Projects New Project: 1953 Oldsmobile

It you are that close and going to drive and see it ask before you buy WHERE it was built or by who. Some of the offshore stuff are not worth trying spinning around close to the radiator.

 

Looks like special order

 

So, I went the the junk yard today fully intending to look for a replacement fan... and got these instead.





I think the navy is a nice interior contrast color too.



Got the full leather interior with front electric seats for $75. Couldn’t turn them down. Problem is, I know where this slippery slope is about to go. I know darn well I’ll end up pulling that carpet up, hating the way the floor looks, weld in new flooring, replace carpet, etc.

Not necessarily a bad thing, it needs to be done, just not sure I was ready to get into all of it.




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Bro.... Please tell me you're not going to put those 80s Cadillac seats in that beautiful Olds....

 

Yeah, for now at least. My current interior is torn to hell because of my dogs. Outside of the Caddy logo, I think they’ll look pretty good.


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I guarantee I’m not the only one from the H.A.M.B., but check it out! Baloo made the cover of a Speedway Motors catalog!




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Hey all, had an interior question. I thought about starting a new thread for it, but I’ll try here first. First two pics are just for fun.

I ended up selling off the Cadillac seats. The fronts couldn’t tilt forward enough. Being a two door and having kids, I really need easy access to the back. On the bright side, I sold them for more than I paid, so that’s cool.


I want to keep my original seats, but I can’t afford to have someone do a custom interior. I keep eyeing crappy seat covers, but I don’t like them.

Now I have been looking at interior kits like this:


That’s something I can afford to do. Even if not all at once. Something Olds specific is a little hard to come by. Anyone know a car that would match up well enough to what I have? I thought maybe a bench seat wouldn’t be too difficult to match, but I don’t want to jump into it without a little research.

Here’s a better shot of my interior:




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Call me crazy but I don't think the seats you have are too bad. They look good in the car.

I've had basic ass white press pleat covers in my 57 ford for almost 20 years and they still look more than presentable. When in doubt, you can't go wrong with white tuck and roll if you can't get something specific. And don't listen to guys saying it's hard to keep clean. It cleans right up with a little bleach white or soft scrub and magic eraser.

 

Blue with white inserts or white with blue inserts would look good in that car,something like how this seat is done up.

 

Well, it finally happened. I had to call a tow truck today.




Still not 100% sure what’s up. Worst case scenario is head gasket. I’ll start with a block leak test and cylinder pressure check. Engine still cranks and seems to run fine, but I lost a lot of coolant all of a sudden, and it seems to be from rear of the block.


Anyway, hoping for the best, planning for the worst.


On another note, I finally added the original trim to the tail lights. I really like how it looks.



And finally, I’m still working on that 54 Chevy. I sure love the way my garage looks with it next to the Olds!



Once I know what’s up with the engine, I’ll post an update.


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If it didn’t overheat and was a sudden massive loss of coolant my first thought is a core plug.


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That 53 Olds is a car I lust for. You have a great one.

 

Sorry to hear about your trouble. If you wind up having to pull that engine I wouldn't put it back in. That thing has been nothing but issues for you.

 

Looks like it’s just the intake, thank God. Did a compression check at that cylinder, read perfect. Car still starts and runs fine. Pulling the intake right now to see if there’s anything I’m missing.


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I'm glad it's looking like a relatively easy fix!

 

So, what did you find....the suspense is killing us

 

Still not 100% sure, but it sure looks like the intake gasket broke in the corner. Everything else looks fine.



I’m confident enough to go ahead and swap the gasket and throw it all back together. It’s just a $25 bet. Should have the car back together today but won’t be adding fluids till tomorrow.



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Well, I hate this damn intake.

Coolant leak is fixed. But I must have bumped the rear intake gasket when I set it down. The lifter valley is throwing oil all over the transmission when I drive it. Going to have to start over.


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Not familiar with the big Olds engines but could you replace the rear and front gaskets with a big bead of RTV like we have done for years with the SBC's?

 

I'm not familiar with them either, does it use a rubber gasket across the ends like is used on the SBC, if so we used to use a center punch and put divots along the rail to keep the rubber piece in place instead of squishing put of place when they are installed.

 

So, I’ve had that recommended to me many times. The front and rear have always been an issue on this engine. I tried it once, and the gap just seemed too big to leave it. Last time I used RTV on both sides of the cork gasket and it worked fine. This time it didn’t work.

I’ve already taken it apart and the new gasket will be here in the morning. I’m going to try the classic and basic, only RTV the corners. If it still leaks, I’m taking it to a friend of mine. He’s a car-demigod. Haha


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It’s a cork gasket for the front and rear. I used a thin spread of RTV on it first round. Going to keep it basic this time.


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From a post on the CO sight:
intake manifold gasket issue - ClassicOldsmobile.com
seems this is an issue like in the SBC. I have never had a large bead of silicon RTV blow out. You do need a good seam of it 1/4 to 5/16 thick and let it harden over night before starting the engine fwiw.
Good luck with the new gasket set.

 

Put a thin layer of rtv on the block and embed the cork gasket in it. Let it sit over night, then another thin bead of rtv and install the manifold.

 

So, there are a ton of opinions on which RTV to use for front and rear intake seals. If I go all RTV, which do you guys recommend? I’m cleaning up my mess now. Won’t pick up gaskets for an hour or so.


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I give up. Taking it to a shop.


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https://www.facebook.com/1286021457/posts/10219869088659392/?d=n

Well, Baloo is back up and running, and just in time for the snow.

I kinda whined in my last post about giving up. I really had. I had used very little RTV and thought I could pull the intake without ripping gaskets. I was wrong. It had to go back together one more time before I took it to a shop. Otherwise I’d need a tow truck. I finally got it on the third try.

After skipping the cork gaskets on the second attempt, I stacked and glued them together with the third set for the front and rear. That seems to have taken care of the oil leak. What a pain.

Anyway, glad to have my car back. My backup OT car died a week later and I’ve had to borrow a car from my dad. Now I gotta fix the OT car so I can get back to my 54. Haha

Too many projects. Not enough money or time.



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Most of you guys probably heard we got some snow in Texas yesterday. I ran out today and took the obligatory car photos. Car seems to be doing well. We’ve got some trust issues to work out right now. Haha






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Hey all! It’s been a while!

Baloo has been running amazing! Just wanted to give a few updates.

I know most of you guys will hate these, but I added some lights. Only showing off the one picture. They’re lame, but I like them.



Still being used as a daily driver as well. Also have kids and dogs in my car. It’s always a fun experience.



Ok, this I’m super excited about. I picked up my first ever set of custom plates! I have wanted a set since I was a kid. These are a dream come true.




I’m finally looking into adding AC. Long story short, I decided to make my own AC compressor brackets. I’m pretty proud of them.




While I was at it, I noticed my fan was loose. Turns out the bearing in the water pump had gone bad. And guess what? THATS THE SCREAMING NOISE IVE HEARD GOING DOWN THR ROAD!

New pump got the fan to shut up. Sounds great going down the road now. I also found the correct pump and pulley to get all three groves to line up properly. Super excited about that.

And finally, I also added an extra electric fan to help keep cool in traffic. Starts creeping up to 210/220 sitting still for too long. Hopefully this will help. Kicks on at 190*.




Looking forward to Pistons and Paint in Denton this weekend!