the gray knight

turns out I re-installed the tach and it now works! Voltage surge? Still curious why it happened. Will keep this on my personal list of life's little mysteries.....

After leaving the ignition key on for 36 hours (long story - don't ask, please), my tachometer needle now is pegged at about "5:30" and does not work. I have recharged the battery and verified the alternator is OK. I have removed the cluster but thought I'd seek some feedback before I pull the tachometer. Would leaving the ignition on permanently damage the tach? My sources say this cluster is interchangeable with 86-88 Cieras. Only thing available to me locally is a 1990. Any repair advice? Anyone got a cluster if that's the only alternative...?

Rocketraider - I remember the old 1.8 and 2.0 liter engines used in the Firenzas. Seems one was Mexico built and the other perhaps US. But when I started selling Oldsmobiles in 1985, we had lots of Cieras in stock, many with the 2.5 liter Tech 4 motor. The guys told me this was the "Iron Duke" engine. I know that engine was not available in the Firenza. So, is the 1.8 or 2.0 really the Iron Duke? And was the Iron Duke really a "Pontiac" motor to begin with? What I know, what I think I know, what I remember, and what I think I remember are getting mixed up. I do know we used to sell Cieras in the 80's like we do Camrys now. In an earlier life, the Firenza was known as a Starfire. That was a disgraceful application of a proud Oldsmobile model name onto a Chevy with lock washers. I talked my fiance into ordering one of them in 1978. That little son of a gun got between 41 and 44 mpg on the hiway consistently! (Probably had the Iron Duke?!) But many other problems persisted and with no dealer/factory help, she sold the car and got a Trans Am. Fuel mileage and tire wear were reduced 50%, minimum! But, I have digressed. Thanks for any clarification you can offer on the Iron Duke. John

My first car, which I still have, a 1948 68 Club Sedan has 96,000 miles. Son Michael's '73 Toro has 93,000 miles. The 1988 Ciera Cruiser has 126,000. The '48 and I are the same age and it will outlive me, I hope. The Toro is the finest road car I've ever owned. But, like some women out there, it is high maintenance. The Ciera Cruiser with a 3.8 and heavily optioned is a great car. Always keep a spare alternator and power antenna around, pray the steering rack doesn't go out, and fortunately has a factory tranny cooler so it is original as well. Everything else on the car is very dependable. John

I'm prepared for a number of responses saying I have too much spare time on my hands if this is all I can think of, but here goes anyway. Why am I seeing so many advertisements for this or that car stating: "radio delete?" If it is a Cadillac El Dorado that came with a standard radio, I'd understand. But if it is a Chevy Biscayne or an Olds Dynamic 88, how can you "delete" something that isn't there in the first place? Sure, most of those cars came with radios, but they were optional equipment. To my way of thinking, you can't "delete" an optional accessory. It was simply never added at the factory. I suggest saying: no radio. It makes the point and does it in three less letters. Those of you who see the wisdom in this provocative revelation will be comforted knowing I also have many suggestions concerning global warming and world peace. regards, The Gray Knight

Years ago I got Helen's name as a resource for pictures I wanted to frame and put in the Oldsmobile section of our showroom. I ended up talking to Helen on the telephone and she very patiently and politely and professionally described a plethora of Olds photos to me. I selected several based on her desciptions. Suddenly, she said, "Oh, here's a great one! A 1958 Olds 98 convertible with the top down and a good looking babe behind the wheel." I said, " send that one for sure!" A tremendous lady! Prayers, indeed.

The Oldsmobile "trans-portable" transistor radio was a first in the 1958 model year. The radio pulled out from the dash. Because of easy theft problems, by 1959, cars equipped with this option had the removable radio in the glove compartment making it more secure because of the glove compartment lock. This option may have been available in 1960 as well, I don't remember. Pontiac's version of this GM accesory was the "sportable" radio. I suppose lesser GM divisions (Buick, Chevy and Caddy) had versions of this option as well. While this radio option never became a huge hit, at least it was more reliable than the "New-Matic" air ride also introduced in 1958. What a great year! Apparently independent committees designed the generous use and location of chrome and stainless. Hard to defend a 1958 Olds as a thing of beauty, but I'd sure love to have one.