Suspension Adventure 72 Cutlass 'S'

When I get my HD system mounted and hooked up (pulleys line up - cross my fingers) You're welcome to the spacer and 4 blade if you want it. I don't because it apparently robs the car of HP.
LOL! I have exactly the same measuring 'tools' you do!! It sounds a lot like you have a flex fan on the car. Does it look sort of like one of these? A flex fan will flatten out at high rpm like when you're at hiway speed, but will stay more in shape for low speed like idling where you need cooling. Opinions I've heard are they are the 'poor mans' alternative to a fan clutch assembly.
When I get my HD system mounted and hooked up (pulleys line up - cross my fingers) You're welcome to the spacer and 4 blade if you want it. I don't because it apparently robs the car of HP.
When I get my HD system mounted and hooked up (pulleys line up - cross my fingers) You're welcome to the spacer and 4 blade if you want it. I don't because it apparently robs the car of HP.
What would be the proper setup that'd i'd need to keep the OEM look??
Did the 4-4-2 model come with a heavy duty fan?
Remember in 72 you could order a 442 package on any of the coupes because it was mostly an appearance package. That means that some of them would be 350 2bbl, 350 4bbl, 455 2bbl and 455 4bbl.
The W30's automatically got the HD as part of their performance package.
Even if you keep the OEM look with spacer and 4 blade fan, I'd seriously consider buying that fan shroud you were looking at. It will help a lot with cooling. I don't know what the flex fan diameter is, but the shroud requires fans that are 19" or less.
Small update.
I looked at my balancer last night, looks like there's a chamfer on the end of it.....
Does anyone have a picture of what it is supposed to look like?? If i put the seal on there, should i be adding some RTV between the seal and the balancer?
Can someone tell me if my gears look nice and lined up?? I did it as best as i can and i dont have the tools to degree the cam, you can see the marks below here.

Here is the before and after painted picture.

Does anyone have a picture of what it is supposed to look like?? If i put the seal on there, should i be adding some RTV between the seal and the balancer?
Can someone tell me if my gears look nice and lined up?? I did it as best as i can and i dont have the tools to degree the cam, you can see the marks below here.

Here is the before and after painted picture.

