All I can say is, WOW! Those header gaskets from Remflex are the best! A perfect seal. The drive last night was great!
BUILD THREAD 1987 Cutlass Salon T-Top Frankenstein build
- Thread starter Gozer442
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I took the Cutlass out for a run after some tuning with the vacuum guage. With just over one complete turn from close on the two screws on the Holley 750 vac sec carb, I get a max of 10 psi. I gave it a good couple WOT hits going down the road...but I feel like it should have a lot more pull. I'll have a harder look at the secondaries this weekend. It starts with the tap of the key, idles perfect, and has great throttle response. I just know it can pull so much better.
I know, I know... I haven't posted in a while. I've been too busy enjoying the Cutlass for what was left of the good weather! Here's a few pics of the last time I had it out for the year, which was last Friday evening.
As driving season concludes, modding season begins!
As driving season concludes, modding season begins!
Thanks! I feel the front sits at least 2 inches too high in the front for my liking. It's stock suspension all the way around...and it floats like an ocean liner! I have replacement poly bushings for the whole car, HD springs with the fronts cut a bit. I do love how the rear sits though...hopefully it won't rise too much with the new springs. The rims are Cragar knock-offs of the Weld Pro Stars...called Street Stars. I'm not sure of the backspacing, but they have 215/65/15 in the front, and 255/60/15 in the back.
I'm on the hunt for a replacement rear end... the 7.5 posi with 2.29 gears is terrible! I have so much power, but it launches like a slug with this rear.
Holy crap! It's been 7 months since I updated on my build. Ugh. Sorry.
Well, I'll start off with the landau roof...
I took a chance and ripped off the cracked vinyl, and found that the metal was 100% underneath! It was a lot of work...I took it slow, making sure not to dig too deep, and it cleaned up ok. I'll be pulling the rear quarter windows out soon, to get a the last little bit of vinyl...and to do the bodywork.
Next was the suspension...
Swapped out the back shocks to KYB units. Great shock for the price. I replaced the fronts with KYBs too...didn't get a pic.
Here's a pick of the rear springs I pulled out. I switched them to a variable rate spring lowered spring.
Next were the front springs...
I found a broken spring on the front right! I replaced them with Moog 5600 springs...
I cut 3/4 of a coil out from the set I had... I picked them up from someone that already had cut some off. I don't know how much had already been removed. The spring was already shorter then the original I removed, but a much heavier spring. The change to the new springs lowered it by about 3 inches. I know the proper way is to use shock/spring combination made to lower, along with drop spindles...but those are not in the budget just yet. The pic above is after the final cut just before I installed it. The ride before was great, with the new KYB shocks, but the stance was like an altered fuelie!!!
Here's the thread about the upper ball joints I used... https://gbodyforum.com/threads/upper-ball-joints.64275/
So I went to get some gas the other day...there was a lineup at the pumps!
I've got more to post soon.
Well, I'll start off with the landau roof...
I took a chance and ripped off the cracked vinyl, and found that the metal was 100% underneath! It was a lot of work...I took it slow, making sure not to dig too deep, and it cleaned up ok. I'll be pulling the rear quarter windows out soon, to get a the last little bit of vinyl...and to do the bodywork.
Next was the suspension...
Swapped out the back shocks to KYB units. Great shock for the price. I replaced the fronts with KYBs too...didn't get a pic.
Here's a pick of the rear springs I pulled out. I switched them to a variable rate spring lowered spring.
Next were the front springs...
I found a broken spring on the front right! I replaced them with Moog 5600 springs...
I cut 3/4 of a coil out from the set I had... I picked them up from someone that already had cut some off. I don't know how much had already been removed. The spring was already shorter then the original I removed, but a much heavier spring. The change to the new springs lowered it by about 3 inches. I know the proper way is to use shock/spring combination made to lower, along with drop spindles...but those are not in the budget just yet. The pic above is after the final cut just before I installed it. The ride before was great, with the new KYB shocks, but the stance was like an altered fuelie!!!
Here's the thread about the upper ball joints I used... https://gbodyforum.com/threads/upper-ball-joints.64275/
So I went to get some gas the other day...there was a lineup at the pumps!
I've got more to post soon.
Well, here's the new stance. I love the look...but the front is about an inch our so too low for suspension travel.
The before...
...the after...
Last night I purged, and cleaned the compressor...installed two inline air filter/dryers...replaced fittings, and cleaned up my paint guns... and started the prep for primer.
The before...
...the after...
Last night I purged, and cleaned the compressor...installed two inline air filter/dryers...replaced fittings, and cleaned up my paint guns... and started the prep for primer.
Wow I love that slammed front ... makes me want to go cut mine to lower my front maybe 1 1/2-2". My drivers idea front spring just collapsed the other day, 32 years put some stress on it. Damn front end looks terrible now with that side sagging down 2 inches. Just got those same KYB Excel gs sitting waiting til I get new springs...but looking at your molded front end, I think I'll go snag a pair out of the junkyard tomorrow and cut them down as well. Hope you don't mind the copy cat lol. What did you use for the rears? It looks to be a few inches higher than the front, I'd like to keep kine even, but i don't believe the way the rear Springs sit that they can be cut like the fronts....any idea where I can find 2" drop/lowering Springs for the rear? I'd like to keep my stance front and back semi even.
The rears a HD variable Moog springs. Because of their beehive design, you can't cut them. Unfortunately, I don't know what part number they are. I picked up these units years ago, with a collection of used parts from a local guy.
Well, I primered it...
Here it was, sitting at a show in a little town called Creemore, Ontario...last weekend. It's one of the most beautiful little Ontario towns out there! There were hundreds of cars, lots of food vendors, an open air market, live music, and free admission and show entry! Not to mention, the town's main business is Creemore Springs Brewery!
Here it was, sitting at a show in a little town called Creemore, Ontario...last weekend. It's one of the most beautiful little Ontario towns out there! There were hundreds of cars, lots of food vendors, an open air market, live music, and free admission and show entry! Not to mention, the town's main business is Creemore Springs Brewery!
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