Virginia '78 Cutlass

[jmansun9]

New here, so figured I'd introduce myself. Live just outside of DC. Just bought an unfinished 1978 Olds Cutlass project. Former owner put a lot of money into various components and I doubt that much is left of the original car except for the body and interior. As I am a "newb", I'll most likely be on the site to gather information on sources for restoration parts (interior/body) and see if I can make sence of what's been done already. (Don't know all that much about building engines and things like that but have a decent mechanical mind/can follow directions).

With that said, should anyone know where I could find a replacement dash pad/overlay (black) I'd greatly appreciate it. Most of the donor cars I've seen are in as bad shape as the one I currently have in the car.
Thanks ! - j

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Welcome to the board! For the dash try ebay, craigslist or keep searching junkyards is about all I can tell ya. I searched for a good 3-4 months with no luck and just got one from canada!

 

[bill]

Welcome fellow Virginian! Good luck with the build and remember, the only dumb question is the one never asked! Also, use the board index and search box to help find previous posts and most of the time, you will find something close to what you are looking for.

Bill in Bracey

 

[jmansun9]

Thank you for the replies ! Yeah, figured ebay was the place - and saw a couple but was a skeptic. Guess I'll take my shot. Ok- here's a question for ya. Now, I must admit that I am in a little over my head. I'm the kind of person who can do a basic tune up to a stock car if I have the books. Issue is that the car I bought (sorry don't have any pictures yet) has so much aftermarket and custom stuf that I don't have a clue what I really have. Honestly. I bought it b/c it was the style of Olds I wanted, is something that I can drive now (and did for 1st time today), and was right price. All the mods are a bonus. I'm no street racer and plan to build a cruiser.

Here's what I have based on what previous owner told me and the 2" binder of receipts that I've reviewed (don't know the meaning of most of it beyond a basic level):
350 sbc 9:87:1; hyper pistons, 0.60 over, 400 double hump heads, edelbrock performer rpm hirise intake, edelbrock 600 carb, 1 5/8 longtube jethot headers, 3"xpipe, 2 1/2 straightline mufflers, 350TH chetah full manual/auto reverse pattern valve body, b&m ratchet shifter, all moog front end, kyb gas ajusts at all 4, new springs, airbags in springs, edelbrock upper adjustable control arms, hotchkiss lowers, swaybars front and rear, rear seat frame brace, 3:73 posi from monte ss, dual 12" electric fans, serp drive belt, electric fuel pump, hypertech 50k volt coil, accel module, msd 8.8 wires. 15" ss II rally rims, grandnational interior (except for dash), rally pac guages (none work),.....whew. (hope that wan't too long a post)

 

[ElCaminoGRAN/SPORT]

Thank you for the replies ! Yeah, figured ebay was the place - and saw a couple but was a skeptic. Guess I'll take my shot. Ok- here's a question for ya. Now, I must admit that I am in a little over my head. I'm the kind of person who can do a basic tune up to a stock car if I have the books. Issue is that the car I bought (sorry don't have any pictures yet) has so much aftermarket and custom stuf that I don't have a clue what I really have. Honestly. I bought it b/c it was the style of Olds I wanted, is something that I can drive now (and did for 1st time today), and was right price. All the mods are a bonus. I'm no street racer and plan to build a cruiser.

Here's what I have based on what previous owner told me and the 2" binder of receipts that I've reviewed (don't know the meaning of most of it beyond a basic level):
350 sbc 9:87:1; hyper pistons, 0.60 over, 400 double hump heads, edelbrock performer rpm hirise intake, edelbrock 600 carb, 1 5/8 longtube jethot headers, 3"xpipe, 2 1/2 straightline mufflers, 350TH chetah full manual/auto reverse pattern valve body, b&m ratchet shifter, all moog front end, kyb gas ajusts at all 4, new springs, airbags in springs, edelbrock upper adjustable control arms, hotchkiss lowers, swaybars front and rear, rear seat frame brace, 3:73 posi from monte ss, dual 12" electric fans, serp drive belt, electric fuel pump, hypertech 50k volt coil, accel module, msd 8.8 wires. 15" ss II rally rims, grandnational interior (except for dash), rally pac guages (none work),.....whew. (hope that wan't too long a post)

Welcome,Im a newb here myself but i tell you ,your at the right spot with a great bunck of cats who really dig G-bodys.Cant wait to see your car by what you listed you got a beast,it would be hard for me to cruise in that,I'd be doing doughnuts on every corner and looking for feelings to hurt 😀 .Peace...

 

[oldtinsmith]

jmansun9,

Welcome to the site!

Doug

 

[jmansun9]

yup - can't get used to the feeling that I need an extra gear. The only other car I ever drove that felt this way was a '63 Lesabre. The '63 had a 2speed trans in it. It is like direct power. Shifting took getting used to. Drive home was trial by fire: 95/495 Virginia from Andrews AFB to Springfield VA where I finally hit roads with cars goin ~40 vs. 80MPH. Like the sound. Like that it chirps in all gears. Don't like how you have to put it in reverse. Ride is stiff as all get out. Im 40 but when I got out after the ride felt like I think an inactive 80yr old would feel. still sore. can't really get on it too much - made the mistake one time at a light and looked ike a buthead to the mid-afternoon 'Wegmans' croud. Felt like a bad **** though !!