1983 Cutlass

[Shakes the Rat]

I have a th350 that needs to be rebuilt and no engine, but to prevent the Olds from becoming a permanent lawn decoration, I pulled the engine Saturday morning.





I've pulled most of the things I can hopefully sell off the 3.8 to offset the engine swap. I'm ordering parts to rebuild the suspension this week. I'm also thinking of pulling the fenders off and painting the frame, firewall, and inner fenders while I have the opportunity.

 

[Shakes the Rat]

I had a couple of hours before work so I tore down the TH350.





All the parts looked really good. Either this core was recently rebuilt or it's a very low mileage unit. The clutches/steels showed no signs of overheating, the bushings looked great, and it hasn't been modified. A good unit to rebuild. I'm going to double check my parts list tomorrow and make an order. I should start reassembly next week.

 

[drogg1]

Could you take pictures of the rebuild process? Looking to do this myself soon.

 

[Shakes the Rat]

Could you take pictures of the rebuild process? Looking to do this myself soon.

I'll do my best to document the rebuild along with the modifications I do. The problem is when I get started, I tend to forget to get pictures. I'll do my best though.

 

[Shakes the Rat]

All I wanted to do was replace the engine!!!



I figured it's easier to clean up the wiring, rebuild the suspension, and install the engine with the front clip off. Some paint may even find its way under the hood too.

 

[Texas82GP]

The snowball is starting to roll down hill!

 

[Injectedcutty]

All I wanted to do was replace the engine!!!



I figured it's easier to clean up the wiring, rebuild the suspension, and install the engine with the front clip off. Some paint may even find its way under the hood too.

And this ladies and gentleman is how the infection begins lol! Starts with a quick swap....then the infection spreads all over at a rapid pace. Before ya know it, it has consumed ya!!!! Looking good man, hammer down!
Dr. Musclecar, lol jk.

 

[pagrunt]

It always starts "I just want to ......" & things just keep getting added on the want to do list. Then end result is you're never down, the family wants to commit you, the UPS, Fed Ex, & frieght delivery guys know you by your first name & when to drop everything off, parts suppliers give you a special number to call, & the tax man refuses to allow the car to be listed as a family dependent on your taxes.

 

[Shakes the Rat]

The trick is justifying the repairs (and they are repairs, NOT modifications). It starts with needing to replace one thing and reasoning "Well, I'm already here, I'm an idiot if I don't fix this while I'm here." Or "I want to do 'X' in the future, let's upgrade 'this' to support 'that'." It is never because "I want a toy". I do this strictly for practical reasons.

My cb750 had a flat. The tire led to installing aluminum rims and new spokes, then finding the rear suspension needed work, which led to the hard tail.

My 1976 F100 got a Crown Vic front end because it needed tires. I found a set of used 18x9 mustang wheels and new tires cheaper than a set of stock tires. The front end needed attention but why put money into a 40 year old design that doesn't handle or stop that well? If I upgrade to a CV unit, it's for safety reasons.

The Cutlass is going to be the same. Fix it now so I don't have to do it later. You know, for practical reasons.

 

[Texas82GP]

I know the feeling. I pulled my engine and trans to clean it up and reseal it. It was a 400 and I pulled the heads to check if the steam holes were drilled in them, only to discover a pronounced ridge at the top of the cylinders. My motor mounts were welded on by a previous owner. They were in the wrong spot and were in bad shape. After cutting them off I'm looking at the greasy frame and cracked A-frame bushings and am thinking "it would be a lot easier to install these motor mounts with the lower control arm out of the way, and I can clean up and overhaul the front end." Then life gets in the way and two years later my car is sitting with no engine or trans in it, but the entire front end is rebuilt and the frame is cleaned and painted.