Project Achieva

[!!!TED!!!]

PROJECT ACHIEVA

It is coming up on 3 months since I bought my 1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S.

Here is an update on some of the things I have done in that time.

First up, was a complete cleanup of the engine bay.

Here is what it looked like on June 4th (2 days after I got it):

And here it is August 15th (with new alternator and battery):

I spent a few hours every morning cleaning by hand. A labour of love...and not quite finished yet.

The hood was the hardest part (in terms of bending to get to all the small spots)

I also added some blue LED bulbs for the footwell lights. They add a nice touch complementing the cars colour.

I hope to get better ones that diffuse light in the future.

Some nightime shots around Toronto...

A few days ago, I started exploring the idea of adding racing stripes (something I had always wanted to do if I got an Achieva). Nothing rice, but subtle 442 inspired hood stripes...

After buying some more electrical tape :wink: , I filled in the stripes:

I also added side horizontal stripes to finish the look. Not too sure about these. I think it looks half-way convincing from far away.

I am planning on trying a white stripe set soon.

Also planned is blue carpeting (the red '91 Achieva concept car had matching red carpet).

Other stuff I would like to do include:

Getting the lower intake gasket fixed ($600$)

K&N air filter

Finding a set of 16" Achieva SL wheels

Maybe a Flowmaster Delta 40 exhaust?

So far, I am very happy with this car. It idles smooth, drives nicely, is comfortable, looks great and averages 22-23 MPG.

For more Achieva fun, I have videos on YouTube.

Visit the official ProjectAchieva channel!

http://www.youtube.com/user/ProjectAchieva

[Intrepidation]

Cool.

I think white stripes would work better on the blue car. Better contrast.

[!!!TED!!!]

I agree...

[Intrepidation]

[CMG]

What about running the stripes a little farther forward, so they go right to the top of the grill? Then the grill(s) would sort of look like a continuation of the stripe....?

[!!!TED!!!]

What about running the stripes a little farther forward, so they go right to the top of the grill? Then the grill(s) would sort of look like a continuation of the stripe....?

That would look interesting, but Im trying to stay true to Olds heritage. The stripes never (to my knowledge) connected with the (dual) grille.

I thought about this:

http://www.kerbeck.com/kerbeck/kerbeck.nsf...E/68olds442.jpg

I wonder how this might work?

[ocnblu]

Ted, you've got her cleaned up nice. Good job so far, sir.

[!!!TED!!!]

She needs a shower, but I cant wash her durring the "stripe evaluation period".

[ocnblu]

I saw a young man in an Alero coupe the other day. He had it looking very good, with factory-looking quad exhaust pipes, rims (not ricey), lowered just a bit... and it was shiny clean. Keep the faith.

[Camino LS6]

Looking very good,Ted!

You've done a great job with this car so far.

Just be careful not to leave that tape on too long, that water-based paint tends to be a bit weak.

I agree on white for your permanent stripes.

[Intrepidation]

Hey Ted, did you use anything special to clean up the engine bay with?

[!!!TED!!!]

Hey Ted, did you use anything special to clean up the engine bay with?

This:

"leaves a deep wax shine!"

[!!!TED!!!]

Looking very good,Ted!

You've done a great job with this car so far.

Just be careful not to leave that tape on too long, that water-based paint tends to be a bit weak.

I agree on white for your permanent stripes.

All the ribbons of tape are attached to the 4 outline stripes, so it should peel right off. I hope it won't damage the paint.

I got some crazy stares at the local cruise night as I rolled by all the muscle cars with real stripes lol.

[ocnblu]

Simple Green is an excellent underhood cleaning agent, as well. It cuts grease. Of course, there's the old standby, Gunk.

[Intrepidation]

I shall try it!

[Intrepidation]

I shall try it!

[fightingbee]

What about running the stripes a little farther forward, so they go right to the top of the grill? Then the grill(s) would sort of look like a continuation of the stripe....?

I've seen a white Achieva w/ black stripes done that way, it looked OK but IMO Ted's 442-esque look in the pics would be less homespun looking.

Edited August 25, 2008 by fightingbee

[!!!TED!!!]

BIG PROBLEM! NEED HELP URGENTLY!

So, I wanted to remove the stripe job last night. The passenger side stripe (running the length of the car on the side) peeled off without issue.

As I was pulling the drivers side stripe...dissaster........

I want the hood stripes removed, but now Im completely scared it will peel off the paint!

Is there a safe way to do this, or am I screwed?!

My grandmother passed away on Tuesday. It has been a hard time for me this week, so I havn't been around. This just really adds to my depressed state.

It is likely I will be driving in the funeral prossesion tommorow. I need to clean the car and remove the stripes.

Any tip or help in this matter would be HIGHLY appreciated.

[fightingbee]

Sorry to hear about your Grandmother.

Damn, that sux about your stripes. Perhaps using a hair dryer or (very carefully) a heat gun might help soften the adhesive first on the hood?

