chopperimpala

Thanks for the TIPS!! I kinda figured the "resto" approach was predominate around here, but I am having such a hard time finding parts I figured this would be easier?!?!?! The wagon has NO engine or tranny right now, so I figured I'd use the caprices??? I guess I'll do a little more thinking about it, It probably is a better restoration candidate, than a semi modern "fix-up"!! Thanks again,...KEN

Well shes in!!! after hours in the wrecking yard and pick and pull, I found that the frame pads from a chevelle were the closet I could find!!! I found NO '68 cutlass' to compare, BUT by measuring with a set of dial calipers (belive me it wasn't easy!!) I came up with them. I had to drill 2 new holes in the frame, but welded up the 2 I didn't use, and it worked!!! When it is done I'll take some pics if anyone is interested...Ken

I would like to have a later front suspension and power steering with disc brakes on my wagon, and instead of sub-framing it I thought I would replace the whole stock frame with one from a '73 Chevy, Caprice. The diminsions are VERY close, over all on length and width. If I cut along the firewall I could also use the booster and factory A/C from the caprice too. ANY ideas or concerns that any of you have, or has someone alredy swapped another model frame on one of these?? thanks, Ken

thanks guys, I got the correct rubber motor mounts, but my problem now are the "frame pads" ( the mounts that are bolted to the frame crossmember, on which the rubber motor mounts bolt to.) 3 out of 3 different styles have the front of the motor to high!! I have the orig. radiator that came with the motor, and I have exh. manifolds that "seem" to clear everything, and the driveshaft will have to be custom made. I am gonna hit the pick and pull this weekend, to look for a pair of shorter frame mounting pads. AGAIN, thanks for the help!!! Ken

I plan on being on here a lot as I have a '57 olds Fiesta wagon, and need lots of advice, BUT first I am trying to help out a friend!... here is the scenerio: He has (that I am working on) a 68 Cutlass convertible, and a 455 / turbo 400, out of a '75 olds 4 door. the frame (motor mount) pads from the '68 are GONE!! He has the motor mounts and frame pads from the '75!! The pads themselves DO NOT line up with ANY frame mounting holes on the '68, (to small) but I have the motor, with the mounts, and the frame pads attached and have set the motor and tranny in the engine "bay" on the '68. Well the problem is, the motor tilts to the rear pretty bad BUT it fits in with NO clearance problems anywhere, such as, distributor, exh. manifolds, valve cover to brake booster, etc. MY only concern is the drastic tilt of the motor!!! do I need to replace the original motor mount from the '75, with '68 mounts (none in town, would have to --special-- order them)??? there isn't much room that I see, that would drop the front of that motor down that much?!?!?ANY HELP would be greatly appreciated, ALSO did a '68 even have this motor tranny combo??? He got a GREAT deal on all this but I am starting to see why....(the aggrivation of this install)... thanks KEN