Tay

Hello everyone, I bought my Cutlass in 2013 while stationed in Oklahoma. I drove it semi-regularly until late last year before when I got bored one weekend and snatched the V-belt off and all the accessories/brackets. Kinda wish i did not that because I miss driving it now that it is warming up smh. I'm currently in college so I haven't been able to work on it as much as I would like. I've come across this forum over the last few years when trying to brainstorm which way to go with building her (Delilah). Finally made time (in the middle of class) to join.

After a lot of internet searching and whatnot, I found that the motor is not the original(after decoding the VIN), it is a 455 out a 71 something(based off casting number on oil fill tube). I have not made any modifications to the car other than when originally bought I had to have the intake gasket resealed and the distributor needed to be rotated. before driving it 1200 miles back to Altus, OK from Mooresville, NC. It ran perfectly after getting an oil change before and then again at the halfway point(precautionary action) that alone more than justified the $7800 I sppent buying my baby. Have only had the transmission rebuilt TH350 since then as it went out in 2015. Went for firmer shifts and havent had a problem since other than replacing the steel hosing due to a hole.

droptopron

Welcome & thank you for your service. Hopefully you can make some time for it. Either way, don't sell it. You'll regret it someday if you do.

Tay

Thank you Ron, and there is no way I would sell this car...I love it too much to let it go...I put myself on a one purchase per yr type deal..basically go to disc brakes all the way around this year then next yr maybe the rearend and so on and so on after that. Looking forward to learning and gaining knowledge about these cars we love so much.

Will22

Welcome! Love my '72 as well!

oldcutlass

Welcome, sweet ride.

11971four4two

That is a cool 72
i do like painted roof much better than some vinyl

happy motoring

joe_padavano

Welcome. Be aware that the oil fill tube can be swapped. The VIN derivative stamp on the block will tell you the exact model year of the block. Of course, all the other parts could have been swapped also. Good luck.

BrawnyMan

Just curious, were painted roofs another model or is it just with the ragtop and trim removed? I was told the ragtop were an attempt to hide ugly welds but I haven't had mine off yet to see if that was true.

joe_padavano

Base equipment was paint. The vinyl top was RPO C08, a $99 option. RPO D99 two tone paint was also an option, where the chrome used for the vinyl top was also used to separate the two colors.

Tay

Thanks Joe, I took that into consideration also. It’s not too big of a deal for me as I am going to have the motor rebuilt anyway. I do know it’s a 455 based off the 396021F on the front and that it has the G heads. Gonna start from the bottom up this summer (brakes/suspension/rearend) until I work my way up to the motor. Still waiting to find out if I’m related to Bill Gates😂

CRUZN 66

Welcome to the group... You won't find a better source of Oldsmobile information then right here at CO...

Tay

Thanks, I prefer the painted top too..I bought it this way. I got it as a gift for myself on my 21st bday.