The Blue Whale

My 1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser. I'm the second owner, with 94k miles on her. The original owner passed away, and the shop that maintained the car it's whole life sold it to me on behalf of the widow. They also put new tires and brakes on before selling it, which only sweetened the deal.

This looks very nice try not to drive her in the snow and salt....

Beautiful wagon you have there and trust me I know.My 91 OCC had 54000 miles on it when I bought it from the original owner about 10 years ago.It presently has about 75000 miles showing,please dont drive that on any nasty salty/sandy roads.

Very sharp! Good luck with it!   

Nice. I normally do not like blue but do like the non-wood OCC blue ones. The grill always sets these wagons off nicely!

Thanks guys! Enjoying it so far.

Hate to say it but I do drive her everyday, in the snow and salt. I plan on getting it Fluid Film coated underneath this week and then keeping up the treatment every year before winter hits.

Ford rear sway bar installed today. The components that went into the install:



17mm rear bar and new endlinks scavenged from a junkyard 98 Mercury Grand Marquis, and Prothane universal 17mm bushing kit. Fairly easy install, hoping it'll tighten up the handling.

Same route that I took. It helps the handling greatly.

Careful though, some people may give you major grief for using the muffler clamps instead of u bolts and welded perches.

Sway bar is still working great, for you muffler clamp naysayers.....not that I've seen any.

Also, this is happening.....



I did get the rear seat too....

Those are some nice looking Bonnies! Looks like a near perfect color match too.

Thanks! They took a bit of work to clean up, but worth it. They came out of a 92 B-ville and the color match is spot on perfect. Fabric is a different style but thats why I got the rear seat

Looking good and handling better too!

Well, got the seats in. Really weird after getting use to the couch-like front seats. The bonnes are stiff and hug you really well. My gf likes them....I'm on the fence, I'm sure I will grow to love them..

I hate all the looseness of our original front seats...Still on the hunt for Bonnes in my colors...

Andebe wrote:

I hate all the looseness of our original front seats...Still on the hunt for Bonnes in my colors...

Ohh yes, if you want some nice tight seats they are the way to go. If you do find some red seats, grab the rear as well.

Thats what she said...  

heh heh

Oh uhhhh....sweeet





I do like them

Looks awesome with those bonnies in place!

So jealous!!!! Console next?

Now you need one of these...

Thinking about hunting down a S10 console similar to the one Stingroo has. Console cupholders instead of the cupholder tray that blocks the HVAC controls.

I've already found one of these wheels in the junkyard, just gotta go back to get it next week....Looks great in the OCC

Beautiful car nice score on the seats and steering wheel!

Wait that tray is for cups? and and here I thought it was for a little pistol, (Ruger LC9 fits perfectly in that tray).

Nice steering wheel I love the look.

Love the progress!

I had a car like that once...and a wheel like that once...but I sold it for a bag of magic beans....

Thanks guys! I actually haven't driven it for a few weeks, it developed a nasty hesitation issue, turns out the distributor is totally junk...been driving my C10 while waiting for a new distributor to come in. I love this truck but it's nothing like the Olds....rides hard and inside is quite loud from the road noise.



Got the new distributor in yesterday.....hope to get it stabbed in and solve all my problems! ha

Went on a craigslist adventure last night to pickup the next mod for the OCC.



Price was right and the guy was cool. Had a sizable garage stuffed with Chevelles. I could've drolled over them all night, but I had to get back on the road.

Updates to my issues I was having. Replaced the distributor with an aftermarket off ebay, and put in a new AC Delco ignition module. Car has been running like a dream and just turned over 99k miles last night. My baby is growing up so fast! lol. Transmission is getting lazy again however, time for another fluid change.

81X11 wrote:

I had a car like that once...and a wheel like that once...but I sold it for a bag of magic beans....

Stupidity is painful just never enough to do any good!

I like this whale! It has comfy seats!

Oooooh Muncie 4 speed!

stewzer55 wrote:

Oooooh Muncie 4 speed!

