Beob

I thinking of moving this thread over to twitter because this is more gossip than a resto at this point! I spoke to his wife again and she is very nice and feels bad for me. The car will be picked up this weekend and she is giving me access to the garage. The plan is to get the car into my garage and determine exactly what needs to be done, and what I can and can not do.

Beob

Car is home!! I took a good look around and there is still alot to do. The entire interior needs to be put together, including all electrical. The harnesses and fuse box are in but all wires are just hanging there. Dash needs to be put back together and all switches and controls reconnected. That im not looking forward to. Moldings, marker lights, windshield, and drivetrain also still need to be put in.

69442C

Hi Beob,
Sorry to hear of your problems with your restoration. I am currently restoring a 69 442 convertible for someone and the story is very similar to what you have run into. The only difference with the one I have is that I needed to completely tear the car down again as the work was horrible. I had to replace a lot of sheetmetal and the repairs were similar to what you did. My outer wheelhouse repairs looked almost identiacal to yours. Pretty wild. Here's a few pictures of what I received (car painted blue) and where things went.
Hang in there. It's frustrating but nothing that can't be resolved with time, patience and the right plan (money too). If you have questions on anything you are doing with your car, let me know.
Brian

prrc

Beob, hang in there you can do that work. Get a manual and schematic and take your time. Remember that an average "Joe" assembled this stuff on the line, so there is no reason you can't do the same. It all goes somewhere and think of the money you save doing it yourself.

Godd luck.

Beob

That must be a nightmare for the owner of that 69, at least my guy did a pretty good job. I am happy that my car is home but, Im a little overwhelmed and not sure where to begin. I could see a problem already, all of the old nuts, bolts and screws are gone. I ordered all the kits from fusick but they dont cover the whole car. Thanks for your offer of help, Im sure I will be needing it. Rob

Beob

Thats what I need to hear! Thanks

Beob

The dash wasnt bolted in so I pulled it out to get a better understanding of the wiring and switches. I discovered broken and loose pins on the guages. I soldered the pins and while it was out had my friend put the original silver stripe back on dash. Also pulled the column out and going to replace turn switch and lever.

Beob

Some pics of motor, the first pic shows the rod hitting the block.

JimpeBoy

Looks great! What did you or your friend use to get the original silver stripe back on the dash?

Beob

Thanks , My friend is a pinstriper, he used silver paint a thin pinstriping brush and a real steady hand.

Beob

Still trying to iron out all of the electrical issues. I am slowly getting it figured out with much help from Brian(69442c). I rebuilt the steering column, new turn signal switch, blinker lever, ignition switch and repacked the bearings. The lower bearing was completely frozen with sand from blasting. I also figured out why the horn never worked, someone riveted the horn contacts together. And I just heard today that my engine is done!

69442C

Hey Rob, glad to help out. Looks like you have an aftermarket hub on your column for an aftermarket steering wheel. Also looks like the horn contact is also for that aftermarket set-up. Are you using an aftermarket steering wheel or were you planning to use a stock set-up?

Beob

Hi Brian, This is the wheel that was on there and I will be reusing it. I thought it was an original. Also thanks for email on how to mount the 442 emblems, I think it will work very well.
Rob

69442C

Rob, the wheel is not original for a 69 Cutlass. I know there are 4 spoke wheels like this that Olds made for later years but the molded stitching is giving me a little hesitation on saying it is an Olds wheel as opposed to an aftermarket unit. The 4 spoke units I have seen were smooth. Maybe someone else will know.
Brian

ent72olds

Looks like a mid '70's Starfire wheel....

Beob

Actually I thought it was an original from a 70 442, as many parts on it were from a 70. It seems to be very similar to a 70 exept for the stitching, but Ill go with Eriks guess.

Jamesbo

The 69 Deluxe steering wheel is a one year only. Here's a pic of a black oe I just sold for [are you sitting down] $900.00

Beob

900 bucks, good for you! Did the 69 cutlass and 442 use the same wheel. I used to have a 3 spoke wooden wheel. I wish I still had it, sold it for $20 many years ago

1968ragtop

jamesbo, I have the same steering wheel as that in my 68, only mine is red. I'm sure its the original one.

