This is the second build Major Build thread I wil be doing the first is in my signature. That was the rebuilding of my 1972 Supreme the was rear ended in Nov 2014 and took me a few years to complete.

This isThis is a 1966 F85 that I picked up back in July 2024. The car was brought from California sometime in the early 2000's and taken apart buy the previous owner. Unfortunately he passed away with the car complete torn apart. This is how i got it.


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It came with a 66 chevelle 12 bolt 3.08 Posi rear axle. I replaced the axle bearings, seals, new brakes,lines, and brake cables.




Once the rear axle was done, I moved on the front suspension. I replaced all the bushings in the control arms. Upgraded to disc brakes on the front. New fuel lines and brake line.






Working on 68 455 that I got from a 67 98 that I picked up 2 years ago. But I'll save that for another update

 

Boy that’s a lot of work. My hats off to you..

 

Looks like a great job! Isn't that something the way so many guys blow their car into 1000 pieces, then life happens-(or ends) with it all apart and someone else buys it for pennies on the dollar!!!??? Well looks like you will get 'er done. Keep us posted!

 

I bought a 67 98 about two years ago. It was a very highly optioned car. UHV ignition, climatic combustion control, 8 track player,air conditioning, even had had power vent windows. She was a 4 door sedan with alot of rot in the floors. When I went to look at her it was just to buy and part out. Boy was I surprised when I got there and opened the hood. Figuring there would be a 425, nope there was a 68 455 installed. They guy I bought it from was the second owner and he bought it in 1969 for his wife to use to drive clients around to look at homes. He said he believed it was original. Now the car was built in July of 67 and strongly had 68 marker lights. The engine didn't have any numbers in the vin pad and is date code of June of 68. I believe it was a service replacement. I gotnit running in the original car So I knew what I had. Ran pretty well and no noise.



I pulled the engine and put it on a stand and moved on With other projects.
I got a call about this 66 F85 and thought the 455 will be perfect since it didn't have an engine or transmission.
Since it ran I decided to just freshen it up.

New valve steam seals and laped the valves. New timing set and all new seals and gaskets. The first pictures are during disassembly before any cleaning.




cleaned everything looking good.

 

This is the current situation. Engine is in the frame. I went to install the fly wheel and it's an early one. I am working on getting the correct one. Decided to mock up the Trans to make sure that the drive shaft I got with the car will work. Looks like a winner.

 

Make sure your crank is cut for a pilot bearing/bushing,

 

I am using the conversion bearing.
I know there is some debate about it, but I have done research and talked to a guy in my OCA chapter that used the same one and has been good.

 

I am using the same bearing in my 455. I used a hand drill to drill the back of the crank to give clearance for the input shaft. No issues with the conversion bearing so far.

 

The transmission I bought already had the input shaft cut for the bearing clearance. I didn't have to drill the crank at all. The shaft fits nice and rotates smoothly with no resistance. I have a video of it , but can't upload here.

 

I have never seen an air cleaner like that in my life. Was this specific to the big cars?

 

I could be wrong but I believe that is off a 1967 turnpike cruiser cutlass.

 

That is the air cleaner for the 1967 RPO "K50" Climatic Combustion Control system (listed as an option on the car in post #4). It was available across the Oldsmobile lineup in 67 for everything but 6 cylinder engines. I beleive it was standard on the Turnpike cruiser.

 

Climatic combustion control was an option. The turnpike cruiser on the cutlass I believe was a 2 bbl set up. this is a 4bbl. It has vacuum doors the regulate airflow coming from either a down pipe that wraps around the exhuast pipe or engine compartment air.

 

I think it's pretty cool. Reminds me of the Buick "Star Wars" air cleaner.

