Project: Motor City Madness- 72 Cutlass (Delilah)

[csouth]

Awesome choice on engine color... Congrats on getting back at her...

Thanks. It has definitely pushed me WAY over budget, but I want this done.

Looks Good Chris. Making progress. The Olds gold looks real nice. I hope the Inline tube paint holds up under heating and cooling cycles. I used Fusick's gold on the small block that was in my 'vert initially and it burned off very quickly on the stock heads around the headers. Perhaps the black etching primer is the way to prevent that. Is the primer you used heat rated for engines?



Glad to see the 4L70E deal went through for you. That is going to be one very cool combo in your cutty.

Thanks Gus. I actually did nothing to the block besides paint, so no primer was used there. I've painted a few engines over the years and I've never primed them. I only used primer on the valve covers because the surface was so smooth and the paint is thin. The primer was some leftover I had from KBS coatings. It goes on thick, but smells awful! I'm not sure how this will holdup, but since its on top its an easy fix. THey may end up powder coated later, who knows?

['71cutlasluvr]

Thanks. It has definitely pushed me WAY over budget, but I want this done.

Thanks Gus. I actually did nothing to the block besides paint, so no primer was used there. I've painted a few engines over the years and I've never primed them. I only used primer on the valve covers because the surface was so smooth and the paint is thin. The primer was some leftover I had from KBS coatings. It goes on thick, but smells awful! I'm not sure how this will holdup, but since its on top its an easy fix. THey may end up powder coated later, who knows?

Good info. Thanks Chris. My valve covers are chrome... without baffles... to clear the roller rockers/poly locks. Never liked chrome except maybe on the air cleaner.. too blingy for my tastes most of the time...... I think I will strip them and powder coat them (one of the few pro things I can do besides turn a wrench!) a blue as close as possible to the inline tube big block blue since you seem to have good luck with their paints. Chrome was ok since the engine was so highly modified, but I would like the engine built for the w30 tribute/replica to look somewhat stock, even though it will have aftermarket heads and intake (edelbrock, already have the heads, probably go with a performer intake for the somewhat stock look). Not sure where I'm gonna get the blue powder yet, but I am a looooong way from that point... still stripping the vert down so I can lift body off frame so the body shop can straighten the frame. Man, I forgot how much work this is! But in a couple of years, it should all be worth it.

You may be over budget, but you're doing it right the first time. Good plan bud. Keep it going. She'll get there.

[csouth]

Good info. Thanks Chris. My valve covers are chrome... without baffles... to clear the roller rockers/poly locks. Never liked chrome except maybe on the air cleaner.. too blingy for my tastes most of the time...... I think I will strip them and powder coat them (one of the few pro things I can do besides turn a wrench!) a blue as close as possible to the inline tube big block blue since you seem to have good luck with their paints. Chrome was ok since the engine was so highly modified, but I would like the engine built for the w30 tribute/replica to look somewhat stock, even though it will have aftermarket heads and intake (edelbrock, already have the heads, probably go with a performer intake for the somewhat stock look). Not sure where I'm gonna get the blue powder yet, but I am a looooong way from that point... still stripping the vert down so I can lift body off frame so the body shop can straighten the frame. Man, I forgot how much work this is! But in a couple of years, it should all be worth it.

You may be over budget, but you're doing it right the first time. Good plan bud. Keep it going. She'll get there.

Try the Tamraz blue, its what I painted my BBO with. I just tried the gold from IT because they are right here in MI.

Ran into a small snafu last night. I purchased a stock fuel rail on eBay to finish my LS2 intake swap. Well after waiting for it to arrive from Cali, it was the wrong fuel rail! It's vey wide, so I'm thinking it must be LS7? His ad had LS2/LS3/LS7 fuel rail. No where have I found online where the LS2 and LS7 interchange. They guy had no returns in his listing, but its covered by eBay buyer protection. I'm more pissed at my waste of time and gas as he sent them signature required. Because I'm never home when UPS comes by, I had the pkg held at the terminal for pickup. I had to go out of my way for nothing....

[car_designer]

Painting the engine Oldsmobile gold?

