Guest 1963starfire Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 I drove my Starfire over the weekend and got about a mile from my house and the transmission would not shift from out of first gear.I limped home running between 10 and 15 mph. That was the longest mile. As I have heard others say, fluid level is crucial in theseslim jims. That was the first thing I checked. Turns out it wasabout a pint and a half low. Added some fluid and it shifts throughall the gears.Before I bought the car the heater core was leaking and apparentlypooled around the floor pan drain plug. I assume its called a drain plug because thats what it looks like to me. I need a new drain plug.I looked in both the USA parts supply and fussick catalogs and can't find one. Does any know where I might find one?Did GM use one kind centerlink on the 1963 Starfire? Or did they use different ones. I know they used Saginaw or Thompson on somesuspension components, but not sure on the centerlink.Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RASCARS Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 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 atbobspag@the-beach.netThanks Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlh61olds Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 I have several floor pan plugs out of a 1964. What does yours look like????Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 You know, I can't tell you which design either of mine has! Never looked that close. I'm told the difference is power steering vs non power but can't substantiate that.That's another one of them things I have never understood why Oldsmobile did it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmoney Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 Body stamp plugs can be had from year one. I don't know if they are available for your model but they had them for my '71. You can call 1-800 year one, or do a search on the web. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1963starfire Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Gentlemen, thanks for the help.Bob, the reason I asked about the centerlink is Isaw a new one for sale on ebay, starting bid was $10.00.No one bid on it. I didn't bid because I wasn't sureif all centerlinks were the same.How many miles do you have on your Starfire? What suspension part/s do you think made the biggest improvementin the steering? Can you tell a lot difference with the rebuild now? Is the steering tighter, less play than before? I bought my car from the orginal owner. It looks like the drivers side upper control arm bushing and shims have been replaced. Would that help improve the steering any?Dave, I'll have to look at the floor pan plug if I getin before dark this week and let you know. I THINK it is oblongand flat around the edges where it fits down in the floorbut not sure. I'll let you.Glenn, my Starfire has power steering. I need to figure outif I have the Saginaw or Thompson suspension. Mike, I looked at year one tonight. The earliest year I could find was 1964. 1964 and 1963 Starfires are basiclly the same. However, they only show Cutlass for 1964. I'll try and find outif they use the same floor pan plug in '63 & '64 Starfires. Thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RASCARS Posted September 17, 2006 Share Posted September 17, 2006 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1963starfire Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 test Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1963starfire Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 I took some pictures of the floor pan plug.How do you post a picture on here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlh61olds Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Just below the instant gremlins you will find a box to preview or add an attachment to your post. Check that box and continue.Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1963starfire Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1963starfire Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1963starfire Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1963starfire Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1963starfire Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1963starfire Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Dave, do your floor pan plugs look like the '63? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlh61olds Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Yahoo, whoopee, yes , I have four. How many do you want ????Drop a line to: hdl261olds@adelphia.net That's h d ell not hdoneThanx, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlh61olds Posted October 7, 2006 Share Posted October 7, 2006 How did the floor pan plugs workout ???Thanx, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1963starfire Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 Hey Dave,The floor pan plugs worked great.Thanks so much for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest norm3500 Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 Looking for 1963 Starfire Olds red with black interior. Around Indianapolis Indiana. Norm mnputt@gmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mortsciguy Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 On the issue of front end parts, Kanter does a nice job of asking dimensions at key points to ID the specific application. Worth a look. kanter.com , or something close.Kelly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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