Tony, that looks exactly like the pic on page 6B-30 (fig 6B-173), so I'd bet it's right.
The balancer came out amazing. I see the OEM spacer in the background, so I guess you prolly just need a 4 blade? Paint the spacer either 'cast' or ' silver'. I like 'cast myself.
The balancer came out amazing. I see the OEM spacer in the background, so I guess you prolly just need a 4 blade? Paint the spacer either 'cast' or ' silver'. I like 'cast myself.
Small update,
Brushed and painted the top of my unit, might also replace the Oil pressure sender with a T and put a gauge as well. I'd really like to have an electric oil pressure sender if they weren't so darned expensive..
Brushed and painted the top of my unit, might also replace the Oil pressure sender with a T and put a gauge as well. I'd really like to have an electric oil pressure sender if they weren't so darned expensive..
Maybe it's just the way I'm looking at that pic, but that intake seal looks just wrong...I would suspect a huge vacuum leak there. If you want to take out the oil filler tube, it's just press fit in there. Rubber mallet at 90° taps, then grasp and rotate while pulling up.
Sending units for gages aren't terrible $$. The oil pressure one is the most expensive, the coolant sensor is pretty cheap http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...r%21s%21sender
Sending units for gages aren't terrible $$. The oil pressure one is the most expensive, the coolant sensor is pretty cheap http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...r%21s%21sender
Threaded about 3 feet of rope into the cylinder, about 20 degrees before TDC she was locked in. Boom! Torqued her down and all is well.
Now for assembly! I put all the pulleys on (except PS) and fired her up, full of coolant. The fan worked great! I could feel the air getting pulled through the radiator, and she didn't creep past 190 (whereas the car used to hit 220 and above if i let her idle too long) I guess my old water pump was shot.
Also, she's sucking 20" of vacuum on my vacuum gauge! I'm pretty happy with that. Also, unplugged the distributor, loaded up the RPM to 1100 and set the timing to 12BTDC.
Getting there Tony. Now you know you have to do the power steering pump, gearbox and lines. Glad you replaced those rad/pump hoses. What is that vacuum line looping out from the carb and going back to the metal tube? Isn't that the line to the PCV?
Gentlemen,
Video posted, check it out and let me know what you think.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=koEqwZPD0rw
The line that comes out of the carb is indeed looping back to the PCV, the gold coloured elbow goes to the brake line since it's a performer manifold and not OEM.
Video posted, check it out and let me know what you think.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=koEqwZPD0rw
The line that comes out of the carb is indeed looping back to the PCV, the gold coloured elbow goes to the brake line since it's a performer manifold and not OEM.
Thanks Guys!
I'll definitely grab some more videos now that i know how to post them.
with my new muffler installed and tail pipe too, sure makes a heck of a difference in the end resonance. Earlier, there was a hairline crack in the muffler, it sounded like a couple marbles in a coffee can when id give her a bit of gas.
For a single exhaust i think it sounds pretty throaty.
I'll definitely grab some more videos now that i know how to post them.
with my new muffler installed and tail pipe too, sure makes a heck of a difference in the end resonance. Earlier, there was a hairline crack in the muffler, it sounded like a couple marbles in a coffee can when id give her a bit of gas.
For a single exhaust i think it sounds pretty throaty.
It sounds just like it's supposed to Tony. Olds has a distinctive sound that you don't want to lose. I LIKE IT!! I'll bet that when you get it out on the street you'll actually be quite impressed with how quiet it is while still delivering that punch and go.
Small update!
Washed the car for the first time this year. Grabbed a quick picture of her last evening.
I can't wait to finish up the bodywork on this car and get a nice paintjob. I think it's going to make the world of a difference.
Washed the car for the first time this year. Grabbed a quick picture of her last evening.
I can't wait to finish up the bodywork on this car and get a nice paintjob. I think it's going to make the world of a difference.
Last edited by Tony72Cutlass'S'; Jun 19, 2012 at 07:11 AM.
I'm ALMOST done one side of the suspension! I found out that to get the spring out (and with everyone's help) Turns out all i had to do was jack up the car really high and push down on the control arm. **POP** the spring came right out!
So i cleaned her up, painted, and she's drying downstairs right now.
Pictures to come soon!
I flipped out! I couldn't believe it!
My olds ACTUALLY wasn't high enough! The control arm was bottoming out.
All i had to do was jack it another inch, push down on the control arm and POP!
Thanks! I'm REALLY happy with the way the timing chain came out.
My olds ACTUALLY wasn't high enough! The control arm was bottoming out.
All i had to do was jack it another inch, push down on the control arm and POP!
Thanks! I'm REALLY happy with the way the timing chain came out.
UPDATE TIME here my friend. We've been jacking other threads with all the work you've been up to. We now return to your original thread. Us enquiring minds want to SEE what you've been up to!! 
Aside from chasin the hot babes, that goes without sayin. But if they're that hot a pic wouldn't hurt either - specially if they're sitting in your car pretending to be a cup holder....

Aside from chasin the hot babes, that goes without sayin. But if they're that hot a pic wouldn't hurt either - specially if they're sitting in your car pretending to be a cup holder....
UPDATE TIME here my friend. We've been jacking other threads with all the work you've been up to. We now return to your original thread. Us enquiring minds want to SEE what you've been up to!! 
Aside from chasin the hot babes, that goes without sayin. But if they're that hot a pic wouldn't hurt either - specially if they're sitting in your car pretending to be a cup holder....

Aside from chasin the hot babes, that goes without sayin. But if they're that hot a pic wouldn't hurt either - specially if they're sitting in your car pretending to be a cup holder....
So Tony,
We need to see what you did with the gas tank and rear suspension. Isn't it nice putting new stuff back in the front? Fits so much easier. Did you get the CA's torqued and wheel alignment done? How much was it out? Enquiring minds want to know.....
We need to see what you did with the gas tank and rear suspension. Isn't it nice putting new stuff back in the front? Fits so much easier. Did you get the CA's torqued and wheel alignment done? How much was it out? Enquiring minds want to know.....
Did you ever change your intake manifold? I'm still on the fence with if i'm going to use a turkey tray or not...
Or just seal the manifold with copper RTV and call it a day. I know the factory called for a turkey tray, but I've got an aftermarket manifold, not sure what difference it makes...
Yup, I changed it from a stock 2bbl to a stock 4bbl. It's way heavier than the 7111 you have. There's a lot of + - on whether to use the turkey tray on aluminum intakes. I know Roger used one with his 455. If it was putting on a 7111 on my car I'd prolly still use a turkey tray.
I get where you'd be frustrated by what's going on. Hope it all resolves soon. No fun being frustrated..
I get where you'd be frustrated by what's going on. Hope it all resolves soon. No fun being frustrated..
Wait a minute, are you guys watching the news.
Dorval Quebec, Some kid just got his cutlass plated?
WAIT A MINUTE,
WHO HAS A PLATED CUTLASS.
THIS GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
Dorval Quebec, Some kid just got his cutlass plated?
WAIT A MINUTE,
WHO HAS A PLATED CUTLASS.
THIS GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
Just finished watching the news. They had this news flash in from QC. and I do mean a flash - some bamboo colored car racing down the street..... Announcer said some kid stole a vintage car and was posting this video all over U tube about how his car was fast as a 'rocket'....
Congrats on getting her registered Tony. That means you can drive it legally to the shows now! Somehow it's different when you bring your ride as opposed to just wandering through. I missed not having my car at the all Olds show this year.
Congrats on getting her registered Tony. That means you can drive it legally to the shows now! Somehow it's different when you bring your ride as opposed to just wandering through. I missed not having my car at the all Olds show this year.