The engine is looking good.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Awesome choice on engine color... Congrats on getting back at her...

[Chocolate Apocalypse]

Great choice on engine color, I am a bit biased though

[csouth]

Great choice on engine color, I am a bit biased though

Nice! I hope mine ends up as clean when its all done

[csouth]

After seeing a member on Classic Olds using a different paint with better results, I decided to follow his lead. He used Duplicolor gold, here is the motor as it sits today.

I'm sure you can see the difference in the 2 Gold's

Inline Tube gold



Duplicolor Gold. Now the valve covers match the block



I should be putting it in next weekend. I'm waiting on my shifter since I want to install the motor and trans together. I'm anticipating it will arrive early next week. I'll wait until the weekend, so I can make it an all day affair vs. cramming it into an evening after work.

['71cutlasluvr]

After seeing a member on Classic Olds using a different paint with better results, I decided to follow his lead. He used Duplicolor gold, here is the motor as it sits today.

I'm sure you can see the difference in the 2 Gold's

Inline Tube gold



Duplicolor Gold. Now the valve covers match the block



I should be putting it in next weekend. I'm waiting on my shifter since I want to install the motor and trans together. I'm anticipating it will arrive early next week. I'll wait until the weekend, so I can make it an all day affair vs. cramming it into an evening after work.

x2... Nice! thanks for the tip on Duplicolor Chris. Much appreciated. Good luck with the engine/tranny install.

[csouth]

Thanks Gus. I need to get every part buy the end of Sept because I'm going to curb my spending in October. I'm planning to hit SEMA this year, so I want to make sure my funds are in order. I'm still trying to do this without going full bore on a credit card. I'll have to build my savings back up after this LS swap is complete.

[SRD art]

Great progress! I like the toned down Duplicolor better. Lookin good!

[csouth]

Thanks Ben. this is way overdue... I'm trying to keep it going

So I'm putting together a list of things I'd like to get done on my "HAM" install weekend... My friend is coming over to lend a hand.





1. Remove dash and old wiring harness

2. Remove Olds frame mounts, install Chevy

3. Fab rear brake lines and attach to housing

4. Install 3rd member

5. Install torque converter and mate trans to motor

6. Remove intake and install motor/trans with G Force crossmember

7. Attach converter to flexplate

8. Set pinion angle and measure for driveshaft



There is no union, but breaks for lunch and beverages will be allowed...lol

[csouth]

Well due to some conversion hiccups, I only got one thing done yesterday.

My friend came by and we got setup to remove the Olds frame mounts and install the Chevy ones. This whole process was a PITA! I'm sure it can be much easier without the suspension installed, but there is no easy way to access these bolts. We got the Olds frame mount off only to find out NPD sold me 2 RH frame mounts! The only thing good about this they are only 15min from my house.

Setting up on jack stands to get ready for install







Installed the new frame mounts in a location most others used, all bolt holes used with slight overhang. I used the Dirty Dingo Double D adapter plates with the motor mounts in the normal position. On test fit the oil pan was tight angainst the crossmember and there way to use the setting. I pulled the motor and trans back out and we moved the frame mounts back in the crossmember. I moved the motor mounts up the 3/4" fwd position and it was perfect.

What I found out next is that while my friend was able to get his motor mounted bolted, I could not get my holes to line up. After zero success shift and prying, I pulled the motor back out. Looking closer, I see Energy Suspension needs better quality control.



The weld was so sloppy, I could not get the mount to sit flush. NPD was closed and we were in too deep buy now, so my frined just grinded down the welds. I hate have to do that to new parts, but I wanted the motor in.

After a long night the motor was finally in, minus the trans. I did end up with ample oil pan and firewall clearance after all the adjustments.



Placed a wood block between the head and the firewall to allow the motor to rest.



All done and back on the ground....

