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Hello! My boyfriend and I have just bought a 72 Cutlass Supreme, we will both be using this account. We are both in college (he is studying mechanical engineering and I am studying civil engineering) and we don't know too much yet about fixing up classics but are excited to learn from you all! It has a 350 V8 currently and runs pretty well. We will need to tune the carburetor and fix a leak in the transmission fluid pan and also plan on tuning up the rest of the engine. It will need new quarter panels eventually and a new paint job but we probably won't be doing that right away. I'll add some pictures below!
~I realize the pictures are upside down/sideways and I am not sure how to fix that.....
nice car - don't spend a dime more on it while in college (except for maintenance/safety) - just enjoy it. Same car I had in college - held together with bondo
Welcome to the site, looks pretty solid. The biggest issue with Oldsmobile engines is the timing chain gear set, they had a plastic coated sprocket that over time cracked and disintegrated. What I normally do is inspect everything first, engine, trans, brakes, front end, suspension, electrical, etc... Then prioritize repairs by operational, safety, and cosmetic with the thoughts of what I want out of the car and make an approximate budget and time frame.
Welcome to the site, looks pretty solid. The biggest issue with Oldsmobile engines is the timing chain gear set, they had a plastic coated sprocket that over time cracked and disintegrated. What I normally do is inspect everything first, engine, trans, brakes, front end, suspension, electrical, etc... Then prioritize repairs by operational, safety, and cosmetic with the thoughts of what I want out of the car and make an approximate budget and time frame.
That's interesting. My Dad picked up either a '71 or '72 Cutlass when I was in high school, around '87 or '88. It had been sitting in someone's yard, and he drove past it one too many times. Wound up bringing it home, and immediately sold it after getting it running again. He heard the timing chain making a sound that he didn't care for, so I don't think he even registered it. I was really disappointed, because even the a/c worked on it. I bet that sprocket was what he was hearing.
Congrats and welcome. The exterior looks just like my first one that I bought in 1991, a few months after graduating from college. Enjoy it but keep it out of the NJ road salt in the winter. These cars will rust much faster than newer cars in those conditions.
One of my current '72 Supremes looks similar too - I obviously like that year, model and color.
Terry
Last edited by vette442; Jan 30, 2018 at 10:48 AM.
Thanks guys! I'll have to take a look at that timing chain, and definitely we won't be spending too much on it until we're out of college but we're hoping to fix it up some this summer with some of the stuff we have available right now (there was a rebuilt 4 barrel carburetor in the trunk and we have a few other things). Also nice vette442! I really like the supreme with the white vinyl. Again thanks everyone!
nice car - don't spend a dime more on it while in college (except for maintenance/safety) - just enjoy it. Same car I had in college - held together with bondo
I agree, make sure it's mechanically sound and enjoy driving it. I drove a 1970 Supreme through high school and college; that's how I learned auto mechanics.
Welcome to the site. I'm fairly new myself, and love, love, love this site. Extremely helpful folks with invaluable info.
Great looking car!!! I also have a 72' Viking blue CS with black vinyl top, 350 engine, 4-barrel, and auto trans. Viking blue is my favorite color choice on these cars.
Good luck on your resto. I'm still doing a few finishing touches on mine, and have an original 442 hood to go on it yet.
Good luck with your college too. Smart move.
-Doug in NC-
Thank you MyBlue72! Seems like we have almost the exact same car haha, besides the interior. We were also hoping to eventually put a 442 hood on it! And thank you!
Are you folks calling the W-25 OAI hood a "442" hood?
Here's a standard 442 hood:
And this is a W-25 OAI hood:
Yepper. Guilty as charger. I've always referred to that W-25 hood as a 442 hood. Still learning when it comes to the Olds cars, options, and the different hoods and stripes. As you can see by your second picture, it too is a 442 with the W-25 hood. That's probably why the confusion. Those are great looking hoods!
Thanks for the correct info.
-Doug-
As you can see by your second picture, it too is a 442 with the W-25 hood.
If you look closer, you will see the second picture is a 442 W-30. See the tiny emblem on the fender below the 442 letters? The W-machines came from the factory with the W-25 hood.
Originally Posted by MyBlue72
That's probably why the confusion.
No, the confusion is that these days just about every 442 you see has been retrofitted with a W-25 hood, so everyone thinks that is what all of them came with from the factory. Kinda like almost all convertibles are red.
If you look closer, you will see the second picture is a 442 W-30. See the tiny emblem on the fender below the 442 letters? The W-machines came from the factory with the W-25 hood. No, the confusion is that these days just about every 442 you see has been retrofitted with a W-25 hood, so everyone thinks that is what all of them came with from the factory. Kinda like almost all convertibles are red.
Ahhh, makes sense. One things for sure, they all look great with that hood on them. Im not into cloning mine like a 442. I just like the way those hoods looks.
Thanks for the input. If you have a second, could you check out my W-25 hood post/question in the Body/Paint forum?
Thanks,
Doug
