Tedd Thompson

A test of the resistor or the wiring that feeds it can be done in a few seconds buy jumping from the + side of the battery bypassing the resistor and going to the + side of the coil.Try and start the car. If it doesn't pop or start in a few seconds take the jumper off or the points will burn. but that will tell you if the ballast resistor is defective or if the wiring is jacked up somewhere between the key and the coil..... Tedd

Or a badly burnt valve if it is constant usuall pops back through the carb though.... Tedd

Can you hear a leaky swish sound on the miss at the exhaust pipe? Sounds like it maybe a burnt valve. A compression test would tell if it is and what cylinder. Other than that it could be a multiple of things, wires, plugs carb setting, bad points, vacuum leak, hard to tell from afar. If mine I would do a compression test first it will tell you more than just if a valve is bad but also what shape the internals of the engine is in... Tedd

Have you tried Chevies of the forties site? Others have found that some body parts will interchange with Old's. This is just a shot in the dark... Tedd https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/

That is strange, Is there room to remove the pan with out pulling the motor? This is a problem with a 55 but may not be with a 57.... Tedd

Try this link, same problem on the Classic Oldsmobile forum..... Tedd https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/vintage-oldsmobiles/37665-hood-springs-1956-a.html

I can't think of anything that would hang on or catch the dipstick.. First generation Oldsmobile dipsticks are quite stout have you tried the Vicegrip and hammer approach ? ... Tedd

I always use a hardener on engines or anything that may get gas on it But I almost always have a auto paint store match my paint and use a hardener for that brand of paint. A hardener will also help keep the sheen from oxidizing much longer than paint with out it.... Tedd

It should interchange and all the early Hydra- Matics were 4 speeds so they both should have the super gear though may not read so on the column. I don't think the tail shafts were longer in 98's compared to 88's but a quick check with a tape measure would tell if you have both transmissions ..... Tedd

Standard or automatic?. What area are you located in and can your old transmission be rebuilt?..... Tedd

Any air cleaner that will fit a Rochester 4GC should work. There use to be an adapter that would bush up the smaller size throat of the 4GC to fit the later and larger Q Jet and AFB air cleaners, I haven't seen one advertised lately but there again I haven't been looking for one ether.....Tedd

Will this help identify the pan in question https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=SGMedia&hsimp=yhs-sgm_fb&type=ss_ch_ds_ox&p=1955%20oldsmobile%20transmission%20Images

Oil is like a woman's hair color everyone likes something just a little different. That being said what ever oil you choose be sure that it contains enough zddp (zinc) to keep your valve train alive and well. I use Rotella T 15-40 and prefer red heads Your mileage may differ.... Tedd

On my slant pan 55 model it reads 21 5/8, could be 1/16 shorter depending on where in the dipstick cup you place the tape measure. All 54's should be slant pan transmissions...... Tedd

I found most everything I needed at a local fastener store.Some fasteners looked somewhat different but worked just fine so take your clips in and match them up. This shop supplied fasteners for most of the local body shops in the area This was for my 55 but it's doubtful there is much difference between the two models except the width of the clips....Tedd

here is a link to a guy who is selling a complete manual 55 transmission. It's worth a try...Tedd not mine. http://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/parts-sale/88415-55-olds-3-speed-manual-transmission.html

What you need to take a picture of is the body and style number plate located under the hood on the front of the cowl near the left hand hood hinge. That will tell you most of what else you might need.as in year and style number of body, body number, trim number,paint number... Tedd 58= 1958 8= super 88 k=? may be Kansas City build plant. Could be wrong on this 01636 serial number of car

The screen can be picked out with any small sharp tool like a ice pick, if you are careful it can be used over again...Tedd

Only you can answer that question. Do you love, it because it's doubtful that you will ever be able to get your money out of it. That being said we (all of us) hardly ever get what we put in to a car no mater what it is.To me it has too many doors, will cost as much or more to restore than a two door, has a funky transmission if a auto (kinda neat if a stick) they are a little vague on the description of the transmission. There are no after market sheet metal parts available some engine parts are out there but are not a Napa or Autozone type thing. The initial price is small compared to what you will be donating later to this build- restoration so if you really like it go for it if not there are many others out there to consider.....Just my humble opinion....Tedd

Also try Ross racing Engines for pistons and any questions you might have on early first generation Old's engines. Ask for Tony that's all they do is Oldsmobile...https://rossracingengines.oursafeserver.com/

Yep, that's why they are called a small bore 394. everything is the same as a 394 block except the bore diameter....Tedd

A quick look at the valve covers will tell you if it's a 394 or a 303. The 303 has only two hold down bolts on the top of the covers while the 394 will have 5 maybe 6 around the bottom rim of the cover like a late model Chevy 350...Tedd

Quite a few exceptions, 303's and 324's were green and 57-58 were also gold then the hi compression 394's were a reddish orange. Some of the late 371's were in fact a under bored 394's. There were industrial engines with setups for natural gas or propane, one I've seen was black in color but could have been painted years ago. Then there were the export engines that usually were lower compression units than what was put out for domestic use. I believe they also were turquoise....Tedd

Print this and take it with you. This will give you the casting numbers of each year but a easy way is by the head numbers if original to the engine 303 ci 49- 52 no head number head not marked 303 53 is #3 324 ci 54 is #7 324 55 is #8 324ci 56 is#10 57-58 371 is 17 394 ci is23....... there are others but this covers most ..Tedd http://musclecarclub.com/members/castingnumbers/Oldsmobile1.shtml

If I understand you correctly I think you are talking about the exhaust port on the wiper motor and nothing goes on that......Tedd