Sneak peak at my 66 Cutlass

[V8TV]

Nice work on the tunnel!

[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]

Well the holidays are over and I finally got in the shop a little this weekend. Managed to get the valve covers sanded and repainted. Then was carefully fitting and assembling the painted and powder coated parts on the motor. Here is a before I started pic and what its looking like now,

[OLDFLM]

Looks GREAT my friend! It won't be long now... (c:]
V/R,
Ty

[thedude327]

Just finished reading the previous 12 pages and all I can say is Fantastic job !!! Your attention to detail is what makes your build. Watching as you work out a solution to a problem and move on to the next item is the way to do it. Too many guys get bogged down with problems, but with some time and creative thinking, there is nothing that can't be sorted out. Actually, that's where the true fun of the build is.

Paul

[gearheads78]

Thanks Paul the problem with being anal about details is everytime I make something right then something next to it no longer does.