So all of my junkyard crawling (my favorite past-time), newspaper and internet searching, and backyard cruising has payed off. I negotiated my deal for a G-body yesterday. A friend of a friend heard of my quest for a secondary project, and over breakfast at a local diner, offered me an '82 Cutlass that his mother had driven before she passed, and now the car was sitting with a few others in this guys yard. He was eager to get them off his property, and I was eager to see. I drove out to see the Cutlass which was in far worse shape than I had let myself hope for, most of the body panels were more ocean-like than flat. I did notice an '81 Regal sitting across the yard, and since this was my preferred G-body, I brought it to the guy's attention. He said that the Regal needed to go too, so I jumped. Papers are being drawn up this week, and as soon as the ground dries from the rain, we will tow it to my shop. Sweet deal!
So here it is: 1981 Buick Regal, white with red vinyl interior (yes it actually is in good, soft condition. V6 with an auto, and a couple VERY minor surface rust spots on a couple panels, very easy to sand off and cover. The only body damage I can see is a softball sized dent in the panel behind the passenger door, and I have fixed those before so it is no big deal.
My questions then are simple, as no true gearhead can live with a small v6 in a big steel car. I know the G-bodies parts are nicely interchangeable, so I would like to know if anyone knows the vin code for the v8 cars in any G-body so I can easily locate a transmission crossmember for the v8 swap. Also, what models, vin codes, and stampings do I look for to find a posi rear end to bolt in. And finally, what kind of clearance issues might I run into with the v8? Hood? Firewall? Also want to know if anyone knows anything I might not be considering for this?
Please, I am looking for this info from all GM G-bodies. I strongly prefer to NOT buy new parts, or even from ebay. I really just want the guide for the junkyards, there are tons around here so I will find what I need.
Thank you in advance, and cheers to a stoked new beginning.
So here it is: 1981 Buick Regal, white with red vinyl interior (yes it actually is in good, soft condition. V6 with an auto, and a couple VERY minor surface rust spots on a couple panels, very easy to sand off and cover. The only body damage I can see is a softball sized dent in the panel behind the passenger door, and I have fixed those before so it is no big deal.
My questions then are simple, as no true gearhead can live with a small v6 in a big steel car. I know the G-bodies parts are nicely interchangeable, so I would like to know if anyone knows the vin code for the v8 cars in any G-body so I can easily locate a transmission crossmember for the v8 swap. Also, what models, vin codes, and stampings do I look for to find a posi rear end to bolt in. And finally, what kind of clearance issues might I run into with the v8? Hood? Firewall? Also want to know if anyone knows anything I might not be considering for this?
Please, I am looking for this info from all GM G-bodies. I strongly prefer to NOT buy new parts, or even from ebay. I really just want the guide for the junkyards, there are tons around here so I will find what I need.
Thank you in advance, and cheers to a stoked new beginning.