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Hey everyone. I joined this forum late last year and have spent the past couple of months getting a feel for things around here. I like the sense of community here and am impressed with the level of expertise and care from community members. I thought it might be time to introduce myself. I help run a service shop here in Western New York. We mostly work on imported vehicles, but we see a number of W-body vehicles coming through the shop on a fairly regular basis. I'm hoping to find some assistance from other members here as problems arise, and am hoping to be able to contribute where I can. I do have one particular issue here at the shop, and was hoping you all might be able to provide some guidance. We have a 1997 Cutlass Supreme sedan here for some rear end body work. The car needs a replacement rear bumper reinforcement -- the one that was in there was pretty rusted out. The consensus here is that the existing part is beyond repair. I've been trying to locate a good part from recyclers across the country and have had no luck... This seems to be a common problem for the W-body cars -- at least those that lived their life in the salted Northern winters. So I'm wondering how you all might have dealt with this issue? If there's a forum conversation you could point me to, that would a great start (tried searching the forums with no luck...). In case you find it helpful, I've attached a picture of the reinforcement we are working with. Thanks in advance for your help! --Greg

Nope, just remove the bolts/nuts that hold the exhaust crossover on, and get it out of the way. That'll give you more room to maneuver the exhaust manifolds themselves around once they're unbolted. Shouldn't need to take much apart, maybe remove the airbox to get more space (it's been a long time since I've wrenched on a 60 degree motor).

Not really hard, but I guess that would depend on how rusty things are on the car. Unbolt the crossover, remove the bolts/nuts that hold on each manifold, remove old gasket, install new gasket, bolt it all back together.

Just a photoshop for now, but I did order some of these off ebay. I've always thought it would be fun to run these, kinda mimic the '88 Cutlass convertible pace car. The red version of these are easier to find but didn't think they'd look right on my car!

Good to hear from you Sean! It's good to see that beautiful vert again!