Tedd Thompson

Plus you never know for sure what is about to go wrong with a motor that you don't know. The last time I checked you could figure about $650 a hole from a machine shop to rebuild a 324, expensive but you have a new engine that you can trust....Tedd

You shouldn't need to compress the spring. # 1 hoist the rear of the car and remove the shock absorber, the U bolts, insulators and spring clamp plates. #2 Use a jack to raise the Axel housing off the spring. #3 Remove the shackle bolts. #4 Disconnect the front of the spring from the hanger by removing the front spring nut and bolt. #5 Remove the spring. #6 You need to purchase a shop manual quickly.. The money you spend on tools you don't need will buy your manual in no time.I love to help but I type poorly and the shop manual comes with great illistrations...Tedd

You probably couldn't build it for that unless you did all the work your self, that being body paint upholstery and all the mechanicals. It adds up very fast, then again half the fun is in the jurney....Tedd

No vacuum is involved in the steering, pump lines go to the power steering pump which is mounted on the left front of the engine and is powered by the crank pulley. Looks like you are missing the complete pump and pump bracket...Tedd

Rather than go to a lot of work on rusty pitted rims just look for better ones, they made them for years and you should be able to find some in a junkyard or on line cheaper than what you are trying to do..Just my 2 cents.....Tedd

Yep, you are correct, missed the f85 part....Tedd

About the forth sticky down there is a thread about roto- hydramatic adjustment this may help you out, this is a common problem with this transmission and often is never completely resolved......Tedd

I don't know the length but Fusick has them part #36501.they are a little pricey at $43.50 though.....Tedd

Jeff have you tried posting on other forums? As rare as 55 covertibles are someone is probably looking for parts and these forums are the best place to find the rare stuff or converse with like owners. I also have a 55 convertible and we are a small fraternity, I know of four other people who are finishing their cars but none of them match up with your time frames or areas. You might try Classic Oldsmobile if you don't get any leads here... Tedd

X2 what rocketraider said, this is what happens when an older engine isn't broken in with a high zinc content oil. 1956 for some reason came new with softer cams than previous engines of the same design, but I believe your problem lies in the break in proceder......Tedd

x2 on the connections, sure sounds as though you aren't getting a full load of juice or a bad ground....Tedd

I'm not sure on a 56 but on a 55 it would take some kind of a adapter to mate up with the master cylinder, it's a tiny thing with inside threads. I would just do it the old fashion way. Are you having a problem getting the air out....Tedd

Does it smell of antfreeze? If so it's a dead give away that the core is lealing. Just a thought...Tedd

It's on the dash and it has an accessory position. I should have been more specific.....Tedd

I have a 55 and they take the same ignition switch #1116504 and operate the same way..Tedd

The 59's are a little out of my era of expertise but in the mid fifties often left hand mirrors were standard from the factory but righties were added by the dealer and I have seen many right hand mirrors on the fenders. I can't imagine why, you barely had any field of view at that distance....Tedd

BTTT. Anyone?

For the felt/ fuzzies I got them from my local auto glass shop. He took one look at them and said no problem ,I stock them all the time.My car is a little older than yours but I bet a good shop would have them....Tedd

You could replace it with a 303, 324, or with some work a 394. All are from the same family (generation) of engines. What is the problem with the 371 that makes you want to change it out? 371's come up for sale every now and then on Ebay and are good stout engines with great horse power. Something to remember about this era Olds is they have unique bell housings that require extensive and expensive adapters to switch to more modern engines or transmission types...Tedd

Looking for a hood for a 55 Oldsmobile needs to be in good or easily repairable shape. Chrome trim or hood ornament not needed. Call Tedd at (530)228-6504

x2 on the check of resistance on the plug wires. I just had a new set of plug wires that had 3 inches of missing carbon in one of the wires, drove me nuts trying to figure that one out. No guarantee new parts are good. Tedd

I would try Fusick Automotive Products (860) 623-1589 first, they have been the go to place for Oldsmobile parts for years. USA Parts Supply (703) 335-0904 is also good and have had good customer service for me in the past. Sometimes your local parts house can get you a lot of parts if you can find the right guy behind the counter, someone who knows old car parts and isn't so much of I can't find it in the computer type of guy....Tedd

Have you been to the Classic Oldsmobile forum? It's quite active and a number of members have fifties era cars. They have a parts wanted forum also but often if you post in the vintage forum( that's where most of the 56 guys and girls hang out) some one will have left over trim from a parts car... Tedd

Rocken, I remember soldering a ground to the license plate light socket on my 55 because I couldn't get a good ground or it was missing or corroded ( it's been twelve or more years since I did this). This took the problem away for ever, But I can't remember for the life of me why the original ground went bad but it sounds like a similar problem. By the way those license plate lens housings are hard to find in good shape and I don't think they are reproduced as yet...Tedd

A quick look in USA parts book lists the same part number for 54 through 56 . Part #s2.041h. This may or may not be correct, but in the way distant past (20 years or more) I remember swapping out a starter from a 55 into a 56.I don't recall it being a problem.....Tedd