Ok so I got a hellofa deal on this 1970 Cutlass and the exterior and interior are 90% finished. I took it to GoodYear mechanics and they made a list of things that are wrong with it under the hood. Is it best to shell out a ton of cash letting them get the parts and do the labor, or me order the parts online and them do labor or just find a mechanic at a less expensive shop and work on it? I know about cars enough to see whats wrong but not enough to do the repairs myself. Don't mind spending $$$ on it but I cant do it all at once. Whats the best way to go about it? Its running though...

 

Post a couple of pics of your car, also mabey put a list of the problems they gave you up. Good luck with your new ride and welcome to the site.

OOPS didn't notice the link...Looks to be in nice shape, I like the color.

 

First off lets see the list. There is an order to what things should be done first if you want to spread out the cost of repairs over time. Do the things that make the car safe to drive first. like brakes and associated parts, tires, front end parts like ball joints tie rod ends. Second are items like water pumps, timing chains, radiator & heater hoses, rubber gas lines, gas filters, belts. Third are cosmetic items. This is not intended to be a full list, but just to give you and idea of how to spread the cost out.

I have found that small independent shops can offer the best bang for the buck for the kind of work your talking about. Just make sure to check them out by checking with some of their customers. Pay as you go and get quotes for each phase of work and tell them not to exceed that cost without contacting you.

 

There is a link on my signature to the photos but here they are as well:

 

I will type out the list and post it in a little while. Its hard to read so Im going back so they can type it, the guys writing is impossible to read.

 

Welcome to the site. It looks like you picked up a pretty nice car that someone put a lot of work into. My advice is to find a mechanic that is used to working on classic cars. Your average Goodyear is going to be full of guys that have not seen a carburator in years if ever. Most of the diagnosis is done with a computer and they will not be used to mechanical parts and techniques for repairing an old car. Not saying they are all like that but I would rather put my money on a roulette wheel

Try to attend some classic car shows or cruises in your area and ask around on who to go to.

One more thing. Wheels are a taste thing and there is nothing that will get guys around here riled up faster the the subject of big wheels on a classic car. I am of the middle of the road on this subject. I like larger wheels on these cars when done right but my personal taste is not huge wheels.

Apart from my personal taste there are practical reasons to not run wheels as large as what are on your car. I am assuming they are 22" and will cost $1000.00 or more each to replace when not if you hit a pot hole and bend one. In addition the ride is greatly affected by the tiny rubber bad tires. Last but not least a car with giant heavy wheels like that is harder to stop and takes much more power to turn over.

If I was you I would see if you can sell the ones you have before you destroy one and buy something in an 18" wheel. You still get the big wheel look but have some rubber under the tire to protect the wheel.
here is a great looking example of 18" wheels on a car with your body style.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...et-wheels.html

 

As far as how to deal with the repair shop is concerned, every shop sets their rates so that they make a certain percentage on parts and a certain percentage on labor. Let's say they set it up so that they make about half their profit from parts and half from labor. If you walk in the door with a box of parts you bought elsewhere, it's really not fair to expect them to do all the work at their standard rate; they'd be working for half the usual profit. So if you have specific parts you want to use that you want to buy yourself, you really have to negotiate that with the shop ahead of time. Of course, a cute girl has more negotiating power than most of the rest of us.

 

Welcome, not a bad lookin' Olds.

 

I watch a show on History Chanel called Pawn Stars. They get a lot of classic cars they restore and sell. The pawn shop is in Las Vegas. So I know that there is at least on guy in your city that does classic cars. If you watch that show they say his name a lot. Looks like he does good work. It might be worth going to there pawn shop and ask them who they use or just watch the show.

 

....One more thing. Wheels are a taste thing and there is nothing that will get guys around here riled up faster the the subject of big wheels on a classic car.


Yep.... gotta lose those wheels and the DVD player!

 

As much as I am someone who prefers a stock looking car to something raddid' out, it is your car, do what makes you happy. I would rather welcome one more to the fold, that scare away someone who has and likes their Olds.

