BUILD THREAD 1986 Oldsmobile 442 Build

[RunAwayNJ]

Ordered a "Built Not Bought" plaque on E-Bay, and it finally arrived. It came out really nice, although it's hard to see the engraving in the picture. I mounted mine in the engine area. If you are interested in ordering one for your car here is the link:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5335822911&icep_item=301735266991

 

[L92 OLDS]

I like the plaque. Interesting idea

 

[RunAwayNJ]

Finally got around to getting new tires on Friday. I really should have gotten them 3 years ago! Got a great deal from clients of mine who are Cooper dealers. I stuck with the Cooper Cobras over the BFG's. According to them, the Coopers wear much better, and are $70 less per tire to boot. I have them on all my other cars and I've always been happy with them. Got the oil changed, fluids topped off and rear checked out while it was there too. All in all it's in good shape.

Started working on the trunk lid liner as well, another project I have put off for 3 years. Once done I'll use it to put all the dash plaques on of shows I've been too over the past few years. Which are not many.

Next up is the exhaust. Priced out Hedman headers, Magnaflow muffers and tips, and will have the same shop put it all together.

 

[RunAwayNJ]

I feel like I've accomplished more with this build in the last 2 weeks than in the last 2 years! Checked another project off the list that I put off - fixing the broken drivers side grille.

The 2 plastic parts that screw into the mount were both broken. It looked like someone had tried to repair them before and it didn't work. I cleaned up the plastic pieces and removed the old glue. After matching up the pieces I used a 2-part epoxy (see picture) to glue them back together. The epoxy was easy to work with and set in 5 minutes and was ready to handle in 30. I gave it an hour and it was solid. I put some weight on the pieces as they were drying to make sure they bonded securely. Put everything back together and its nice and straight like it should be.

You can find this epoxy on Amazon, Graingers, or probably anywhere. It works to bond metal as well as plastic.

 

[RunAwayNJ]

Got around to finishing up a few more projects. First was the carpet for underneath the trunk lid. I wanted a place to put all those dash plaques you get at car shows, so this seemed to fit the bill. Looks like I need to get to some more car shows. I left a flap in the one side so we can stick some 80's era stuffies (bill the cat? ALF?) in there, brochures, or whatever.




I've been trying to find a way to clean the haze off the chrome trim. Having tried everything from Nevr-Dull to Mothers, SOS pads, and whatever nothing worked. I found some old aluminum polish from the boat I had and gave that a try. Not only did it remove the haze and oxidation, but it shined up the chrome real nice. I tried it on the window trim as well and it all started coming back. If anyone is having this same problem try the West Marine Aluminum Polish - it worked for me.




Finally, got around to ordering a new battery. I decided to go with the Optima Yellow Top due to the stereo system and lights in the car. I also got a billet battery hold down off Ebay. That should all arrive this week and hope to install next weekend. Finally starting to get some work done on the car!

 

[Gbarrie]

Got around to finishing up a few more projects. First was the carpet for underneath the trunk lid. I wanted a place to put all those dash plaques you get at car shows, so this seemed to fit the bill. Looks like I need to get to some more car shows. I left a flap in the one side so we can stick so 80's era stuffies (bill the cat? ALF?) in there, brochures, or whatever.

View attachment 51829


I've been trying to find a way to clean the haze off the chrome trim. Having tried everything from Nevr-Dull to Mothers, SOS pads, and whatever nothing worked. I found some old aluminum polish from the boat I had and gave that a try. Not only did it remove the haze and oxidation, but it shined up the chrome real nice. I tried it on the window trim as well and it all started coming back. If anyone is having this same problem try the West Marine Aluminum Polish - it worked for me.


View attachment 51830 View attachment 51831

Finally, got around to ordering a new battery. I decided to go with the Optima Yellow Top due to the stereo system and lights in the car. I also got a billet battery hold down off Ebay. That should all arrive this week and hope to install next weekend. Finally starting to get some work done on the car!

Where do you get that west marine chrome polish from? Am having the same problem.
Gbarrie.

 

[Dapper442]

Hey man, your build is looking great. I just bought my 87 442, 3 weeks ago. The body is a little rough but nothing horrible and the frame is in great shape. I hope to get it all fixed up little by little like you. From one NJ 442 owner to another keep up the great work, and I hope mine can come out as good as yours has been.

 

[RunAwayNJ]

Thanks guys! You can get the West Marine polish at West Marine stores or online. It's a boating product, but I've found many boating products work well on the car, sometimes better than car stuff (The Meguires cleaner/wax in the blue bottle is one that I love too, I've used teak oil on wood trim too). If there is no West Marine close to you they can ship online. I got the car in 2012 and have tried every combination to clean the chrome, I found this in a box I never unpacked from the move and it did the trick.

 

[RunAwayNJ]

I received my chrome trunk trim from Gbodyparts.com earlier in the week and finally got around to do the installation. The trim is very high quality, and exactly a perfect fit. The entire install took about 30 minutes with me taking my time and lining up everything right. This kit is nice because it comes with the chrome plastic connectors that link all 3 pieces together, and the black plastic end caps. Here are some pictures of the project:

 

[Judge Mills]

That grille project worked out perfectly.