Value? My Father-in-laws 1971 Cutlass Supreme Convertible

[njsteve]

Is this normal? Looks like they applied the factory door jam VIN sticker over a plastic body plug. I was able to gently pull the plug out and verify the VIN but that's crazy. The other side has a similar plug that has paint over it, I assume from the 1995 repaint.

BTW, the undersides of the doors are beautiful. No door-skin seam swelling anywhere.

[grantprix]

No, that's like a Ziebart plug for rustproofing, but likely another brand. Never seen that before being placed right into the VIN decal.

[njsteve]

Yeah, I thought so. Absolutely insane choice of location to drill a hole. Now come to think of it, my black 1972 Formula Firebird from Canada has a hole drilled in the same exact spot (in both doors): right through the VIN label. Must be a pattern of insanity occurring above a certain latitude line.

[njsteve]

More mission creep. :-)

Replaced the generic master cylinder with something more correct and not seeping from the rear seal. Had to dig through my parts to find the correct push rod that comes out the front of the booster since the one in there was waaaay too long for the stock style master cylinder. (2-9/16" versus 4")

[njsteve]

And I drained the rear differential, pulled the cover and wiped out any remaining old fluid. It was black and yucky but no metal and the magnetic pipe plug was clean. New gasket and new 75w90 back in.

Am I reading the gear set right at 2.56? It does say 41-16 and if my math skills are still at middle school level, that comes out to 2.5625 to 1. That would explain the 2 to 3 shift point at 50 mph!

[olredalert]

Originally Posted by njsteve

And I drained the rear differential, pulled the cover and wiped out any remaining old fluid. It was black and yucky but no metal and the magnetic pipe plug was clean. New gasket and new 75w90 back in.

Am I reading the gear set right at 2.56? It does say 41-16 and if my math skills are still at middle school level, that comes out to 2.5625 to 1. That would explain the 2 to 3 shift point at 50 mph!

----Geez,,, even an upgrade to 3.08's or 3.23's would be an improvement, and not too detrimental to gas mileage....Bill S