Zindon

Hello everyone. I am a Brit travelling around North America in a 1972 Cutlass (which was cloned as 442 by a previous owner), and am starting to have one or two issues with the vehicle which are tough to fix on the road.

I have taken a 'career break' for a year to see a bit of the world. I have always been fascinated by North America so decided to make the trip across the pond. My uncle lives in Michigan so I have a base camp. I arrived in September 2011.

I found the car listed on eBay in Toledo, Ohio, and when I went to see it it was on a lift. The first thing the seller, a fantastic old boy mechanic, showed me was the fully undersealed chassis and new exhaust. I soon realised the car was in great condition and shortly afterwards I had the keys. Here's a picture very shortly after purchase, on a preliminary test run to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in northern Michigan:



Later that day, I had my first issue with the car. This happened:



Turns out all the tyres were well over the industry standard replacement age. (Please forgive my British spellings.) I splashed out on four new Firehawks and had them mounted letters out.







So then I set out on the epic journey. By this time it was October. I'd had a nervously difficulty time getting insurance; the state of Michigan would not let me event take a driving test as I only had a tourist visa, and one insurance agent (incorrectly as it turned out) told me I would not be able to get insurance in MI without a US license. Eventually I found an insurer who would cover me with my British license, and subsequently I could get plates and registration.

I won't cover the trip in great detail - if you're interested I have a blog at www.oliversinden.co.uk, though I'm sorry to say I'm way behind. I'm up to Washington DC on the blog, which was seven months ago. Here's a car-focused summary of the trip so far, mainly photographic.

The Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania:



Seneca Lake, New York:



Adirondack National Park, NY:



Green Mountain, Vermont:



The White Mountains of New Hampshire:



The USS Albacore, Portsmouth, New Hampshire:



The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, Massachusetts



Cape Cod, MA:



Newport, Rhode Island:



Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:



Liberty State Park, New Jersey (squint and you can see the Statue):



E Street and 10th Avenue, Belmar, New Jersey (I'm a Springsteen fan):



The Delaware coast:



The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Virginia:



The James River, Virginia:



(to be continued as I have hit the post length limit ... )

Zindon

Hershey, PA:

6nutyh.jpg

Back in Michigan for Christmas, 6300 miles travelled. It snowed.

c7poih.jpg

I put the car in a storage unit for the duration of my stay:

HqNaph.jpg

Before hitting the road again I visited the Oldsmobile museum in Lansing.

fRfwUh.jpg

I headed south for winter, but caught some snow in Auburn, Indiana:

RyV2wh.jpg

Of course I stopped at the Brickyard:

h9Nagh.jpg

In Cinncinati, Ohio, the car iced up so badly I had to borrow a scraper to get into the boot (British for trunk) to get my scraper. It still took me about twenty minutes before the car was ready to drive.

9xUMGh.jpg

New River Gorge, WV:

KDyDAh.jpg

Near the John Henry statue, WV:

USq8oh.jpg

A lake in North Carolina, not far from the Virginia border:

4rcZ2h.jpg

The site of the Wright Brothers' first flight, North Carolina:

KvHISh.jpg

Stone Mountain, Georgia:

crUIUh.jpg

Palm trees in Tampa Bay, Florida:

0djjTh.jpg

The Sunshine Skyway, Tampa Bay

eROFWh.jpg

Texarkana, Arkansas:

hQBX1h.jpg

Kansas Welcome Center:

UJKgrh.jpg

Some genuine tumbleweed I picked up on the interstate across Kansas. I was heading to Breckenridge, Colorado to meet some friends for a ski holiday.

jQViAh.jpg

After a great week of skiing, and the second oil change of the journey, I headed back to Michigan across Nebraska. This is North Platte, the largest railway switching yard in the USA:

e8YuTh.jpg

The arch across the interstate in eastern Nebraska:

8MPKnh.jpg

After another couple of weeks in Michigan, during which time I gave the car a thorough service and detail (still not picking up on the seized fan clutch, however), I set off east to Detroit.

The abandoned railway station:

6gRTKh.jpg

(to be continued again. I'm too verbose for this forum software. Next: Canada!)

Zindon

I crossed into Canada, where I was warmly welcomed as a Brit. God Save the Queen, indeed.