 

 

Its been a minute since I posted anything. This summer has been crazy. I spent alot of time getting ready for 2 national shows. Repainted the back half of my 56. Fixed some issues on the hood. Redid the trunk liner. The NAOC nationals were in my area. That was a great show. My 56 Holiday 98 got Best of class there. A few weeks later we took it to The OCA Nationals in Bowling Green. It got Best of Class there also!! Thsy eas another great show. Between all that we remodeled my mother in laws house 2 hours away near Pittsburgh.
I was finally able to get back on the 66 this week. Lots getting done. Chsssis is ready for the body. Started working om the body. Had to repair the firewall. Big dent like the right valve cover hit it at one time and s hole that looked like a eood chisel was used to make it. Got those fixed and painted the firewall. Cleaned and treated the floor for surfsce rust and got it painted too.
next is to clean and paint the underside. One bodymount bolt nut needs repaired and the body and frame will become one !

 

Got a lot done this past week. Completed the chassis. Installed the body back on to the frame. Instaled the shifter hump. Here a few pictures.

 

Nice, working on one of my 66 cars as well.. lots of work,

 

Lookin good!
I like your set up.
Im not sure I’d trust the beams in my garage for that.

 

Very impressive. Lots of talent on this site.

 

My trusses are 2 feet apart. I put a 10 foot 4x6 across and a chain around that. Engine hoist on the rear. Worked very well.

 

I do love the 66's. This is my second one. My forst i had back in 2010. Replaced the roof skin then I was laid off and had to let it go.

 

Cleaned up the brake and clutch pedals and got them detailed.

 

Lots of progress! The body is completely bolted back down. I went thru the dash, engine and headlight harness and took apart each connector, cleaned each contact repaired or replaced damaged wires retaped with the correct friction tape. Installed those harnesses. Cleaned, painted, new seals installed and new heater core in the heater box. Installed that in the car. Rebuilt the carb, with an NOS base plate. Rebuilt the power steering pump and painted the housing. Cleaned, painted, installed the accessory brackets. Had to change the shifter linkages to accommodate the driver side speedo cable on the 65 M20 I got for it. and got it to start with the ignition key!! Here are some pics. this link is of the first start up.

 

Custom made the heater hoses. Started to prep the gas tank. Pretty clean inside.

 

I thru the fenders on last night for fun. Needing some motivation with as cold as it has been.

 

Had the core supprort, upper and lower radiator mounts and inner fenders sand blasted. Cleaned up the hood latch. Got the sand blasted parts in epoxy primer tonight.

 

Nice job!

 

You have definitely been busy, very nice work. I wonder what percentage of cutlass 442 were painted Sierra Mist in 1966. Both of mine started out that color too.

 

Thank you!

 

Thank you! I have seen alot of sierra mist cars for sale lately. This one will not be for much longer. I am a big fan of ocean mist or burgandy mist. Leaning toward ocean mist. SS1 with redlines. Parchment interior.

 

‘Beautiful color. I am in the middle of mine too, it will be tropical turquoise, with white interior as well, ss1 wheels etc. I have the trunk done, all body work and prep done, epoxy primed ready for 2k build prime as soon as the weather warms up. Hoping to have it painted base clear by end of February.

 

Thats awesome. Do you have s build thread going? I would like to see more of yours!!

 

I do, it’s just under 1966 L69 basket case will take your right to it

 

Its been so cold here in Cleveland. My heater broke last weekend. Havent got much done. Got the heater fixed yesterday and today its almost 60!! It will get cold again. I did manage to get the console and seat mounts welded in. A little every chance I get.

 

Sprayed some 2k primer last night on the front end parts. I have a little body work on the driver inner fender. there was a hole where the splash shield rubbed thru the metal at the top that I welded up, but it will need a little filler to make it perfect. you cant even notice it in the picture as the hole was in the top center almost directly above that center staple at the corner. It was about a half inch by three eight's inch. I thought I had a picture of that before and after welding, but I don't.

 

Nice work..

 

Thanks! It looks like I need to take a day or two and clean. I get caught up doing the work and don't even notice it being such a mess.

 

Boy we must be related. I do the exact same thing!!