mitchy

Hey guys I got the back seats out to clean them, and the seat belts. Found some interesting things once I got that stuff out. First, I found a bunch of broken glass as it appears the back windshield has been shattered before, so it probably explains why the package tray was destroyed. Also, I believe to have found the build sheet under the seat not sure what it is need your expertise on that . It didn't look bad under the seats, I mean there is some surface rust but no rot. I can't post pictures right now.

Trophyblue442

Congrats and good luck with your cutlass!

Oldsmaniac

What you found, I would expect to be the broadcast sheet but a picture will tell for sure.

oldcutlass

Whats the plan? Don't forget we do like pictures of progress.

mitchy

I'd love to post pictures but keep getting an error, and the Administrator hasn't fixed it yet.

mitchy

I ordered weatherstripping, and was wondering how to remove the old stuff and put the new ones on.

70cutty

Mitchy, upload the pictures to flickr or similar, and than use the insert picture icon to post pictures and paste the link there. If you need more details, let me know.

mitchy

100_2074.jpg

100_2073.jpg

100_2075.jpg

100_2079.jpg

finally got it to work

kjr442

Have you done anything to the cutlass lately?

mitchy

Yes I have I got all the weatherstripping out of the car and bought all new weatherstripping for it, just did the front brakes, got all the lights done, got a brake kit for the rear, pulled the back seats out and cleaned and fixed some rust, put tires on it, cleaned and polished the front rims(doing the back wheels when we do the brakes) and I'm about to put on new coil springs and air shocks.

oldcutlass

Don't use air shock, get heavier springs and HD shocks. You'll be much happier in the long run.

mitchy

How much would all that cost?

RetroRanger

good moog springs are about $75 ish ....shocks can go anywhere from ~$25 a piece to as much as you want to spend. a lot of people like the kyb gas a just shocks about $50 a peice,

mitchy

I figured I should update you guys on my progress.

Me and my dad redid the front brakes. They were pretty bad - we found clumps of grass, wasp nests, and lots of brake fluid. Here are pictures of before and after. Then a burnout to check our work.https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...es/biggrin.gif

mitchy

Next we replaced the rear coil springs and shocks. I know you guys said not to do it but I like the airshocks so I got them. I like the way it sits now.

mitchy

Also, I got all the lights working except the dome light. That keeps blowing the fuse so I am trying to find the problem in the wiring. I think it is under the dash in the harness somewhere.https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...s/confused.gif

mitchy

Right now we are redoing the front end suspension. The tie rods were rusted together and the stabilizer end link was hitting the steering knuckle. We figured we may as well just do everything.

I also found out the radiator core support is not even connected to the frame. I can lift the whole front clip when I lift a fender
There is rust where the battery goes so my dad wants to just take the whole thing out and repair it. We bought a mig welder last year from Eastwood and he thinks we should start using it so that will be the next project.

(And yes, he made me sit down and write all this since you guys have been such a big help)

oldcutlass

Looks like you guys are moving right along.

mitchy

Yeah we are but every time we fix something we find something else broken. we want to have everything able to be inspected and ready to go when I get my licence in April.

kjr442

I love seeing the progress y'all are making on the cutlass. you said you fixed some rust?? I didn't find any rust on the floors, or trunk, where was the rust? looks like the rust is minor at the core support.
the car looks so much better sitting up higher now, lol that thing was way too low in the back. Please keep the pictures coming.

mitchy

The rust was under the rear seats it wasn't bad, but we just started to rebuild the front end.

bigin1978

I have had air shocks on my 72 supreme for 20 years. they still hold air and work good.


looks like you are making good progress. keep it up!!

mitchy

So my radiator core support is not even attached to the frame - no parts at all. I am trying to find the right kit but I can't find one that has all the parts listed in the factory assembly manual - bolt, flat washer, shim, insulator, spring nut, insulator, flat washer, nut. The Olds kit at fusick has the right square bushing but not the bottom one and the Chevelle kit has the bottom bushing and washer but it is round. I am confused . Can anyone help me figure out the right kit to use?

