[Ravensmiles]

Hey guys, I got the service manual for my oldsmobile, it shows the manual trans mission having four positions configured like an h laying on it's side (their description not mine)
My transmission appears to have three positions like a modern automatic transmission all arranged vertically. There doesn't appear to be any horizontal movement in the shift lever at all. Does this sounds familiar to anyone?

[Ravensmiles]

This is turning into the Franken-car I'm not sure which parts are Pontiac and which are Oldsmobile. Then there's the whole range of parts that belong on both of them. any tips on sorting out olds from pontiac parts?

[Bob Call]

Ravensmiles
My guess is that the original engine in your Olds went belly up during WW II and the availability of replacement parts was restricted and maybe not at at all available where you car was located. Easiest fix, swap a readily available used Pontiac into the Olds as it was pretty much a bolt in with little or no modifications needed.

A local mechanic here that builds engines for cars in the Great American Race each year, says to budget $1,000 per cylinder for a proper rebuild of an antique (over 30 years old) engine. As suggested above, drive it until the Pontiac is dead and them put in a correct Olds. That way you can get a good block and crankshaft and build on a pay as you build basis and not have to come up with several grand at one time.

[Bob Call]

Another comment related only about the oil. An aftermarket oil filter can be fitted to your engine but is not necessary. Pull the oil pan and clean out the sediment/sludge. Then use a single grade (weight) oil appropriate for the weather and change it every 3,000 miles or 90 days, whichever comes first. DO use modern "detergent" oil. It does NOT contain a detergent and will NOT loosen existing carbon buildup or sludge. It has an additive that keeps the contaminants (carbons and acids) in suspension so they do not settle out into the bottom of the oil pan. If the "detergent" additive is working properly the oil will be black with carbon at change time. The contaminants are drained with the oil when the oil is changed. The term detergent is a marketing thing to explain to the consumer how brand x oil keeps your engine clean. Engine lubricating oils do not wear out. They just become contaminated with carbon and acids. Properly processsed and filtered "re-refined" oils are just as good as newly refined oils.

[Bob Call]

Ok, I don't see where anyone asked this. Does your car have an automatic transmission? The H shift pattern in your shop manual is for a 3 speed manual transmission. The straight line pattern you describe is for the Hydra-matic transmission which from left to right is reverse, neutral, drive and low. Hydras had no park position. It locked between reverse and neutral when the engine was off. Hydra-matic was offered as an option in Oldsmobile beginning in 1940. It was offered in Cadillac in 1941 and in Pontiac after WW II. It was coupled to Cadillac and GMC engines for military vehicles during WW II.

Possibly your Olds had the Hydra-matic option and it was retained when the engine swap was made.

[pontiac1953]

buick started the hydra-matic project in 1936, shortly thereafter, it was handed to oldsmobile, and was introduced in 1938 as a safety transmission, cadillac offered the hydra-matic in 1940, pontiac in 1948, gmc and chevy trucks in the early 50's, it was also used by nash, lincoln, rolls royce, and perhaps more. charles coker, 1953 pontiac tech advisor,poci.

[Ravensmiles]

Bob, I just replaced the shift lever and in the process of installing it I found out that the shift lever passes through two different shafts and the inner shaft had twisted when I lined up the holes in the two shafts and installed the lever there is forward and back movement in the lever. I do have the syncromesh transmission. now I just need to find a replacement flange so the lever will stay put.

[Ravensmiles]

I appreciate you guys helping me out. As you can tell everything you show me helps. I got a little side tracked from the engine when I found a company willing to reproduce my floor pans. I'm back to working on the powertrain until I get the sheet metal back.