[!!!TED!!!]

Thanks for the kind words fightingbee.

wildmanjoe:

Peeling up a small edge is no problem.

Are you saying to let goo-gone somehow absorb under the tape (under the peeled part)?

Im still really scared. The hood is the hottest part of the car. It is likely the stripes have bonded under heat (am I crazy?).

It looks like I won't have to drive tommorow, a family friend is helping out.

I am one of the pall bearers...so too much emotion to drive.

If the tape does damage the paint on the hood, it looks like I will have no choice but to really do proper stripes.

Oh well...a good lesson learned about electrical tape and its long term effects on car paint...

Oh, and welcome to the Olds fold.

Its been my "Escape Machine" lately. Iv been feeling down, but the Olds lets me drive around and clear my head.

[Intrepidation]

Hey wmj, welcome back! Where ya been?

[!!!TED!!!]

Update:

Iv decided not to mess with the stripe removal for now.

As another nod to Olds heritage, Iv added Oldsmobile script to the grille...

[ocnblu]

Ted, man, I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother.

Your car appears to be a peeler. When primer issues were making paint peel off in big sheets, and GM was covering that under warranty (it was a paint manufacturer's problem, not the car manufacturers affected by the problem), we used "the tape test" to determine if a panel would eventually peel. You have an adhesion problem with your paint, my friend. I hope WMJ's solution works, otherwise, you'll be pulling all your paint off with the tape, I'm afraid. You could try a heat gun, or hair dryer, to soften up the adhesive... again, not sure if it will work.

[!!!TED!!!]

I hope WMJ's solution works, otherwise, you'll be pulling all your paint off with the tape, I'm afraid.

[!!!TED!!!]

I didn't try anything yet.

Im a bit too scared really.

Plus Im dead broke after the funeral.

Thank you so much for all your recomendations though!!!

I will try it when I get up the nerves.

[Oracle of Delphi]

Ted, my condolences on your grandmother. On a side note, I like the Oldsmobile script you added to the grille.

[!!!TED!!!]

Some new pictures:

[!!!TED!!!]

Achieva update:

On September 24, the Achieva rolled over 175,000 Kilometers!

You can watch this magic moment

Today was not a good day though.

The water pump seized, causing the tensioner to seize, causing the accessory drive belt to snap.

Limped it to Active Green+Ross (5 min from my home, and 5 min from where the belt snapped).

$610 later, and its all fixed (and an oil change!). My poor money.

Total Achieva cost+repairs (not including insurance and fuel) is still below 3 grand (my initial car budget), so no harm done.

Runs like a champ now.

I did have to endure mocking from the youngest service guy about my "10 minute stripe job".

[!!!TED!!!]

Project Achieva update:

177,777.7 Kilometers achieved on December 3rd, 2008 at 7:22:05 PM.

Feeling lucky!

Car is running great.

We had 3cm of snow not long ago, and I got to try out its winter handling.

Its a beast! It should be a fun winter!

Im currently playing around with some "soft dash" upgrades.

[Camino LS6]

Good stuff!

Onward to 200k! :AH-HA_wink:

[!!!TED!!!]

Project Achieva update:

200 days of ownership, 8000 Kilometers driven!

Its an absolute rocketship in the snow!

[!!!TED!!!]

Project Achieva update:

BAD NEWS

The lower intake gasket has fully let go letting coolant into the crankcase. The result is an oil-coolant pudding.

The car is blowing white smoke from the exhaust. I hope the headgasket is ok (!?).

VIDEOS:

As a neat secondary problem, it seems I am missing both front sway bar links!

Needless to say I am heartbroken.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Intrepidation]

Oh man, that's terrible dude. I hope you're able to figure something out. Where'd the sway bars go I wonder?

[fightingbee]

Hopefully it is just the LIM gaskets. As I'm sure you know don't run it much more w/ that **** in there.

The sway bar links are no big deal. They rusted apart at one point (as they often do eventually where salt is used) and someone must have just broke them off the rest of the way so wouldn't pop/bang when hitting bumps. New ones can be had for ~$10-$15 apiece aftermarket and are just basically a big bolt and nut, a spacer, some washers, and bushings (ala pic below).

All you really have to do to install them is to pull the wheel off and use a jack to raise the control arm up a little so the ctrl. arm and stab. bar can be reconnected via the bolt/bushings.

Edited December 30, 2008 by fightingbee

[!!!TED!!!]

The links where there as of late October (last time I took under-car-pics).

They must have come of durring my snow fun (?). The ones that were there looked like OEMs!

I am not driving it at all. Its sitting parked awaiting its fate.

My mechanic recommended that I have the oil changed, add coolant, and get it to his shop (30 KM away).

Right now I can't really stomach any costs. I assume it will be at least $600 to get at that LIM.

[fightingbee]

I'm suprised that the links were there before. Usually when they snap they stay attached at one end and bang against the suspension.

[Intrepidation]

The links where there as of late October (last time I took under-car-pics).

