I agree, the color screams vintage.....with the white pin striping,a set of red lines and the 68 wire discs I picked up from another member the car will look great

Ted

 

wheel well pic....
quarter removed and making seam to match rocker....
two small holes in usual place behind back seat by inner wheel well metal patched....

no build sheet in back half of car...but the front is still untouched

Ted

 

The first stage of my resto on the 442 is done. the local body man did a great job!
Next is to tackle exhaust and brakes and then back to body man for rest of body.
and I am already 1000 over budget...I guess I had better get use to it

Ted

 

Ted,

What are your (and your body guy's) thoughts on the quality of the quarters and trunk floor?

Looking good, can't wait to get back to work on mine.

Jon

 

Jon

My body man(Brian) was actually impressed on how well these panels fit.
Of cours, the metal itself is a tad on the thin side, but he said that it was good to work with.
The panel makes no provision for the rocker seam, so a bit more work was required to make panel so the original seam line stayed, keeping the original rocker exposed.
The trunk fit was excellent, as well as the inner wheel wells.....

The way everything fit the car was excellent, they just need some more metal in them

Hope you can get back to your car soon!

Ted

 

Seems all the replacement panels are thinner than the originals but better than rust holes! Glad to see another 68 love the grill on these cars.

 

just an update to those who are interested...I finally got the 4 piston brake set up back onto the car!
Two things I need to address is the rubbing of the flex line on the frame when wheel is turned sharply and the dust cap is not fitting as snug as it should be....
On to installing the new tank.....

Ted

 

The body on that thing looked as bad as mine does right now, great work! Cant wait do get mine done up

 

Thanks foo,
The body was a mess but the frame etc was good and it was all there and original.....although there are some who do not believe a dealer installed engine replaced under warranty years ago would be considered as being "original"

Any pics of yours?

Ted

 

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...970-442-a.html

this is my project in a nut shell

 

the 400 needs some attention
valve got driven into #4 cylinder...
now all is apart and will put a 455 that I have that is in great shape into the car, until I raise some funds for the 400 rebuild....or maybe leave the 455 in

Ted

 

Yikes! That piston has definitely seen better days. You have a 'spare' 455 just sitting around my friend?? You know I need one..... BTW, what's with the blue bushings on the stabilizer link sets?

 

engine compartment

 

carb cleaned and rebuilt

 

gas tank installed and starter waiting for a clean

 

doesn't everybody?
If you were closer I would sell it to you Allan...for a hefty profit of course.
No idea on the blue bushings.....came that way.....

Ted

 

Any chance you can post a pic or send me one at my home email of the clearance between the bottom of the diff and the rear sway bar?

 

Will do......

 

Dropping this 455 in until original 400 is ready..

Block 396021 F(font)
intake U
Head Ga 409100

why red? because I like red

Ted

 

My bodyman is confident that he can straighten the quarters on my 69 Cutlass but would like to have repair panels for the rear wheel lips. I don't think just repair panels are being produced for the 68/69 style. Do you know what brand and the cost of the quarters you had installed. I'll follow your thread, I like seeing cars being saved, I though/think mine was/is worth saving although it just a well optioned Holiday and not a 442. - Steven

 

Ted, is this the replacement for the 400
that dropped the valve?

Looks good and I am sure you will like
it better anyway. Shelving the 400 for now?

 

x2?

 

The poor old 400 is apart and on the shelf.
I got a quote from a local engine rebuilder of 3500$ to rebuild. I had the 455 already so I will use it, and rebuild the 400 myself when time and $ allows.
But I think you are right Adam, I will like the 455 in this car

Ted

 

I will dig up the receipt....made in China
a friend told me that there are ones made in the USA with real metal....but not sure.
All these cars are worth saving if possible!
Have any pics of your ride Steven?

Ted

 

The 455 slipped in as if it was home
Working on changing to HEI.
Can anybody identify this bolt? Sure was in the way...had to put mount on after engine was in...the mount would get caught on it.....

Ted

 

Oh, THAT bolt. Now I know why it gave you so much trouble because it's sooo hard to see

I think you forgot to attach a pic Ted

 

pics might help

 

Block drain?

 

That's a drain plug. Man you should have painted it first and cleaned up the engine compartment.

 

If that's the carb from the 400
it is going to run so sweet too.
I took the one from my 69 400 442
and put it on a 455 w/ G heads,
it Loved it.

I am thinking I may drop that 455
in my vert and shelf the 400 E block....

 

Eric, I COMPLETELY agree!
I made a promise to myself that this car would be running before we hibernate.In my books that means stopping, structurally sound and running..in that order. Cosmetics can wait for a nice spring day. Front mounts, frame and harder to get at places with the engine in were cleaned and sprayed with a vegetable based rust control product......no where near complete, but I will be where I want to be by the time the snow comes.
Thanks for IDing the drain plug...

Ted

 

That is the carb from the 400 Adam.
Good to hear that it should work well on the 455/G heads!
Most have said that I will never put the 400 back in now that a 455 is in the car

Ted

 

I agree with them as well.
If I do the swap, the kids
can put the E block in with
the sale of the car after I'm
gone if they want.

So your about ready to drive it, yes?

 

My thought as well....if my son wants to swap the motor out that will be his decision.The 400 is all there and will hopefully stay with the car.

Almost...
Tomorrow I am picking up the exhaust manifolds from the engine shop and the gaskets. I have the exhaust and the tips and then it will be time to drive!

Ted

 

Excellent!

 

a few engine pics with manifolds off the 400 redone....

 

a few more with original air cleaner....

 

Cool! Looks good Ted.
Are going to post up a
video of it running?

 

Time to hook up that heater core.
What are the morning temps running
up there?

 

Next is the exhaust.....need to get 2 pipes custom made that attach to manifolds with correct bend(s) and length.