57j2olds

UPDATE - So I sent my NOS 1948 Distributor to tom_in_nh He shipped it back to me in a timely fashion and stated the original grease was hard as a carp. Points were also out of spec. Shaft now spins like new and points are mint. However, I never installed it as I got my old one working fairly well. This past weekend my '48 started to miss real bad at higher speeds. I took off the cap and the points looked horrible. I pulled mine out of the block and installed the refreshed NOS one from Tom. Looking at mine in the vise, the shaft also was very "wobbley". I'm thinking that, with the fried points were the issue. First crank it fired right up and seems to run smooth. I still need to vacuum time it, however thanks to Tom in NH. Lee in Detroit

Hello, A friend from another site told me to run a 180 degree thermostat in my 49 that has a 6 cyl. He said it's better for short trips so the motor gets hotter quicker. What are your opinions out there regarding 160 vs. 180 degree? I have located both NOS stats and need to make sure I install the correct one. Thanks

Its a 49 6 cyl

Thanks... Just got it out...yes there was a retaining ring. Where can I find a new thermostat? Thanks

Hello, Can you please tell me how to remove the retaining ring to remove original thermostat? Thanks Lee

Hello again, I'm brining this issue up again as I have not had the time to fix my signal issue and thought I would now. Back in the spring one of you helpful members gave me your cell and we spoke. We talked about what I needed to do however I forgot you name and what I needed to do. Again, when I got the car the owner had aftermarket running lights under the rear bumper and at that time the turn signals worked fine. I tore out the aftermarket running lamps to get back to OEM look and wha-la...I have running lights and brake however NO turn signals. All 4 just flash when the turn lever is on LH or RH turn. The helpful guy I remember told me to run another wire from somewhere to somewhere..... Please help. Thanks

I did.....thanks.

Hello, Can someone please point me in the right direction? I'm looking for salvage yards with a 48 Oldsmobile in stock. Thanks Lee in Detroit

Thanks guys! Funny, you should say that I just got done with the idle mixture. The car is all original. It’s been sitting in a barn for 45 years. Original 35,000 miles. If you can tell me a little bit more on that 257 motor, it would be great. I love the history or I’d love to know the history behind it. Got it from the original owner He vaguely remembers the original 48 motor throwing a rod back in the early 50s. I guess it’s better that they put a 49 motor in it. A Very kind member of this forum currently has my NOS distributor. Even though it was new old stock, the grease in it was hardened and had leaked all over of the points due to it laying on its side for 80 years. I should have the new distributor next week.

Yes it does. this is the first time I’ve ever hooked up a manifold vacuum gauge to this car. When I just started it, I was about 18 inches of vacuum. Advanced the distributor slightly and I got it up to 20 and it’s holding at 20 now. Does that sound about right?

So I found a small 8th inch pipe plug in the intake manifold. I’m assuming that would be my best bet. The wipers are not hooked up.

Ok so I guess this is a dumb question, however where do I hook up my vacuum gauge on my 49 Olds motor straight 6? Do I disconnect the distributer vac line and hook it up there? Thanks

Cool thanks guys. With those 3 "D" batteries installed wouldn't want to drop it on my fender LOL. I'll be working on this tonight.

Good morning. I just bought that dwell meter listed above. MT-415B It's good for a 6 Volt system. I wish I had that manual. It calls for 1.5 V batteries (3), but I can't tell which type. Does that manual say what "Kind" of batteries? The brass battery prongs are kind of far apart.

No I dont. I'm going to try to find a used 6 volt meter online. I also am having issues zeroing in my meter. Its a good snap-on one however the middle zero knob is not working.

Thanks for the input. I am currently running the old distributor as the new NOS one is being looked at. Yes, I'm thinking that the points are worn or the shaft is worn. The motor sounds real good. I gapped at .22 however still at 24 deg dwell. Next step is to put in new points this week.

Thanks Terry I was always told the dwell setting took priority over gap.

So this morning I’m trying to set the dwell between 31 and 37°. It’s currently running at 25°. However, when I close the points, the car won’t start. I open the points back up a little bit and it starts. Any ideas what could be going wrong?

Hi Tom, Thanks so much. I'm just north of Detroit. Kinda far. I have my old one in and its running. Can I ship you my NOS one? Thanks Lee

In frustration, I pulled the NOS distributer out and put the old one in. Fired right up. I guess the moral is NOS is not always better than what you have.

Thanks Rusty. I'll clean up the points tonight and put a new condenser on and see what happens. Here I'm all excited to have an NOS distributor and then the car wont start....kinda of disappointing.

One other thing..... Right out of the box the shaft did not spin as freely at current one. I put some oil down it and its a little better... Can I risk damaging my oil pump if it doesn't "spin" freely?

Hi guys, I hope everyone had a good weekend. I picked up an NOS distributer online. After installation my car it wont start. Any ideas? Rotor is in same place as old one. Could points be bad from sitting shelf for 75year? Help. Thanks

How do I INCREASE the dwell?