Im kind of sad a whole tank of gas didn't get me that far.
Averaging 13MPG on that tank. I figure that's not too bad for a first run. Mind you i was kind of heavy on the gas, need to learn to accelerate better to stay on the 2bbl portion of my 1405.
A little heavy on the gas?? Nawww really??? I would be too to celebrate all the work that's been done. Good on ya buddy!
I see the weather is going to be crappy for cruising down there for the next little while. You guys prolly need the rain though with all the high temps you've been running the last while.
Actually 13/gal (Canadian?) in the city isn't bad. I only get around 14/15 myself and that's with a stock 7042250 and intake. On the highway it will do better - somewhere around 18-20. I've got 2:73 open rear right now. I expect that changing to 3:23 will really affect mileage. Might opt for 3:08 instead.
A little heavy on the gas?? Nawww really??? I would be too to celebrate all the work that's been done. Good on ya buddy!
I see the weather is going to be crappy for cruising down there for the next little while. You guys prolly need the rain though with all the high temps you've been running the last while.
A little heavy on the gas?? Nawww really??? I would be too to celebrate all the work that's been done. Good on ya buddy!
I see the weather is going to be crappy for cruising down there for the next little while. You guys prolly need the rain though with all the high temps you've been running the last while.
I've burned over 100 dollars in gas in the past two days. Showing off the car to as many people as i can muster.
Funny thing, i grew up with lots of friends that have projects, most of them never make it to the road. I can say, this really feels great.
If anyone is interested i can find some way to scan the inspection and upload it to this site. It'll show what mechanics check for in Montreal for the road inspection.
Good to see they were ok with the car though. 
Yeah, I looked up Montreal gas prices. Hope you were burning just regular!! $6.30/Can gal (5.29/US gal)! Doesn't take long to add up does it? One tank later and the wallet looks like it had a heart attack...

We just got Ultra 94 out here this spring (Petro Can) and it's about .18 more per litre. For my car it's just a waste of money because it's tuned for reg.
Sooooo, do the chicks dig riding in the car????
I found that resizing pics tends to lose resolution a lot.
Good to see they were ok with the car though. 
Yeah, I looked up Montreal gas prices. Hope you were burning just regular!! $6.30/Can gal (5.29/US gal)! Doesn't take long to add up does it? One tank later and the wallet looks like it had a heart attack...
We just got Ultra 94 out here this spring (Petro Can) and it's about .18 more per litre. For my car it's just a waste of money because it's tuned for reg.
Sooooo, do the chicks dig riding in the car????
Good to see they were ok with the car though. 
Yeah, I looked up Montreal gas prices. Hope you were burning just regular!! $6.30/Can gal (5.29/US gal)! Doesn't take long to add up does it? One tank later and the wallet looks like it had a heart attack...

We just got Ultra 94 out here this spring (Petro Can) and it's about .18 more per litre. For my car it's just a waste of money because it's tuned for reg.
Sooooo, do the chicks dig riding in the car????
Went to the insurance bureau today, made sure I was covered. Gonna wash it this evening and clean her up a bit.
Boy, 15MPG (US measure) is pretty hard on the wallet...
Honestly, I just want to enjoy the car now, drive it everyday, and improve it piece by piece.
What's next?! Rear suspension (control arm bushings, upper and lower)
Al, lemme know if you want a copy of the inspection, I'll shoot it over to your email.
Paul, when are we doing an eastern/ghetto cutlass meet?



