Hello All from Ohio
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 11
From: Ohio
Hello All from Ohio
Hello Everyone,
Long time lurker here, finally made an account. I have recently been given the opportunity to finally fix my father’s 1968 Cutlass, which he has owned since his time in college. The vehicle is in rough frame shape, and I will be searching for donors soon.
I have never worked on older cars before, my expertise is mostly with newer Hondas. I currently drive a motor-swapped 2020 Civic Hatchback with a Limited-Slip transmission. Makes a mean hot hatch. I did all the building and installation myself, but left the tuning to a dyno professional.
I hope to document my progress and be a contributing member!
Long time lurker here, finally made an account. I have recently been given the opportunity to finally fix my father’s 1968 Cutlass, which he has owned since his time in college. The vehicle is in rough frame shape, and I will be searching for donors soon.
I have never worked on older cars before, my expertise is mostly with newer Hondas. I currently drive a motor-swapped 2020 Civic Hatchback with a Limited-Slip transmission. Makes a mean hot hatch. I did all the building and installation myself, but left the tuning to a dyno professional.
I hope to document my progress and be a contributing member!
Running On Empty
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 26,063
From: Earth
Right out of the gate, the very first item you will need is an original paperback General Motors Oldsmobile Chassis Service Manual. For some odd reason, the 1968 (model year) Chassis Service Manual (CSM) is plagued w/ poor binding adhesive(s) - e.g. pages separate a little from the binding. None-the-less, w/ that said - you don't want a reproduction, a copy or a CD. You can look around on other sites & do your own research to find a decent copy; but, if you want to work on this car, the CSM is your bible.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/31403747496...e#readMoreDesc
https://www.ebay.com/itm/31403747496...e#readMoreDesc
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 11
From: Ohio
Cincinnati area. The Ohio salt consumes all.
Funnily enough, I have one from 1968. It is in terrible shape, with the binding fully missing in places. But, it is indispensable. CSM is like the "techinfo" crap Honda requires these days. I used it already when repairing the core support - somebody put the support bushings in wrong.
Regarding frames, why is it so difficult to find decent condition frames? Looking around I see moderately rusty ones for $1200 or the "Jims Chevelle" 68-72 A Body (sandblasted and PC'd) for around $4300. That's a huge jump in price.
Right out of the gate, the very first item you will need is an original paperback General Motors Oldsmobile Chassis Service Manual. For some odd reason, the 1968 (model year) Chassis Service Manual (CSM) is plagued w/ poor binding adhesive(s) - e.g. pages separate a little from the binding. None-the-less, w/ that said - you don't want a reproduction, a copy or a CD. You can look around on other sites & do your own research to find a decent copy; but, if you want to work on this car, the CSM is your bible.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/31403747496...e#readMoreDesc
https://www.ebay.com/itm/31403747496...e#readMoreDesc
Regarding frames, why is it so difficult to find decent condition frames? Looking around I see moderately rusty ones for $1200 or the "Jims Chevelle" 68-72 A Body (sandblasted and PC'd) for around $4300. That's a huge jump in price.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,390
From: OH
Cincinnati area. The Ohio salt consumes all.
Ha, this is true. North of Dayton here.
Funnily enough, I have one from 1968. It is in terrible shape, with the binding fully missing in places. But, it is indispensable. CSM is like the "techinfo" crap Honda requires these days. I used it already when repairing the core support - somebody put the support bushings in wrong.
Regarding frames, why is it so difficult to find decent condition frames? Looking around I see moderately rusty ones for $1200 or the "Jims Chevelle" 68-72 A Body (sandblasted and PC'd) for around $4300. That's a huge jump in price.
Ha, this is true. North of Dayton here.
Funnily enough, I have one from 1968. It is in terrible shape, with the binding fully missing in places. But, it is indispensable. CSM is like the "techinfo" crap Honda requires these days. I used it already when repairing the core support - somebody put the support bushings in wrong.
Regarding frames, why is it so difficult to find decent condition frames? Looking around I see moderately rusty ones for $1200 or the "Jims Chevelle" 68-72 A Body (sandblasted and PC'd) for around $4300. That's a huge jump in price.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 11
From: Ohio
Floor pan “repairs”
“repairs”
The car itself in 2020
The rear quarter view.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,260
From: Medina, Ohio
Welcome, best place to be, ClassicOldsmobile.com. Looks like a great project. Ohio is tough on cars, Cincinnati and Cleveland, Medina where we live. You will find ton of excellent advice here. Nice year for you to do this with the National in Dayton this August.
Wayne
Wayne
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 11
From: Ohio
Well, looks like I have a deadline. I am designing my own radiator top-plate using my university's waterjet and sheet brake, since 1968 4-core top plates are exceedingly rare. I found some frame cracking where the steering box connects, and the frame has a nice hole there too. So for anyone with leads on frames, I will certainly need them.
Administrator
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42,496
From: Poteau, Ok
Well, looks like I have a deadline. I am designing my own radiator top-plate using my university's waterjet and sheet brake, since 1968 4-core top plates are exceedingly rare. I found some frame cracking where the steering box connects, and the frame has a nice hole there too. So for anyone with leads on frames, I will certainly need them.
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