Niagara Falls, Ontario:

Z5AJ7h.jpg

Pole position at the Montreal Grand Prix circuit:

s48QHh.jpg

The Gilles Villeneuve Museum, Quebec:

nfLH9h.jpg

The Big Nickel, Sudbury, Ontario:

rCdeVh.jpg

Lake Superior. The drive from Sault Ste Marie to Thunder Bay is one of the best days of driving I have ever had.

wqjNmh.jpg

Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump, Alberta, Canada:

heMH3h.jpg

The spectacular Icefield Parkway, Alberta:

0atrPh.jpg

Kamloops Lake, British Columbia:

xjBFOh.jpg

Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver, BC:

qpwIih.jpg

Green Lake, Whistler, BC:

XtupHh.jpg

The Sea-to-Sky Highway, BC:

pPBleh.jpg

On Vancouver Island I had the first major issue of the trip. The seized fan clutch finally took its toll. A fan blade let go:

JP916h.jpg

I finally had a use for all those tools I was carrying around. I removed the whole fan and clutch assembly and continued to the next town (Port Alberni, BC) where I learned that parts for forty year old American cars are harder to get in Canada than the USA. I got myself mobile again with a crappy aftermarket electric fan which I was forced to mount through the radiator with zip-tie thingys. Wired to a switch inside the car, it did the job. Also I started to have intermittent ignition issues, which at the time I couldn't diagnose.

Vancouver Island:

5YBDgh.jpg

I crossed back into the USA into Washington state.

Seattle, WA (the car is in the picture):

1ni6dh.jpg

In Seattle the ignition problem became more serious. I lost all ignition on I-405. The problem was obvious - the connector to the HEI had come off. With some help from the Washington State Highway Maintenance department, I got to a hardware store, bought a new spade connector and was back in business.

Mount Rainier, WA:

NSyfth.jpg

Mount St Helens, WA:

HDCuOh.jpg

(In the next instalment... the jerry-rigged electric fan causes problems.)

Zindon

By the time I got to Portland, Oregon, one the electric fan zip ties had cut through the rad and I was having temperature issues. I decided to ditch the electric system and go back to the original setup, despite the fact my gas mileage was about three mpg better with the electric rig. A new clutch was $30 from NAPA, and they pointed me in the direction of a classic car parts store in Portland where I might be able to get a fan. In the store (Dan's Classics) I met a fantastic guy called Tim who offered to help me fix the car at his place. I ended up staying in his spare room after a whole day of old car chat and tinkering. He soldered up the hole in my rad and fixed a few other issues as well.

The Cutlass and Tim's friend's 64 Impala, which Tim had previously owned and restored :

XtBS6h.jpg

With my temperature gauge back where it should be I continued south.

The stunning Oregon coast:

EOqtch.jpg

The equally stunning Crater Lake, Oregon:

O8RbLh.jpg

Driving through a tree in the Redwood forests of northern California:

M7Op6h.jpg

California Route 1, surely one of the best roads in the USA:

six5sh.jpg

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA:

svlxvh.jpg

Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, CA:

iSOuNh.jpg

The Hollywood sign from Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, CA:

mUPY2h.jpg

La Jolla, San Diego. At this time I was celebrating the Queen's Jubilee with a Union flag on the car.

Un8vHh.jpg

Salvation Mountain, CA. The desert would turn out to test the cooling system beyond its capabilities.

fIzuAh.jpg

Saguarro National Park, Tucson, Arizona:

GYqcmh.jpg

Looking over Juarez, Mexico from El Paso, Texas:

hgnBAh.jpg

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX:

GZtzMh.jpg

Sedona, Arizona:

JIfmKh.jpg

At this point the radiator developed leaks in three places: at both end tanks, and the soldered repair. The car still runs fine, just hotter. Instead of the 180-190 Fahrenheit I was used to, it's now at 200 plus. 230 is where I get worried and turn on the heater, but that is only climbing a hill in extreme heat. For example, Nevada route 190 out of Las Vegas towards Pahrump, Nevada. I was climbing a hill, coolant temp at about 230, when I saw smoke out the back. It turned out to be transmission fluid burning off on the exhaust. I decided to use my AAA card for the first time other than for museum discounts and called for a tow.


Not a pretty sight:

xzAzAh.jpg

At the garage the mechanic got the car on a lift, which was worth the $100 on its ow. There was lots of oil under the car - it's always had an engine oil leak, from the rear main seal, which I understand to be a common issue on these engines. The transmission fluid was coming from the vent tube, which led the mechanic to tell me I needed a full trans rebuild, and launched into how he would have to drop the exhaust to get the box out, and how that would be time-consuming as the bolts would probably shear, etc. etc. I could see the dollar signs in his eyes. The transmission had been rebuilt by the previous owner who I trusted to have done a decent job. I suggested it was just overheating due to the rad leaks, and of course the transmission fluid is cooled though a heat exchanger in the rad. He compromised by rigging up a hose from the vent tube back to the transmission fluid dipstick. I continued.