They must have come of durring my snow fun (?). The ones that were there looked like OEMs!

I am not driving it at all. Its sitting parked awaiting its fate.

My mechanic recommended that I have the oil changed, add coolant, and get it to his shop (30 KM away).

Right now I can't really stomach any costs. I assume it will be at least $600 to get at that LIM.

Well you just have to ask yourself how much the car means to you. Take it from me, I should know, sometimes the money that your car needs may cost more than what its worth putting into, and other people might not bother. However if the car means enough to you, then fix it, or or wait until you can fix it. :wink:

[!!!TED!!!]

I had this crazy thought.

There was a Craigslist post for a 1995 Achieva identical to mine (loaded), with 171,000 KM (mine had 170,500 when i got it). It was listed as-is for $800 (I got mine for $850). From the pics, it looked clean, dent and rust free (bone stock).

The kicker? It was red with a spoiler. I always wanted a red Achieva lol.

It even had mud flaps on the front and a cracked licence bracket (like mine!).

Pics (I saved before the listing was taken down):

I bounced around the idea of starting over for 2009, and using mine as a parts car.

But, I hesitated (damn I love my baby), and that car sold as of yesterday.

Im driving my moms '95 purple pearl metallic Lumina (50% my car actually). Man it handles poor in the snow. I have now learned brand new all seasons on all 4 wheels < 2 snow tires on the drive wheels.

[Intrepidation]

I like blue better anyway.

[!!!TED!!!]

I like blue better anyway.

Iv grown very fond of the blue.

From what Iv read online, it is a rare '95-only color, Medium Cloisonne Blue Metallic.

http://www.expresspaint.com/ProductCart/pc...;idproduct=6079

Here is a Grand Prix in this color:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/835465

And a Cavalier:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/161562

And look how sexy it is on a '66 Cutlass Conv.

http://www.realoldspower.com/phpBB2/viewto...dd1571f689bd1b2

...and a '70 Buick GS!

[vonVeezelsnider]

That Cavalier gives me flashbacks...

[Intrepidation]

So what's the word?

[!!!TED!!!]

No word.

The project has been shelved.

...Untill the next payday.

[!!!TED!!!]

PROJECT ACHIEVA BIG UPDATE!

After sitting and waiting for 5 months, the Achieva is fixed and roadworthy again!

I didn't have the money to fix her, so she stayed parked since December 23, 2008.

My baby got sad...

I then lost my job in March, so it complicated things further.

But, I got a nice severance package!

To the mechanics we go!

After 7 hours of surgury, the Lower Intake Manifold Gasket was replaced with a Fel-Pro, and stabilizer links were put in. She was ready to drive again!

My mechanic could not believe that the lifters and head gasket were not damaged! Amazing!

The engine ran normal after the fix. Infact, it ran like nothing ever happened!

The next day, after I took her home, I see this:

God doesnt want me to drive!

Took it to a local garage, and had it patched. $15...whew!

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by...

The Achieva is back at the mechanics today. Getting both front bushings replaced, and a passenger side front ball joint. Something Iv put of, but learned my lesson. Better to fix it all in one shot!

See the ProjectAchieva youtube account for videos!

http://www.youtube.com/user/ProjectAchieva

[gm4life]

PROJECT ACHIEVA BIG UPDATE!

After sitting and waiting for 5 months, the Achieva is fixed and roadworthy again!

I didn't have the money to fix her, so she stayed parked since December 23, 2008.

My baby got sad...

I then lost my job in March, so it complicated things further.

But, I got a nice severance package!

To the mechanics we go!

After 7 hours of surgury, the Lower Intake Manifold Gasket was replaced with a Fel-Pro, and stabilizer links were put in. She was ready to drive again!

My mechanic could not believe that the lifters and head gasket were not damaged! Amazing!

The engine ran normal after the fix. Infact, it ran like nothing ever happened!

The next day, after I took her home, I see this:

God doesnt want me to drive!

Took it to a local garage, and had it patched. $15...whew!

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by...

The Achieva is back at the mechanics today. Getting both front bushings replaced, and a passenger side front ball joint. Something Iv put of, but learned my lesson. Better to fix it all in one shot!

See the ProjectAchieva youtube account for videos!

http://www.youtube.com/user/ProjectAchieva

Glad shes running again.

[Intrepidation]

Good for you Ted, glad to see your baby up and running again. Mine hasn't really stopped being used, but my big upgrade is only a fe days away from starting!

[!!!TED!!!]

Heart transplant for the Dodge? Keep us posted!

[Intrepidation]

Yep, with this bad boy:

[ocnblu]

The economic atmosphere is so stifling these days. Glad to see your continued optimism, Ted, and the resumption of Project Achieva.

[A Horse With No Name]

The economic atmosphere is so stifling these days. Glad to see your continued optimism, Ted, and the resumption of Project Achieva.

...but it is creating nerw opportunities...

Glad to see her running again, !!!TED!!!

Chris