OK. So I gave my 18 y.o. son my 1972 Cutlass (58,000 miles). I'll spare you the grisly details, but he's in college now and most of the body and both bumpers need to be replaced. Excellent mechanical condition. No frame rot - garaged for 40 years.

So - a guy close by is selling his 1972 Cutlass Convertible - great body condition but needs motor for $3000. Just wondering if I can just bring the body over. Any issues with that? Frames identical?

 

If you are talking about putting the convertible body on the 4 door frame, quit thinking about it. If you check the wheelbase, I think they are different with the 4 door being longer. Even if it did fit, the 4 door frame is not boxed and in a very short time if not immediately you would not be able to open the door due to the frame buckling. Is there a reason you would just not take the driveline out of the 4 door and put on the convertible?

 

Thanks!

I'll put it out of my head then. No reason not to put the drivetrain into the convertible - just time and money. I don't have the equipment to take the motor out etc.

 

You were considering swapping body and frame around but changing the engine is to much of a project? Much easier to swap an engine. Maybe reconsider?

Henry

 

You can rent a hoist, as Henry stated it's much simpler to swap the engine than a body.

 

Engine swap equipment
Cherry picker $250 or less
or
tree, comealong, chain, $40

Jack and stands $200 [nice AL jack]

 

Two doors use a 112" wheelbase. Four doors use a 116" wheel base. Of course, then there's the whole thing about convertible frames being boxed to make up for the loss of stiffness when the metal roof is removed.

 

Excellent score on the convertible. Sorry to hear about the tragic end to your four door.

But! Your four door will make an excellent donor car.

You should be able to swap the engine over the weekend.

I found my cherry picker on Craigslist for next to nothing.

Good luck!

 

Hmm OK I'm thinking about pulling the engine. Last time I did that was 30 years ago with my dad...

So, anyone have a good reference they can recommend?

 

I read the Chilton's seems simple enough... I suppose if I'm going to pull the engine I may as well change all the gaskets... Wonder how much a rebore would cost...

 

I'd at least get a Haynes manual or something closer to the factory manual. In my experience Chilton gets a lot of things wrong.

 

Manuals are just that manuals.It's just nuts and bolts go for it.

 

Go to ebay and find yourself a factory shop manual. It will be the best money you can spend. If the engine is running good, why would you consider a rebore. Then you are talking a complete engine rebuild and lots of money.

 

X2 or they don't mention the particular issue you are working on at all,

 

I was able to download the complete factory manual free online. Thanks

I won't rebore - have to stop myself from might as well syndrome.

Thanks everyone.

 

Chances are the 4 door car is a 350 2bbl and the vert is a 4 bbl. do both cars have AC? You need to factor that for the pulley system, alt, and front wiring harness.