I got through Death Valley with no problems. The white sign on the cliff indicate sea level:

lyRgPh.jpg

I had to turn on the heater at one point on the way out of Death Valley.

Yosemite National Park:

UT5Kyh.jpg

Lake Tahoe:

KQAEYh.jpg

Bonneville Speedway, Utah:

CCoijh.jpg

Kolob Canyons, Zion National Park, Utah:

NORxrh.jpg

And here I am, writing this from St George, Utah. My route from here will take me east to the other National Parks of Utah back into Colorado, then north to Wyoming, west to Idaho, then north and east through Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, then the Upper Peninsula of Michigan before another stop with my uncle in southwest MI, then Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, before Houston, Texas, from where I will put the car on a boat and ship it home.

That is, assuming it gets there. The current issues, in order of importance:

• Radiator leaking in three places
• Brakes making a intermittent grinding noise - shoes worn? (This car has drums all round)
• Possible transmission problem, as discussed could simply be a cooling issue because of the radiator
• Oil leaking from rear seal and also somewhere at the front
• Cracked driver's side exhaust manifold. The seller gave me a spare - it's in the trunk. I was JB Welding it every few days but got sick of that and just let it leak. Annoying mainly as it is detracting from the car's sound.
• Suspension isn't quite level at the front. Pressures in the rear air shocks are quite different left to right to balance out the back end.
• Air conditioning doesn't get very cold. I don't know how cold it should get, I may be expecting too much from 40 year old AC.
• Passenger seatbelt is broken - it doesn't retract
• License plate mount is a bit skewiff.
• Needs a good wash - I am using self service spray washes as I hate automatic car washes or anyone else touching my car.
• Battery isn't mounted securely.
• Probably forgotten something else

I have now covered 30,000 miles, and used more than 1,700 gallons of gas. Not really a surprise that I'm having one or two issues. Is there anyone along my route who could spare some time / space / tools to help me fix one of more of those issues? It would be great if someone with more knowledge of the car than me could give it a once-over.

I should mention that the car is certainly popular. I've lost count of the number of times I've had thumbs up on the highway; conversations at gas stations; and huge interest and sometimes pure disbelief at my journey. Honestly I sometimes forget I'm driving a forty-year old, gorgeous, classic car. More than once I've walked across the parking lot and it's just struck me how lucky I am that the cherry-red beauty over there is mine. Then I turn the key, hear that V8 purr and the grin gets wider.

A long first post I know. I have been to 38 states of the USA and 6 provinces of Canada, it's hard to keep it short.

Regards,

Oliver

dancutlass

Oliver, the first word that comes to my mind reading this is: AWESOME!!!
In my opinion your posts could even be longer and it would still be a great pleasure to read thorugh them
You are very fortunate to be able to do something like that
This is definately the right place to ask for help.
Good luck, and please keep the post updated!
Greetings from an envious member from Germany

jensenracing77

it may be possible you need a new radiator or at least a radiator shop to look yours over and see if it is good enough to fix.

your travels are awesome! i could only dream of doing something like that. you have come to the right place. there are people all over North America on here and i bet someone near your location would be glad to help. if you ever come near Brazil Indiana i will help as much as i can.

MDchanic

Well you've seen more of the US than darn near any of us has (and I drove cross-country in a '72 Skylark convertible after college).

Sounds to me like your radiator and brakes need a look, and that manifold needs replacing. I'm sure there are a dozen people near where you are right now who can help you out.

The A/C probably needs a charge, or was improperly converted to R134. There may be a member who could help with that as well.

I would ignore the oil leaks and the suspension, as it may be a bigger job to fix than it's worth, and tie that battery down with bungee cords (which, along with giant zip-ties and duct tape, comprise the armamentarium of the true American mechanic).

Sounds like a great trip - have fun!!

- Eric

11971four4two

Thanks for sharing your Olds car road trip story and pics!
A new radiator sounds like a good start. Then fill tranny and try her out. Do you have a trans temp guage yet?
Get that battery tied down before it is too late, they are hell on fans.
Look me up if'n you hit twin cities minnesota

Bonne chance

Jamesbo

What a wondeful trip in your Olds. Thanks for sharing with us.

Boiler_81

Fun trip!

As others have said, get that radiator repaired as soon as possible. Since it has three leaks, I assume it may be getting thin. Find a radiator shop which can put in a new core utilizing your existing tanks. This should also take care of your transmission issue. Running the transmission hot will severely reduce it's life expectancy. I would also change the exhaust manifold. Exhaust leaks drive me nuts!

