When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
As promised here are some more pics of the PUI panels - quality is very nice. Includes a clear plastic sheet as a moisture barrier between the black vinyl and the padding.
On the Door panels I had to add the chrome divider at the bottom and I also added the proper 442 emblems for 1972 442.
This is also a view of how you have to trim the plastic and padding to get the vinyl to stretch and pull and then glue onto the metal backing...TEDIOUS process !!
I plan to button up the headliner this weekend as well as paint all of the wind-lace using the SEM product.
I should have final images of the rear panels installed by Monday (my goal at least).
Enjoy the weekend
close up of the rocket emblem, 442 specific
full view of back of panel with all of the various locations for cuts based on options
more detail of the cutouts
nice detail for where to cut for window crank
view of the rear panels, you can see the 3 layers of vinyl, plastic, padding - trimming is necessary to not have the padding overlap onto the back of the panels
the slow process of glue, stretch, place, clamp, and wait LOL
On the Door panels I had to add the chrome divider at the bottom and I also added the proper 442 emblems for 1972 442.
That's just not right. In 72 you would keep the stylized Claret S emblems the car came with. There wasn't any 'proper 442 emblems' as you've stated. These cars would keep the interior theme they were designated with from the factory. Even the W30 models had Cutlass or Cutlass Supreme on the glovebox and door trim that matched the model production. That trim you installed, while it looks nice, is incorrect for a 442. I don't know who told you that it was, but they're wrong.
The only place where the 442 numerals will show is
deck lid
driver side grill
fenders
If your plans are to clone the car, remember to delete the stainless steel rocker trim and body side moldings too, and also add the "Oldsmobile" script to the hood above the DS high beam headlight. The faux louvers on the W29 should also be black with chrome reveal. You're going to all the trouble of making the car look like a stock 442, so these suggestions are to help you on that journey.
Thanks Allan... bummer on the emblem information everything let me to believe it was correct, they look good so obviously they’re going to stay. I am aware of the exterior molding’s so thanks again for the reminder. I think my last step will be the exterior trim and paint as that is going to cost me $$$ since I’m going black on the color.
Many people like black on their cars. It's an awfully hard color to keep clean. Your car will stand out though because in 1972 black (color code 19 - Ebony Black) was never offered on any of the entire GM A body line. Since you're going with the 455, are you also planning to replace the stock bumper with a dual cutout and trumpet exhaust?
had a busy weekend, I got 85% of the headliner stretched and in place, will finish up rest of this week. here is the rear panel now that I did final stretch of vinyl and placement around the contours.
Here is a view of how the headliner is coming along. Once I finish the rear tomorrow I’ll take my wife’s steamer to it and see if it will pull the small wrinkles out.
I didn’t put too much thought into the roof since I have a vinyl top car, and I’m trying to tell myself don’t boil the ocean with doing everything right now . For the floor yes when I get home from work tonight I’m taking up the carpet and taking the two front bucket seats out because Thursday I am picking up the rear seats from the powder coat guy so now’s the time to put down the insulation and sound deadner and the the new carpet along with the dual gate and center console brackets.
Hey there everyone, back with a ton of progress !!
Picked up my seat frames, intake, and pulley's' from the powder coat guy, man what a difference !!
I also Added the heat shield/sound deadener and I installed the dual gate (the shift cable is not hooked up yet, but did cut the hold and pass it thru.
The seat upholstery was actually pretty easy and went together with ease - very happy with the results thus far
I can start to see the finish line on the interior
Back with a mid week update...got the center console in and got the original wire harness I scored used hooked up and all lights are functional also got the carpet installed. I need to finish the carpet as well as source the proper screws for the top plates of the center console.
Was there a metal clip that is supposed to be on the plastic support of the console ? Mine just had the holes so I see no way a screw will secure down ?
Should have my bucket seats back from powder coat this Friday as well.
Some more small progress....While I wait on the powder coat guy to finish my front bucket frames I decided to put the oil pan on for good as I finally have the cam degree done (no adjustments needed) and I have the timing cover. I will put the water pump and balancer on tomorrow after work, I wanted to do it tonight but my kids were off their rockers and I needed to keep some of my sdanirty before I snapped...thank god for whiskey (and my wife who poured it )
I also used the SEM landaeu black and I did the headrests, they turned out awesome in my opinion.
Timing cover gasket Oil pan gaskets in place with front and rear rubber seals Small amount of black RTV at the corners More black RTV at the corner Final torque..I read various suggestions on torque - I did 20 ft/lbs and figured that was good SEM spray went on great Another view...cant believe it was once brown
Great thread Brian, job well done! You are doing exactly what I plan to do. I picked up a 71 Cutlass with a bench seat and green (horrendous to me) interior with a 350. I plan to dye the interior black and build a 455 big block. Glad to see a good review for the SEM dye. Keep it up!
