It does look pretty decent from the sides. The top surfaces not so much. Just too far gone.

What trip. I missed that 6 months ago Next year Power Tour never gets anywhere near me so I may try to make Goodguy Columbus or something.

 

Looks great Richard

 

WOW!!!! spent all morning reading through youre thread. I have a two year old son and would love to have an in law with your talent great thread and beautiful car.

 

Thank you both

 

gearhead, wow I have been away from the forum since about august ( bad Me) work, house, family, etc left little time, but I just read and reread, cleaned the drool off the keyboard reread the thread and my gawd!! what work and fabrication you have accomplished!! man you are a true oldskool craftsman, I can not add anything that hasn't already been said, but I would like to also add my thanks for the pics, the blog, and the inspiration to finish my own project....

wow.....

 

Thank you very much. I am starting to get death threats if I don't update soon. I hope to get going again this month.

 

I was just wondering about how that project was going...
Have you took a break on the car or have you just not updated the thread?
I would sure like to see it all back together...

 

Have not touched the car since thanks giving day except for once. I ran into a little balljoint fit issuse that took a few days to figure out. (Part of the fun of a hot rod build)

My 180K mile truck decided it wanted some attension so what little time I spent in the shop was on it. December is just a tough month to get anything done with holidays and a bunch of family birthdays all in the same month. I promise I will do better now.

 

I have been watching your restoration for a while now and think you are doing a great job. Your 66 is going to be a nice ride when it is all done. My 69 has an automatic on the floor and one thing I would like to do some day is to convert to a 5 speed manual on the floor like you are doing. I am very interested in your transmission conversion and how that will turn out for you. I am interested in the TKO 600 you are using and how your clutch linkage and food pedal setup all work out for you in the end. Good Luck.

 

Get back to work! We miss the information and pictures you provide. Besides that you have to get it done before good weather returns. I hope to finish the disc brakes on the 57 this month and then get the body work done, like you I am a month behind because of December. Hard to get anything done. Good luck

 

Well the holidays are over and I finally got in the shop a little this weekend. Managed to get the valve covers sanded and repainted. Then was carefully fitting and assembling the painted and powder coated parts on the motor. Here is a before I started pic and what its looking like now,

 

AWESOME...what did you do to the exhaust manifolds? Did you send them out? If so please post some contacts...I can't wait to see more!

 

That thing is amazing, hopefully if it comes through my city and i'm not working i'll stop by and admire it.

 

Sandblasted and used a brush on coating. It was either from POR or Eastwood.

 

Hey Richard, outstanding work, as usual. Are all of the black parts powdercoated? Did you do that yourself of send them out? I've been thinking about picking up a setup was wondering if you've used one.

 

Thanks again. The steering pump housing and MSD coil were painted but the rest was powder coated. I didn't do it I had it done. I have mixed feelings about powder coating. This is the first time I have used it. This stuff builds up so think. You have to be extemley carefull anywhere you bolt it down. Also have to do a lot of trimming it off with a exacto razor blade where some fasteners will come through a hole. My next car I might do all paint. If you do mess something up you can't fix it without re-powder coating and building up even more.

 

Looks great Richard. Getting closer to cruising

 

Some day maybe... LOL

 

Looks good Richard. Glad to see you back at it.
I got the motor for the 72 back together, but forgot the oil slinger. I have to take the front back off.
Who did your powder coating? I'm looking to have the air cleaner done.

 

I used Quality Powder Coating in Carrolton. Sucks about the slinger. I hate when I do stuff like that.

 

Richard,

As I said earlier in this thread, great job! I have a couple of questions for you about your project:

1. Where did you buy your adjustable control arms from and how much did they cost? Are your rear lower control arms adjustable as well?

2. It's been a while since I did a frame off resto, but where are you taking measurements so the body goes back down straight compared to the chassis? If memory serves me correct, there is a little extra room in the chassis mounting points so you can make adjustments.

Thanks and keep up the great work. I need the inspiration to get out in my cold garage and get back to work!

Darrell

 

Thanks again Darrell

1. everything for the front and rear suspension came from here. Give Marcus a call you can't go wrong.

http://www.scandc.com/products.htm

2. I just used the inner rocker to frame to even up the side to side and make it square. Its still a little lose in case I need to move something around to get the front right.

 

Richard,

Your work is truly and example for all. As this is my first project I wanted to tread lightly. I'm hoping to get my skills ready for a full off resto like yours. I'm sure hanging around here will help me a great deal. Can't wait to see more....

 

Looks nice Richard. Still hoping to see that girl in person some day.
Chad

 

Come on down. Should be 80 today

 

-6 as I respond to this... Some day we will be moving out of this crap. The problem is rates, and available freight down there is slim right now, unless you are from down there and have direct customers. 3 of every 10 trucks delivering in TX are bouncing out according to the freight monitors I'm using right now. Once that changes, I'll probably be down there a lot.

 

God I hate guys who brag about their great weather. Here it is cold and mostly rainy. I will be in Waxahachie in April For a big barbecue. I will look you up then Richard, can't wait to see your ride in person.

 

Lots of little preparation stuff going on right now so not much to report. I did pull the front suspension apart today again. The black zinc plating that came on the cross shafts on the upper control arms was rusting just from the humitity. It was driveing me crazy so I pulled them off and cleaned up, primed and painted them.

 

As always you workmanship looks great Richard

 

I try anyway

 

WOW, WOW, WOW! Man you just had to go and ruin it and put the big tires, brakes and wheels...............................AWESOME!!!!!
The work that you have put in to the Cutlass is just superb I got something to strive for now! Keep the pics coming!

 

I think I want to ruin my car with big rims and tires too. I already did my suv, why change now....

 

Haven't commented before but I have been reading along...very impressed with your work and I can't wait for an update! Best of luck

 

Thanks let me know if you have any questions when you get going.

do it do it

Thanks

 

Excellent work Richard! I cannot wait for the next update. I find myself continually checking this thread like a kid looking for presents under the tree. I am inspired. Keep it up.

Chris

 

Thank you Chris

 

I was off today so I was able to get in the shop a little this afternoon.
I got the original carpet back in. Its a little short now on the sides do to the taller tunnel but it will do for now. Installed the shifter boot after that. If anyone uses this boot make sure to mark you holes with the metal retainer plate. I used the rubber boot and that was a mistake. Some of the holes did not quite line up so I had to get creative with some of the screw angles.
I then started wireing up the TKO600 too. After thinking about how to do it the best way I used the reverse and neutral switches on the transmission to control ground on a couple relays. I went through the facory firewall grommet to the inside of the car. I was able to position the relays so I did not have to cut or splice the original wires at all. Just pulled the wires out of the plug ends and on to the relay. If I ever have a neutral saftey relay go out the reverse relay is right there so I have a back up so i am not standed for mor than a minute. Power to the relays will come from the power window spade in the fuse block.

 

Very clean.

 

Good job on the wiring Richard.

 

I now rate you as a journeyman car electrican. You can add this to your many other titles. Good job alway good to have backup