 

I agree. Me personally would sell the rims to finish the car. But I know I'm doing things to mine that some won't like. We all see our cars in different ways thats why we are here and not at a che*y or f*rd board.
Larry

 

I didn't do ANY work yet to this car, so it is to taste of theirs not mine. However I want it running smoothly first before I start on the exterior looks of the car. Thanks GearsHead, BlackGold, 70 Cutlass S, and everyone else for all the info. I'm going to a car show March 21st (not with the car, just to look). The GoodYear guys did some work on it today FREE so thats always a plus. As far as the DVD thing goes, It only makes sense in a SUV or Road Trip car, not this so I will be removing it and putting something more practical, any ideas?

 

Today i removed the cracked Fan Shroud and was told it needed a new one and also a fan clutch and a power steering pump which is leaking and those are the biggest problems. So in perspective to what it COULD need, this is good. The brake fluid has some moisture contamination so I'm also flushing all fluids and replacing fluids and whatever fliters it needs. BlackGold, GoodYear is charging $70/hr labor if I buy parts. Is this high or normal?

 

www.fusicks.com they will have your fan shroud. www.custom-autosound.com for stereo options.

 

Thanks!

 

Thats funny around here I can't get air in a tire for free. What are you doing different..

 

smiling sweetly I would guess.

 

More questions (thanks in advance).

#1 - Is a Fan Shroud and a Radiator Shroud the same thing?
#2 - My Glove box doesn't lock, and keeps falling open.(See 2 pics below) Should I seal it shut as is, or install a lock and whatever else it needs?
#3 - What is a fan clutch and where can I find one? I looked on www.fusick.com but didn't see one.

Glove Box Pics:

 

Hahahaha smiling a lot for sure LoL Flirting always makes the prices drop!

 

fan shroud and radiator shroud would be the same. the fan clutch is in the center of the fan on the engine. it is about 5 inches across and the fan itself is bolted to it. that is assuming you have one and no one has changed it to a flex fan. if that is the case then you need get factory fan and fan clutch. the glove box door looks like it is covered with vinyl? if so then they took out the lock assymbly. if so some one on here probably has the parts laying around.

 

and flirting always works on me. never seems to work for me though

 

hahahah yea well u need to brush up on your flirting or find a all womans garage its covered with some material, if no one has a lock. I can order online from fusick.com. The fan is fine but he said i needed a fan clutch ..... there is one in there but i guess something is wrong with it. There was a fan shroud but it was cracked so badly that the fan was hitting the edges.

 

Me either....I just must not have the right curves

Fan clutch you should be able to get at regular auto parts chain local to you. Take the car with you so they can try to match it up since you probably have a newer motor than the car is

 

Hey Justagirl, the absolute best thing you can do is to hook up, wait, I worded that wrong, I mean make friends with some gearheads, be them men or women. Also join a local car club. What you will glean from that is the knowledge and help to get these repairs done yourself and save some money.
Classic cars need constant attention. The more you can do yourself, the better off you will be. You shouldn't be afraid to try making some easy repairs. A lot of times even if it take a couple tries to get it right, your still $$$$ ahead compared to going to a shop.

 

Oh yeah, I agree with the majority. Lose the DONK wheels as soon as you can.
Otherwise I like your ride. Lots of custom work there.

 

Thanks! I'll see what I can do about the wheels. I can't wait to meet some people soon I have a silverado 2003 too!

 

You should be able to find a fan clutch at your nearest auto parts retail store, be it O'Reilly, NAPA, Autozone, etc.

 

.....#3 - What is a fan clutch and where can I find one? I looked on www.fusick.com but didn't see one.


In the Fusicks catalog, page 41.


Fan Clutches:

FC2705 Fan Clutch 1966-76 all with fan clutch 69.50

 

ur awesome cutlassgal <3

 

Thank you..... Thank you very much!

 

Hey Justagirl, how's things going with the Olds? Are you getting help from any contacts that you have made at car events?

 

Haven't been to any events, still need to get insurance and registered LoL

 

Ummmmmm seems to me if ur are a GIRL from LA with blonde hair and blue almond shaped eyes u should have not problem getting all done for almost free.

Thought u say LA....ur location says NV?????

Best Regards......!!!! Ur resident sexist....I guess !!!!

 

I inviter her all the time to local events but she's always too busy... I have one the last Saturday of every month... maybe she'll make it this time... 26th at Noon @ Red Rock Casino ...