Non GBody: Delta 88

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1984_Delta88

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 12, 2019
7
7
3
Hi everyone,

I recently imported an Oldsmobile Delta88 from NY overseas to Germany. It is my first US car. In the past I was more into Japanese Cars. This time I was going for something different. A V8 ;-)

This car will not be a 100% frame off resto. I just do only have limited time and not all the needed Equipment for something like this. But still I want to rebuild it to get a historic license here in Germany. For this it needs to fulfill several criteria (technical and optical). I already encountered several problems and I guess there are more to come. And this is the point where I count on this forum 😉

Well I know, this is not a B-Body forum. But I am ready with electronics, halfway ready with bodywork. My last concern is the engine and I found some interesting threads here…

Spec List:
Olds Delta88 from 1984
Royale Brougham Trim
307cui with TH350
 

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TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
10,941
19,990
113
Socialist NY
Great cars I had the Buick version the Lesabre.

307 / 200-4r

One of the best cars I ever owned.

Welcome to the site.
 

Local Hero

G-Body Guru
Nov 24, 2016
729
1,916
93
Northcoast, Cleveland, Ohio
Fellow D88 owner here as well. Congrats! I previously had an 84 with a 307 and a 200R4 overdrive. I'm surprised yours has the TH350, unless it was swapped in place of the OD. Many people did that. It was a very good car. I bought it 10 years old from the southern US and drove it 1600 miles home where it became my daily driver for 10 years. I put over 150,000 miles on it in those years before I scrapped it. Winters severely took their toll. If it has the aluminum intake manifold, look for it to give you leaking issues. I also had to have the trans overhauled just over 100,000 miles. If it still has the plastic timing gear set, change it NOW!

I currently have this 78 D88 with an Olds 350 and TH350 trans. I absolutely LOVE this car and drive it daily from April through Thanksgiving. It's unrestored other than one repaint over 25 years ago. Still old school with no computer controls. Currently has 102,000 miles. I bought it seven years ago with 66,000 miles.

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pagrunt

Geezer
Sep 14, 2014
9,122
15,255
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Elderton, Pa
Welcome & nice ride. Got to figure out a way to keep those New York plates in view after you get your classic plates. Not pushing you away but we have our sister site https://bbodyforum.com/ that many of our members are also on. Just like our G's (& A's for some of us), we like the B's too. (y)
 
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Oct 14, 2008
8,806
7,746
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Melville,Saskatchewan
Also surprised on a 84 having the 3spd TH350, does it have OD on the gear indicator? It would be a TH350C if factory. I heard the 2004r died routinely around 130,000 km back in the day. I had a 81 Delta 88 4 door, 307/TH250C. The best car our family ever owned, got over 400,000 km out of it, even more out of the 307/TH250C, put it in a 78 1/2 ton.
 

KCP

Master Mechanic
Oct 11, 2018
421
1,004
93
Bavaria, Germany
Welcome from Bavaria!
Where are you located?
 

1984_Delta88

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 12, 2019
7
7
3
Wilkommen 1984_Delta88! We actually have several members here in Germany, Martin S., KCP. They would probably be better equipped to give you advice in terms of navigating laws and regulations specific to Germany.

Dankeschön 😊 Well the problems are technical issues, not legal. Still I also read german Olds groups.

Biggest issue is: I need to get the Smog system back running. Then additionally some missing connectors here and there that I can not find in any of my manuals. Small oil leakages…
In general, the engine runs very smooth. Did test drive it for several 100km (which equals several hundred miles 😉 ). But for inspection missing hoses and connectors can cause trouble. Also I understood that a not working A.I.R. Smog System will cause problems in exhaust emission testing.:cautious:



Did an Olds 350 or 403 come with in the trunk?

:D I wish it was…
You are right. The 307 might be a “grandma’s choice” engine. But to be honest, after several years of turbocharged vehicles with too much horsepower I am kind of fine with the Olds performance. Maybe I am getting too old (and I am only in my late 30s 😉 )
Plus, I really got it cheap. Well compared to Europe prices, not US Prices. :cry:

Well, and if I do need another winter project, I heard a 350 or 403 will bolt right up.


Fellow D88 owner here as well. Congrats! I previously had an 84 with a 307 and a 200R4 overdrive. I'm surprised yours has the TH350, unless it was swapped in place of the OD. Many people did that. It was a very good car. I bought it 10 years old from the southern US and drove it 1600 miles home where it became my daily driver for 10 years. I put over 150,000 miles on it in those years before I scrapped it. Winters severely took their toll. If it has the aluminum intake manifold, look for it to give you leaking issues. I also had to have the trans overhauled just over 100,000 miles. If it still has the plastic timing gear set, change it NOW!

I currently have this 78 D88 with an Olds 350 and TH350 trans. I absolutely LOVE this car and drive it daily from April through Thanksgiving. It's unrestored other than one repaint over 25 years ago. Still old school with no computer controls. Currently has 102,000 miles. I bought it seven years ago with 66,000 miles.


Thanks for the hints. I will keep an eye on it.
I also will check the timing gear set. Already read about it. But in general this car is very well maintained. New shocks, new belts, new spark plugs and so on. Is there any chance to see if it was replaced lately besides of worn tooth ?
Is there an improved version (metal)?
What needs to be removed before disassembling the cover? Do I need to remove the crank bolt and everything to check the timing gears or the play of the chain? I guess so…
There is no sticker in the engine bay and I also can not contact the previous owner.

BTW: Black Olds with black Vinyl and black interior Looks great :oops:(y)


Welcome & nice ride. Got to figure out a way to keep those New York plates in view after you get your classic plates. Not pushing you away but we have our sister site https://bbodyforum.com/ that many of our members are also on. Just like our G's (& A's for some of us), we like the B's too. (y)
Wow… that’s pretty weird:doh:.
I googled and did only find the G-Body Forums. Especially some interesting threads about the smog pump system. Maybe I need to register over there too. Thanks for the hint.

I’ll also keep the plate… I think I’ll attach some magnets to the back so I can place them over the historic ones on car meets etc.:giggle:



Also surprised on a 84 having the 3spd TH350, does it have OD on the gear indicator? It would be a TH350C if factory. I heard the 2004r died routinely around 130,000 km back in the day. I had a 81 Delta 88 4 door, 307/TH250C. The best car our family ever owned, got over 400,000 km out of it, even more out of the 307/TH250C, put it in a 78 1/2 ton.

My bad… was a copy/paste mistake. It should be a THM200. 3spd with no OD.


Welcome from Bavaria!
Where are you located?

Close to the Ruhrgebiet ;-)
 
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Oct 14, 2008
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Wow that is extremely rare in those big cars, the TH200C. Does it say Metric on the trans pan? Nearly everyone I have seen past 83, unless diesel had the TH2004R.
 
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