jarheadl34

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As a 70th birthday present to myself I have started again on my 65 Cutlass. A former drag car it had a built 455 olds with edelbrock heads and a built T400 with brake. It ran easy 11s and I sold all the olds stuff years ago. The car has a Moser 9 inch with 3.70s. It was drum brakes with Torino ends but with a little creative work we fitted 98 up rear discs off a Camaro. I planned to swap in a 5.3, use a ZO6 cam and edelbrock carb intake with MSD 6014. So I already bought a nice LM7 when I saw an add on craigslist for some LS engine blocks. Guess what, I found a 2012 LS3 long block(warranty takeout) for $1500! We took it home and tore it down to find it perfect inside. So with new ARP head bolts and new gaskets it should run again no problem. I already have the ZO6 cam and even though it's only slightly bigger than the LS3 cam it should run a bit better. I have had a GM carb intake for the square port heads for years and I will run it. I will use the Holley swap mounts and I already have the right pan so I am pretty close. The T400 is a full on manual shift, reverse valve body and I have a nice 8 inch convertor for it. I plan to run a BBC electric water pump and only an alternator. The car is pretty nice shape and the build is on going. I will post pictures later next week of the car and engine. I will use the 5.3 starter and alternator and probably use the Holley swap cast iron manifolds instead of headers. More to come
Jarhead

Former rides;
1967 Motion Camaro L88 (yes a real one)
NHRA rocket cars:
Texas Starship 4.80 at 328mph I owned this car, now at Garlits museum
Alabama Express duster 5.20 at 267mph I also owned it
Fred Goeske's dragster 4.61 at 311mph
Goeske's Chicago Patrol Mustang 5.42 at 273mph.
Oh yes also two tours in Vietnam with Lima Company 3rd Bn 4th Marines

Stampede4ever

Sounds like a great project, can't wait to see pics?

Stampede.

1964SS

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like a cool project. From the sounds of it I'm guessing you are keeping it as a drag car? I raced super gas with my 64 Chevelle for years and then turned her back into a street car again.

jarheadl34

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Thanks for the input, that Chevelle is kind of the opposite of mine. The car had a full cage, spool rear end with 33 spline axles and an NOS system and a few other things. Anyway I got tired of climbing into that cage so I removed it and returned the car to pretty much stock looking. Swapped in Moser 31 spline axles (offset for the Camaro discs) but used the Torino ends. I plan to drive it on the street some and a few trips to the strip. I have always liked the stock stance of GM A cars and so I will not drop it any. I have some pics of it the day we took it out of 12 years storage but I cannot make my wife's I pad send the pics to me but maybe she can figure it out. I am going to use the coils off of the 5.3 as well as the starter and alternator. I have a big Griffin radiator and I feel that the electric BBC pump will keep it plenty cool. I have always hated the looks of the LS motors water pumps and I prefer the simple look of carbed motors of my youth.
Tell you the truth, if I could find a deal on one of those front distributor drives I would run that and put Buick 455 valve covers over the LS covers. Tell everyone it is a Buick powered Olds.
Jarhead

jarheadl34

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G Atsma

Quite a resume', Jarhead!

jarheadl34

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I have been very lucky to have reached 70!

G Atsma

Well, glad to have you here! lol I'm 5 years behind you!

jarheadl34

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5 minutes out of 12 years storage

jarheadl34

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12 years of dust! Removed the old interior to pressure wash inside car. The entire upholstery is changing to black but the car will stay the stock two tone. That red is the factory primer, car has never been painted, but it will be.

jarheadl34

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Jimbo1367

More pics of the car. That looks like a nice canvas from what I can see.

jarheadl34

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Planned tail light mods. I have always liked customs and with the Olds badging removed most people won't know what it is.

jarheadl34

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I found this picture online and someday mine will look like this one.

Jimbo1367

Cool. thanks.

jarheadl34

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You can see the color a bit better with the dust washed off. With new paint it should shine. I am still undecided as to stripping the side trim but that's in the future.

jarheadl34

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The Cutlass with a template for the new firewall sheet metal.

jarheadl34

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Love those LS3 heads!

jarheadl34

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LS3 cam out and heads apart awaiting a valve job and new springs for the new camshaft

jarheadl34

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more parts waiting to go back together, that intake manifold has been waiting over 10 years