BUILD THREAD GP403's sort-of-build thread

[GP403]

hella summer and after doing the cat on the cutlass, I FINALLY got that temp sender swapped out. Sure enough, the new one was flaky and reading high. The old one reads exactly what I'd expect and doesn't move as fast. I am not nearly as worried about taking this thing out now. Maybe have a show this Sat. Morning in Tulsa if it doesn't rain, and then the next weekend is another one I will be there no matter what.

Also found out a quart of old 20-50 oil had leaked all in my trunk. Guess I won't have to worry about the trunk floor rusting for a while lol.

This was the temp gauge right after I got back and idled a bit. The "new" one would read close to 210 if not just over, and would get there REAL quick.....

 

[GP403]

replaced the trunk struts. I forgot how easy and how much a PITA it was all at the same time.

Protip: Use a STOUT piece of wood or something to hold the trunk up. When you pop the first one off, the flimsy rod you used initially will flex and the trunk will come down on your head. Its heavy. Or so I've heard anyway. erm.

Pretty simple job. If you have 4 joints in your arm and a rubber spine. You have to pop the retaining clips off the studs and then get the ends off. Then its a simple matter of popping it back on.

 

[fleming442]

So, that's a factory setup? Would you mind posting some measurements and the strut part number so us with torsion bars can switch over? Like where the tabs mount on the hinge and where the rear body mount is....

 

[GP403]

So, that's a factory setup? Would you mind posting some measurements and the strut part number so us with torsion bars can switch over? Like where the tabs mount on the hinge and where the rear body mount is....

As far as I know its factory. Been on the car since we got it in '84 or whatever. The struts are ACDELCO 510113 {#12362122} . I got them from RockAuto . I will get some more pix of the mounts in a bit when I get back out there.

 

[GP403]

these are all the pix I took during and after. I'm not sure but it looks like the piece on the hinge may bolt onto the hinge, I couldn't get behind it to verify bc those covers are still in there and I'm not moving them.... Up underneath I can't tell but it looks like the mounts are part of the brace/"frame" in there. So that could be a problem.

 

[88AZSS]

Are those struts specific to GPs? I have a Monte SS and don't recall if it has them or not. I couldn't tell if it isn't there or if theyre just shot after 30 years of use. I will go out and check tonight. If not, are those mounting points bolt-in?

 

[fleming442]

Excellent ! Thank you, sir.

 

[pagrunt]

Are those struts specific to GPs? I have a Monte SS and don't recall if it has them or not. I couldn't tell if it isn't there or if theyre just shot after 30 years of use. I will go out and check tonight. If not, are those mounting points bolt-in?

Only '81 & '82 Montes had them.

 

[GP403]

I think I need some GTO style dual slant cut tips back here.

And I need to find my emblems that never got put back on the trunk.

 

[69hurstolds]

Only '81 & '82 Montes had them.

And similar year Cutlass as well.