Some days are like that. I know how you feel. Two steps foward and one step back. Taking a break is the right thing to do when you are frustrated. Otherwise it just gets worse because the frustration turns to anger then things really go wrong. You will have a winner in the end and that is what counts. good luck

 

Well if is rains it pours. I blew a seal out on my lift. I should know by tonight if I can add hydraulic cylinder repair to my list of talents. No pics to share but you can use your imagination on this one. I got the seal kit and stopped at tractor supply for a 7 foot 3/16 rod. Bent the rod on the end into a u-shape and slipped the "U" though the hole in the handle of a round end toilet brush. Sprayed some mineral spirits inside the tube and on the brush. Clamped the other end into my hand drill. Walah instant 8 ft long rotating tube cleaning brush.

Eat your heart out MacGyver

 

You will have to add this experience to the book you need to write on backyard garage equipment repairs & fabrication

 

Sorry to hear of all the bad luck you had all in a row; it sounded much like my Furd headlight switch fun a few months ago...
That all worked out in the end and i am sure yours will too. It is looking real nice - I really like the wheels and stance. Just take a good break from it and take it from there later.
If you need an extra set of hands for anything, just let me know - I am not doing a whole lot lately.

Pat, are you still coming to Dallas from the 17th to 19th?

 

Its all good just part of the experience of life building hot rods. Can't take a brake its convertible season

As for extra hand its tough because I never know when I am going to be out there to work. I can sometimes sneek out for 30min or other times work all evening.

 

Exactly - and that is why my doors are not done yet. I want to drive her for a while before overhauling the doors and having her sit...

I am only about 6-7 minutes away, so a spontaneous call is fine if you need some help. Still have my #? If I answer the phone, that means I am not busy...

 

I have it somewhere but PM it to me again
Richard

 

PM sent!

 

Mission successful. She goes right up again. Toilet brush, rod, seal kit and fluid less than 100.00 for the total repair

 

Well Rob came over for a little while this morning. He didn't get to see much action because I was mostly cleaning up a little.

After he had to go I got motivated and managed to get it all apart and 90% back together. I'm now almost back to where I was 2 weekends ago before my setbacks.

 

It sounds to me like you aren't doing the work at all. You got the keebler elves locked in some dungeon or somthin dontchya

 

Thats why the 2 times Rob has come over and the one time Dan (oldsguy) came over I was cleaning the garage and not working. I guess since you guys are on to be now I better learn how to do some of this before someone else stops by.

PS Rob if you are reading this hang on to you water next time

 

Right. I got bored watching him clean, so I left...
If you do bring a drink with you, hold onto it. Richard cleans like my mom... If she don't think it should be there, into the trash it goes without thought!

Yes, I am convinced the elves do the work, or maybe that young daughter of his...

Seriously, I left as I was to meet another potential ladyfriend , not out of boredom.
Richard's car has come a LONG way since I have seen it - the body and frame are together and it looks like a car now. The detail on his chassis is downright amazing.

 

Richard first I must say I have been following this thread for some time now and truly appreciating what fine work you do. Thumbs way up on the upgrades but I have to interrupt you for an emergency of eppic proportions. You need to grab the next flight out to Halifax , Canada I have already cleared you through customs with no hassle. I will pick you up at the airport and drive you to the critical patient , a 69-98 that needs immediate attention. see you soon

 

Sorry all I know how to do is sweep the floor and the elves don't have passports. You are on your own.

 

I'm jealous, All my elves do is hide tools and loose parts.

