1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

[milner351]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Looks great!
I'm with you - I don't know what I'd do without my blaster.

I've become a big fan of the duplicolor self etching primer over bare metal before a basecoat - Seth turned me onto it, seems to work well... we'll see how the stuff holds up.


Man - be carefull with those old springs - I hope you can borrow a good compressor - recently I had to use one of those kits with the three threaded rods and the hooks on each end of each rod..... freaking nightmare - but nothing else would fit. The ones that go into the center of the spring with a single threaded rod are way way better. Be carefull and make sure you've got the safety chains in place.

I wish I could find an older car like this to just play with and drive - but - they are all rusted to the doorhandles around here.

I still can't believe you pulled this thing out of a junkyard! You've got vision and motivation to spare!

[TheSilverBuick]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Wow, I missed the whole trans fluid part while I was on Vacation. Very nice gasket making and I like your cooler line routing! Interesting to see the spring perch riveted to the a-arm. Excellent work, keep it up.

[DanStokes]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

My tech tip for bushing pushing (hey, I like that!) - just cut a chunk of plumbing pipe a bit bigger than the OD of the bushing housing (doesn't have to fit all that well) and shove it in there. It'll keep the A-arm from collapsing and it's easy. If the arm flexes a bit it's OK - it has enough memory to spring back OK.

Dan

[CTX-SLPR]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

My tech tip for bushing pushing (hey, I like that!) - just cut a chunk of plumbing pipe a bit bigger than the OD of the bushing housing (doesn't have to fit all that well) and shove it in there. It'll keep the A-arm from collapsing and it's easy. If the arm flexes a bit it's OK - it has enough memory to spring back OK.

Dan

Works great for Ball joints too! I popped the upper balljoints out of the Riviera using a shop press and some pipe nipples.

[BluLightning]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

My tech tip for bushing pushing (hey, I like that!) - just cut a chunk of plumbing pipe a bit bigger than the OD of the bushing housing (doesn't have to fit all that well) and shove it in there. It'll keep the A-arm from collapsing and it's easy. If the arm flexes a bit it's OK - it has enough memory to spring back OK.

Dan

Works great for Ball joints too! I popped the upper balljoints out of the Riviera using a shop press and some pipe nipples.

You said nipples............ ;D

[NASBackyard]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

I just used 2 large sockets to press the bushings in. I used a wire wheel on a die grinder to clean the frame around the area I couldn't access later, I also used my shop vac to catch the dirt. What a messy job. I need to clean and sandblast the backing plate next.The paint is OSH satin black , I wiped everything down with laquer thinner.

[DanStokes]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Lacquer thinner! YUMMmmmm!!!!! (Hope you did it outside).

Dan

[Page2171]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Kinda wishing you hadn't done the suspension. Now I am thinking I should probably do the same to my 62 Electra.

[DanStokes]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Please start a new Project Car Thread and show pics of the '62 Deuce-and-a-quarter! I love them things (worked for the Buick dealer when they were near new). Dad had a black '62 LeSabre 4 door sedan w/rose cloth interior. It was much more elegant than it sounds.

Dan

[Page2171]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Please start a new Project Car Thread and show pics of the '62 Deuce-and-a-quarter! I love them things (worked for the Buick dealer when they were near new). Dad had a black '62 LeSabre 4 door sedan w/rose cloth interior. It was much more elegant than it sounds.

Dan

OK Dan, you talked me into it. The thread is here http://www.bangshift.com/forum/index.php?topic=13828.0

[NASBackyard]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Nothing like wrenching in 100 + deg. heat for over 12 hours! I took a few breaks , drank a couple of gallons of water,had to go get more sand,stop at the auto parts and pay for the 35.00 USA spring compressor the guy gave me a screamin deal on, and grill a steak. Had to make up for lost time and wanted to get all the dirty work done, which meant dismantling the pass. side, taking the control arm out to my work and using the press.Had to chisel alot of road grime and grease. Used 2 bags of 30 mesh sand. Man I'm glad the dirty work is done! The driverside is all together and I'll finish the otherside Sunday afternoon.Once I get it all together I'll drop it on the floor and remeasure everything. Then back up on stands to do the brake job. When I checked the brakes when I got it, they had alot of life left in them. But My suicide run is over with the old hoses. I'm just going to get it all done since I have everything. I'm looking forward to my trip back up to Red Bluff in Oct. to get more parts and some pictures of it in the spot I pulled it from.One other note I wanted to mention on the springs, theres an index hole were the bottom of the spring goes, you want to put the spring end right next to the hole but not covering it, and that places the spring in the factory location as per shop manual.

[Blazerteam]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Cool spring compresser.That one probably works.I have been using 2x4s between the frame and roof in the garage,on several spring working expeditions :D.

And the work you did to the front suspension,looks awesome.If it works like it looks,you are probably eager to to drive it

[NASBackyard]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Done!... with that job. It brought the car up about a 1/2" above the beginning measurements on the good side, and almost an inch on the sagging side. Still 1/4" off but that may level out when I get the same size tires on the rear. I'm sure the frame is a little tweeked from age. On to the brake job and maybe rear springs and shocks while I'm back there .The guy I bought it from called me today to say my wheel is on it's way Mon. since one of mine is bent. I forgot how much work that was. The clean up part is the worst of it.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Save some energy as my Caprice needs the same work too. Nice job.

[TheSilverBuick]

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Done!... with that job. It brought the car up about a 1/2" above the beginning measurements on the good side, and almost an inch on the sagging side. Still 1/4" off but that may level out when I get the same size tires on the rear. I'm sure the frame is a little tweeked from age. On to the brake job and maybe rear springs and shocks while I'm back there .The guy I bought it from called me today to say my wheel is on it's way Mon. since one of mine is bent. I forgot how much work that was. The clean up part is the worst of it.

Did you drive it around before measuring the new height? I "think" my cars settled a bit after the first drive. Plus if the rear springs aren't level (sagging) it'll effect the levelness of the front end too.