celodog

hi there everyone!!! well, i've always wanted an old car to work on and fix up. growing up we didn't have allot of money, most times we didn't even have a vehicle for family use. so now, im 27. im engaged (our date is april 13th 2013) and we have a beautiful son who is 15 months. now that im old enough i've decided to do what i always wanted to do. and that's buy a classic car and fix it up. so a few weeks ago i set out searching. i've always loved 67' and 68' cougars, and i've also been very fond of chevelle's. but after talking with my father in law about it i decided to go with something not so "main stream". so i stumbled upon a 1965 olds cutlass holiday for $3000. the condition was really good for the price and best of all it's a running project. there are some leaky gaskets that need to be replaced, but luckily i've been working with my father in law for the past two years in his engine shop helping with machining and what not so the engine is covered. but there are some other things that i have no clue about. like rim/tire size, and how to locate the power window/seat relay so i can get my windows working again.. im hoping some of you might be able to help me with these things and more, and if i can offer some engine knowledge i will be more than happy to do so. so thank you for having this forum up and thanks in advance for picking all your guy's and gal's brains. im looking forward to chatting it up! happy holidays

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jcdynamic88

nice car! looks like you got a lot of car for$3000.

gearheads78

Welcome to the site looks like a great start

celodog

thanks guy's.. i got a little ahead of myself and just ordered some rims and tires and a full disc brake conversion kit. this saturday i'll take out the engine and do the gaskets. i'll most likely inspect everything else while it's out. body work and paint will be last.

Napoleon Solo

A 65 is an excellent choice, my good man! Great score for 3Gs.

stan 65 cutlass

WOW !!!!!
great looking car for 3 gs. chrome looks real decent on it, and i dont mind the hood stripes either

61reoldsman

Ya you got a bargain if it's a driver !I paid twice that for my 72

Nunyadam Biz

Welcome to CO. Looks like you got a good deal. New rims? I hope they are more in line with the stock Rims that would have been on it. The Rims on it now just do not fit the Car. (appearance-wise IMO) Sell them and make back some cash to reinvest.

jims2000lt

Nice car...

oldcutlass

Very nice ride. Welcome

miksan

Nice choice. And welcome.

droptopron

Nice car for $3K. Good luck & enjoy.

Mr65Cutlass

Nice car!

gearheads78

What wheels and sizes did you get?

celodog

thanks guy's!!! i went with black boss 338 rims, 20x8.5 in the rear, and 18x8 in the front. i know the older guy's like the original or old school stuff. that's how my father in law is haha. he was thinking some cragers. but i want to customize it to better fit my style. im pretty certain about what i want to do with this car.

Tedd Thompson

Welcome to CO.

Great looking car and a bargain at 3k's. I also don't get off on the rims(Kinda reminds me of 90's Bronco or Chevy truck rims) but as everyone has said, what do I know anyway. Glad to have you aboard.....Tedd

gearheads78

I don't mind bigger wheels. Thats not the combo I would have went with but it could have been much worse.

yeahbuddy

Nice looking 65. I like the color. Good deal for 3k. Enjoy!

Mr65Cutlass

Lets see them!

celodog

they'll be here monday.. im doing the disc brake conversion this weekend, and im anticipating that the bushings and joints will need to be replaced. but im not sure yet.. hopefully i'll have it ready to go by next friday.

celodog

well, i got the new spindles and rotors on, along with the calipers and lines. just working on the master cylinder.. got the wheels up, but those rear tires are waaaaaay too small so im returning them. i already have some 245/60/20 bridgestone duelers on the way so those will make it sit allot prettier.. will keep you all updated!

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Mr65Cutlass

What? There is a tire there? Lol :-) Color combo looks good!

stan 65 cutlass

like this maybe??????





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Tedd Thompson

Ahaag, put the Bronco rims back on ,Oh well I'm just to old to change with the times.......Still lost in the fifties and liken it ....Tedd

gearheads78

This is why I hate 20" wheels on these cars most of the time. The new ones you have on order are not going to work either. They are too tall. Unless that is a mis type on the size you posted you are looking at a 31" + tall tire.

celodog

yeah i realized that last night... so i got some 245/50/20. there a 29" tall tire. that should be fine right? right now the tires that are on there are 225/25/20 and are 25.5" in diameter. im hoping those will work. im a total newbie when it comes to tire sizes. so if the new tire is 29 inches in diameter and i take a tape measure and place the 14 1/2" mark at the center that should be where my tires will sit right? or would i just add on 4" to the top of the tire?

gearheads78

29" is still too tall IMO
You asked so I'd look in to at least 18 x 8 rear and 18 x 7 front with around 255-45 rear and 225-50-front

If you can find a 18 x 9 with the right offset would try to fit a 275-40-18 under it

trucks and some full size cars is the only place to use a 2" stagger

celodog

yeah i wish i would have went with 18"' in the back but it's too late, im stuck with the 20's.. i went out and measured and it looks like the 245/50/20 tires will fit just perfectly! so that's what i'll have to go with. we live and we learn i guess. my excitement definitely got the best out of me on this one.

celodog

very nice man!!!! are those 18's all the way around?

gearheads78

18 or 17's

twistedone400

great score for the money!! Great job

stan 65 cutlass

i believe they are 18's, not my car, heres one of his build threads, he does amazing work.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...442-build.html

OLD SKL 69

Welcome to CO! Post more pics when you get the new tires on.

celodog

ok guy's, made some good progress over the past week. pulled the engine, got that all apart. the block is stripped and is currently soaking in the hot tank. giong to order parts after christmas and start building up my engine. it should hopefully be done by the end of next month. also got my new rear tires!!! they look a s*** ton better. im going to sell those dumb rubber bands that i had on there. i just did a quick mock up of the rear tires because im currently replace the rear shoes and drum... getting so pumped, can't wait to open her up on the road!

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gearheads78

Nice progress. Keep it up. Tires do look 1000x better.

twistedone400

looking good dude. What size tires and rims did you go with? Im thinking Im going to do some rims my self soon.

celodog

i went with 20x8.5's with 245/50/20's in the rear, and 18x8's with 245/35/18's in the front.... it looks like a beast now! im super happy with the wheels!

real57vetteguy

Thanks Stan, I wouldnt call it amazing, I'd say its more like, "he does things over and over and over until he is happy with it!!!!!"

But thanks again.

Yes he red car is 18" all the way around, 18x8 and 18X9.5 I would discourage using 18x8 in the front, if you have the means 18x7 will work better. Actually if you have the budget I would run a custom set of wheels where you can get any backspacing you want such as: Rushforth, Fiske, etc.
It looks to me like the rear wheel backspacing is way off.

celodog

finally got the brakes done today and got the wheels on.. the front will sit a few inches lower when i get the engine back in. then it will sit really nice i think.. the engine is going to be really nice when it's done, i cant wait. then off to get dual exhaust and get the windows fixed. going to pickup a rear bumper that's in great shape tomorrow. then a descent paint job to last a while until im ready to really do some work on it.. at least it will be nice for my wedding

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celodog

big things are in the works, the next time you guy's see the car it will be beautiful!!!!