BUILD THREAD Project I better learn what I'm doing

[mr evil]

Yes, it's supposed to be like that. I like that you are taking this on and learning as you go. It's what I've been doing for 20 years, lots of successes and just as many failures I think, but without forums like this I would have given up long ago. Wish you lots of luck.

Wanted to remind you too, the 81 frame doesn't have the drivers side extension for the 2004r that was used in later years(as I learned lol) so if your 88 has the 2004r you'll need to either buy the extension kit available aftermarket or cut it from your 88 frame and weld it into your 81.

 

[WisconsinCutlass]

Thanks for the reminder on the frame extension. I was planning on making my own and welding it in. Get some more practice with the welder. I probably wont get anything done this week. I'll keep this updated as I go along.

 

[marcar1993]

Agreed on the hobart 140 being a good machine, I have one, and it was my first welder purchase. Its a great machine, does sheetmetal well, and even can lay some decent beads on the thicker stuff too.
Just practice, practice, practice. And make sure your surfaces are nice and clean to weld too.

 

[Texas82GP]

Totally agree with marcar. The joints have to be clean on both sides and they have to fit up well. Those are key. The rest is settings and practice.

 

[WisconsinCutlass]

Didn't get as much done as I had hoped today. 90 plus degrees here today and I played a round of golf this afternoon. What I did get acconplished was putting the manual choke on the 88 twice. Got it all hooked up the first time and realized I forgot to put the nut on. Got that fixed than worked on the parts car. Got the front all cleaned up. Only thing I couldn't figure out was how to get the HVAC box out. Got it unbolted from the firewall but dont see where it unhooks from under the dash. Got the motor mounts cut off also. I also noticed that the master cylinder from the parts car has a bigger reservoir than whats on the 88. Is that the only difference between the 2? Anyways here's some pics.

 

[WisconsinCutlass]

Besides working on tuning my 88 that I have another thread started for I also got some work done on the parts car. I picked up a 2inch hole saw to drill out the floor above the body mount bolts. Got the holes drilled for all the mounts besides the #6's seemed like a pain to get at so I skipped it for now. I also had been spraying the #2 bolts with penatrating fluid all week. Drivers side bolt came right out with no problems. Passengers side not so much. Got it started and whatever it screws into started spinning. Took a look at it for a minute and decided that it will be another days project. Started spraying down all the other bolts with Cyclo Breakaway. Best penatrating fluid I've ever used.

 

[WisconsinCutlass]

So It's been awhile and haven't had much time to work on the cars but made some good progress this weekend. I finally got the body off the frame and without a lift was a royal pain. I thought 3 people would be enough to handle it and we got it done but was much harder than I thought it was going to be. I dont think this car was drove much. There's only 1 body mount hole in the frame that could possible use the repair washers. The rest all look fine, even the #2 thats under the hvac box. The body mounts themselves didnt even look horrible. I attached a picture of the worst looking one. I'm going to power wash everything Friday then decide what the next step is. I know theres a thread somewhere with frame bracing suggestions that I need to find again. I also plan on eventually notching the rear and doing the blazer brake upgrade. Any other suggestions? I will either be getting the frame blasted or wire wheeling myself and painting eventually. Also replacing all brake lines and fuel lines. Sorry for the long post I'm kind of excited I finally made some progress.

 

[Texas82GP]

This is the frame from the 'parts car'? What are you doing with the frame? Are you putting it under your Cutlass or are you restoring the 'parts car'? What power level do you anticipate for that frame? Here's that thread you were talking about.....
https://gbodyforum.com/threads/f41-and-aftermarket-bracing-diagrams-more-pics-added.8126/

 

[WisconsinCutlass]

Yes this is the frame from the parts car. Eventually I want to put it under the 88. Im doing it this way so I can still drive the 88 while working on this frame. Eventually I would like to go BBO but that will probably be a long ling time from now. I believe my Olds 350 right now is between 300-400hp. Thanks for the link to the thread.

 

[Texas82GP]

You should probably seriously consider boxing the frame while its out.