'83 Cutlass Cruiser Build Thread

[youngdeezy]

I got the battery checked, and after 9 years it's still going strong.
Replaced the alternator and after about 20 seconds it started screaming and the pulley got really hot.
Took it back and got another one and it's good to go now.
I even treated the car to a new belt, since the old one was missing several chunks. :lol:

I'm thinking next friday I'll make a run to the junkyard and see what follows me home...

I like how you said the belt line. The wagon is really on it's way!

 

[Blake442]

Thanks dude!

Too many projects, not enough time...

 

[Blake442]

Today marks 3 years that I've had the wagon now!

Nothing new to report other than it's running and driving great, knocking down about 14 mpg...
I'm getting ready to swap motors in the Buick wagon, so I haven't paid much attention to the Cutlass wagon other than driving it everyday. The poor 442 hasn't even been out of the garage yet... 😳

 

[Blake442]

Not much new on the wagon, other than driving it daily.

I did get myself an aftermarket shift indicator.
Nothing too fancy... It just sticks on with 3M double sided tape.

The reading light clipped onto the tilt lever is my make-shift dash lights... :lol:

 

[Blake442]

Drove the wagon out to the junkyard today (about 100 miles each way) and knocked down 17 mpg!

I got a pair of hinge springs for my aluminum hood and was finally able to retire my trusty broom handle that had been holding it up in their absense :lol:

 

[Blake442]

First picture of the engine with the hood holding itself up since I put the aluminum one on 2 years ago :lol:

 

[Blake442]

Drove the wagon up to the race track this weekend (about 140 miles north).
Traffic leaving friday was brutal (no suprise), but I knocked out another 17+ mpg sunday on the way home cruising 70 mph almost the whole way.
Some friends gave me a small air mat since I always sleep in the back at the campgrounds because I'm too lazy to set up a tent... it's the only way to go! It got down to 45* saturday nite, and it sure is nice to be able to run the car with the heater on for 10 mintues or so to get it nice and toasty before I hop in my sleeping bag!

It goes down the road pretty good for what it is, but it needs bushings and balljoints pretty bad...
Not to mention that those MCSS springs need to come out of the front so I can bring the nose back down.

I am also planning on doing some switching around with the tires... Not immediately, probably in the spring when I hope to tackle the front suspension/steering.
The rims are staying (for now), but since the off-set is kinda pushing it, I'm going to take the 235/60's off of the front and replace them with some 215/65's. I'm still undecided on if the 255/60's will come off the rear and the 235/60's from the front will take their place... Plenty of time to think about it...

 

[3XBrownCutty]

the mileage your getting is impressive!! i'm jealous :lol:

 

[Blake442]

If only the 442 could pull off mileage like that! :lol:

17 mpg on the highway is pretty darn good if you ask me, but the wagon spends 95% of the time getting 13/14 mpg in city driving conditions...

 

[3XBrownCutty]

Yeah i havent even bothered figuring out what kind of mileage i get. Hell i cant go through a tank without putting my foot in it, id get different numbers all the time

I have the vw to make up for it now. gets around 35 :wink: