The Oldsmobile Connection

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2401 Location: Canada

Hello all... Sad sad day in my life today. As I was changing songs, and looking down, this big crew cab GMC is turning left. I slammed on the brakes and it wasnt good enough. Those bastards left thier hitch receiver in, and totally, royally, thouroughly F*&KED my front end. I'm not saying its thier fault I decided to ram the receiver, but still. No damage AT ALL to them.

WE CAN REBUILD HER.... BETTER THAN BEFORE...

Hopefully it doesnt cost me six million dollars. I am doing it myself. Yes. All by my lonesome, just to see what kind of job an amateur can do. And we'll have to wait for the end of the project to grade my performance.

I need a new bumper, new grilles, fascia, right side fender (from a previous event), two new headlights (AGAIN!!!), new rad mounts (thank god the rad is fine), and whatever else I discover along the way.

I am looking into the possibility of just purchasing a whole front header from the wreckers. If that is the case, does anyone here know if the buick T-Type front header will just bolt on in place of mine?? From all the pictures I can find of those cars, the fenders, and everything looks like it all ends up in the same place. Possibly the reverse opening hood would screw me up though.

And from what I can see, I must commend the good people at oldsmobile for designing a car that is so forgiving... Most everything damaged here is built so it can be unbolted, and a new one bolted in place! Simple as finding the right parts to bolt!... Then I'll fill all my door dings, strip the trim down and paint. It'll be an educational experience.

Ill put up pics of the car tomorrow... Its a sad lookin sight.

Hans · Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 156 Location: Pocatello, Idaho

88delta88 wrote: Hello all... Sad sad day in my life today. As I was changing songs, and looking down, this big crew cab GMC is turning left. I slammed on the brakes and it wasnt good enough. Those bastards left thier hitch receiver in, and totally, royally, thouroughly F*&KED my front end. I'm not saying its thier fault I decided to ram the receiver, but still. No damage AT ALL to them.

WE CAN REBUILD HER.... BETTER THAN BEFORE...

Hopefully it doesnt cost me six million dollars. I am doing it myself. Yes. All by my lonesome, just to see what kind of job an amateur can do. And we'll have to wait for the end of the project to grade my performance.

I need a new bumper, new grilles, fascia, right side fender (from a previous event), two new headlights (AGAIN!!!), new rad mounts (thank god the rad is fine), and whatever else I discover along the way.

I am looking into the possibility of just purchasing a whole front header from the wreckers. If that is the case, does anyone here know if the buick T-Type front header will just bolt on in place of mine?? From all the pictures I can find of those cars, the fenders, and everything looks like it all ends up in the same place. Possibly the reverse opening hood would screw me up though.

And from what I can see, I must commend the good people at oldsmobile for designing a car that is so forgiving... Most everything damaged here is built so it can be unbolted, and a new one bolted in place! Simple as finding the right parts to bolt!... Then I'll fill all my door dings, strip the trim down and paint. It'll be an educational experience.

Ill put up pics of the car tomorrow... Its a sad lookin sight.

really sorry to hear that.

I did the same thing when I had my 87, the headlights were quite expensive from the dealer as the junk yards did not have them.

good luck.

OldsGuy · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 269 Location: Lees Summit MO

Sorry about the bad luck. When you get the bad parts off, look real close for radiator support damage or frame damage on the front. They could be bent ever so slightly which could cause alignment problems when the new parts are installed. Good luck.

BTW, I am with 100% of the votes for painting the same color, wait, I am the only one to vote so far :oops: , 1 of 1 is 100%, oh well. I say the same color because it will be easier, cost less and you wont have to worry about painting door jambs, under the hood, etc...

No53Alero · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 157 Location: CINCINNATI, OH

sorry to hear about the accident. I did that in my lowrider when I just got it except it involved rain, a sharp bend, too much speed, and endedd w/ me ramming a guard rail with my front then back quarter panel. It didn't stay wrecked for long though, about one day total. Had to get new header panel, 1 corner marker, and new driver's fender, and get back quarter panel pulled out. My car was mint before that, only had 82k miles! But I would check the frame and all as ever since then I've had a slight vibration when cruisin down the highway. Good Luck though, it's no too hard to do.

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2401 Location: Canada

I had an old body guy at work look it over, and he said its fixable. He said if I'd have taken the hit without absorbing the hitch receiver, it would have meant a LOT more damage...

Brando · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 3051 Location: Michigan, USA

damn kids and their stereos! :lol:
Should be a good learning experience fixing her up...

TOC Admin
Brando

BigBlockOlds · Joined: 04 Jan 2004 Posts: 171 Location: Ohio

88delta88 wrote: I had an old body guy at work look it over, and he said its fixable.

Anything can be fixed with enough money. Afterall, these cars were made by men, not God. ;)

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2401 Location: Canada

Thanks for all the support, guys, makes me want to fix her even more!!!

I got some of the parts I know I'll need from the wreckers. I found these items:

(canadian funds)
Bumper -$200
bare hadlight mounting header - $150
left hand grille -$50

Thank god I knew someone at the yard, and they sweet-talked and got it ALL for $150.00 even. Thats a deal and 1/2.

I need right hand grille, and at least one new headlight aswell. These items I couldnt get at the wreckers in town here. I'm debating whether or not to try and do body work on my hood and right hand fender, or buy new ones. I'm leaning towards the new ones. I will need a rad support aswell, but have to find all these items first. Anyone parting out???? :-)

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2401 Location: Canada

Ok... So, here are the first pictures of what I have to work with.

Pretty nasty, but at least I didnt damage the hood too badly.

I just came across an AWESOME deal today, someone is getting rid of thier 87 delta 88 with a dead motor for $40.00 canadian!!! He just wanted it gone. All the front end is there. How much better of a deal can one ask for??? Too bad I already forked out 150 bux for the bumper and front header...

85cieraholiday · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 5:10 pm Post subject:

It could be a lot worse, everything there looks challanging but fixable. I see what you posted before about the trail hitch being a good (well not good but u know what i mean) thing as the whole frontwould be a total loss (hood, etc) had it not been there to impact the bumper.

Brando · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 3051 Location: Michigan, USA

So, how's it coming along 88delta88?
Taking a second hand look, I'd have to agree...that trailer hitch saved your car from being completely totaled. At least you're okay.
Cars can be fixed...people aren't as easy to rebuild... :lol:

TOC Admin
Brando

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2401 Location: Canada

Ok, worked my ass off this weekend, and I got a LOT done. I will post a few pictures when it gets light enough to take some outside. I need to do some adjusting, to get my lines back, but other than that and some paint, she looks good! A lot better than she did look anyways. It was fun trying to figure out how to bend all the brackets and crossmembers back to normal!

GREAT learning experience, DEFINATELY recommend it to anyone in my predicament!

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2401 Location: Canada

OK... Pics up! Have a look and tell me what you think of my repair job so far... Keep in mind that nothing is lined up yet, I just fitted everything for reference.

I still need 2 new headlights, and a right-hand grille. No biggie. Still waiting to get my hands on that parts car!

Brando - I couldnt fit anymore pictures in my album! I cant find out how to delete some of the older pics I no longer want... Thats the only reason I used the newbie album.

Brando · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 3051 Location: Michigan, USA

88delta88 wrote: Brando - I couldnt fit anymore pictures in my album! I cant find out how to delete some of the older pics I no longer want... Thats the only reason I used the newbie album.

Tell me what ones you want deleted.
It's looking pretty good so far.

TOC Admin
Brando

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2401 Location: Canada

I didnt realise till now that I have clear cornering lenses!!! :-) whoopie!