sure of the Plans yet. Leaning towards a mild custom. Lower a couple of inches and make it able to drive highway speeds. Might not be the easiest with the stock straight eight that is in there. So I will probably be looking for a motor trans swap. I really am digging the great body lines on this car. I definitely want to paint it as I don't like the "patina" look. Many cars deserve to be saved but this one I think is a little too far gone.
     
  2. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 7,419

    A Boner
    Member

    A friend made his early 50's Buick straight eight freeway friendly with an automatic overdrive transmission.
     
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  3. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 6,916

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    That car looks extremely solid. No rust in the usual places (that I can see), and the trim on the drivers side looks real good. That puts you ahead of the game.

    As to highway friendly, I don't know much about Oldsmobile straight eights except they are 257 cubic inches. I have a 255 merc in my '51 Ford with no overdrive and 3.55 gears, and it will cruise all day at 65. I can't believe that Olds is much heavier than the Ford, and it looks more aerodynamic. I would think a little head work, a better ignition, and upgraded carburation would make that a decent highway cruiser.

    BTW, Hydra-matic or stick?
     
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  4. hotrodharry2
    Joined: Nov 19, 2008
    Posts: 794

    hotrodharry2
    Member
    from Michigan

    I have a couple of books for '48 Oldsmobile, 1 is body parts and the other is chassis. They are old, worn & dirty. If you'd like them, pm me. I'd donate them to your cause if they'd be of any help. I googled 48 Oldsmobile images and they look close to yours.
     
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  5. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    Cool project.. I like your plan.. I really like the fastback look....
     
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  6. Binger
    Joined: Apr 28, 2008
    Posts: 1,734

    Binger
    Member
    from wyoming

    The car is an automatic Hydromatic drive. I will see if the engine runs and then decide what to do for engine and so on. Here is a few more pictures!

    IMG_2313.jpg IMG_2314.jpg IMG_2319.jpg IMG_2318.jpg IMG_2315.jpg IMG_2316.jpg
     
  7. The potential's there..just add motivation, time and dollars.
    Good luck!
     
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  8. Peanut 1959
    Joined: Oct 11, 2008
    Posts: 2,179

    Peanut 1959
    Member

    Though you aren't "preserving" it, you ARE saving it! Looking forward to following your progress.
     
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  9. Binger
    Joined: Apr 28, 2008
    Posts: 1,734

    Binger
    Member
    from wyoming

    One more of the engine.

    IMG_3267.jpg
     
  10. krylon32
    Joined: Jan 29, 2006
    Posts: 9,397

    krylon32
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Nebraska
    1. Central Nebraska H.A.M.B.

    Saved one of those from the crusher many years ago, still sitting in my storage building and will probably be there when I die?
     
  11. Fortunateson
    Joined: Apr 30, 2012
    Posts: 5,331

    Fortunateson
    Member

    I'll follow along as I have a '47 Buick Sedanette I'll have to get to one of these days.
     
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  12. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 6,916

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    BTW, I agree with you on the "patina thing".
     
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  13. rtp
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 221

    rtp
    Member

    When you go to pull the wheels remember the driver side lugs are left hand thread .

    Sent from my VS987 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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  14. rtp
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 221

    rtp
    Member

    Found a little gas leak .pulling the tank.
    This is a 48 66 series . had it since 1978.
    Can't help with st8 . but can help with putting in a later old's v8 and auto,if interested. 0809191227_HDR.jpeg

    Sent from my VS987 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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  15. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    1957: At 15 years of age, I worked at the best garage in town. Boss told me to 'snap the head off that '46 Olds, get ready to give it a valve job'.
    At 90 lbs. soaking wet, when I lifted the head off the block, I was severely 'over-centered'. Went over the fender head first into the engine room...
    Boss's partner pulled me out by the feet, and I never let go of the head! Whew!
     
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  16. OLDSMAN
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 2,422

    OLDSMAN
    BANNED

    That’s a fantastic car to start with. A mild custom would be my way to go with the car
     
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  17. e1956v
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 2,376

    e1956v
    Alliance Vendor

    Here's one that belongs to a customer of mine. Just for a little inspiration. I know it's a Buick but their kissing cousins.
    129161590.jpeg 146142787.jpeg 1260717306.jpeg 20170424_091454.jpeg

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  18. winduptoy
    Joined: Feb 19, 2013
    Posts: 3,331

    winduptoy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    [​IMG]

    Nice score John! I see why you snatched it up.... the review committee assembled now to put them to work.
    Well by the looks of the trunk you may have already
     
  19. Binger
    Joined: Apr 28, 2008
    Posts: 1,734

    Binger
    Member
    from wyoming

    Thanks for the Heads up. I have a '61 Dodge Lancer wagon that has the same left hand threads on the lugs. I would probably break one off trying to pull one off if I didn't know. The possibility of running a later olds engine in it is pretty appealing. I am excited to get a nice smooth big car for longer road trips. My banger powered A isn't very comfortable after an hour or two on the road.

