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Post by clay on Oct 26, 2022 11:41:48 GMT -8
You'll find links to the car's "origin story" and some of the other key threads related to the build thus far.
This is a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass S which is receiving a built 455 pushing close to 500 HP (estimated potential at this point) and around 545 torque. Included is an upgrade to a Tremec TKX 5 speed manual transmission, hydraulic clutch, new posi rear end with 3.73 gearing and swapping the interior to black with bucket seats.
Things should start moving fairly swiftly this winter...I've been waiting a long time for engine parts but they're on their way. My goal is to drive the car by late spring or early summer 2023.
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Post by Volktales on Oct 26, 2022 22:38:15 GMT -8
Thanks for the link, Clay. I had just a quick look so far, but will be checking this out in further detail. I like a lot of different cars out there, and the Oldsmobile Cutlasses are quite nice. And I do like those sweet Vista-Cruisers as well...
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Post by Volktales on Oct 30, 2022 17:32:47 GMT -8
Sooo, when at the last meeting, I forgot to mention to Clay that I have some interesting stored Oldsmobile pictures on the hard drive...  Wagons were not that interesting when I spotted this in a field, but then that was some time ago...  Too bad it was not an earlier Vista-Cruiser... But the one behind it looks more interesting...  This is an early '70's Cutlass. Has the more formal roofline than the semi-fastback look.  I am sure Clay knows exactly what year and model this is. Don't know what engine was under the hood.  I was told this huge 98 contained Clay's beloved 455 under the hood. And it was running when parked as well. So what is the deal with these cars? They were in the same field that contained several Corvairs that I posted here in the past. These pictures were taken eight years ago, so I am not really sure if the cars are still there (they are not visible from the road or Google Earth, either.) I tried to make contact with the owner to revisit this place about a year ago, but was not successful. The cars all belonged to her elderly father, and they were in no hurry to get rid of them at the time. Maybe I should try to make contact again. Wouldn't mind getting the one second generation Corvair that was sitting there for parts... |
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Post by clay on Oct 30, 2022 21:17:09 GMT -8
Cool photos, even if cars forgotten in fields can be kinda sad! The flat top wagon appears to be a late 70's model. They still have a fan base out there but certainly not as desirable as some of the other models like the Vista Cruiser.
The blue one appears to be a full size model, a 1971 Delta 98. Yes, the 455 would be nice to lay hands on! I'm not much on the rest of the car but once again, there are those who love them.
The red one's a 1972 Cutlass Supreme. Probably a 350 under the hood. Doesn't appear to be in horrible condition overall, but the vinyl roof usually leads to bad rust issues and all that moss on the valance behind the rear window suggest there will be a lot of fabrication needed for anyone trying to resurrect it.
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Post by clay on Nov 6, 2022 15:45:54 GMT -8
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Post by Volktales on Nov 6, 2022 21:00:17 GMT -8
Tons'O'goodies you have there for the rebuild! I quite like those sweet Oldsmobile alloy valve covers...
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Post by clay on Nov 7, 2022 1:08:42 GMT -8
Tons'O'goodies you have there for the rebuild! I quite like those sweet Oldsmobile alloy valve covers...
Definitely quite the parts accumulation when you factor in the rear end parts, stereo, transmission and now the engine. Haven't started on the interior yet!
I've been wanting a set of those valve covers for a long while now. I do have a pair of NOS Holley aluminum covers (same as the M/T covers) but I have concerns about rocker clearance...and the Olds ones just look like they mean business anyhow!
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Post by clay on Nov 15, 2022 17:36:15 GMT -8
Couple of updates in the "master thread". Rear end is completed and back home, and I got some noise makers for my inner child to play with.
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Post by PICTUP on Nov 15, 2022 20:04:55 GMT -8
Wow, what a plethora of parts! You are truly going for it! A one-man "garage squad". Your neighbours are gonna love those noise makers when you can't resist the urge  |
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Post by clay on Mar 7, 2023 10:39:57 GMT -8
Wow, what a plethora of parts! You are truly going for it! A one-man "garage squad". Your neighbours are gonna love those noise makers when you can't resist the urge
Indeed! It's amazing how the pile of shiny stuff grows (as does the build cost). I have a bunch of stuff waiting for pickup in Victoria at the end of this week so I'll share more pictures of shiny parts before they get shelved to await their turn.
So, talk about project scope creep. This project started off with me having an inexpensively obtained car with a good paint job, an old 455/TH400 combo, a couple posi rearends to pick from and a black bucket seat console shift interior from a donor car. Should be an affordable start to a fun summer cruiser, right? Spend a few bucks freshening up the engine, get a couple rattle cans to clean up some looks, bolt it all together and start driving...
That plan soon fell apart and my final budget will wind up being 5 or 6 times the original.
The engine build took on a life of it's own and next thing I knew it was a complete, high performance build. That called for a new manual transmission instead of the automatic. And this meant the rear end gear ratios I had available weren't going to do the job.
My most recent discovery of torn balljoint boots has lead me to remove the control arms to replace all the bushings...which put me at a point where I was just 6 bolts away from a frame off restoration.
And guess what?
Ugh. Someone should take my tools away :-D
A few updates and photos have been posted to my Classic Oldsmobile Forum thread linked in my original post.
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Post by stude on Mar 7, 2023 12:28:53 GMT -8
Thank for spending the time to get us a update we get it and care.
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Post by 1hotvw on Mar 7, 2023 21:52:22 GMT -8
use your hoist and lift the body up, send the frame away for blasting, epoxy coat, then chassis black.you only set yourself back a year.you can do it.
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Post by clay on Mar 7, 2023 22:30:37 GMT -8
Thank for spending the time to get us a update we get it and care.
Thanks...always enjoy seeing what you and others are accomplishing too!
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Post by clay on Mar 7, 2023 22:31:55 GMT -8
use your hoist and lift the body up, send the frame away for blasting, epoxy coat, then chassis black.you only set yourself back a year.you can do it.
Debating the hoist method, only planning on having them separated for two or three weeks all going well. I don't think I'll have my engine until August if I'm lucky so I have some time...which I'm sure will disappear quickly!
After another look, suspending it under my lift (four post) isn't going to give me enough height. This is definitely one of the times when I wish it was a 2 post!
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Post by Volktales on Mar 8, 2023 7:39:18 GMT -8
Love those sweet gauges you are installing! Going to be quite the machine... Getting carried away with a rebuild, now who does that???  |
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