1992 Olds 88 revival
#1
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
1992 Olds 88 revival
So...here'* what I'm working with.
Backstory:
The vehicle is an original one owner car. It was purchased new in 1992 by my wife'* grandma, who was then 70. Grandma drove it for the past 22 years, including the past 10 when she really should not have been driving at all. Vehicle is well used and abused, having mostly gone to church, the store, and to appointments for most of its life. Almost purely city miles. Has a new trunk and rear bumper after being backed into a landscaping truck about 2 years ago. Passenger mirror has been gone for...at least 8 years. Front end was rearranged about a year ago, precipitating the loss of driver'* license for grandma. Vehicle spent most of the past 18 months sitting in a carport.
On to the pics!
Sideview. Note the 100% Natural Broken Parking Brake Alternative (patent pending):
Front view, AKA Something'* missing here...and yes, that is black duct tape holding in the driver'* turn signal lens.
Passenger door, AKA Something'* missing here part two:
More missing parts. Maybe they took a vacation together.
Also, note the 11 year old Goodyears. Only 10,000 miles on these whitewalls!
Why my radio reception is awful. Hopefully just a corroded ground bus.
The best part of the car:
Good old Series I. Note the broken oil dipstick. No idea.
Oil leaks. Any clues?
Waaaaaaait. What'* that?
Aww, [profanity]. Well, this explains the low coolant. Wonder if JB Weld will hold for a while...
Known issues:
-Parking brake does not work.
-Rear drum brakes are shot, complete with leaking wheel cylinders.
-Suspension is bad. No creaking, but bounces a ton and nosedives badly.
-Missing front bumper.
-Missing passenger side mirror.
-AC blows warm. Will likely try a simple R134A conversion.
-Service Engine light on with DTC codes 13 and 44.
-Engine oil leak?
-Cracked radiator.
-Broken coolant return reservoir.
-Sounds like an exhaust leak.
-Power antenna stuck down.
-Headliner sagging badly.
-Broken center console/armrest.
-Doors will not lock by internal power lock buttons. Only manually or by the keyfob.
-Plenty of burned out lights.
Repairs completed:
-Off with the 11 year old Goodyears! On with new General Altimax RT43 205/70/15T rubber.
-New wipers, old ones shredded the first time I tried them.
-New battery.
Backstory:
The vehicle is an original one owner car. It was purchased new in 1992 by my wife'* grandma, who was then 70. Grandma drove it for the past 22 years, including the past 10 when she really should not have been driving at all. Vehicle is well used and abused, having mostly gone to church, the store, and to appointments for most of its life. Almost purely city miles. Has a new trunk and rear bumper after being backed into a landscaping truck about 2 years ago. Passenger mirror has been gone for...at least 8 years. Front end was rearranged about a year ago, precipitating the loss of driver'* license for grandma. Vehicle spent most of the past 18 months sitting in a carport.
On to the pics!
Sideview. Note the 100% Natural Broken Parking Brake Alternative (patent pending):
Front view, AKA Something'* missing here...and yes, that is black duct tape holding in the driver'* turn signal lens.
Passenger door, AKA Something'* missing here part two:
More missing parts. Maybe they took a vacation together.
Also, note the 11 year old Goodyears. Only 10,000 miles on these whitewalls!
Why my radio reception is awful. Hopefully just a corroded ground bus.
The best part of the car:
Good old Series I. Note the broken oil dipstick. No idea.
Oil leaks. Any clues?
Waaaaaaait. What'* that?
Aww, [profanity]. Well, this explains the low coolant. Wonder if JB Weld will hold for a while...
Known issues:
-Parking brake does not work.
-Rear drum brakes are shot, complete with leaking wheel cylinders.
-Suspension is bad. No creaking, but bounces a ton and nosedives badly.
-Missing front bumper.
-Missing passenger side mirror.
-AC blows warm. Will likely try a simple R134A conversion.
-Service Engine light on with DTC codes 13 and 44.
-Engine oil leak?
-Cracked radiator.