Well it is a 4 speed. GM A833 out of an early 80's C10 truck. 4th gear is overdrive, similar ratios to a 700R4. Speaking of which next week I'm getting the "new" gearset and shifter.

Also finally pulled together a set of door courtesy lights. Yesterday I found of set of blue ones in a Caprice, popped them all apart for cleaning, and installed the clear lenses from a set of Roadmaster lights.



Now I just need the dye for the rear lights.

Sneak peak of next season



Now, the question is blackwall or whitewall out. I'm thinking blackwall.

Steelies and dog dishes, YES!

So not much is happening mod-wise. About a week after Wagonfest '14 the water pump starting gushing coolant. New waterpump from Oreillys and it's been good since. Just been changing the oil since, been very reliable.

This weekend took a short trip to NYC, had alot of fun. Took the Olds since it's our best car right now, was really nervous but everything went fine, car did not get a scratch.

I call this short series "Eric vs. The City of New York. My gf got a few pics of us cruising the streets of Manhattan.





And parked up near Battery Park.

Nice Photos!

stewzer55 wrote:

Steelies and dog dishes, YES!

Ive chosen you for a random drug screening....

81X11 wrote:

I had a car like that once...and a wheel like that once...but I sold it for a bag of magic beans....

I know this is dragging up and old post buttttttttttttt,his pain and genuine heart ache made me crack up and choked on my drink lil bit. How did those beans work out for you Jack?

Nice pics in the city. The wagon feels a bit bigger on some of those streets, doesn't it?

Yea a bit. However it handled excellent, tight turning radius for quick maneuvers, plenty of power to get out of the way. It would get interesting when I'd go down a side street packed with parked cars and trucks making deliveries. Otherwise it was fun. I drove from Grand Central across to Central Park, from there I worked my way down to Battery Park. Half the time I was hanging with the New Yorkers and the other half taxi cabs where whipping around me. My gf was quite glad I was driving, and not her haha.

I'd do it again, but I'm looking around for a 93-96 Fleetwood to use as a winter car/touring car for these city trips. Too many easily damaged hard to find parts on the OCC.

MalibuSSwagon wrote:

Went on a craigslist adventure last night to pickup the next mod for the OCC.



Price was right and the guy was cool. Had a sizable garage stuffed with Chevelles. I could've drolled over them all night, but I had to get back on the road.

Are you really going to install it to your OCC?
I once had a 1/2 ton GMC with that same transmission, and there's no doubt it was the worst part of that truck. It was a pain to drive, since it had a tall 1st and big gaps between gears, and that sloppy sideloader leverage. I can imagine going through all the trouble swapping an OD A833 out and a th700r4 in, but not the other way around. My truck had a 6.2-liter diesel; it should be a little less unbearable with a gas engine, but I don't think it would make it any fun, though.
I wrote this with respect: I don't want to offend you and I wouldn't want to be the only negative guy on this thread, but I felt I just had to share my personal experience with the said transmission.

Anyway, I love your car! Great that your NY trip went fine! Road salt is a bitch here too. I dream of someday importing a healthy longroof from southwest U.S., and then driving it only in summers.

Andebe wrote:

stewzer55 wrote:

Steelies and dog dishes, YES!

Ive chosen you for a random drug screening....

I'm clean, besides, my Olds is on 9C1 wheels and I love it.

I was randomly selected for a drug screen on my birthday at the end of January. Passed it with flying colors.

stewzer55 wrote:

Andebe wrote:

stewzer55 wrote:

Steelies and dog dishes, YES!

Ive chosen you for a random drug screening....

I'm clean, besides, my Olds is on 9C1 wheels and I love it.

I was randomly selected for a drug screen on my birthday at the end of January. Passed it with flying colors.

Hmmmmmmm,I better keep an eye on you. Before you know it you will be saying,where can I find some white walls?

andy caprice wrote:

MalibuSSwagon wrote:

Went on a craigslist adventure last night to pickup the next mod for the OCC.

