Olds ticket to 9s... LS swap adventure.

[Northernregal]

Got the body off today. Wishing I had a bigger garage to roll the frame out and not have to weld it under the body. I have a couple of body mounts to fix on the frame, 5 so far....

It is on the body stand, but I think I'm going to make a third cross bar before I get under it. Having serious trust issues with it. I have done this setup before but I didn't work under it.

Progress continues....

 

[motorheadmike]

Got the body off today. Wishing I had a bigger garage to roll the frame out and not have to weld it under the body. I have a couple of body mounts to fix on the frame, 5 so far.... View attachment 160278
View attachment 160276 View attachment 160277

It is on the body stand, but I think I'm going to make a third cross bar before I get under it. Having serious trust issues with it. I have done this setup before but I didn't work under it.

View attachment 160279

Progress continues....

Somethings about these cars are so consistently pathetic. At least it is an easy fix.

 

[Northernregal]

Somethings about these cars are so consistently pathetic. At least it is an easy fix.

It would suck less if it was consistent.

Floors, amazing shape....
Underbody, also very minimal rust.
REAR MOUNTS!?! Fine...
GNX optional mounts, in place and good shape!!!
2,4 and 6 need new metal.
Blows my mind.

 

[64nailhead]

I don't envy you putting in the cage without a post lift. It was invaluable to lift the body to weld in in the main hoop, front hoop, and rear supports. I lifted the body off probably 10 times.

The rust on those body mount is holes is priceless. I picked up a replacement frame that flawless, except for the 4 rear holes. It was laughable. I thought it was my luck, but it appears that it's all of our 'luck' .

 

[Northernregal]

I don't envy you putting in the cage without a post lift. It was invaluable to lift the body to weld in in the main hoop, front hoop, and rear supports. I lifted the body off probably 10 times.

The rust on those body mount is holes is priceless. I picked up a replacement frame that flawless, except for the 4 rear holes. It was laughable. I thought it was my luck, but it appears that it's all of our 'luck' .

I only lifted as high as I did for mount replacement, boxing the frame and rear suspension bracing. I'll only need a couple inches of height for cage welding. Should be much easier."Should be" 🤔

 

[64nailhead]

I only lifted as high as I did for mount replacement, boxing the frame and rear suspension bracing. I'll only need a couple inches of height for cage welding. Should be much easier."Should be" 🤔

Perhaps the tig will help.

I'd expect you'll have to fit the main hoop and front bars to the roof hoop with the body set on the frame. Then lift body and make them 'more than tacked'', then set the body down and put in the rear bars.

Now that I'm thinking about it, if you make the floor holes large enough you can probably get it. But the outside of the main hoop and front supports will test your 'glueing' skills lol.

Good luck - I'm sure it'll work out.

 

[Northernregal]

Ok, fair amount to catch up on. I wanted to get a few things to update before I made a post. For a guy who doesn't go to work I can't seem to get more than 3-4 hours a day working on the Cutlass.

First 2 body mount holes are 90% done. Mark some holes, cut out, form patch from 14ga flat metal and cut out a new hole with a hole saw. Easy peasy...

They need to be flushed and painted but are welded out.

Made up some boxing panels from 14ga 4"×8' flat steel. Same process, cut to length and form into shape that let's lines keep the stock routing. I didn't want to bend new brake line again, its no fun. Primed and painted the inside with some random leftover rattle cans. Ground the edges for welding and stitched it in.

I had to weld them in, in the plank position. Side plank to be specific. It sucked, and built character, so AFTER I finished I decided to lift the body more so I didn't have to be a contortionist to do the rear suspension...

Anyway, finally got the call... Motor was finished at the machine shop!

SUPER EXCITED!!!
Tomorrow is going to be horsepower day!!!

Printing out some sheets to record specs, measure up, wash down, install cam bearings and assemble!!!

 

[Rktpwrd]

Hell yeah!
Glad to see some progress. 👍🏻

 

[motorheadmike]

Love me some plank... not!

 

[Tony1968]

There's something special, to me, about building the short block. Love it.