‘65 Cutlass
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‘65 Cutlass
Hi everyone, I’m Bob, or Bobbio (my fire dept nickname). Retired firefighter, just purchased ‘65 Cutlass Sport Coupe. 51,000 original miles, original target red paint. Came with rebuilt 330, rear main seal was leaking. From factory came with 3spd on floor, 700R4 with B&M shifter in it now. Came with fresh Muncie M20, bell housing etc to convert back to 4spd. Rearend were 323, now posi 373. Front disc brakes, new upholstery and exhaust. Came with just about all original parts including 3spd Saginaw and cool “ultra high compression” air cleaner. I absolutely love this car, and it’s gonna be fun! Really drives and sounds great. Will post pics when I can. I can’t claim all the great work that’s gone into this car but there are things I want to do. Cool website, you’ll be hearing from me!
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 347
From: washington mo
Hi Bobbio Welcome I also have a 65 Sports Coupe 330 with a 4 speed and buckets. Car is fun to drive and gets a lot of attention at car shows. Not many around any more. You came to a great forum,with a lot of knowledgeable people on here. Bassinguy
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Thanks for the welcome, guys!
Thanks for the welcome, guys! I’m an Oregon City, Oregon boy. An interesting fun fact about the car: it’s never had sideview mirrors, driver’s or passenger side. I’ve read that the passenger side mirror wass an option then but the driver’s too? Wow. It made for a nerve racking 200 mile drive home on the interstate that night, with my old sore neck and lane changes. I almost hate to install them, drilling holes in her virgin body but from a practical sense I feel like I should.
She’s never had anything but the AM radio (which works) in her. The rear deck is as it came from the factory, one hole in the center for a speaker. Not sure if I want to cut it for a pair of 6X9’s.
Things I want to do:
Reinstall the M20.
Air shocks to raise the rear a teeny bit
Cragar S/S’s and BFG TA’s
New trunk seals
Steering column bushings
Gonna keep and protect the original paint. Looks great at 50 ft., she’s earned the few little dings she’s got.
Any thoughts on how the M20 will pair with 373’s? Ultimately I’d like to cruise at 65-70 without revving it out.
She’s never had anything but the AM radio (which works) in her. The rear deck is as it came from the factory, one hole in the center for a speaker. Not sure if I want to cut it for a pair of 6X9’s.
Things I want to do:
Reinstall the M20.
Air shocks to raise the rear a teeny bit
Cragar S/S’s and BFG TA’s
New trunk seals
Steering column bushings
Gonna keep and protect the original paint. Looks great at 50 ft., she’s earned the few little dings she’s got.
Any thoughts on how the M20 will pair with 373’s? Ultimately I’d like to cruise at 65-70 without revving it out.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Long Island, NY
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,558
From: central massachusetts
Any thoughts on how the M20 will pair with 373’s? Ultimately I’d like to cruise at 65-70 without revving it out.[/QUOTE]
the rpm's will be higher (over 3k) but the fun factor will be over the top with the m20.i run 4.33s with an m20,keeps me of the interstate but can't keep the smile of my face
the rpm's will be higher (over 3k) but the fun factor will be over the top with the m20.i run 4.33s with an m20,keeps me of the interstate but can't keep the smile of my face
that's why one should reread threads before posting.
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Joined: May 2016
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From: Saskatchewan
What size tires do you have? I have the 323 rear axle and turn 3200 rpm at 65 to 70 mph with the jetway tranny and 225r75 x 14 tires. The 330 seems quite happy and quiet at that rpm but I'm considering a 2004r to get the OD.
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 154
From: Wisconsin
Bob,
If memory serves me the M20 is good to 3:55 if you want to to to 3:73 or higher I believe you will need a M21 or if you are not concerned about being date correct a M22. The person I bought my 66 from decided to put a 3:90 in but it had a M20 and you could only go 10 mph in first. I am in the process of changing the rear end back to 3:55 gears which is what it came with I already have a brand new M20 as the old one was about ready to fail the case was cracked.
If memory serves me the M20 is good to 3:55 if you want to to to 3:73 or higher I believe you will need a M21 or if you are not concerned about being date correct a M22. The person I bought my 66 from decided to put a 3:90 in but it had a M20 and you could only go 10 mph in first. I am in the process of changing the rear end back to 3:55 gears which is what it came with I already have a brand new M20 as the old one was about ready to fail the case was cracked.
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Hi Chuck,
Thanks for your input. I’m not too concerned about being date correct. The gentleman I bought the car from (and he is a super cool guy) related that with the 3.23 and M20 it “felt like he was starting out in 2nd gear”. So he went with the 3.73’s and 700R4. I don’t think he tried the Muncie with the 3.73’s. Ultimately I want to end up using the 4spd even if it means regearing the rear end. I”ll eventually swap trannies and go from there. An old ‘rodder suggested I ought to ditch the 10 bolt altogether for a 12 bolt but I really don’t plan on abusing the old girl too hard anyway. Not gonna do anything with it anytime soon, she goes just fine for now.
Thanks for your input. I’m not too concerned about being date correct. The gentleman I bought the car from (and he is a super cool guy) related that with the 3.23 and M20 it “felt like he was starting out in 2nd gear”. So he went with the 3.73’s and 700R4. I don’t think he tried the Muncie with the 3.73’s. Ultimately I want to end up using the 4spd even if it means regearing the rear end. I”ll eventually swap trannies and go from there. An old ‘rodder suggested I ought to ditch the 10 bolt altogether for a 12 bolt but I really don’t plan on abusing the old girl too hard anyway. Not gonna do anything with it anytime soon, she goes just fine for now.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: central massachusetts
although the m21 was used with ratios above 3.55 (it has a taller 1st gear) the m20 and the 3.73s will be fine especially if you end up with a reasonably tall(28 in or more) tire in back,and the 10 bolt is more than adequate unless you plan on drag racing with slicks.actually i have raced with slicks on a ten bolt and didnt break it.
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Good to know, thanks! And I do want to put taller, wider tires on the rear. I’ll be glad when my kitchen remodel is done so I can play with my new toy. We have several days of clear dry weather ging to waste when I should be cruising around.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: central massachusetts
btw,if you plan on installing a factory outside mirror on the passenger side it will be for looks only,they are so small they are useless.i did this on my 66 88 and found you can barely see anything,of course the 88 is wider making it further but not much different
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Awesome! I was given my OEM valve covers but someone had drilled 4 one inch holes on each of them, with flaps made out of tape, I assume to be able to adjust valves with engine running! Never seen that before. Nice chrome valve covers on it now, intact.
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