Flip Omega

[NONHOG]

3 Alternate tinkerings just not enough.

Like the idiot I am. I just cant stop dragging 'stuff' home. The latest object of my attention is a 74 Oldsmobile Omega. Nova's uglier sibling. Actually I like its looks. It does have the funky rear windows, not as sporty as the 68-72
Nova rear window.
This car was sitting at a lot less than a mile from my work for over a year.
Saw it advertised on CL and I walked up at lunch to see it. Made an offer over the phone and they took it. What to tell the Mrs.(?)
Turns out she likes it. I thought it would be a good 1st car for my 14y.o.
But he took an immediate dislike to it. Maybe nothing would be better.
As it sits now it will probably get flipped. Who knows.
Yet to have it run beyond the fuel in the bowl. Might need a fuel pump?
Has 350 4bbl with flowmaster exhaust and newer brakes. Interior is rough but body is going to be an easy fix.

at the lot


at home


350 Rocket

[Clyde65]

Your last line says your a "recovering Hoarder", looks like you may have regressed some, but I think that is a good thing, you are a personality saver, that thing has personality.

[NONHOG]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

Your last line says your a "recovering Hoarder", .

Funny I stopped and looked at that right before I hit 'submit' kinda made me laugh, you too huh?

So far I've done a quick scrub, popped the top off the Q-jet(which is tough these days with my old eyes) checked the plug gap, all were off but seemed recent. Found an invoice for brakes front and rear. Opened the trunk(lock cyl. bad) which had some ladies shoes in my wifes size.
Found out that the seat belt needs to be on for it to start. Took a few times of leaning under the dash trying to hear the relay that was clicking and all the sudden it would turn over. Sit up try again and no go. I did, in time, put 2 and 2 together.

Cleaner

Nice example.

Last night I found 4 GM bolt pattern slotted wheels on the side of the road with a 'free' sign. What luck!

[cam.man67]

Nice! Got a place in my heart for them Olds Omegas.

[rcbildr]

Nice car! Nothing wrong with the Nova's uglier siblings, I have a 72 ventura waiting for me to get to it.

[ERASER5]

My 74 Omega WAS my first car! It realy was my grama's grocery getter. Then Dad bought it, then me. My daughter keeps bugging me to fix it for her.

So, I will have to keep track of this thread.

Oh, you can unplug the seat belt harness under the drivers side seat. Guess how I know?

[NONHOG]

Originally Posted by cam.man67

Nice! Got a place in my heart for them Olds Omegas.

It is growing on me! I'm not really an Olds guy. I'm a car guy who happens to have a couple of Olds.
I do really like the fact its not something you see many of.

Originally Posted by rcbildr

Nice car! Nothing wrong with the Nova's uglier siblings, I have a 72 ventura waiting for me to get to it.

I like the Omega look, I'm mostly kidding about it being ugly. I do think the Ventura is better looking. Both look better (in 74) than the Nova. IMO

Originally Posted by ERASER5

My 74 Omega WAS my first car! So, I will have to keep track of this thread.

Oh, you can unplug the seat belt harness under the drivers side seat. Guess how I know?

Track of my thread? I want to see one (thread) on your car! Unplug sounds like a plan. Thanks!

[NONHOG]

This car gives me hope!


A "paint" hood mod. (no photoshop)

[NONHOG]

Pretty sure its fuel pump time.

http://youtu.be/1RCEWBPBark

4th(?) time I've had it run for 15-20 seconds. I'd think the pump would be
working by now if it were good.

[abebummy26]

If you lift your bum off the seat it will start my dad had a 74 nova he might be able to remember the plug for it under the dash
Posted via Mobile Device

[Sillyoldman]

That was the first car I drove. I really need to drive that car again!

[ERASER5]

Under the hood, above the vacuum booster, there is a relay reset. Push that. Maybe it will help. maybe not. I forget all the things that will trip it, but seat belts was one of them. If I restore my car, that is one of the systems that will go bye bye.

[rcbildr]

[QUOTE=NONHOG;4915112]***I like the Omega look, I'm mostly kidding about it being ugly. I do think the Ventura is better looking. Both look better (in 74) than the Nova. IMO***[QUOTE]

I understand about the joking. I also agree about the looks in 74. One of the ideas Ihave been tossing around is to find a 74 GTO nose for my Ventura...In 73 or 74 the GTO moved to the x body platform.

