ksmitty

hello. I recently purchased a 1987 Cutlass 442 for a project to do with my 19 yr. old son. I owned a 1977 cutlass when I was a teenager and had put a 455 in it, posi rear end etc. It was black with t-tops and a lot of fun. Like other things in life we regret later on I sold it back 10 yrs ago when I needed money for a divorce. Well now my son has many times reminded me how it would be cool to have that cutlass and how cruel it was for me to sell it. So here I am now co/owner of a 1987 cutlass 442 with t-tops a car I liked back in the 80's right out of high school. Graduated in 85. We bought the car together and I feel I got a fair deal. car runs decent for a 307. everything works, a decent interior for its age.the guy had put a street/strip transmission in it with a stall torque converter. Body has rusted doors and one rusted quarter panel and the rest is in great shape. He had started restoration so one quarter panel and rocker was already replaced. With the deal I got 2 new Texas doors rust free, new in box factory quarter panel and rocker panel new trunk lid plus many other extras. I received the original factory window sticker and owner manuals all for $3000.00. I was told it had posi and it does not. It only smokes one tire when doing a burn out. And to my suprize it does a mean one tire fire burn out. Are first plans are to finish the body and have it painted. Then move on to the drive train. Thinking of getting an olds 350 crate motor to put in it not sure if the trans will handle it.(has 20,000 mi. on it) also want a posi rearend. The one in it is a limited slip 373 gear ratio and has an 8.5 in.housing. Can I just buy a posi carrier and use my axles,ring&pinion, and housing. Or do I have to buy an entire new rear end? Im open to any ideas or recomendations for the car. We have both agreed we do not want to restore it back to the way it came from the factory. We want to make it the way a 442 should have left the factory

MHENDERSON

Welcome and have fun with your project. Sounds like fun!

Oldsguy

Welcome to CO. Sounds like you and your son have a fun project in store for you both. We have a few members that can help you with your technical questions. If you don't get an answer here then re-post them in the appropriate forum, some members don't visit this one. Good luck!

Jamesbo

Welcome aboard

Rickman48

Could have a worn-out 'posi' which is the cone type.
Mine wore out at about 85k on a '86 GP 2+2.
Pretty sure you can replace it with the clutch type - but there's a few guys on here that could tell you for sure.

m455sx

Welcome to CO. Post some pix as i would like to see the car. Was it the car that was on ebay not to long ago?

cutlassgal

Welcome to our site! Sounds like a great project!