Sneak peak at my 66 Cutlass

[gearheads78]

And she inches closer

A little was done today got the dash, 4 speed pedals, and heater box together on the inside and the firewall mostly together on the outside. Also got the gas tank back in place. I then finished assembing the floor shift column I am converting to. Working with all the new painted areas today was pretty nerve racking. Not near a forgiving as the powder coating. Made a nick here and there but not anything anyone will even notice.

The last thing I was working on tonight was driveline angles. Ended up having to raise the back of the transmission 1/2" to get a 2.25* front and 2.5* rear working angle. Thanks go out to Andrew with the GTO for posting this link and talking about this in his build. It helped me figure it out quicky.
http://www.vibratesoftware.com/html_...aft_Angles.htm

I wanted to make sure that was done before I get the body back on. The last thing I need to raise the floor to clear the trans and then not have enough clearance to get the driveline right.

[gearheads78]

Don't know if it was the scatter shield or the aftermarket shift arm or combo of both but there was not near enough clearance for the shift fork to move back. Had to spend a few minutes with a die grinder.


I opened the new body mounts for the first time today. One mount on each side would not fit. The hole in the frame was a lot smaller on that one mount. I don't know if if it was a misboxed product but I did not want to wait a week to get the right part. My first thought was to trim the frame out to match the other holes but I did not want to cut the powder coating. I then decided to cut the rubber down. I think I cam up with a pretty cleaver way to do it after brain storming a little while.

I first measured the size of the old original bushing. I then found a 3/8 fender washer that was close to the size but still apox .075 big. I took a long 3/8 bolt and nut and tightened it all together. I then chucked it up in the drill press. With a file I cut the washer down to the exact size I wanted to cut the rubber to. Now I had a perfect guide. I took the long 3/8 bolt with my new resized washer and another washer on the back side. I centered the guide washer on the rubber bushing and tighened it snug enough to hold. Chucked up in the drill and carefully used a razor blade to trim the rubber pefectly to the size of the washer. Hear is a cut one next to an uncut.


I wanted to be really close when setting down the body. So I used two plumb bobs. One front and one in the oppisite rear corner. I little scooting around on the jack and the frame was exactly where I wanted it.

[gearheads78]

My plan was to always try to use this factory console I picked up off EBAY last year. I used a hole saw to get the shifter stub though the floor. I then drew and outline of where the console would sit. Well long story short I will not be using the console. Once the minimal cutting was done to clean the transmission I was well outside my outline for the console. I could still make it work but it would require a good bit of modification to the console. I paid way to much for this thing to risk messing it up. Its probably for the best. My daughter likes to walk between the seats from the back to get out of the car. When she stepped on it and broke it I might has had to kill her I just going to put it up for sale so someone with a original car can use it.


Here is the bare minimum cutting it took to clear the Tremec TKO600. If you do not have your transmisson shimmed up 1/2" in back like mine you you may not have to cut as much. I plan on cleaning up the cuts and start covering it up Sunday


Don't think I need any expanation here


-Richard

[ScotI]

Freakin sweet. You're moving right along now so it won't be long.

[ProTouring442]

Lookin' good! Just think, if you get it done quickly enough, you can head up to MD and help me finish mine!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[V8TV]

Looks great! It's always nice to get the body back on the frame!

[gearheads78]

Its not officially on the frame yet. I had it down to cut the floor so I had to snap a pic. It getting close though.

[gearheads78]

Got a little done today. Once I finish the floor its time to put it all together to drive.

Cleaned up next to the hole with scotch brite disc


Made it out of poster board first.


Don't be jelous of my high dollar metal forming equipment.


First piece in.


Starting to take shape. Still need to make the back piece and finish welding it all up.

[oldzzy]

Looks awsome

[gearheads78]

Originally Posted by oldzzy

Looks awsome

Thanks


Its been a little while since I worked on it. I've had 30 min here and there but today I spent most of the day. Finshed welding up the tunnel, dressed the welds, cut the hole, smoothed a little mud on the seams, and sprayed it in bare metal epoxy.

Now I just need to spray it in black and the tunnel is done. Next up buff and clean of the body and its ready to back on bolt on.