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Well after 2 years of a complete restoration of my 72 Cutlass S working on it nearly every day. I finally took it out for a drive to see if there were any bugs that needed worked out. Turns out my transmission that I rebuilt wouldn't shift into second gear. After trying several things to diagnose the problem it needed to come out. After removing and tearing it apart I found the sprag on the second gear clutch pack wasn't locking up it was turning in both directions and is only supposed to turn in one direction. I tore down a spare transmission for the parts and put it back together. Took it out for a drive today and it worked great. After 3 days I'm pretty happy about finding and fixing the problem. After 2 years what's another 3 days?
I took mine out for a drive, just to the market for a couple things we needed for dinner- evaluation. Fresh out of the barn, I want to see how it runs early season.
Been getting ready for the season. Swapped out the case on the AutoGear, ordered a new clutch, and some new wheels. Hopefully, got some oil leaks fixed. Ditching the x-pipe for true duals with Borla Pro XS mufflers. Need to replace the voltmeter, yet. 15x7 front-Summit Venoms 15x8 rear -Summit Venoms Autogear Ultra/N case
I really like those rims--perfect blend of new and old. It's an updated look with just enough of the vibe of the original SuperStocks to look like they belong on the car without making it look 'pimped out'.
I really like those rims--perfect blend of new and old. It's an updated look with just enough of the vibe of the original SuperStocks to look like they belong on the car without making it look 'pimped out'.
Thanks, that's exactly what I was going for. They're almost like an inverse with negative space of an SS1.
Of course, they're getting SSI center cap rockets, too.
I don't like the machined lip of the American Racing VN501, and I couldn't find 15x8 REV 109s. Plus, I'm not crazy about their fat "spokes".
Last edited by fleming442; Apr 3, 2025 at 07:31 PM.
ProTour 67 build back on its 17” SS1’s. 468 being assembled to mate up with 200-4R.
13” disc with dual piston caliper.
11” parking brake single piston caliper.
3:55 with Power-Trax.
This is looking like a 1st place/best of class car. What's your thoughts so far on those Cobras, I have a set of them on my 79 H/O. I like 'em but I would have preferred they stuck with the prior style lettering. So far the white letters are staying white and I'm into my 3rd season on this set.
Also, if you can find them, will you ever be putting on the factory side moldings. They are blisteringly hard to find. I did not get a set on my 79 blue Calais when it was re-painted in 2002. I miss the look with them on and I'd really rather have them on since they do provide door ding protection. But, because I put the red rocket emblem too high on both sides of the car (and I used emblem glue, should NOT have done that), I'm afraid I will take paint if I remove them, so no moldings for this car.
Last edited by BlueCalais79; Apr 7, 2025 at 05:45 AM.
This is looking like a 1st place/best of class car. What's your thoughts so far on those Cobras, I have a set of them on my 79 H/O. I like 'em but I would have preferred they stuck with the prior style lettering. So far the white letters are staying white and I'm into my 3rd season on this set.
Also, if you can find them, will you ever be putting on the factory side moldings. They are blisteringly hard to find. I did not get a set on my 79 blue Calais when it was re-painted in 2002. I miss the look with them on and I'd really rather have them on since they do provide door ding protection. But, because I put the red rocket emblem too high on both sides of the car (and I used emblem glue, should NOT have done that), I'm afraid I will take paint if I remove them, so no moldings for this car.
Thanks for the compliment, Gene, but truth be told, I know where the sins are in my garage paint job and under scrutiny it will get noticed. Our goal was to make it look presentable and look good doing 50mph down the road. That, I am confident we accomplished. I've learned a bunch and gotten pretty good with the Devilbis spray gun I bought for the job. All the bumper filler panels, mirrors and wheels were painted by me. My friend did the bodywork and he painted the car in pieces, fenders, doors, hood n header panel, trunk lid and the entire body shell.
The tires have been fine, but I still have a minor vibration in the right front that bugs me. I had it aligned a while back but have since replaced the front coil springs, steering box and rag joint. The steering wheel is clocked wrong now and I need to have it aligned again and if need be, re-balance the tires. As for looks, I like them, but in the end, I think I should have ponied up for the T/A radials. There is a service bulletin on the BFG website FAQ section that addresses the issue.
I ordered some arm rest bases from OPGI and after being on back order for 8 months I found these new in-stock ones on ebay. Had to drill holes to mount my trim pieces but, not a big deal. The old original ones were in bad shape. Old vs. new Assembled onto new door panels.