[70OldsSportsCoupe]

I'm disappointed that you weren't able to keep Olds power, but it's hard to deny the cost-effectiveness of the LSx. I imagine I would go the same route if I didn't have an Olds powerplant on hand. I like the silver - that's what color my '70 was originally, but it was pretty much all surface rust when the previous owner got it, and he went with black. Unfortunately, he used Car Painters (think slightly better than Maaco) and the paint didn't last more than a couple years. It's various shades of primer now .:(

[csouth]

I'm disappointed that you weren't able to keep Olds power, but it's hard to deny the cost-effectiveness of the LSx. I imagine I would go the same route if I didn't have an Olds powerplant on hand. I like the silver - that's what color my '70 was originally, but it was pretty much all surface rust when the previous owner got it, and he went with black. Unfortunately, he used Car Painters (think slightly better than Maaco) and the paint didn't last more than a couple years. It's various shades of primer now .:(

I am too, but it would not have been cost effective to build another 455. I have no doubt I'll be happy with the LS2, just wish the swap would have come after selling the 455...lol

The silver on this car isn't original, although I'm considering it in a respray. Several choices are running through my mind, I'll decide when the funds are there.

['71cutlasluvr]

Hey Chris,

Man you are really making some progress. Engine looks sweet in the bay but I'm sorry to see the poor welding on the mounts. Talk about non existent quality control!

I'm diggin' those Rushforth Rated X's... I think you may have just helped me make up my mind which one is going on my autox "S".

I'm a bit bummed as I'm on vacation and have a foot problem forcing me to stay off it for a few days. My "S" is calling out to me to get her back on the rotisserie so I can start quarter panel repair/replacement as well as adding the mini tubs then finish off with Upol bed liner. Meanwhile I can get the frame to the body shop for a tweak. Drivers side core support arm is pushed in a bit from previous owner... it also collapsed the drivers side engine mounting surface a bit, but my body shop says to hold off cutting and welding in a replacement plate before he takes a shot at it.

Good news is I got the check for the 'vert repair and it will go a long way in helping to make the final product perform the way I want it to and look good doing it. I started adding up the time with some help with old muscle car episodes on Spike's Power Block website (project Lemans in 2006/2007 was very informative) detailing body work, frame mods, mini tubs, rust repair, fabrication. etc and I'm probably looking at at least a couple of years, but I will take my time and do it right the first go around, like you are. I was thinking a year or so... what was I thinking??!!

As much as I would like to just throw $ at her and get her done fast, the bank account just ain't having any of that (paying for a wedding next may...ouch!) but I've enjoy the build process as well as learning to do new things, so it is what it is. I will miss not having SOMETHING to drive in the nice weather, but the 'vert will serve duty as a reference for reassembly and perhaps donate a few of her interior parts to the project. Until then she will stay safe in my detached garage until the day comes I can start her long, slow resto.

I am actually considering having a rendering done. Since I really suck at artwork (mrs and my daughters have all the talent... I have trouble with stick people! ) There are quite a few rendering artists out there so I'm going through their gallery's (aside from JR's Sabre rendering, absolutely nothing for a cutlass, autocross or otherwise!) But I'm on a strict budget so some of the guys that do 3d rendering using mainly computer graphics programs make an almost photo quality image but at a lesser cost than the accomplished paper/pen/marker artists, like JR, Chip Foose and the like. When/if I find someone really good and affordable, I will post the rendering here, if the artist is ok with it. Since I'm so artsy challenged, it's the only way I'll be able to visualize my dream Cutlass autocrosser.

Thanks for posting the pics. They really help those of us not nearly as far along as you in maintaining the motivation factor. I will post a few of my own when I've made some progress, but not much has changed since the accident with the 'vert,.... mainly just organizing and planning. I'll have to go back in your thread and see what exactly you decided on for suspension as those pieces look very nice, and the upper a-arms look very adjustable.
If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to pick your brain for details on what you chose and why, but at a later time.

Wishing you continued success in moving forward with Delilah since your setback. Keep us posted.

[csouth]

Got a cpl notes from people asking about the car. With spending money on my trip to SEMA and having to pick up a new daily driver, progress has slowed a bit. I'm cleaning my garage so I can get 2 cars back in before we get some snow here in MI. I'll also be installing the trans in the next cpl days. Will post pics when done...

