exhausted

Other side similar

Other side similar

Car rides and drives ok, front end loose. Low oil pressure. Previous owner said original owner had a cam replaced and may have contributed to low oil pressure condition. Been mostly sitting since 06, driven + or - 200 miles according to previous owner. I'm not sure which direction to go with this car....

exhausted

BangScreech4-4-2

Well, seeing as it's a fairly common item and it looks like you'll be pretty much bringing it back from the dead, I'd say you have a blank slate. What do you like best?

Fun71

Welcome and congratulations on the car. Right model and right color! But I may be a bit biased.

Vintage Chief

I'd first establish a goal - daily driver, full restoration (rotisserie), etc. Establish a budget. How much you going to do yourself &/or shop out (budget). Based upon budget write out a couple plans on paper (or otherwise; e.g. Excel spreadsheet, Word, notepad - whatever) under select categories: i.e. suspension, engine, transmission, body work, brakes, electrical, AC, interior upholstery, etc. Add prices of replacement pieces along the way. Nice project car.

no1oldsfan

Cool car. Great colors. I love a Supreme. I love that it is a survivor. Clean it up. Give it what it needs and enjoy it. 👍

oldcutlass

Congrats, welcome to the site.

tnswt

Welcome. Is that a tach mounted on the hood or heat gauge?

Vintage Chief

I caught that earlier, also. I'll bet it is. Have to love ingenuity - whatever it takes.

70W-32

Its an oil pressure gage. You can see the feed line going to the oil port in the one underhood picture

70W-32

I think youve picked up a nice project/driver. Make the car safe(suspension/brakes), then decide which way you want to go

70sgeek

If you are decided on keeping the car, I'd try to figure out what the low oil pressure issue may be - fully tune the motor up (new plugs, wires, cap/rotor oil change, air/fuel filters, coolant flush, etc.), maybe run 15w-40 oil when you change it, to see if that brings the pressure up a bit temporarily. Also replace the oil sending unit on the block for good measure (they're cheap but make sure you get the correct one - different units for factory dash gauge vs. warning light)

I'd also suggest replacing the battery cables and voltage regulator (if still the external part) - originals are way past their safety limits at this point.

Otherwise agree on replacing chassis related items first - suspension, brakes, steering. Replace the fuel pump, gas tank (new aftermarket pricing fairly reasonable) and sending unit.

Assuming it has 14" wheels, consider moving up a size ito at least 15" so you can comfortably upgrade to front disc brakes if it doesn't have them, or at least for a better tire selection.

...and the beat goes on!

Fun71

If you note in the pictures and discussion above, there is a mechanical oil pressure gauge.

Tj Pal

Welcome!

exhausted

Thanks to all for your suggestions and welcomes! I'll post as things develop....

70sgeek

I just looked at your photos again and noticed the loose dash chrome trim

you can replace it with OPGI's full kit (new strip and clips) pretty cheaply

Molding, Dashboard, 1970-72 Cutlass, Chrome @ OPGI.com

exhausted

Thanks for the tip on the dash trim!

Fonz

Definitely get rid of that" PLASTIC Oil Line" ! Replace it with "COPPER". ! the plastic WILL break and might cause a fire !!

Vintage Chief

While your recommendation is good, it's highly doubtful the OP will see your recommendation since their last on-site activity was nearly two years ago - October 21st, 2022 02:49 PM.

Fun71

Additionally, the nylon line “MIGHT” break. Mine has not failed since it was installed in the 1980s.

Loaded68W34

Given where that oil gauge is mounted, I would say their is much more danger of stressing copper tubing past its fatigue strength by opening and closing the hood then there is with a plastic line. Not that it matters since this thread was long dead anyway, but given the location of that oil gauge, the best bet would be an AN braided line.