BUILD THREAD 85 Cutlass Supreme cruiser

[Brohammer]

So, last night I was able to start the car back up. After the intake was resealed and carb was rebuilt it runs much better, but I was still not able to get it to idle. Going to do a compression test this weekend, but based on what I have read on the olds forum it is probably a cam chain issue, valve spring issue, or cam. I have no vacuum leaks, and it seems to be pulling good steady vacuum but its hard to tell because it only runs at a very fast idle. If anyone else has any ideas feel free to share. I have read that these motors develop high mileage valve issues. My buddy has an old Sun Scope at his house so I may take it over there and let him diagnose, he works for beer so that's a plus.

 

[Brohammer]

Ran a compression test yesterday and the rear driver side cylinder only has 80 lbs., all the others are between 125 and 140, so I am going to do a leak down test on it today to see if I am dealing with a valve issue, or a piston issue. After the compression test I pulled that valve cover in hopes that a valve spring would be broken, but that was not the case. Thinking ahead to what if scenarios if the valves and piston rings are okay it could still be a wrecked cam, but i'm doubting it because the motor is so quiet. If the heads have to come off its going to get headers, a cam, timing chain and gears, and possibly aluminum heads depending on cost of having heads rebuilt. I wish my wife liked spending money on toys as much as I do. LOL

 

[1evilregal]

tell her it's your version of buying shoes! 😛

 

[Brohammer]

So my buddy and I did a leak down, smoke test, and messed with the timing yesterday. The valve springs look good and valves are sealing, so the ring is the culprit for the low compression, although that cylinder does seem to be firing. I feel like I should be able to get it to idle and run decent, so we are going to bolt on a edelbrock 1406 carb that we know is good to see if maybe the old wore out quadrajet is the culprit. I've had good luck with quadrajets in the past, but this thing is showing signs of serious wear. Wish me luck. Fingers are crossed.

 

[Brohammer]

Ended up going with a re-manufactured Jegs Quadrajet carb. After bolting it on it fired right up and ran well did some minor adjusting and it runs great despite having marginal compression on one cylinder. Now it's time to tackle the front end steering components and ball joints.

 

[Brohammer]

Replaced all of the steering components, ball joints, and front brakes tonight, then threw an alignment on it. We also got the timing dialed in. Drove it home from my friend's shop and grinned from ear to ear the entire time! So stoked to be making forward progress. Now that winter is upon us here in Ohio it's time to pull the interior and start cleaning, and polishing trim.

 

[Brohammer]

Luckily for me my wife is going to see her sister this weekend, so ill be in the garage for 60 straight hours. My plan is to gut the interior for a good cleaning, pull the steering column,and disassemble the hvac system and dash because whoever had it apart had no idea what they were doing. I can hardly wait to dig into this thing!

 

[Brohammer]

Interior is out. Floor is rust free. Dash was cake to get out, but PO did a poor job reinstalling dash and column, missing bolts and Heat/AC controls not hooked up. Now I need to scrape up some cash for sound deaden-er, AC condenser, and heater core. After that is buttoned up and interior is reinstalled properly, then I will be doing weatherstripping, and the oil leak that just recently let loose all over the garage floor and appears to be a rear main seal.

 

[axisg]

sounds like good progress. A low cyl will slow you down and burn some oil but its good to see it's not stopping you.

 

[Brohammer]

Drastic change of plans happened today right after I made my last post. My dad's best friend who bought my grandfather's 49 oldsmobile 15 years ago called me and tod me to come pick it up for a ridiculously low amount of money. So the cutlass has to go. Here is the CL link: http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/5963573794.html