[Darkrider]

Nice old Omega! i used to have a '74 Omega S that was a V8 car like that one. It was given to me as a roller that needed a drive train and a rear window. Unfortunately i didnt have the funds or time i have now so it went to the Junk yard as a roller. But it came pretty close to being powered by a 425 Caddy V8 lol Side note this is something i learned about the word Nova when used in the GMs

Nova
Omega
Ventura
Acadian

[NONHOG]

Originally Posted by Sillyoldman

That was the first car I drove. I really need to drive that car again!

Now's your chance! It drives the fuel pump fixed it. Ran o.k. Till I pointed it downhill in the driveway and found out it does not like reverse.
It does look better with todays CL find. Front runners. Thinking this car may be a better home for the 455 I'm building?

[fryer1979]

I'd love to drive that as my first car. The BOP brand x-body cars are all kinds of cool. I'd love to find one as clean as that for an alternate tinkering....especially since I have this spare Olds 350 and th350 sitting here.....

[NONHOG]

Thanks for all the reply's. A bit surprised by the interest. I'm trying to decide a couple of things

1) attempt my 1st T350 rebuild or shell out 500. and be done with it.
I want to do it myself but really I have way too many projects as is.

2) figure out what direction I should take with it.

a) make it a runner, polish and flip?
b) add the 455 and make a sleeper/beater (cheap racer)
c) add the 455 and add hood scoop, maybe stripes for a muscle car look.
(expensive racer)

Leaning away from the flip idea, even if it is the most sensible idea.
Not really a sensible hobby we have here is it?

[Pop's C-10]

455 sleeper

[fryer1979]

Originally Posted by NONHOG

Thanks for all the reply's. A bit surprised by the interest. I'm trying to decide a couple of things

1) attempt my 1st T350 rebuild or shell out 500. and be done with it.
I want to do it myself but really I have way too many projects as is.

2) figure out what direction I should take with it.

a) make it a runner, polish and flip?
b) add the 455 and make a sleeper/beater (cheap racer)
c) add the 455 and add hood scoop, maybe stripes for a muscle car look.
(expensive racer)

Leaning away from the flip idea, even if it is the most sensible idea.
Not really a sensible hobby we have here is it?

I vote option "b". That's what I would do of the choices you list, love the sleeper idea. I don't know if you are interested in any opinions or not (or where you stand on your other projects either), but if it were mine here is what I would do: Clean the whole car up as best as possible, get the interior as fresh and new as possible, get that Olds 350 running good with some mild aftermarket "speed" parts, freshen up that transmission....and then just have a blast driving the hell out of it. But that's just me.

If you're serious about putting in a 455, you might want to hold off on rebuilding that th350. While they are great transmissions, they normally won't be able to hold up to the abuse it seems you want to put them through. The rebuild is simple enough (I did the th350 in my Camaro almost 12 years ago and have had zero issues with it), but you may want to consider investing that time and money into a good th400. Just my .02 though....

[ERASER5]

Originally Posted by Darkrider

Nice old Omega! i used to have a '74 Omega S that was a V8 car like that one. It was given to me as a roller that needed a drive train and a rear window. Unfortunately i didnt have the funds or time i have now so it went to the Junk yard as a roller. But it came pretty close to being powered by a 425 Caddy V8 lol Side note this is something i learned about the word Nova when used in the GMs

Nova
Omega
Ventura
Acadian

Apollo

[NONHOG]

Spent way too much time on the rear of the car today. Was fun but it did not help get the tranny pulled. Down to having to buy some whobbly extentions to get the last bolt from the bellhousing then its close to dropping.
Still have cooler lines and linkage to free up. I've decided to buck up and have the trans rebuild. I think its best as I have so much else going on.

Not sure how yet but I will trim the inner bumper way down because it weighs a bunch. I'll also pull the bumper in and probably cut a slice out of each eand and a little from the middle so I can lose the plastic filler pieces.
Might weld in a couple corners to run the Omega lights w/o the plastic rear filler. I think it will clean it up and have a OEM look still.

[NONHOG]

Look at all the dirt/rust from that back bumper must have weighed 5lbs.
The rest of the car is pretty rust free.

[oldtek]

that car kicks all kinds of ass! maby your kid will warm up to it in time.

[NONHOG]

Originally Posted by oldtek

that car kicks all kinds of ass!
Thanks
maby your kid will warm up to it in time.

I don't think so. Which is fine. If the Mrs. gets back to work I'd kinda like to keep it for myself. For now its trans time. Pulled it today and sending it to the shop tomorrow. In the truck.

[ERASER5]

Food for thought, a 200-4R has a universal bell housing. Bolts right up to a BOP engine.