-Broken coolant return reservoir.
-Sounds like an exhaust leak.
-Power antenna stuck down.
-Headliner sagging badly.
-Broken center console/armrest.
-Doors will not lock by internal power lock buttons. Only manually or by the keyfob.
-Plenty of burned out lights.
Repairs completed:
-Off with the 11 year old Goodyears! On with new General Altimax RT43 205/70/15T rubber.
-New wipers, old ones shredded the first time I tried them.
-New battery.
#2
Senior Member
True Car Nut
That'* not a bad looking boat you got there. In hindsight, I would have taken a different approach on the tire size myself (I just moved up to P215/70R15'* and think that may be a step up, but that could be new tires talking too), but that can be addressed on the next round if you wish.
It doesn't look half bad at all. Just be very careful getting her legs stretched, but in the end it'* worth it. It looks like there is a fair bit of work to do, but if it survives the transition, it should treat you very well for years to come. Regarding the radiator, if you try and patch it with anything, make sure it is clean and dry. You may as well just submit to the inevitable and replace it now and be done with it, only to find the next weakest component.
I have never seen one of that generation with a hood ornament though. That is mighty interesting.
It doesn't look half bad at all. Just be very careful getting her legs stretched, but in the end it'* worth it. It looks like there is a fair bit of work to do, but if it survives the transition, it should treat you very well for years to come. Regarding the radiator, if you try and patch it with anything, make sure it is clean and dry. You may as well just submit to the inevitable and replace it now and be done with it, only to find the next weakest component.
I have never seen one of that generation with a hood ornament though. That is mighty interesting.
#4
Retired
I've had the same issue with the radiator. JB weld wouldn't cut it because the crack would just grow bigger. I tried to use my soldering iron and "weld" it shut, but no good either. Your better off in the long run to just bite the bullet and get a new radiator.
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Retired Administrator
2002 *-10 5.7 V8
2023 Jeep Rubicon Diesel
Retired Administrator
2002 *-10 5.7 V8
2023 Jeep Rubicon Diesel
#5
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
Will 94-95 front bumpers fit my 92?
As we can see, I need a new front end.
Do I need to limit my search to 92-93 models, or will the 94-95 fit as well? I can tell the grille changed, but I'm not sure about the bumper itself or anything else.
And I still have no idea why I have a hood ornament, it came that way from the dealer according to grandma.
Do I need to limit my search to 92-93 models, or will the 94-95 fit as well? I can tell the grille changed, but I'm not sure about the bumper itself or anything else.
And I still have no idea why I have a hood ornament, it came that way from the dealer according to grandma.
#9
Senior Member
True Car Nut
That is wheel well trim, I tried finding a part name, or part number, but I could not find either.
Here is a good site to use to find scrap yards that have your same year car, it may help you find the trim you are looking for.
Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market
I am with Randall on that hood emblem, did somebody put a hood from another year 88 on there?
I've only ever seen the emblem on the front in between the grills, for that year anyway.
Here is a good site to use to find scrap yards that have your same year car, it may help you find the trim you are looking for.
Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market
I am with Randall on that hood emblem, did somebody put a hood from another year 88 on there?
I've only ever seen the emblem on the front in between the grills, for that year anyway.
#10
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Yeah, 92-95 bumpers should work, use the same link I provided above to find the bumper, there are quite a few listed in TN.
NOTE: I am merging this thread with your other thread, as they both are about reviving the car via getting the parts it needs.
Hmmm, when merging the threads for some reason it merged them incorrectly, the post where you asked about the name of the part that is missing above your "passenger rear tire" was placed under the Revival threads posts, and the other posts from the Bumper question thread were placed under that, weird... Sorry about that.
NOTE: I am merging this thread with your other thread, as they both are about reviving the car via getting the parts it needs.
Hmmm, when merging the threads for some reason it merged them incorrectly, the post where you asked about the name of the part that is missing above your "passenger rear tire" was placed under the Revival threads posts, and the other posts from the Bumper question thread were placed under that, weird... Sorry about that.