Cam's Cutlass Project Thread

[Camshaft]

Hi guys, everyone else is doing it so I suppose I'll hop on the bandwagon and start a build thread for my Cutlass. The car's a really clean, original car. I want to hot rod it a little but nothing too extreme. It needs new shocks, so that's the first project. While I had it in the garage, I figured I'd take care of some basic maintenance as well. Tonight I changed the oil & filter with Castrol 10W30 and a Bosch filter. I also changed the windshield wipers and topped off the washer fluid reservoir. Tomorrow, I'll install a new fuel filter, crankase filter, and PCV valve. After I was done changing the oil, I jacked up the rear end to start installing my new Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks. Apparently I'm missing the key to unlock my wheel covers, so I'll hunt one down tomorrow. Until then, this is how the car sits:

 

[Blake442]

I really like that color... Might look good on my Olds wagon. 8)

 

[Camshaft]

First off, thanks for everyone's help earlier with the fuel filter and the PCV valve - especially Blake. You should paint that wagon sage like mine, it's a great color. Very subtle but striking at the same time.

Today started out with a call to the BOP dealer to order the socket for my wheel covers, followed by a call to the local salvage yard to see if I could find one today. No luck but I did end up going anyway and grabbed this stuff:



Turns out the radio isn't the right one, but the passenger side headrest trim is pristine! I ended up replacing my existing one with it. Here's a before and after:





I also replaced the crankcase filter, fuel filter, and PCV valve. Unfortunately, I snapped the fuel line to the carb, but a length of hose makes for a quick fix before I can get it to the shop in town, where a trusted mechanic (he owns a beautiful ’83 Hurst/Olds) will replace the belts, the line, and likely change the transmission fluid.



I also started detailing the engine bay, and I’ll probably finish tomorrow. When it’s all done, I hope to top it off with an Edelbrock air cleaner, as soon as I figure out what to do with the hoses that are connected to the current air cleaner housing. I plan on detailing the interior as well. I’ve already scrubbed the glovebox clean. I also got my driver’s side door lock switch working, but removing it broke one of the clips, so I’ll have to find a new one. Before I left for work, my father snapped off one of the valve stems while trying to get the wheel cover back on from us trying to pry it off. As a result the car will be in the garage all week, which will allow me to detail the exterior as well.

 

[Camshaft]

Today I installed new rear shocks and detailed the wheels, tires, and trunk. Pictures will come tomorrow when everything in the trunk has been restored to its rightful place.

 

[DelOhio]

Looking good, while your at it you might think about flushing that radiator and swaping the thermostat. In the end heat is the enemy and I always try to avoid overheating issues from sitting in Ohio traffic. Also, its easy and you might as well drop the rear diff. cover and get fresh fluid and gasket in there. IMO

And I'll second that color statement, looks sharp

Nice to see another Ohio member on here, we get a few more Ohio members and we can set up a G-Body meet later this summer. :idea:

 

[Camshaft]

Looking good, while your at it you might think about flushing that radiator and swaping the thermostat. In the end heat is the enemy and I always try to avoid overheating issues from sitting in Ohio traffic. Also, its easy and you might as well drop the rear diff. cover and get fresh fluid and gasket in there. IMO

And I'll second that color statement, looks sharp

Nice to see another Ohio member on here, we get a few more Ohio members and we can set up a G-Body meet later this summer. :idea:

I'm currently in the process of procuring a 200-4R and an 8.5 to rebuild over the winter and install next spring. In the meantime, I plan on overhauling th cooling system as soon as I locate a Thermomaster chip.

I finished installing the shocks Thursday night. All that's left is the fuel line and the belts.

A G-Body meetup would be fun at some point. I do see a lot of them around.

Any suggestions for ignition upgrades? I plan on overhauling the HEI distributor, and adding new plugs and wires. What's everyone's opinion on Taylor 8MM plug wires?

 

[custom442]

Today started out with a call to the BOP dealer to order the socket for my wheel covers, .

What do we call the BOP dealer now, BP? :lol: In a couple years it'll just be the B 😳


Good progress on the car, sounds like you're puttin a lot of work in it, can't wait to see it come together

 

[oldskewl]

Don't overlook http://www.dixiemontecarlo.com/ for parts...G-bodys are alot alike!!

 

[Camshaft]

I've been spending a lot of time at the junkyard lately, grabbing parts for my project as well as grabbing stuff that will help other people complete theirs, and help me pay my tuition. 😀 Last Friday, I cashed a check for a pair of headlight bezels, and came home with this:



It's a 200-4r from an '83 LeSabre. I intend to rebuild it with Grand National components and a B&M shift kit. Buying this transmission was the first step in my 442/Brougham project, with the ultimate goal being a high-performance personal luxury car that can run 14s, get 15 MPG, and hopefully make in the neighborhood of 250-300 RWHP.

A lot of you know that I was looking forward to going to the Olds Nationals at Summit Racing a few weeks ago. I wasn't able to make it because one of my 23-year-old tires went flat, with the belt coming through in four places!



At the junkyard today I scored a mint (literally) set of Rallyes. One of the tires holds air, and now it's keeping the car level while it sits waiting for new tires. These wheels will be for sale shortly, if anyone's interested...



I also grabbed a larger front and rear sway bar for my car, and I spent a few minutes this evening with a wire brush cleaning it up. Still plenty of work left on this thing...with the arm muscles I'm going to build up between the two sway bars, I should be able to throw a Roger Clemens fastball.



Each time I go to the junkyard and remove parts from a car, I take a "trophy" home with me - usually an Olds badge. I keep it as a reminder of the once-proud Oldsmobile that gave a little bit of itself to improve my beloved Viv. The '79 I raided for parts today was a triple green car, much like mine, only seven years older. It still had its old Ohio tag on the rear bumper. I grabbed it and the emblem from the driver's side front fender, the only Rocket remaining on the car. Tonight, I made myself a neat little memento to display with the others in the garage:



One request: could one of the moderators please move this to the Pictures/Videos forum with all of the cool kid's build threads? 8)

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Yay! It worked! I figured out how to move it!