RASCARS

To determine what tpye of suspension your Starfire has, go to FUSICK.com. They specialize in Olds parts. They give a step by step description in their listings of how to determine which suspension type you have. You will find the centerlink on Ebay you did not bid on was a steal if it turns out to be the correct one. You may want to save the seller info incase you need to contact him/her in the future. As for the parts that made the most difference, I cannot say as I did everything all at once. I also had www.powersteering.com rebuild my steering box and change the turning ratio from 24:1 to 16:1 varible ratio. That made a huge difference. I had to have trailing arm bushings custom made for the rear suspension. Those were done by a company in California called www.rareparts.com.. I paid $50 per bushing and there are eight of them! Now rareparts has the ability to market them. I called and emailed 100's of sellers and finally gave up and had them made. These bushings helped the ride quality also. My car drives like a like a dream. Rebuilding the suspension was the best thing I've done so far to the car. By the way, I did 4 coil springs and Gabriel shocks too. Every piece of suspension is new on my car. Lots of time and a sizable cash investment, but worth it.

I just finished rebuilding the front and rear suspension on my 1963 Starfire. Yes, the center link os different depending on whether your car has Saginaw or Thompson. I ended up with an extra NOS Saginawn centerlink. If you are interested in purchasing it Email me at bobspag@the-beach.net Thanks Bob

I looking for a Wheel opening molding for the right front fender Please contact me at bobspag@the-beach.net Thank you

Thank you once again Rocket Raider! I have printed your response to show to my friend. I cannot tell you how much this site means to Olds Ownership!! Happy Oldsmobile-ing! Bob

I was playing with my 1963 Starfire the other day when a very good friend of mine, who is also a cracker jack mechanic, looked under my car and said "your Olds has a Ford Rear End!" He told me that the bolts on my differential are in the front of the differential like Fords and that GM's are bolted from the rear. I have often wondered if something like this was the case as my car seemed to run at a higher RPM on the highway than other Olds cars of similar vintage (non-slim Jim though). For example, at 80 MPH I'm running about 3500+ RPM's. Does any one have any thoughts or can any one post a picture of a 1963 rear end and differential so I can compare it to mine,please? I know that GM used Ford parts from time to time, so maybe my friend is correct and the rear end in my car is correct too??? Any words of wisdom would be most appreciated by yours truly! Thanks Bob

Thanks Glenn, I happen to have a correct OEM Temp. sending unit on the shelf. I will replace it as well. It's like chicken soup, it couldn't hurt! Bob

I don't know the engine set up on the 1990, but I had a similar situation with a 1995 Ninety eight I had with about 100K on it. My car had the bullet proof 3800 V6. I changed the 3 coils, new plugs ans plug wires, retimed the engine and the car ran like new. I have heard that some models have a coil tray that is "hot" also. If you car has that (see shop manual) you should replace the tray(s) too. The car may stumble a bit at first until the computer(s) learn the new settings, but it will learn within your normal day of driving. Good luck!!

Thaks for the responses. I had contacted Radiator.com in my initial search and they only have books back to 1965. It is a typical problem for 63 Olds owners. Parts run from the 1940's through 1962, skip 1963 and 1964 and begin again in 1965! I have also had "issues" with USA Olds. Most recently the water pump they sent wasn't even close to fitting nor did resemble the OEM. There have been other concerns in my parts past with USA, but as you say Paul, I don't want to vendor bash either. I just want to use USA as my only and last resort. I pulled the radiator today and took it to a local, old time radiator shop for an old fashion Recore. I'm also changing the fan clutch since it is accessible. I found one at Auto Zone with a lifetime warranty for $32 vs USA's price of $75 plus shipping. Again, Thanks Guys and have a great Holiday weekend. Bob

Thank you Thank you Thank you to all!!!!! This is exactly the advice I needed. There is a raditor shop in Ft. Lauderdale that has a good reputation. This weekend I will remove the old and deliver it for a recore. Thanks, RocketRaider, for the USA Info. That is where I was going to place the order!! As always this is the very BEST forum on the web-bsar none!!! Happy Oldsmobiling!! Bob

My 63 Starfire has been freshly tuned and runs like a TOP! However, it is running HOT, real HOT! I think I need a new Radiator for my 63 Starfire. My search so far has only turned up one that would work from USA Olds in Virginia at almost $400 for the four row I need. I'll also change the thermostat at the same time. I was going to use a 160 degree since I live in South Florida and heat is our life. Any suggestions anyone? Thanks Bob

Pau l, I rechecked the manual and found the info at the end of the suspension chapter. I had only looked in the Spring install area previously. I worked all day and now my car sits like a new 63 Starfire! Again Many Thanks Bob

Paul, Thanks for the quick response. What you describe is exactly what I needed to correct, except now my car looks like its 4 wheel drive(not quite that bad, but not the low sleek lines of the original). I'm going to recheck the shop manual. I must have over looked the info on my first pass through. Thanks again.

I have received and installed the rebuilt steering box from Powerstreering.com and I installed the CUSTOM made trailing arm bushings from Rare Parts. I could not be happier with their service and the quality of work I received. Thank you again for your recommendations!! HAppy Oldsmobiling!!

I just receieved my 63 Starfire Coupe from having the front and rear suspension rebuilt, imcluding 4 new coil springs. My car now sits up much higher than is should. I need to know the correct ride height of a 63 Starfire so this can be corrected-It's AWFUL!! Does anyone have the correct ride height for a 1963 Starfire Coupe. If not, would aone or two of our members do me a great favor and measure their 63 Starfires for me please? I need the height measured from the ground to the bottom of the rocker panel and I need the height measured from the ground to the bottom of the wheel opening mouldings on the top line of the fender for both the back and front fenders. These measurements should pass over the center of the wheel itself on the way up to the bottom of the top piece of wheel opening. God, I hope this make sense to you all! Any and all suggutions from anyone that has experienced this situation, please contact me with any suggetions. I'm looking forward to hearing from you all as soon as you are able to help out. As always, I'm truly greatful for this Fourm to all us a place to lend a hand. Thank you Bob RASCARS

Thank you both for your input and suggestions. I will be on the phone Monday morning!! Happy Holidays!