Green Manilishi 1972 Cutlass S
 

Technically the car is black at the moment but the plan is to return to the original green hue or something close to it. I'll call it "Joe" Touring or a Pro Touring car for the average Joe, if there is such a thing. Really this is all a clever way of saying I am cheap/cannot afford a full boat build so I'm hitting the important points.

Engine: LS1 out of a 2000 Firebird. Plan is to clean it up, LS6 intake it, cam it and enjoy it for a bit

Trans: T56 out of the same Firebird

Suspension: Ridetech Stage 2 Coilover kit

Other: Clean the car up and drive it!

Started today by pulling the front clip off
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Looks like I'll need to replace a fender, lucky the rest of the rocker was rust free under the trim!

Tomorrow I plan to pull the motor and trans out and prep and paint the frame, my LS1 arrives Tuesday!

Nice build.These car's don't seem to get enough Love.Look @ the ridetech shock's when are pricing the suspension componet's.They really work great.

I think the factory green that Olds put on say a 70 Cutlass is gorgeous. I like that plan you've got going. Good luck.

Updates(which are near worthless without pics):
Yesterday motor and trans arrived
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...62006085_o.jpg

This morning I ordered a shifter relocation kit and my BRP mounts and mid length headers. :G-Dub:

I'll post more pics when there's something worth looking at.

Good progress, keep the pics coming.

Been busy, got the factory wiring sorted out, there's not much there!:lol:

Got the passenger side of the front section of the frame wire wheeled and spray bomb'd. I figure when I finally save up enough to get the body work all done I'll get the frame blasted and coated. For now this looks good up to about 2.5 ft, which is significantly better than the paint so I'll take it. I'd rather drive it this summer than wait till next year.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...70480493_o.jpg
You can see that between the low light and cups of coffee I have very steady hands, but it gets the point across. Also visible, Pontiac blue from some hack shop that put cylinder head gaskets on for the previous owner. It was hiding under the grime. The next shot is actually in focus...

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...36648998_o.jpg



Started work on my gauge panel. I thought I'd be clever and sneak 3 3/8'' gauges into the stock holes. That won't work so I'm making a new panel out of cardboard...
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I will be going with these:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nvu-67619-01

Updates; something that can only happen when there is progress. I've been busy working on the race Volvo with my team recently which has slowed my progress.
However, I did get my forward shift re-locator kit, since I am retaining the bench seat and using an F-body t56 I have to do it this route. Dismantling and re-building a t56 is pretty easy all things considered. I was fortunate in that mine had recently been gone through from what I could tell. Almost no visible wear on the synchros or blocker rings, the only point of concern I found was the 5-6 shift fork pad was broken at one end. I replaced the pads just in case.

Modifying the selector rail was another story...It took me one solid carbide bit and three cheap bits to get the hole for the rail pin drilled. Cutting and chamfering the rod seemed like a vacation by comparison.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...42333425_o.jpg

In this next picture you get a sense of the awesome area I am doing this in, I need to build a real bench that can handle a trans! Luckily I was able to keep things clean and neatly organized despite what might pass for a sweatshop.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...13737152_n.jpg


Then while I was having all this fun UPS showed up with my BRP motor mounts and crossmember. Hoping to get the motor and transmission test fit this weekend. Maybe if my wife is at the barn enough I can even get the rest of the firewall and frame cleaned up and painted.:peepwall:
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Been a while, got busy working and stopped the updates. The car is a runner, I'm a father now and contemplating selling it. How times changes! Working on getting some pictures resized and up.

It's been too long since I posted too a forum, having a hard time uploading the pictures into the window.
EDIT: Nevermind, it obviously worked.

I saw Jason had posted something about this a few days ago, really a cool subtle build. I hope you end up keeping it!

:cheers:
Dan

Thanks Dan, I appreciate the compliment. I also an continually amazed by all the people Jason knows in the hotrod community. He was super helpful during the build process and I can't thank him enough. Good guy and a great friend.

Ya, "the pusher" I actually met him through BMX channels. Has he talked you into a track bike yet? Haha!

Keep the car around and just shout if you ever need a hand, I know a couple guys that would be willing to help motivate. Great group of guys here in the NW.

:cheers:
Dan

Been mountain biking a bunch with him over the summer. Going to ride indoor BMX this Sunday for the first time. We will see...:stirthepot:

Love the build. I have a 71 Convertible.

Im curious how your mid-shift conversion & bench worked out, can you post a pic? Any more pics of the tunnel fab for the T56? How'd your engine compartment come out.

Jeff

Car looks great! Good job getting it to be drivable again. Congrats on being a father, too.

I'll dig up some more pics of the tunnel fab sometime this weekend, as well as the engine bay.
As far as the shift relocator kit I wouldn't recommend it. You end up dismantling the entire transmission and modifying a shift rail, which seems easy enough, except that if your drilling is off even a *slight* amount it will shift like garbage. Reverse is one of those gears I like having and it's not really available easily. That setup has been a giant pain. For the time and headache you might as well buy a T56 magnum if you need to move the shifter. I will be buying a new shift rail and installing stock parts now that I have bucket seats.

Thanks for the compliments on the car.

Thanks Furley, I sent you a PM.

Car looks very nice!
That gauge panel turned out nice too..... I really like the 'no logo' look. What brand gauges are they?

Thanks for the compliment, they're New Vintage 1969 Series gauges. I love the near OEM look, much more subtle than a bunch of Autometers.

My ears are burning....... You're one of the good ones too, Furley. Stoked to introduce you to another addiction but kind of secretly hope you keep the Olds too.
You missed a good time yesterday, Basher!

Thanks! I agree 100%. Very OE appearing for an aftermarket gauge set.

You had me at "green manalishi", haha!

By the way, where's the "two pronged crown"?

Wicked build.

Whees & Tires
 

Awesome Build, love the way the car sits.
Could you give a little more info on the wheel & Tire size please.
Also are those Ridetech coilovers I see?

I'm starting a build on a 1970 Cutlass and all these bits on info are a huge help.

Thanks in advance

Kevin