Jamesbo

I thought the 68 were a little different. But what do I know.

69442C

The one year only sport wheel was used on the Cutlass and 442 cars in 69. I believe 68 had a wood wheel offering but 69 did not. 68 had a wheel that was similar to the 69 sport wheel but it was not the same.

mrgm

i like this thread. Hate to hear about your engine, looks to be coming along though.

Beob

Making some good progess lately, looks like I finally found the right person to finish the job. I think I have all electrical issues done. Got the intermediate and rear light harness in. Also got the heater wired with relay and resistor. Also been working on moldings and emblems. All the holes for the emblems were welded shut as well as the holes for fender and door peak moldings. The studs for the door peaks were ground off, Im still not sure how to secure them, was cosidering removing door glass to give better accsess. Oh yeah, Got my engine!
Rob

citcapp

Looks nice, like the blue

ent72olds

Glad to see you're getting there Rob!

Beob

Going to wait a couple weeks before I drop motor. Would like at least 50 degrees as I will have to work ouside. Was also considering repainting a more accurate blue, but still not sure, I do like the contrast of the dark and light blues.

Beob

Yes, Its finally getting there. Hows the vista, havent seen any updates in a while?

kjr442

Nice that the 70 hood works with the 69 body, nice look! Good work on the car man!

tva442

Jamesbo - looks like you had a 68 horn button on a 69 wheel....that 3 spoke wheel was a one year only

Beob

Thanks for comps, it keeps me motivated.

Beob

Finally got the dash back in. Getting all the nuts on was a real tight squeeze in some spots. And forgot to plug in speedo cable, that was a little tricky but eventually got it.
Rob

Beob

Still finishing up some wiring before I put carpet in. Had to change light socket for the fan switch. With the socket being longer the bulb hit the lens and would not plug in. Also found some goodies in the old glove box.

69442C

Rob, looking good. And I think I see some of my old parts going to good use!!

You must have had the same wiring harness that I did as I ran into the same problem with that fan light. I was ready to swap mine out too until I noticed that I could slide the outer ring down lower on that socket and that took care of the problem. Not really sure why they install that ring all the way at the wrong end.

Brian

Beob

Hi Brian, Thanks. Your parts are going to good use, defroster is in with new hose and resistor and relay wiring are also in. I didnt choose the best spot for the resistor because the plug hits the fender well, it was a little tight but I did get it in. I have 2 old seat belts which I cant get out, the bolts are frozen. Ive tried every wrench and socket I have but they just slip off the shallow head of these bolts. I soaked them in PB-Blaster last night. I did already cut out the fan light socket but I will do what you said and solder it back in.
Thanks, Rob

Beob

The engine and tranny are finally in! Had a few problems but eventually got it. Had the wrong motor mounts and the reach on the hoist wasnt long enough. The hoist was up to the front bumper and still needed to go in another 8 inches, a bit much to swing. We extended the reach by chaining a 4x4 to the top of the hoist. Now working on hooking up all hoses, lines and radiator. Hope to have it running in a couple weeks.
Rob

69442C

Rob, looking very nice. I suspect it will run as good or better than it looks. Now about that engine hoist...........!
Brian

Beob

Hey, thanks Brian. Yeah that hoist became a bit of a problem. I was kind of in a jam when it didnt reach. I rested the engine down on the cross member and some wood blocks, then rigged up the hoist, lifted the engine up a few inches and rolled it back into place. I was a little nervous, but it worked well.
Rob

kjr442

Good for you, way to work it out!
I am sure your ride will be back in fine shape soon.

OLD SKL 69

Rob,

Any updates on your progress? Looks great so far.

Beob

The engine bay is mostly complete. All hoses and lines are hooked up exept fuel line to tank. Radiator was a little tricky becuase it has two different size tanks. Steering column is back in, with a rebuilt steering box. All dash electrical is complete. I should have put the glove box liner in while the dash was out because its not possible with the ac/heater box in the way. Had to colapse it and stick it in from front. I will be putting the battery in real soon and making sure everything works, Im a little nervous about this.