GeneralWAS

This is my first thread and I've been working on this project for a little while and I thought I would post my progress and what I've accomplished so far.

GeneralWAS

The main goal behind this project is to get the Cutlass running under it's own power and to update parts of it into the 21st century.
Some of the goals include:
-Suspension work to help make it handle
-Transmission rebuild
-Engine upgrades
-New gas tank
-Some interior work
-Fix some small problems and just general updates for the car

This is not a frame-off restoration but is mainly focused at getting the car back into driving condition and upgrade certain aspects and fix some of the flaws. The goal isn't to have a perfect show car.

Allan R

Welcome aboard. Sounds like you still have a lot of work to do.

Some invaluable tools for you to think about purchasing. They are the Bibles of fixing/troubleshooting and general layout of the 72 Cutlass

1. 1972 OLDSMOBILE Chassis Service Manual (CSM) - a MUST HAVE for any mechanical/electrical work.

2. 1972 Cutlass Assembly Manual (Millenium Industries). Shows exploded view diagrams of assembly components. Very detailed and easy to follow.

GeneralWAS

This is just a post to help bring anyone reading this up to speed on where the car is right now.
It currently has the engine and transmission out. The radiator has also been removed along with anything in the way of getting the engine out. The ladder bars that were on it have been removed and the currently I am working on the rear suspension. The driver side shock has been removed and the passenger side one is in progress along with the gas tank. The plan is to upgrade the rear suspension first. The heater core was just removed tonight (thanks to the form found here:72 Cutlass Heater Core. I've also worked on removing some of the rust on the front of the car and part of the frame in the engine bay, along with just general clean up of the engine area. The heads along with the intake have been semi cleaned, and have been removed. The transmission has also been cleaned up on the outside to remove most of the grease and grime. The following pictures will be what some of the stuff looked like when it first came out of the cutlass, and after a little cleaning. I'll follow up with more pictures when I have time.

And does anyone know of any good turbo 350 rebuild kits?

oldcutlass

Looks like your knee deep and well on your way. Post some pictures of the rest of the car. Ladder bars means it was purpose built some time ago.

GeneralWAS

Just got back into really working on the Cutlass, I've been getting the rust of off some of the frame and sheet metal above the gas tank in the back. I plan on removing the rear axle soon and put in the Johnny Joints. Then after that it's on to removing more rust that I couldn't reach due to the axle being in the way.

GeneralWAS

I know I haven't posted too much on this forum now and am sorry I have not done so more often. While I was away I have gotten many different items checked off the to do list.
Some of the upgrades finished so far include:
-SC&C Touring Plus Suspension Package with double adjustable shocks
-rear discbrake conversion kit from Right Stuff Brakes
-New Heater Core
-The transmision has been rebuilt
-heads from Mondello
-intake manifold
-new distributor from Mondello
-new higher stall torque convertor
-removing a large proportion of rust and painting areas that were affected by said rust (not including the body)
-new brake, fuel, heater, radiator hoses/lines

I have used this forum often and want to help the community out a little bit and will add my two cents to some of the other topics found on other threads. Pictures will be included in a later post.

don71

Thanks for stopping by and giving us an update.

These things take a lot of time to get you where you want to be.

I'd look look forward to any pics and comments on your work so far.

I think you'll like your suspension upgrade...a lot.

GeneralWAS

Here is a quick of the car running for the first time in over a year!