The black/silver 79 has 62,xxx on it, documented original, I bought that in 2016. The blue 79 I have had since 1984 (second owner) and that has probably 200,000+ miles on it (undocumented). The drivetrain in the black/silver 79 is all original but my blue Calais is a whole different story. The only parts remaining from the original drivetrain are the LH exhaust manifold and the intake manifold & both of these pieces are on borrowed time.
Wow, 62k on the black and silver is pretty amazing. I liked the two tone paint jobs back then!
I am still undecided on the belt line molding on my car. If I do it I might go with a more modern version of it, a 3/4” painted body color molding rather than the original designs that eBay offers that are made in who knows where and will last who knows how long.
I got the drivetrain finished up today- trans and GV-OD in and filled with fluids.
Put the new wheels on with better center cap designs
I can't say i love the wheels, but i think it will look better on the ground and outside.
And, yes, I straightened the rear cap since that pic. LOL
I think your wheels look pretty damn good, as does your car! The ‘66 and ‘67 have definitely grown on me the last several years, I wouldn’t mind finding one in my driveway! 👍
I picked this car up last fall. Really solid but needed some love. I had to go through the brake system and added these wheels and tires. Yesterday I repositioned the steering, the marks on the wheel and shaft were off about 160*! In the past someone converted it from column shift to floor shift with a factory console, and didn’t re-install the new collar and steering wheel in the right position. Also put in a set of nos AC R44 plugs that I found at a swap. I hope to score some more needed goodies at Carlisle. Maybe get lucky finding the correct carburetor!
The lad and I pulled the carb off the 64 Ninety Eight and gave it a clean and rebuild. Took it in for a safety inspection on Monday.
Gave the mechanics a bit of "Olds Education" by explaining some of the oddities of the car. They had never heard of a "Slim Jim" roto-hydramatic, and they couldn't figure out why there was an extra "thingy" attached to the oil pan (see below pic).
I then gave it a good highway run. here's a stock photo for reference...Pre-1963 pans had a compartment welded on the side for extra oil volume. Nice idea, but it is right under the filter location.
Your radio install reminds me of the Realistic booster/equalizer I installed in my center console a long time ago. The cup holders are a good addition too! The interior of your car looks really good. 👍
Like the look, please tell me where did you get the yellow headlights?
Those are actually fog lights, and wired separately. Unfortunately, they are from the early 90s, and no longer available. The company (Japanese) was called FET, and they're standard 5in round.
A common trick, if you know a painter, is to get regular sealed beams sprayed with a tinted clear.
Or, if the price doesn't scare you, Holley makes these: https://www.holley.com/products/elec...RoCqjwQAvD_BwE
Last edited by fleming442; Apr 14, 2025 at 03:09 AM.
I'm so tired of jacking my car by the corners! It's downright scary once it gets over 12" off the ground! Last week I found a guy on Craigs List selling a "quick jack". It's a portable hydraulic lift that hoists your whole car at once up to 2 feet off the ground. Brand new, it sells for about two grand. I picked this one up for about half that. So today, I got my car in the air. Next, I'll clean and paint the floor pans and frame, flush the brakes, and see if I can find that pesky oil leak (I think it's the rear main). I might even do a new exhaust while it's on the jacks.
the lift got the car almost 2 feet off the ground, but the lift points were closer to the center than I was comfortable with, so I put jack stands at the corners
I'm not tall, but this should give you some idea how high the car is off the ground
I could never have gotten the car this far off the ground without the new "lift". Finally I can get under it to work without doing the "inch worm" thing
[QUOTE=Tj Pal;1624466]I picked this car up last fall. Really solid but needed some love. I had to go through the brake system and added these wheels and tires. Yesterday I repositioned the steering, the marks on the wheel and shaft were off about 160*! In the past someone converted it from column shift to floor shift with a factory console, and didn’t re-install the new collar and steering wheel in the right position. Also put in a set of nos AC R44 plugs that I found at a swap. I hope to score some more needed goodies at Carlisle. Maybe get lucky finding the correct carburetor! [/QUOTE
I might know a guy- for the carb, I mean. A local dude around here recently told me he has a stash of early to mid 60's Olds parts. He even mentioned a 4 bbl, but I don't know if it's the one you're looking for- what do you need? I'll ask him.
That lift is way better than getting the floor jacks out. I have a pit lift, similar design, and I lift my car almost 3’ in the air. I wish I had ceiling height for a four post with sliding air jacks but can’t so the pit lift is better than nothing.
