OLDS Olds owner again.

[g0thiac]

Well, I had to let the Pontiac Parisienne and the Chevrolet Caprice go.

Both were more projects, than I can now take on, now that I have a partner and am going to trade school.

Anyway, years ago I was on this forum, but under a different username back when I owned my first old GM car- it was a white 1983 Delta 88 coupe, that I bought in Alberta for $400 out of a barn 5 years ago.

Red brougham interior. It took me everywhere. Only issue body wise was rust, as the place it was stored in had rain and snow get in.

Even when the water pump went, and the engine overheated to the point of starting a fire- that Olds 307 still ran after til the day it was used for recycled metals.

Caprice was a bullsh*t situation, but at least it was spared being used for parts or turned into coke cans 🤷‍♀️🤣🤣🤣

Anyway, long story short... I was looking several years since for a Delta 88 coupe.

Well yesterday I found one, and I am tears thinking about it's now mine.

1979. 2 door. Oldsmobile Holiday 88.

 

[g0thiac]

 

[g0thiac]

 

[g0thiac]

This vehicle doesn't need much, to be safetied. So it is staying off the Ontario winter roads, and it will be undercoated, after new floors because chances are, it's going to be rough.

But heres the real issue- the motor, according to the owner before me said it "suddenly" started to tick, possibly knock so that is why he is selling it.

Well I can kinda get an impression why, really I think he had no idea where the dipstick tube was 🤔😂😂😂

 

[g0thiac]

Anyone from Ontario, who has experience with Olds motors- and would like a job to rebuild the thing?

PM RATES PLS 🥺🤣

Sorry for the long posts, but I love this ride and am excited to drive something that doesn't call for hours of welding 🤦‍♀️😂😂😂

Thanks!! -Chris.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Nice Delta 88. Those early years are nicest of that body style. Start with checking the rocker arms. They wear and Olds are non adjustable. Stock replacements, including bridges are readily available. Honestly the 76 and older Olds 350 are a better starting point for a full rebuild. The factory 3A heads are crack prone plus the windowed main webs. Plus you can keep the car mobile while they are building another 350. The Olds V8, 307's and late 70's 350's survived Reservation duty with no oil changes for most of their lives better than the sbc till about the early-mid 80's. Finally less flat cams and oil burning. Part of the reason for my Olds V8 Fandom was what the local First Nations put them through. Also make sure it isn't an exhaust leak at the manifolds or crossover. Too bad Dale Robinson is so backed logged. He is famous for the 450 HP Olds 307 but is at least a year out for builds. Where in Ontario are you?

 

[g0thiac]

Nice Delta 88. Those early years are nicest of that body style. Start with checking the rocker arms. They wear and Olds are non adjustable. Stock replacements, including bridges are readily available. Honestly the 76 and older Olds 350 are a better starting point for a full rebuild. The factory 3A heads are crack prone plus the windowed main webs. Plus you can keep the car mobile while they are building another 350. The Olds V8, 307's and late 70's 350's survived Reservation duty with no oil changes for most of their lives better than the sbc till about the early-mid 80's. Finally less flat cams and oil burning. Part of the reason for my Olds V8 Fandom was what the local First Nations put them through. Also make sure it isn't an exhaust leak at the manifolds or crossover. Too bad Dale Robinson is so backed logged. He is famous for the 450 HP Olds 307 but is at least a year out for builds. Where in Ontario are you?

Ok, will do. Like honestly this motor, based on the oil alone I can tell is not worth tons of money.

I have found a few SBO, and even big
block for sale, however I have to save $$$$ for now.

In the Trenton area, I am a 15 minute drive from the air base.

 

[Local Hero]

Love the Holiday. Mine is not, but at least it's a Coupe. '78 D88. Like you I previously had an 84 Delta 88 Coupe that was white with the red interior.

 

[clean8485]

Nice score on the Holiday 88! I've always liked them. Kind of rare with the buckets and console too. I've noticed prices going up on the full size GM cars within the past year or 2. I would echo what Olds 307 and 403 has said, about finding a good engine core, and getting it rebuilt for your car. Once that's done, then you can swap engines, and be back on the road in short order.

 

[78Delta88]

Nice looking Delta. Mine was stolen before completion. Even in AZ coupes are hard to find.