mitchy

And Year One has a kit with the bottom bushing but it is $75 Why is this so hard?

mitchy

Update time. We have completely rebuilt all the brakes in the car and got the parking brake working. Also, I removed the rear brake lines because they were blocked and I couldn't get them to bleed. Then we removed the trans pan to replace the seal and filter and while we were there we also got the trans modulator out and a new one in and it shifts now. Also, after the front end was done I realized my core support wasn't mounted to the frame, so we have removed the hood, core support, passenger side fender, passenger wheel well and bumper. We have cut out new pieces for the core support because it was rusted pretty bad under the battery tray. The plan is to fix the windshield, ac blank off plate, blower motor, water pump (started leaking), heater core, remove the rear windshield and figure out why it's leaking and replace the headliner and package tray while the windshields are out.

mitchy

Here is a picture of the front.

oldcutlass

Glad to hear that your still working on it.

kjr442

Glad to hear the updates, keep them coming. Im glad you are moving forward on your project.
It really is a good looking car.

mitchy

Yesterday we finished cutting and welding the pieces into the core support. Also, we got a posi rear for the car with control arms and sway bar.

steverw

Wow keep up the good work, it can be a PITA! but really its usualy fun dirty work. Putting the new clean parts on is more fun though, means your gettin some where. You must be a great kid, and you also must have a pretty cool dad. Enjoy this work with him!

Steve

mitchy

Update, I got an ac delete box from acdelete.com and installed that along with a new blower motor, Also, I got a new water pump because the other one started leaking out of the shaft into the pulleys. Also, I have replaced the eyebrow pieces on the fender along with the trim around the hood. We got a bumper from someone in NY because the one that came on the car was bent and I got new grills and headlight bezels. I am currently waiting on a radiator and working on the windshield after that the car will be ready to drive.

Oldsmaniac

Nice progress! FYI I thought I heard the correct grills for your car are just now being reproduced should you want them.

oldcutlass

Have you been driving it?

kjr442

Just think about how much work you would be doing, if you had bought a northern car.
You do nice work.

kjr442

Do you plan on doing a aftermarket a/c system at some point?

mitchy

I'm not sure if i'm going to put ac back in but i'm keeping the box just in case I ever want to put it back in and acquire the other parts. Also, I have been very happy with the lack of rust this car has as well. But I have not driven the car yet but by the second week in July I should have it inspected, i'm working on the windshield right now and thats the last thing that needs to be done.

mitchy

today I got out my windshield and was surprised at how minimal the rust was. I used a gasket scraper to get off all the sealant and a Dremel tool to grind down the channel. I plan on using Eastwood rust encapsulator and white paint in the channel before having a new one installed. The rust isn't rot but it doesn't smoothly grind down(as you can see in the picture). Would you recommend anything different??

mitchy

So I finally got the windshield in and the car passed inspection. I've been driving it for the past month and it has been great. But suddenly I am having problems. I started hearing a thumping in the front drivers side wheel. I couldn't figure out what it was until yesterday. I jacked up the car and the wheel was loose. I tried to take the lug nuts off but the studs were just spinning. When I finally got the wheel off, all the studs fell out of the hub. All the holes in the hub were enlarged to where the studs were loose in the hub which was probably what was causing the thumping sound I was hearing.

All the suspension parts are tight and I had the front end aligned and tires balanced. I am headed to the junkyard this weekend to get another hub but I don't want the same thing to happen again.

Does anyone know what could cause this?

MDchanic

I have never heard of that in my life.

Wallowing of the holes in the rim? Yes. But wallowing of the splined holes in the wheel hub? No.

Pictures.

- Eric

76olds

The studs would be press fit into the hub no? I'm surprised they "all" fell out.
Great father and son project by the way. Good to have you young guys around working on Oldsmobiles!!
Put-er'-ther
Eric