'83 Cutlass Cruiser Build Thread

[Blake442]

I can't take a break from the 'piddly' trim stuff because I've already put it all on the car.
With the exception of the door panels, the interior is complete.
I just have to wait until the woodgrain is on before I can install the handles and locks, and finally the interior panels.
Otherwise pretty much everything from the firewall back is done.

Got the front end torn apart Thursday and today.
Starting to debate pulling the motor and trans... hoping to avoid it.
Lots of cleaning to do either way!

 

[liquidh8]

Awesome progress sir!

 

[Blake442]

So I've gotten a lot of cleaning done over the past couple days.
I started by pulling the wiring harness off the engine so I could have better access to clean.
Everything went smooth until the battery terminal snapped off of my starter...
Scrubbed off 20K+ miles of grime and 2+ years of body shop dust... Looks much better.
I'll have to throw another pair of valve cover gaskets on it, fresh plugs & wires and get another starter and I'll be good to go.
Forgot to take some pictures but I'll be sure to snag a few after I paint the frame tomorrow...

 

[Longroof79]

Blake,
You're making excellent progress. It's going to look killer with the woodgrain and green.
Is the woodgrain an aftermarket product, or OEM? I'm assuming the newer stuff that's made today is greatly improved over the old OEM stuff.
Keep up the great work.

 

[Blake442]

Thanks Jack! I love seeing it come back together after more than 2 years in progress!
Sticker shock has caused my feet to drag so I haven't purchased my woodgrain yet lol... but the choices I have are all aftermarket.
I doubt any OEM material exists, and if it does I'm sure as hell not going to pay the premium price it would rightfully command...
Most auto-grade vinyl is UV rated for 5-10 years nowdays, and since the car will be garaged I doubt I'll have to worry about it fading.
I did pick out a pinstripe to surround the wood. It's 1/2" wide "brushed chrome", and looks like the next best thing to the stock trim.
The front-end and engine compartment should keep me busy for a while and then I can start finishing up the rest of the front clip...
Slowly but surely!

 

[O. D. Showtime]

Looking forward to seeing more pics of the progress!

 

[Blake442]

Got my frame rails painted up today. Didn't get too carried away with it...
One coat of primer and one coat of semi-gloss black. Looks good.

 

[O. D. Showtime]

Looking good Blake!

I remember laying under my 66 Chevelle for a week 25 years ago with a wire brush and scraper cleaning the frame from front to back...didn't have the nerve to pull the body....not fun..

 

[Blake442]

A few days ago I ordered up all of my steering and suspension parts, except for a few that I will get locally.
I ended up just getting it all piece by piece from RockAuto.
Compared to what a "complete" kit off ebay goes for, plus the stuff it's missing, I saved over $200.

Today I cleaned up and painted my sway bar, the brackets, jounce bars and spindles.
Next up will be cleaning up my upper and lower A-arms so I can get the new bushings and balljoints installed.

 

[81cutlass]

Nice progress!

Needs less SBC, more SBO/BBO!