81 Cutlass build thread
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Long time no update.
So I tried doing the 2004r swap on a supposed good trans. Had no fluid flow. Took trans out, saw there was no oil pump drive tangs. Took trans out, put new pump in. Tried to drive it, slipped in second, no 3rd or 4th. Tried messing with TV cable, nothing changed. Took pan off after 3 miles and it was full of trans grime. Dropped it out and put Th350 back in. Had to un modify crossmember. Tried to drive car again and no 2nd or 3rd. Found out the replacement TV cable I replaced was binding. Ordered a new one and got the wrong one. Got another one and got the wrong one. Found the right part number and it showed up too short. Ended up putting the binding one back in and it works now after re doing my trans cooler lines. Then the starter went out, then the tail lights went out.
So I spent all summer with the car undrivable and it was a waste. I hate transmissions with a passion. Im too cheap to buy a rebuilt trans and Im not buying a used one since the one I bought was a pile of crap. Im back at college now so its sitting home in the garage getting no miles on. Im split between keeping it as is or taking out the drawthrough in the next few years and putting a series II 3800 turbo setup in it.
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So I tried doing the 2004r swap on a supposed good trans. Had no fluid flow. Took trans out, saw there was no oil pump drive tangs. Took trans out, put new pump in. Tried to drive it, slipped in second, no 3rd or 4th. Tried messing with TV cable, nothing changed. Took pan off after 3 miles and it was full of trans grime. Dropped it out and put Th350 back in. Had to un modify crossmember. Tried to drive car again and no 2nd or 3rd. Found out the replacement TV cable I replaced was binding. Ordered a new one and got the wrong one. Got another one and got the wrong one. Found the right part number and it showed up too short. Ended up putting the binding one back in and it works now after re doing my trans cooler lines. Then the starter went out, then the tail lights went out.
So I spent all summer with the car undrivable and it was a waste. I hate transmissions with a passion. Im too cheap to buy a rebuilt trans and Im not buying a used one since the one I bought was a pile of crap. Im back at college now so its sitting home in the garage getting no miles on. Im split between keeping it as is or taking out the drawthrough in the next few years and putting a series II 3800 turbo setup in it.
Bummer dude...
Buy a book and check videos online, I'm sure you could rebuild that 200-4r yourself no problem!
Buy a book and check videos online, I'm sure you could rebuild that 200-4r yourself no problem!
So I winter bombed it for a few weeks during college this year since my fturd has some electrical gremlins 
Put it away from winter break until the durango broke, took it out and been driving it since. (bout a month) Besides it having the worst plenum design it wasnt horrible.
Fixed some wiring, played around with a spare carb, few other random stuff.
Farm car too!
Yep, its a daily driver.
Hopefully getting a 2004R in this may-june or so. Th350 and 3.42's isnt horrible but it dropped my milage from 21 to 14 so it will be appreciated.
Put it away from winter break until the durango broke, took it out and been driving it since. (bout a month) Besides it having the worst plenum design it wasnt horrible.
Fixed some wiring, played around with a spare carb, few other random stuff.
Farm car too!
Yep, its a daily driver.
Hopefully getting a 2004R in this may-june or so. Th350 and 3.42's isnt horrible but it dropped my milage from 21 to 14 so it will be appreciated.
I got a 200-4r sitting here that should work for your car if you still need a known good transmission. PM me if you're interested. I just live south of Waterloo, Iowa. Thanks, Aaron
Been in daily driver mode. Fiddled with the carb a tad this spring and it starts great now. Used to need a little coaxing and careful throttle work when i started it but its great now. Im glad I dont have my speedo hooked up though because I dont want to see the milage im getting. :lol: I filled it up last weekend and drove to work and home twice a day (about 3 miles) and I did it 6 times and im almost out of fuel. Part of it is because I like seeing the boost gauge go a little past 0 inches from time to time. :wink:
Ohh, and I picked up an 04 5.3 rainier that smacked a dear for winter this year.
Ohh, and I picked up an 04 5.3 rainier that smacked a dear for winter this year.
I haz overdrive! Put the cardboard under it to find the inevitable leaks. Converter is set up with a 4th gear lockup pressure switch, brake switch, and 5" vacuume switch. Only problem is since im turboed it lockup hunts real bad. Spends a lot of time under light accel at 5" and it locks, loads the motor, spools the turbo, makes the power to reduce the load, lowers vacuume, locks, and repeats. I need a 3sec signal delay module or something. Speedo kinda works, I have a black driven gear and either a red or orange gear. Problem is GM used both red and orange drives (go figure) and I think Im about 40% high or so. It looks more orange to me so with my black driven a 28" tire should be right on. Ive got a 26" tire though so I should only be 9% off but its more than that so it leads me to think I have a red driven gear but the source im looking at doesnt spec a black driven with a red drive. We will see.
But it goes 60 at 1950 RPM so thats pretty nice. 😀
Carcraft is in 2 weeks, going to cut and buff the paint next weekend (yes, its been 3 years, haha).
But it goes 60 at 1950 RPM so thats pretty nice. 😀
Carcraft is in 2 weeks, going to cut and buff the paint next weekend (yes, its been 3 years, haha).
Sweet!
That paint will shine up nice, but with three years to lock up it's gonna be a b*tch to sand and buff...
I take it you threw in the towel with the Durango?
Hopefully this one will be more cooperative... Otherwise it'll make a good LS donor! lol
I'm planning on finally dragging the 442 out of the garage this weekend to start getting it ready.
I don't know if my buddy with the GN is going to be able to make it this year, but I'll see you there!
That paint will shine up nice, but with three years to lock up it's gonna be a b*tch to sand and buff...
I take it you threw in the towel with the Durango?
Hopefully this one will be more cooperative... Otherwise it'll make a good LS donor! lol
I'm planning on finally dragging the 442 out of the garage this weekend to start getting it ready.
I don't know if my buddy with the GN is going to be able to make it this year, but I'll see you there!
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