Just a brief small update picked up my bucket seats for the powder coat during lunchtime today as expected they look great. I will wrap them this weekend
Ok guys I was able to knock out one of the seats before I have to get ready for my sons baseball game today. my goal is once the kids go to bed tonight I’ll get the other one done, no work tomorrow on the car so I’m trying to cram everything in today. Overall I’m pretty happy with the way the seat came out and for my first one ever I didn’t screw it up !
Brian, as I said before, this build is beyond words. Your talent and attention to detail are impeccable 😀
I applaud you as you continue along your journey.
I do have a question though...when you started this project, did you have a time frame in mind for estimated completion, and, if so, are you happy with your progress? I only ask because while the various things I've done to my 72 Supreme (and things I want to do) pale in comparison to the work you have done, I sometimes.get frustrated when I don't meet my timeline.
How do you deal with not meeting a goal that you set for yourself?
Thanks Dave. Actually didn’t set a firm goal..,my kids are young, one is 8 and the other is 4. My wife works retail and I of course work my day job as an engineer. Life is busy so I only go out in the garage when I have time and/or the kids want to help. One of the things I do though is if I start something I force myself to finish it , i don’t want to keep walking past it every day in the garage knowing I stopped. so that’s really what is keeping me on point to finish each item as I pick it up. I did tell my wife that I wanted the car to be completely done before I turn 40, which is next December so I think I’m on track for tha...not too much left before paint and body
...One of the things I do though is if I start something I force myself to finish it , i don’t want to keep walking past it every day in the garage knowing I stopped...
That's how I am... but with me it's not so much forcing myself (I love turning wrenches and tweaking here and there on my Cutlass), it's that I always seem to run out of time before I finish a project. That's what is frustrating to me. Then I have to wait until the next opportunity to get back to what I started, and then I feel like my next project will have to wait until the next time...does this happen to you?
How do you keep your sanity knowing it's not done and you're chomping at the bitt, just waiting for the next opportunity to get back to it?
I have no sanity left, I chase my 8 and 4 year old non stop ! Working on the restoration and turing wrenches is my calming downtime so any time I get to work on it, I really enjoy it.
I have no sanity left, I chase my 8 and 4 year old non stop ! Working on the restoration and turing wrenches is my calming downtime so any time I get to work on it, I really enjoy it.
Ditto...it just drives me bonkers when I have something nawing at me that I wanna do and have to wait...and that's what I'm saying...how do you deal with the thought of knowing you have something you wanna do, but have to wait until you get the next opportunity?
Ok back with a small update . I got the passenger side front door panel 90% done.
tomorrow I’ll Add the weatherstrip and then I should be able to mount it
So swung by National Carburetor on my lunch break and picked up my Rochester 4 barrel i had rebuilt. The before and after photos speak for themselves.
I had them do a Stage 2 Performance build on it as well which included:
Install APT (ADUSTABLE PART THROTTLE)
Apply epoxy to main body casting plug
Install bushings in baseplate to eliminate any potential vacuum leaks at primary throttle shaft.
I have the same carb (7041251) sitting on my 1971 350 ('71 CS) although the carb is for a '71 455. I just rebuilt it last month. I don't use an electric choke (old school). They did a great job on your rebuild. It should purrr like a kitten.
Best part is National Carburetor is running a $100 dollar off deal right now celebrating their 62nd year in business - for $200 bucks, I was happy to pay that for the end result. This is my 4th rebuild with them, they do excellent work, and they are local, headquartered here in Jacksonville ** And Yes I knew this was off of a 71
That's good information to know at a great price for anyone considering a rebuild. I was pulling 17.5" Hg vacuum before I did the rebuild so I felt pretty confident the base plate & air horn (weren't warped) & the bushings were in good shape & I continued to pull 17.5" Hg after I did the rebuild.
hey guys - I know I have been MIA, life has been busy !! School is now out and Baseball is life for my son right now, district qualifiers, fireball tournaments, state qualifiers - its non stop !! ** But i do love it. My daughter had her first ever ballet recital as well and it was awesome, im in store for a lot more of those
What I have managed to do if get my rims back from powder coat. I had them done in . primer Grey so it will be ready for paint, just need to be scuffed with some scotch bright. Looking at them from before to after looks fantastic !
Hey there - hope everyone is having a fantastic Father’s Day. I was able to spend some time in the garage today as a result I got the new rear springs on, the new rear boxed lower control arms on, as well as new shocks and the rear sway bar is all in. In the next two weeks I plan on going to a buddies house who has a lift to put in the Turbo 400 transmission
Hey there members...so I was able to get some work in today on the block...I masked off and laid down the blue to the block. In comparing this color to others I have seen...how far off is mine ? This is what I used...it went on fairly easy, but it is lighter that I was expecting. I was expecting a slightly deeper blue, but I have never seen one in person with original block color so I don’t have much to go on.
Keep it up!