Find a brake shop to inspect your shoes and replace if necessary. You have a lot of mountain driving coming up. You don't want to have brake issues coming down a steep grade.

MDchanic

If you've ever dealt with drum brakes before, these should be no problem for you to do in a parking lot or a shady spot by the road.
I'd pull a front and a back wheel and have a look, then call ahead to a chain auto parts store where you'll be tomorrow to have the parts ordered (shoes, spring kits, adjusters, whatever seems to be needed), then stop by and pick up the parts and a couple of spring tools, and get 'er done.

- Eric

Octania

Holy Cow!
I was recently dreaming about doing a smaller version of that trip, but it will have to remain just a dream....

Thanks for sharing that, the car in all those places is awesome. Don't forget to include some people too. The guy with the $100 hoist ride should be in there.

Many Olds folks can assist, given some warning to fit in into the schedule. A forum such as this is a good place to make contacts. A way to get ahold of you would help.

I am in Lansing MI... there's Badgely's Garage here, Olds specialists... and folks such as myself who could assist.

Four new tires was a superb idea... There is a proper factory way to secure the battery, I imagine Fusick's has the proper parts brand new for cheap. Does your trans fluid smell burnt? Trans places ALWAYS like to show you the gunk in the pan, which ALL tranny's have, and, depending on how clueless you seem, try to scare you into the $1800 rebuild.

Looks like you are getting close to 20 mpg. Do you know the final drive ratio? For a tour like that, seems like a 2.56 gear would be in order. Fuel savings alone would pay for the other unit. You can even save the other rear end for later use after x-country touring is over. Too late for that plan now, perhaps. I believe I have 1 or 2 2.56 12-bolt final drives.

Chris Witt
Lansing MI

oldcutlass

Cool trip!

lshlsh2

wow I hope to do the same thing one day in my conv. You already have passed me by. If you ever back on the Eastern shore of MD give a shout.

Larry

DENT

Wow , thats incredible. Awesome story.

GAOldsman

Cool story, and what a trek you've made across N. America

Here is a link to the Classic Oldsmobile map that shows where people are and the color of the icons refers to how willing they are to help fellow Oldsmobile enthusiasts out if in need. http://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=149866

allyolds68

You're already past my house. I live about 13 miles from where you took this pic. I'm pretty sure it's in Geneva at the north end of the lake. What an awesome trip. Thanks for sharing

emccall1

Awesome

1969w3155

Wow! great trip and photos, continued luck with the remainder of your trip.

cutlassgal

What a great story! Thank you so much!! You've seen more of the US than I have, lol. I've never made it to the East coast yet, but have seen much of the West. I love the West!! Great pictures, and just a fantastic trip! I'd love to do something like that. I hope you get the car problems figured out and fixed and continue to enjoy the car.

btrbill

From Mississippi to Houston, how do you plan on going? My Dad lives in Baton Rouge which is on Interstate 10. I live just east of there, but will move to Houston at the end of the month.

Drop me a PM if you need anything when you are down this way!

Bill

droptopron

This is awesome. Thanks for taking the time to post this & find yourself a good radiator shop.

Zindon

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. Firstly I think I need to clean up the camera on the phone, some of the last pictures are a little blurry.

I was looking at new radiators, I haven't heard of recoring before. Would that be cheaper?

The AC was charged up not long before I bought the car, with R12 - I remember discussing it with the seller. He had a stockpile of the old gas. Perhaps I have a leak somewhere.

Bungee cords sounds like a plan for the battery.

1971four4two, I will be passing through Minnesota in about two to three weeks. I'll let you know nearer the time.

I have dealt with drum brakes before, on the back of my Ford Capri back home. Honestly, the experience has put me off trying on this car. Seemed to take forever to get all the springs back on. I did not have a spring tool however. I should just man up and get in there.

Chris in Lansing: I am getting about 14 mpg, those numbers were approximations. I have a spreadsheet of fuel use. The seller told me it had a cruising rear end, I have forgotten the ratio unfortunately. I am planning to be back in SW Michigan (near Kalamazoo) at the end of the month, perhaps then I could look you up if I'm still in need of assistance?

GAOldsman, that map looks very useful, thanks for that.

btrbill, not sure yet. I have already been through Baton Rouge once, but was thinking of going via Lafayette as I made some friends there last time I was in Louisiana. It will be September when I'm in Houston, I'll let you know.

