The Oldsmobile Connection

[nac46]

Hi everyone, came to the font of all Olds knowledge. Am considering purchase of a "rare" (so the seller says) 63 Olds 98 Coupe. This is a long one so please bear with me.

His ad says: "The engine is a 394 CI with dealer installed two four barrels. The rare thing about this car is the factory 4 speed, yes I said factory 4 speed transmission. Options include AC (Non Functioning), PS, Cruise control, Tilt steering, AM-FM radio, Guidematic eye, Power bucket seat, Power rear antenna, Power windows, Under dash tissue dispenser, Speed warning, Power trunk release, and Vinyl roof."

When pressed for info on the dual quads and factory 4sp he said:
"The lettering on the side of the shifter says Hurst, this is what I beleive was refered to as a spaghetti shifter. The transmission is an M20. As far as the manifold and carbs go the intake has the part number OL263 on the top, the OL is for Oldsmobile, the 2 for two four barrel, and the 63 for the year. The carbs presently on the car are two Edelbrock 500's the original Carters were missing when I bought the car. I attempted to hunt them down but the original owners son put each carb on two seperate cars and they are gone."

Can anyone tell me if this is car/manifold/trans combo are factory or do they seem dealer installed or seller add ons? Any help will be welcome.

Thanks

[88 Coupe]

Hi nac46, hello everyone,

Welcome to TOC.

Quote: Can anyone tell me if this is car/manifold/trans combo are factory or do they seem dealer installed or seller add ons? ........
The manifold is aftermarket. I had one on my 394.



Quote: ........ OL is for Oldsmobile, the 2 for two four barrel, and the 63 for the year ........
It should fit all 394s from '59 to '64. The 2 would be part of the Edelbrock OL263 part number.

Quote: ........ the original owners son put each carb on two seperate cars and they are gone. ........
Olds never used two 4 barrels, and the original carb will not fit that manifold without adapters. You can draw your own conclusions.

Quote: ........ The rare thing about this car is the factory 4 speed ........
4 Speeds were optional from '59 on. It was not exactly a winning combo, and therefore did not prove very popular, even in the lighter 88s.

Quote: ........ Options include AC (Non Functioning), PS, Cruise control, Tilt steering, AM-FM radio, Guidematic eye, Power bucket seat, Power rear antenna, Power windows, Under dash tissue dispenser, Speed warning, Power trunk release, and Vinyl roof ........
All were normal options for a 98, except for the tissue box and the vinyl top. Tissue box came from an auto parts store, and the top was added during the '70s or later.

Not likely a fully optioned luxury car would have been ordered with a 4 spd, but it could have been. No way to tell if it came in the car from the factory or was put in later.

Quote: ........ lettering on the side of the shifter says Hurst ........
Hurst made aftermarket shifters at that time, but they did not come from GM in '63

Quote: ........ this is what I beleive was refered to as a spaghetti shifter ........
Never heard the term.

Quote: ........ The transmission is an M20.........
The 2.5 first gear is the only logical choice for a high geared, 2½ ton cruiser.

I don't think the "Muncie" appeared until after '64, but it could have a Borg Warner and the seller doesn't know the difference.

Regards, Norm

[nac46]

Thanks for the very detailed information and quick response!

[88 Coupe]

Glad I could help.

Norm