Keep up the superb work Richard

Jason

 

Got a day off today and I am exteemly pissed right now. I never was happy with the factory exhaust manifolds. They looked OK from a distance but had some deep pits that bothered me. I pulled the trigger and bought a new set from Parts Place. These are sold as performance manifolds for duals made like the ones X/W for the factory big block. I know these are pretty new to the market but I must be the first person to ever get a set. There sure didn't spend much time R/D.
I put the LH one on first and it seems to fit fine. I then went to the RH side and it started snugging up and I was still seeing daylight under the gasket. At first I though it was warped but after getting under the car I saw the problem. The manifold was completely up against the top bolt of the oil filter adapter. I pulled it back off and removed the bolt to see how much clearance I needed. With the bolt removed it would seal up but the manifold was still touching the oil filter adapter.
At this point I should have just boxed them up and send them back but I really don't have time for delays right now so I decided to just make it work. I cut down the housing a little and used a counter sink bit and cut a recess in the housing and used a countersink bolt. I still had to grind on the manifold and good bit to gain some minimal clearance.
Here you can see no bolt installed and it still hits

A little bit of home brewed machine work on the adapter

Oh the fun of grinding on new parts

Now we have a little clearance. Not optimal but it will work.

I thought the problems were behind me getting the RH side ironed out but I was very wrong. Tonight I went to put the starter back on and only the inside bolt would go in. The starter still needs to rotate out and good bit to install the bolt. Well after looking up to see the problem I about went throug the roof. You guessed it. The LH side was crammed up agaist the starter. The is no amout of grinding or clearancing that will let it work with my original starter.
See how the starter still needs to rotate out at least another 1/4" or so.

Not gonna happen with this exhaust in place.

Don't get me wrong I don't mind making things work its all about building a hot rod but these are designed and casted completly wrong. When I saw the LH side I was about sick at my stomach and just had to come inside before I started throwing things.

Finshing up with a few pics of progress. Engine is about finished up the core support and new mid 80's Suburban radiator that drops right in to the original saddles with no modification at all.

 

Richard,

I researched these manifolds prior to finding orginal X/W manifolds and the article I read stated they were designed for the 455 engine (My 75 Olds has a 455) which has the higher deck height so you don't have the clearence problem. You might try a mini gear drive starter with the adjustable mounting flangle that allows you to rotate the starter housing might work. Just an Idea

 

I thought about the mini starter but at this point I'm not throwing any more $$ at this problem. They may have sent me the wrong thing but here is what I ordered, and my receipt says.

(1964 - 1988 Cutlass/442) DUAL EXHAUST MANIFOLDS SMALL BLOCK (THESE MANIFOLDS ARE DESIGNED TO MAKE YOUR CAR INTO A FACTORY DUAL EXHAUST - THEY DO NOT HAVE CROSSOVER PIPE FLANGE. THESE ARE TRUE DUAL EXHAUST MANIFOLDS, FIT 330 350 & 403 OLDS MOTORS) - PR

 

That being the case then your correct they sent you the big block headers instead of what you ordered. You'd think they could get things right. Kind of a bitch now that you have done some mods to them. I hope the manufacture will send you the correct one the fits the drivers side

 

Dang Richard, sorry to hear you got parts-placed, too...
Good mod on the RH side. What did you do to the LH side?

This reminds me of the "correct" incorrect power window kit i got last year. Mods galore I had to do to the back; I now wonder about the front ones... I think the set was strictly pre-70 but they sold it for 71-72 also.
Geez...

 

Is that a common issue with parts place?

 

This is the third or forth similar big issue that I have heard about from them. Their R&D is leaving out the R it seems ...

 

I'll have to remember that.

 

I am fairly new to the Oldsmobile owning experience, but have had many years of classic Ford ownership. Being new to this forum, I took some time today to sit and read this entire thread. It always seems to be the case that the most talented folks involved in this hobby are always the most humble.

Your work is outstanding and the fact that you are fabbing to overcome setbacks is what makes this a great hobby. I can say that I am happy to be an Olds owner, (although I have had some doubts over the last few years).

Keep those pictures and updates coming - I'm hooked.

 

Thanks for the compliments. Just trying to make a decent car that will give me some enjoyment and turn a few heads. There are many much more talented than me. Just making it the best I can for the money I have to spend on it. Welcome to the site.