['71cutlasluvr]

Got a cpl nots from people asking about the car. With spending money on my trip to SEMA and having to pick up a new daily driver, progress has slowed a bit. I'm cleanig my garage so I can get 2 cars back in before we get some snow here in MI. I'll also be installin the trans in the next cpl days. Will post pics when done...

Hey Chris,

Good to hear from you. I am in a similar scenario with available cash. But not 'cause I need a new daily driver. Since my autocross cutlass is so far away from completion, I decided to check out the local autocross scene to see what it's all about. Met some great folks and found out that high powered a-bodies are a rare breed around here so no one really runs one. Too far away from a good guys venue I guess. The biggest favs here for autox are subaru's, Miata's, old bimmers, c5 corvettes and the like. I met the club (C.A.R.T.) president at their last event for the season and realized this would be a good outlet for me during the long cutlass build. Long story short, one of the club members is moving to South Carolina and doesn't have room for his two Miata's. So he sold me one! It is CSP class prepared, nothing else to do. Just drive it and have fun. What a Hoot this little car is. No way near our olds big block power cars, but man can she handle!! Our local tracks' autocross/skid pad and renovated road course will be done by July next year. So when I'm not working on the cutlass, I be out on one of the tracks.

He has well over 21k into it. I got her for less than a third of that. Even comes with a little trailer for towing the race wheels/tires and tools. Attached a few pics after detailing her. At 6'2" I'm a snug fit, but believe it or not, once I'm in and strapped down, she's quite comfortable, and it sure is fun to drive a manual again.

I'll send you a pm with vid links of the actual car at limerock here in ct during a track day. He let me have the traqmate and sony hd camera he took the vids with too! Man, talk about being in the right place at the right time. After crashing my beloved 'vert, I needed a find like this.

Yup, snows a comin'. Same boat as you trying to make room. Now with two non-running cutlass', the Miata, and the Mahindra tractor, space is at a premium, but I can squeeze everything in if we get a blizzard.

I hope you get back on track with your cutlass soon. You've made good progress. Keep on truckin' my friend!!

Take care.
Gus

[csouth]

Well this extreme cold here in Michigan has my life in the garage at a standstill. I did decide to make 2 changes to the project, one in fuction and and the other in appearance. I was afforded the opportunity to get some ridetech single adjustable coilovers at a great price, so I jumped on the them. I'll be pulling my SPC and Varishock setup and posting them in the classifieds when it warms up. If they don't sell, I have a cousin with a Monte Carlo that will take them off my hands for a fair price.

I also changed up my design plan. I was originally going to add some Olds styling to the car and worked with Ben at SRD to get a rendering done. He was very patient and we communicated a lot along the way. Although my car is no where near done, I wanted to do a simpler design. This is not a one artist or the other preference, both put together what I was visioning at the time. Ben is a great guy and wouldn't hesitate to use him again in the future.

I'm going for less is best presentation. I'd like to do all the trim in a brushed finish along with the bumpers. The calipers will be candy orange or race gold. Since my paint money went back into my drivetrain, it will be at least another year before this happens.

[65_LS1_T56]

Well this extreme cold here in Michigan has my life in the garage at a standstill. I did decide to make 2 changes to the project, one in fuction and and the other in appearance. I was afforded the opportunity to get some ridetech single adjustable coilovers at a great price, so I jumped on the them. I'll be pulling my SPC and Varicshock setup and posting them in the classifieds when it warms up. If they don't sell, I have a cousin with a Monte Carlo that will take them off my hands for a fair price.

I also changed up my design plan. I was originally going to add some Olds styling to the car and worked with Ben at SRD to get a rendering done. He was very patient and we communicated a lot along the way. Although my car is no where near done, I wanted to do a simpler design. This is not a one artist or the other preference, both put together what I was visioning at the time. Ben is a great guy and wouldn't hesitate to use him again in the future.

I'm going for less is best presentation. I'd like to do all the trim in a brushed finish alonge with the bumpers. The calipers will be candy orange or race gold. Since my paint money went back into my drivetrain, it will be at least another year before this happens.

I hear you on the temps Chris. I have heat, but it takes so long to get where its even bearable out there.
Yes please on that rendering...me likey. A lot.