And so we begin the rebuild.

[Derision]

Seen as though it's five thousand degrees (actually, about 97) in New Jersey this weekend -- one of the few weekends I've actually had so far to work on the GP -- I brought her down to my friend's house, who has a garage, to get going with some stuff...

Pulled the wheels off the front and... uh-oh...

Looks like I might have to replace some bushings up there. Most of the rest are in good shape. Body bushings are fantastic, look like they're brand new. These guys, though... phroo. Brings a tear to my eye.

I can't get too brutal with it at Lori's house, since most of my stuff is still up at the other place (which doesn't have a garage, so I'm working in the driveway). Thought I might work on some interior stuff, but... don't know if it needs anything.

My first GP, an '82, had a blue interior. When I bought my '85, it had a gray interior. I spent the better part of the summer of 2003 using parts from both cars to make a complete car. As a result, the interior is a mixture of blue and gray. I actually kind of like it... it's different, but the two colors actually go together and complement each other. I think so, anyway.

Not sure if I should even touch the inside, except for the headliner, which sucks and is stapled up. Ideas/opinions?

AJ

 

[HFX]

For a moment there I saw the vents and thought: "Good lord, how many gauges does a guy need". Then I realized they were vents and felt stupid.

 

[Derision]

For a moment there I saw the vents and thought: "Good lord, how many gauges does a guy need". Then I realized they were vents and felt stupid.

There's no such thing as too many gauges. :shock:

Unfortunately, even the non-vent thingies on my dash are mostly just idiot lights. :?

 

[Vern]

The other summer I had a headliner hanging down. I got the yellow pages out and found 5 places in driveing distance that would replace them. Price ranged from $199 to a special of $99 installed. One hour later it looked like brand new. You can get the material & glue & some have clips if you break them but this guy does them everyday quick & slick. Very worthwhile for me to have them do it. Also have a salvage yard computer search and locate you a rear out of a MCSS. Swap the whole rear drum to drum its far & away the cheapest & eazyest as in you can't screw much up, anybody can do it with common tools. You will get either 3.42 or 3.73s and maybe a posi. Change the fluid now is the time to do it and check if it has a posi if so spend the $90 and get new clutches. If the salvage yard locates a MCSS you may look to see what else you can get for cheap as in the good front & rear sway bars. Actually you might get lucky & the let the rear bar come with the rear. Also listen to these guys about the air breather no reason not to get better mileage, power, & cool factor for little more than your time.

 

[HFX]

For a moment there I saw the vents and thought: "Good lord, how many gauges does a guy need". Then I realized they were vents and felt stupid.

There's no such thing as too many gauges. :shock:

Unfortunately, even the non-vent thingies on my dash are mostly just idiot lights. :?

Gauges:
Tach
Speedo
Water
Oil Pressure
Oil Temperature
Voltage
Fuel
Transmission Temperature
Vacuum / Boost if you are running a turbo
Fuel Pressure
Hours of operation.


What else would you need?

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Aww c'mon..you gotta have an EGT gauge for each cylinder! Not to mention an air/fuel ratio gauge, rear axle gear lube temp gauge, and some way to gauge brake rotor temperature!

BTW, what kind of car is that dash from? I am guessing it is from the 80's because of the 85mph speedo. Other than that, I have no idea!

 

[Derision]

BTW, what kind of car is that dash from? I am guessing it is from the 80's because of the 85mph speedo. Other than that, I have no idea!

It came from one of these:

Kenworth trucks are apparently renowned for having far too many gauges. And the best thing is that that picture of the instrument cluster doesn't even scratch the surface of how many gauges the damn thing actually has:

That's gotta be just brutally confusing to drive.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Makes me glad I'm not a trucker!