MDchanic

I think it's about time for you to download the Chassis Service Manual, Fisher body Manual (you'll have to get the 1970 version), and SPECS guide from WildAboutCars, so that you can read and learn.

- Eric

pogo69

If you sign up at wildaboutcars you will have access to just about every spec for your car...this would be a good place to start

Archer Meredith

Engine performance specs

Archer Meredith

Mine goes straight from the headers to cherry bombs with no turn downs or any thing else attached to the end of the mufflers

Archer Meredith

Mine goes straight from the headers to the cherry bombs and nothing else it's open no exhaust pipe

1976Oldswagon

I got my '76 cutlass cruiser when I was 15, mine had the big block though.

that car was the best first car I could have gotten, mine had front discs/towing rear brakes, so it would stop when I needed it to, my delta 88 has drums around and is SO MUCH WORSE than the wagon. invest in brakes.

I looked at one of those before I decided on the wagon, the one I was looking at had a 403/200R4 and needed paint.

good luck with it

Archer Meredith

I definitely want to get a disk brake conversion once I get the money lol it's hard to do when you don't have a steady job

MDchanic

One thing at a time.
Put disk brakes on your list, but get the drums working well, and you may just decide they work fine for you.

- Eric

oldstata

I like the way drum brakes stop they work well just don't like them on wet roads they tend to not work well when wet.

MDchanic

Except when you come through a deep puddle, and they work too well.

- Eric

coppercutlass

Welcome aboard. Disc brakes are overated lol. Im still rollin on 4 wheel drums stops like dream even at the end of the traps at the local drag strip which has a very fast approaching return lane. Looks like a solid project car. Get it driveable and enjoy it or you will end up like I did and then almost 2 years after I bought it I finally had it on the street.

oldcutlass

Make a list of needs and then a list of wants, handle the needs first. Power drum brakes are pretty good when they are working properly. Most of us still have them on our cars. Some of us still run points too.

don71

I'd say get what have now working right. Plenty of time to upgrade later, without beating up the budget. Drums served me well for a lot of years before I upgraded to disks.

I didn't buy a kit, I bought a parts car and swapped those parts over. Replacing what ever I needed to at the time with factory parts. Keep that in mind when looking at disc brake kits. You need to know what you got.

Your exhaust system will work for now, but there is a whole new sound to enjoy when you run those pipes all the way out to the rear.

yamahondarider

Funny you should mention that, I had a 1952 Dodge Coronet, pretty much the same car. It was a 62k mile car all original except paint in 8/10 condition. Anyway, you got yourself a very nice base to start with, looks like a clean car. Mine was drug out a nasty dirty slumber after 25 years, it was my dads, he gave it to me. Don't be afraid to jump right in, I'm 18 and I've only put a few hundred dollars and a few weeks work into the car and its almost ready for the road (granted, not very pretty yet). Heres what I started with:
IMG_1868_zps0077cf49.jpg

Heres where I'm at now (yes, she runs and she stops and she does both pretty good)
ontheground1_zpsd0f09052.jpg

Have fun with your project! And remember this site is a great resource if you get stuck, I've had a few problems solved by posting up here

Archer Meredith

I just went for a short test drive had to be short due to a large radiator leak but it drove shifted steered and stoped. The motor seam to heastate when I tryed to speed up but finally I got onto it and filled the cabbin up with smoke but semed to run ok

11971four4two

enjoy the ride

Greg Rogers

Cool, you are 15 years old and have a car that is 41 years old.( and you had a truck that was 60). Us older guys remember our first cars with many fond memories but I'll bet most of us didn't have anything that ancient as a 15-16 yr old. I had a 65 Cutlass as my first car when I was 16 in 1972. So a 7 yr old car. The equivalent for me at 15 yrs old would be a 1930 car! The equivalent for your 53 dodge truck would be a 1911!!! That is really neat. I applaud you. Good luck. You can get a lot of good advice/help on this site.

Archer Meredith

Thanks for the complament I rely appricate it

oldcutlass

Most of us had cars from the 50's and 60's when we were in our teens.

OWD53

Wow! 15 and already with your first Cutlass. I'm very happy for you. My father was an Olds dealer for 43 years and I was 18 before I got my first 442. You already have a 3 year head start on me and I'm 60 now! Enjoy your Cutlass. They really are in a class of there own. OWD53