    I didn't expect this much interest in this car. Does anybody know about the availability of parts like brakes and suspension components? Are they difficult to find? I haven't began looking for parts yet. How are the drum brakes given they are in good repair and adjusted?
     
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  20. Binger
    Joined: Apr 28, 2008
    Posts: 1,734

    Binger
    Member
    from wyoming

    I had the crew to push the car home. It literally had to come from across the street. maybe about 150 feet total. I ended up with more help than necessary. I think some of them just wanted to see the new project. @winduptoy are you and Rick going to make the Hill Climb in about a month? I hope to see you down there.
     
  21. winduptoy
    Joined: Feb 19, 2013
    Posts: 3,331

    winduptoy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    loudbang and Binger like this.
  22. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    Same body as my Olds 46 sedanette, model 76 (Straight 6) Dynamic Cruiser however spears on your front fenders aren't 46 but 47/48, check your data plate for style as prefix indicates YOM. 76/8 was the intermediate 'B' body, 'A' bodies were 66s with 'C' bodies being 98s. Yours is a 78 (Straight 8). Wrap around rear bumpers give it away as a 'B' body. 'A' and ''C' body parts won't interchange with 'B' body however some may.
    • 1946 - OLDSMOBILE name in an oval recess in the fender molding;
    • 1947 - OLDSMOBILE name in the molding but not in oval recess as per '46; and
    • 1948 - Plain chrome molding without Oldsmobile name.
    upload_2019-8-12_16-53-19.png
    1946-1947, triangular emblem with grill blocks and full chrome grill. Rubber gravel shields on rear fenders

    upload_2019-8-12_17-24-44.png
    1948, circular emblem with no grill blocks and painted lower grill tray. S/S gravel shields on rear fenders

    ID tags.jpg
    Serial:- 76-******
    Style:- 46-3607 1946 - YOM et al, 3607
    5262676_11.jpg
    OEM Hydramatic emblem with '8' cylinder emblem on trunk

    upload_2019-8-12_16-50-32.png 1946

    upload_2019-8-12_16-28-0.png 1947
    upload_2019-8-12_17-21-17.png 1948
    Some inspiration
    Olds sedanette.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2019
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  23. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

  24. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

  25. Binger
    Joined: Apr 28, 2008
    Posts: 1,734

    Binger
    Member
    from wyoming

    Thanks @mgtstumpy That information is fantastic! I will have to check my Data plate and figure out what exactly it is. Title says 46 but who knows.
     
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  26. 40Standard
    Joined: Jul 30, 2005
    Posts: 5,963

    40Standard
    Member
    from Indy

    for a big ass car, you need a big ass chevy engine with a 400 tranny, good luck on your project
     
  27. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    yep, Cool body style - obvious that there is a lot of hours & dollars needed to get it right no matter what you do if you keep it
     
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  28. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    If chance it's a 46 with 47/48 fender spears I've got similar data here. I bought a workshop manual to assist with my car, invaluable and worth it.
    I'm onboard to watch things progress; mine's ten (10) years in the making and finally a lot closer to being finished.
    If there is a 'D' suffix after 47-3607 it's a deluxe, hence the rear seat centre arm rest and other additions.

    Sent from my SM-G973F using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2019
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  29. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    I have some experience with 455 Oldses; this engine with 400 Turbo Hydro transmission is excellent, package is very 'torquey', ideal for the 'heavier cars'.
    The late 'Doctor Olds' ( Joe Mondello) made a name in SBC head porting/ angle porting/ re-designing, then turned to Oldsmobile performance, in which once again, he excelled. His 'factory' was/ still is located in Paso Robles, CA.
    The Mondello Co. will provide you with the complete book to Oldsmobile Performance, along with a supplement. I recommend it, a better parts source is non-existent.
     
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  30. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    Any progress updates?
     
    Stogy likes this.

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