1971 Cutlass Supreme Inspected Daily Driver
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Malvern, PA (Hometown) Williamsport, PA (College)
Posts: 131
1971 Cutlass Supreme Inspected Daily Driver
Some of you have been very helpful so far...Thanks for that.
For those of you who haven't seen my posts: I have a 1971 Cutlass Supreme that is my daily driver, I bought it about a month ago. It needs some work to get inspected. I took it to my mechanic and he pointed out rust and separation of the rear quarter panels and a massive exhaust leak at the manifold.
I have an appointment to get a new custom exhaust system from the manifolds back installed on Monday. New gaskets, 2 1/4" piping into Magnaflow mufflers, turned down at the bumper to keep the stock look. Its gonna be $500+ tax, I thought that was a fair price.
I also talked to a body shop about patching the rust. He told me $400-500. I know it would be much cheaper to do it myself, but i don't have the time or patience for bodywork.
Once I get these two jobs done hopefully the '71 will pass inspection. It has no reason not to.
This is what I have done to get it ready:
1. New Water Pump (huge difference)
2. New sidemarkers
3. Fixed speedo cable.
4. Fixed horn
Still need:
1. Tag light housing and bulb
2. Fix exhaust (tomorrow)
3. Fix rust (next week)
From there: You guys tell me. I should still be under my original budget by about $500. I am thinking about investing in shocks. I would also like to get some gauges going. I think if I get these two things done this car will be a more than solid daily driver. Open to other suggestions for spending that $500; Front and rear sway? Posi rear (I only got the 1-leggers). New gears? Rubber Floors?
For those of you who haven't seen my posts: I have a 1971 Cutlass Supreme that is my daily driver, I bought it about a month ago. It needs some work to get inspected. I took it to my mechanic and he pointed out rust and separation of the rear quarter panels and a massive exhaust leak at the manifold.
I have an appointment to get a new custom exhaust system from the manifolds back installed on Monday. New gaskets, 2 1/4" piping into Magnaflow mufflers, turned down at the bumper to keep the stock look. Its gonna be $500+ tax, I thought that was a fair price.
I also talked to a body shop about patching the rust. He told me $400-500. I know it would be much cheaper to do it myself, but i don't have the time or patience for bodywork.
Once I get these two jobs done hopefully the '71 will pass inspection. It has no reason not to.
This is what I have done to get it ready:
1. New Water Pump (huge difference)
2. New sidemarkers
3. Fixed speedo cable.
4. Fixed horn
Still need:
1. Tag light housing and bulb
2. Fix exhaust (tomorrow)
3. Fix rust (next week)
From there: You guys tell me. I should still be under my original budget by about $500. I am thinking about investing in shocks. I would also like to get some gauges going. I think if I get these two things done this car will be a more than solid daily driver. Open to other suggestions for spending that $500; Front and rear sway? Posi rear (I only got the 1-leggers). New gears? Rubber Floors?
#4
Lol there is one for sale 1100 I think used lol
What rust needs fixed to pass safety ? Floor boards ?
I guess as a driver I would pick all safety items and move from there .
This is one of my favorite years post some pics when you can
What rust needs fixed to pass safety ? Floor boards ?
I guess as a driver I would pick all safety items and move from there .
This is one of my favorite years post some pics when you can
Last edited by oldstata; July 28th, 2013 at 02:56 PM.
#5
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Malvern, PA (Hometown) Williamsport, PA (College)
Posts: 131
Pics are posted on my older thread from earlier this month
#8
Here is a punch list you can check as time and money permits.
All fluids: You may have already replaced cooling and oil. There is also power-steering, transmission and rear-end fluids. Brake fluid and lines.
Fuel lines. The old hoses are not designed for ethanol. Check all hoses for moisture and soft spots.
There are about a dozen different hoses used to carry fuel and fuel vapors that will need to be check.
You may want to take a peek under your fuel tank and check all of the vapor-return hoses at the back of the tank and vapor canister.
Vacuum Hoses: Check all hoses, for hard and cracked hoses. Use a hand held vacuum gauge to find and replace bad hoses.
Gauges: A Rally pack gauges set with gauges, sensor and wires will cost in the range of $700.
You can use after market under dash bolt-on, triple gauge sets for less than $150 (parts, wires, etc).
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/electrical/55341-equus-gauge-set.html
Looking good, Enjoy.
All fluids: You may have already replaced cooling and oil. There is also power-steering, transmission and rear-end fluids. Brake fluid and lines.
Fuel lines. The old hoses are not designed for ethanol. Check all hoses for moisture and soft spots.
There are about a dozen different hoses used to carry fuel and fuel vapors that will need to be check.
You may want to take a peek under your fuel tank and check all of the vapor-return hoses at the back of the tank and vapor canister.
Vacuum Hoses: Check all hoses, for hard and cracked hoses. Use a hand held vacuum gauge to find and replace bad hoses.
Gauges: A Rally pack gauges set with gauges, sensor and wires will cost in the range of $700.
You can use after market under dash bolt-on, triple gauge sets for less than $150 (parts, wires, etc).
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/electrical/55341-equus-gauge-set.html
Looking good, Enjoy.
Last edited by Miles71; July 29th, 2013 at 05:39 AM.
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