Price was right and the guy was cool. Had a sizable garage stuffed with Chevelles. I could've drolled over them all night, but I had to get back on the road.

Are you really going to install it to your OCC?
I once had a 1/2 ton GMC with that same transmission, and there's no doubt it was the worst part of that truck. It was a pain to drive, since it had a tall 1st and big gaps between gears, and that sloppy sideloader leverage. I can imagine going through all the trouble swapping an OD A833 out and a th700r4 in, but not the other way around. My truck had a 6.2-liter diesel; it should be a little less unbearable with a gas engine, but I don't think it would make it any fun, though.
I wrote this with respect: I don't want to offend you and I wouldn't want to be the only negative guy on this thread, but I felt I just had to share my personal experience with the said transmission.

Anyway, I love your car! Great that your NY trip went fine! Road salt is a bitch here too. I dream of someday importing a healthy longroof from southwest U.S., and then driving it only in summers.

Thanks for your input. Most people have actually reported good experiences with these transmissions, sorry to see it wasn't so with yours. Maybe it was just really worn out? Regardless I have revised my plan. No point in putting in a weak transmission when I also plan to upgrade the engine at some point. Future plan is to put in a TKO600 5 speed, distant future plan is to build a iron block LS6 for a little more power. There secret is out! Who knows if this plan will stick, but I do already have a 4.8 block to build. Just saving my pennies up.

Constructive criticism is fine! Not all is lost, I plan on finishing the rebuild of the transmission and selling it later this year, lots of guys are seeking this transmission out as it's fairly rare, and I have all the bits and pieces now including the factory Hurst shifter.

I do also have some issues that need immediate attention.

My brakes are ...scary to say the least. Anything over half pedal pressure and the front end vibrates to the point were I feel like steering control is reduced. It's pretty bad. I think I wasted them on the steep hills near my parents house, being an automatic there is no downshifting like with a manual. I would like to do the Astro brake upgrade but I don't have access to a lathe.

I've been noticing some faint scraping noise from the rear end lately. but after the NY trip this weekend the noise is much more pronounced. I also noticed it goes away on turns. I'm thinking wasted axle since I've seen gear oil coming out on the braking plates. Cleaning out my garage this week and will get the car in and pull the drums to see whats up. Luckily I have a line on a TBI tow pack axle from a member here, hoping to be able to pick that up soon and begin that project.

And lastly the 700R4. It's been an issue from day one. When I first got the car I changed the fluid and the old fluid brownish black. Not good. I changed the fluid twice since then and the transmission works like new for about 1k miles and then goes back to it's old tricks. It slams into 2nd gear sometimes, takes a few seconds to engage when shifting into reverse or drive. And is just not smooth. I'd rather be driving manual anyways, so saving up for a a TKO600. Hoping to get thru this season at least. GF is going to be doing an internship for her degree this fall, so I gotta hustle if I want expensive toys.

just out and about. Got the car running again after find out the distributor cap melted, all good now after installing some AC Delco replacements.



Runs great but the engine needs attention, leaky intake gaskets got coolant and oil leaking out the front and just blowing oil out the back. Soon it will go into the garage for some detailing and maintenance before Wagonfest.

At Wagonfest 2015



OCC has been sitting in my garage since I got back. Needs a list of things. Intake gaskets, t-stat, oil pressure sender, etc. OPS just starts dripping oil when started. Been driving the 9C1 I picked up the weekend after WF.





I have all the parts for the OCC, It's just a matter of finding the time now. Been working on completing my garage and getting everything in order for the winter.

This deal happened last night too. Guy I know that lives up the road from me, he also has a C10. Stops by my house and we're talking, he says "yea I have a Tremec 5 speed I'm looking to sell, I think it's a 3550, want to come check it out" Ok sure. So go a half mile down the road and this is what I see.



I didn't waste any time paying him his asking price. TKO600 5 speed, Quicktime Scattersheild and I believe a McLeod hydro T/O bearing. We popped off the inspection plate and it looks brand new inside.

For C-10,or B-Body?

For the OCC.