For those wondering I did get sent the wrong parts. The manifolds are for sure for a big block. I reblasted down in the pits real good on my originals. I recoated them and they are drying as I type. I emailed Parts Place but my guess is I am screwed since I already cut on it. We will see.

 

Let me know, I might be able to use them, but buis is just starting to pick up...a bit. Would be some time before Id be able to move on them.

 

I am guessing that they will insist it was correct in the first place, since it was worded correctly in their catalog. That's IF they reply to a "complaint" email. I had to call them and argue loudly withthem for 30 minutes or more. (Something I am not good at but should practice...)

I am sure that you would be the "only one" who complained so far (like me and my power window kit)...
They should at least take back or exchange the unmodified one. Let us know how it turns out - hopefully better than in my situation...

 

Richard,

Let me know how it turns out on the manifolds. I am collecting parts for my 48 and I could use the manilfolds. Could work out for both of us

 

What a PITA, spray it with some matching cast iron paint and return them and they won't even know the difference...maybe.
Don't buy the Parts Place exact-correct-repo underdash 8-track housing. Just a plain lie that it's an exact reproduction, Stevie Wonder could tell you the difference in two seconds but it can be made to work at least. They had to really try to screw it up so bad and it even looks like they used the original mold going by the marks inside. Needs to be modified a lot for the player to fit and the bracket rivets are totally incorrect.

I return messed up stuff that doesn't work or fit to Summit and they never say a word, some things have had holes drilled and wires cut, used intake manifolds and carbs, no problem.
Then I see the stuff when I go to the clearance sale on a table in the back of the store.

 

Make that the #5 issue i have heard from them...
They do not know what "exact repro" refers to...

 

Sorry things didn't fit so well Richard. But after reading this latest problem [and others. ] From where I sit, it appears there is only a hand full of suppliers worth a hoot.

I 've told my story of ending up with 2 "W" and no "Z" for 3 months so many times, I won't bore you again. But it was madening.

 

It goes across the board with car suppliers. I have been trying to get my brother's car done with new carpets inside plus trunk. I got them in the mail and whoever cut the carpets screwed up big time. They cut the notch for the trunk well rod that holds the spare on the wrong side. Not the wrong side of the trunk well but they put a notch on the far left side of the carpet. The spare is on the right side.On the inside the underlay can be cut to fit perfect but the carpets are 4" too wide. If I get stuck with them I will have to either cut out the extra from the center or cut off the seamed ends on both sides. I have been trying to get a hold of them for 2 weeks but they do not answer my emails

 

Forward progress today. Starting to look carish again.
Make sure to stand back 10 ft and you can admire my high dollar custom paint.

 

Looks great! I never really loved that year olds but with all the work you have done I can't help but admire the car, it's looks, lines and the high quality of craftsmanship. Well done.

 

Neato Bandito. I would take a paint job like that any day. Don't beat your self up man.

 

Looks great Richard I can almost hear it run

 

So when do we see your car in a featured magazine article?
You definitely deserve front page!

 

The 66 and 67 are my favorite Cutlasses/442's. I have never owned one but a convertible would be my first choice followed by the coupe with the centerpost (I am probably using the wrong term for the couple). You are so close I still have to get over and see your car. I have been busy every Saturday getting my daughter and two grandsons settled in my house. I will not bore anybody with the details but it has consumed a lot of weekends. We finish the move today. You car is an inspiration to us all.

 

Mothers day put a damper on things today but I did manage to get the hood sanded buffed and on the car. I knew it was bound to happen since the factory paint is so thin. I buffed the paint thin enough to see primer in a couple small spots.


you don't like 66's What wrong with you

Paint is good from far but far from good

Me too!!!

JWO want to do something on it but I have also been in contact with a guy that shoots for much more mainsteam stuff. My fingers are crossed for something to happen in the future.

You better hurry up its almost together. Someone might offer a suitcase full of 100's and I'll be on to my next project