The 1982 Gutlass "Build"

[RustRocket]

This isn't really a build, and won't be for awhile, but this is more of an intro to my 82 Cutlass Calais




Check out that sweet mill, 3.8L, got more power than a fusion bomb filled with wild buffalo
Overall my ratings are:
Exterior 5/10, could be worse you know.
Interior 4/10, missing half the trim, cracked dash, cracked wheel, door panel look to have been attacked by wolves, from the inside.
Engine 2/10, I mean come on, does it need an explanation?
Suspension 6/10, terribly floaty, if you push on it, it pushes back, hard.
Overall, it's a 4.25/10 based on my criteria, say what you will, but this car really is a turd

 

[L92 OLDS]

Sweet! Looks like it's all there. A hard top Calais is a great foundation to build from. Hopefully it's rust free........

 

[RustRocket]

Well It is a T-Top, and the days of having a nice top are long gone as you can see, click the pictures to enlarge
no idea how the body got so bad
Also, is everyone missing this trim piece:
The driver's side T-Top trim is all cracked and missing

 

[pencero]

I'm not saying you can't save that car but it's probably not worth doing very much with. Another problem you may encounter is somebody will try to steal the t-tops b/c they are probably worth more than the entire rest of the car...

 

[RustRocket]

Noticed the car relieving itself after running for about a minute, and took the fan shroud off, immediately broke a bolt. We're off to a great start.
Then, found the source to be inside, close to the radiator cap.
My brother, being the redneck penny-pincher he is, said "just take some pliers and pinch it off, it'll be fine for awhile"
A new radiator should be on the way, once some money comes in

 

[MeanBuicks]

I like it. Rally gauges, rally wheels, console and floor shift, T-tops... Do it to it! 8)

 

[RustRocket]

Re: The 1982 Gutlass "Build" Brake Problem Located

Well, I finally got around to getting the car off the ground, and I wasn't exactly greeted with good news. The previous owner's son (we're friends) just said the brakes stopped working, and I guess he was right. (click pictures to enlarge) The pads are maybe a half millimeter from the rotors, and as you can see, the passenger rotor is worn down nearly to the fins. Which isn't the actual problem
The brake lines themselves have significant holes/cracks in them, in the same spot on each side
So I'm guessing a high estimate of $200 to get it on the road, including the radiator, however I'm not letting this thing see pavement until it has new plugs/wires, oil change, some trans fluid, and possibly a new distributor cap. Whatever, I bought a project and I knew it, I'm not sure what I was expecting

 

[MeanBuicks]

Holy 'Lack of Preventative Maintenence' Batman! :shock:

I've been around cars for decades and I've never seen rotors and pads look like that! Must be original equipment.

RockAuto is your friend. They'll be hard to beat on pricing. Hope you're getting new calipers as well. Those are probably toast.

 

[RustRocket]

Replaced some vacuum lines and repainted the air cleaner/filter housing, now it's the best looking part of the whole car!

 

[MeanBuicks]

Excellent. Progress is good.

When your shopping for your brake parts, toss a couple sway bar end links in your basket. They're cheap and you could sure use them.