macf85

All parts needed to convert to 4-speed are specific to the 1962-1963 F-85 series of cars. The 1961 F-85 series was available with a 3 speed manual transmission or automatic. No 4 speeds in 1961. The factory 4-speed is a Borg-Warner T-10. It would be best if you could find an original 4-speed car that still has all the parts (good luck with…[Read more]

Thanks Jim. Good interview. Nice job Eric and Felix! Get more exposure for the Jetfires and the 215.

Nice job! Your car’s looking good and I like that license plate.

The car looks great Eric! It’s been fun following your pics and narration since you’re so thorough and particular about how it’s going together. Looking forward to a Youtube video of it in action.

Was definitely Jetfire only as Kelly said, in the ’63 service manual. The diagrams for the other models only show a 90 degree elbow fitting on the inlet side. My Cutlass originally came with A/C and does not have this device or a return line.

I’ve never seen anything like that on any mechanical fuel pump. Pressure regulators would be located on the outlet side in the line leading to the carburetor. It might be something that was added by a previous owner at some time during the life of your car. I have seen some goofy add-on devices in the backs of old magazines in the past. This…[Read more]

I got a kit from Classic Preservation back in 2007 for my Cutlass. Still working great today. Also rebuilt the one in my ’62 Rambler about the same time and its still working great too, including the vacuum section. Made with materials compatible with fuels containing ethanol. All parts fit perfect. If the Jetfire pump is different from the…[Read more]

My ’63 Cutlass has plastic plugs. Luckily in great shape so I cleaned them up and reused them.

I got a set on ebay in 2007 for my ’63 Cutlass 4-speed car. Trim Parts, Inc. had a store on there at the time but I don’t know who the actual manufacturer was. It was $115 for the set. The rear fit perfect. The front fit well except for the transmission tunnel area. I converted my car from automatic trans to 4-speed and have both styles of…[Read more]

Thanks, I’ll check them out.

Very nice job Bruce! It’s exciting watching these cars go back together. Especially a 4-speed Jetfire! Can’t wait to see it finished.

High quality paint and body work is not cheap. My car was completed in 2009 and my body guy was a good friend that said it was worth about $10K at the time. I got off for significantly less since he was a friend. With inflation your cost is probably not too bad. Alas, my friend passed away around 6 years ago from a rare kidney disease.

I…[Read more]

You might want to consider restitching it. I reused my headliner because the pattern on the replacement material that SMS and others have doesn’t match the original pattern. My stitching showed signs of deterioration. I left it in place and hand restitched at all the bows using 10 lb. monofilament fishing line. I had to do a lot of stretching…[Read more]

There was also a Cutlass jet aircraft that the Navy used as well as an xF-85 Goblin parasite jet aircraft that was launched from a B-29.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_XF-85_Goblin

Nice job on the radio! Coincidentally, I recently stayed at a Hampton Inn Hotel on business and their artwork program consisted of black and white travel related photos. The room I stayed in had a room number sign with a photo of the F-85 radio on it. I just had to photograph it.

I believe it is AC #PF-24. There was no Delco on it. I did my research over 10 years ago for my Cutlass and don’t know if the Cutlass used the same oil filter as the Jetfire. You can get a repro sticker on ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-AC-Delco-PF-24-Engine-Oil-Filter-Decal-Sticker-Buick-Chevy-Olds-Pontiac-NOS-/272096207997

I got a white…[Read more]