Couple of other things I should mention - it has 71 rear lights because the last owner changed the rear bumper and didn't swap the lights. I will try to get them before I ship it home as the split design of 72 lights might make the European light conversion (separate indicators) easier. Also there is an minor electrical issue - the alternator warning light glows dimly; it's only visible at night. Presumably an earth issue somewhere.

coppercutlass

what great story it's amazing to see that these old machines still do what they are suppoused to. If you are headed towards chicago im 30-40 miles directly west of chicago if you need anything pm me im more than happy to help i got a garage full of tools and im more than willing to help. If you are in the chicago area around the 22nd of july there is a buick olds pontiac drag racing even in union grove wisc. just over the illinois border. If not just have a chicago style hot dog and enjoy.

Boiler_81

Recoring a radiator involves desoldering the radiator core from the two side tanks and soldering in a new core. I am not sure of the cost difference but this is my preferred method as it saves the look of the original side tanks and will fit perfectly when you reinstall it. Any old time radiator repair shop should be able to do this in a day.

If you get back to SE Michigan let me know. I may be able to help you out with the 72 and you can check out some of the local Oldsmobiles.

oldsguybry

Wow , great pictures and Nice Car !

diesel7477

Wow so cool... best of luck in your future travels! Reminds me of a trip my Mom and Dad went on in a 69 Cutlass Convertible before they got married!

*ssholesGarage

Very cool!

442much

Oliver, were you doing all that driving by yourself? I've driven across Canada and the USA three times each, but I have to say I've never done it in one shot like you are doing. That's just great. I plan to drive to California from Alberta next year with a bunch of cars taking the back roads.

I have friends who rented a car in London and when the rental car people found out they were driving to Aberdeen, they said it was too far to driveand that they should fly instead. They drove anyway. I guess a drive from London to Aberdeen will just be a weekend trip for you now.

As for your post being too long, for the subject matter, it's not long enough in my opinion! Keep taking more pictures and we'll follow you along the way. There are some good souls on this board and if get near any of them, I know they will help you anyway they can. Best of luck the rest of the way.

Redog

Wow Awesome trip!!

If I had known you were going to be in my town, I could have shown you around. I'm completely Jealous of your trip. Very nice.

And 30,000 miles and only 3 issues, only 1 major, in an old car, NOT BAD

dc2x4drvr

Awesome trip Oliver, if you travel through North Texas I'll be glad to help with your mechanical issues..
A good radiator shop can recore your rad in a day or two.
A brake job might be in order, another day down
Keep a close watch on the trans fluid level.
Your electrical issue will require sorting out, make sure when you take the key out that the GEN light is out, if it's not your battery might be dead next day.
Thanks for the pics!
Good Luck!

Sir_Charles

Very cool!

64Rocket

Wow, what a great trip. I would say you have been to more places in the US than any of us you live in the US.
The dim alternator light is do to the alt is going bad. Does not put out enough to keep up, will run the battery down eventually.
I could help in your needs, but you have been to San Francisco already.
On the link to the map of all of us, it seams you need to click on the names to locate them.

Get the radiator fixed and do a trans service (fluid & filter) and maybe look into adding a external trans cooler. Brakes on these cars is an easy job, do an oil change and away you go.

GOOD LUCK,
Gene

MDchanic

I should add that should you be back up in New England again before you leave, please do look me up. I work a lot, and so could use some warning if you'll be around, but I'd be more than happy to look over your car and help out with any needed repairs (though I have to work outdoors), and would, of course, stand you a few at my local .
We've got excellent accommodations here, as well.

- Eric

MaxDog

Oliver, your posts are awesome to read. If you make it to Las Vegas, I would love to buy you lunch. What a fantastic adventure for you. Good luck and have fun.

501Paratrooper

Nice story, Let me know if you're ever make it to Palm Beach, FL

kitfoxdave

Great trip! This is what i hope to do with mine after it is finished...

lshlsh2

By the look of this thread, you should have started this thread earlier. Just think of all the beer money you would have saved. I bet you would have met some really cool people, too. On the down side you may have only driven 300 miles and only seen 2 states by now.

Larry

miked

Oliver, awesome post and beautiful car! You missed me by about 50 miles at Stone Mtn Ga. Good luck on remainder of trip.

rcrac3r

Oliver you are truly living the dream of alot of folks on this board. I just bought my 72' 4 door back in February & since then have wanted to take a trip like you are doing once she is back in shape. If you are ever back up in Canada around the Calgary, Alberta area myself & i will bet a few others up here would be glad to help out where we could.