Pulling a vintage trailer w/ 72 Cutlass 350 - EFI & Trans questions -
My 72 Cutlass ragtop has had the original 350 rebuilt about 15K miles ago and I added an upgraded cam, oil pump, 442 radiator, electronic ignition and quad ground valves. I did not convert to EFI at the time and have some regrets, but hay, never to late right? In the spring we are going to start pulling a 17' 1961 Layton "Canned Ham" trailer with it, which loaded will be right at 2K lbs. What is the best EFI kit as I am doing that ASAP and what should I do to help my transmission handle the added load? Thanks!

 

Add a transmission cooler, service the transmission and have the engine cooling system in good shape to cool both the engine and transmission.

Good luck!!!
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When I was young we took a 16 foot Shasta trailer from Northern California to below Mexico City. The only modification we did was to put a trailer hitch on our 1953 Hudson Hornet.. I would think it shouldn't be a problem just the way it sits now.... Tedd

 

Wife and I pulled a 1961 Roamer 15 ft trailer behind our 71 Cutlass vert with absolutely no problems. It has stock 350 4 bbl, Turbo 350 and 2.56 gears. I loved the way your could hear the duals echo back with the trailer on and the top down and 70 MPH. I think you will have zero problems with it. Of course we were pulling it in Michigan which is pretty flat, may be more of a issue if going over mountains, etc. I don't know the answer about EFI....

 

The Holley Sniper works for most. They have a drop in, hooks up right to your factory sender and wiring in tank fuel pump, just add 12 volts and ground. You will gain nothing with a TB EFI set up, IF you Qjet is properly tuned. I would also consider a Transgo shift kit along with the trans cooler. Having upgraded cooling is key to towing, especially in warm weather. Do you have a 4 core rad? A large aftermarket aluminum 2 core will actually cool better. A shroud and 6 or 7 blade fan with a heavy duty clutch is good in traffic but the rad needs to be large enough to take on the extra cooling. Good luck.

 

 

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Just make sure your transmission, cooling system and brakes are in good repair.

 

Our Hudson had no trans cooler just 250 lbs. of cast iron to keep it cool .Hudson used a GM duel coupling 4 speed transmission pretty much bullet proof...... Tedd

 

Definitetly post pictures when you do pull it!

 

Add air shocks or hd shocks to help the springs. What hitch do you have on the car?

 

Air bags instead of air shocks. I know Olds offered air shocks as a factory installed option (as did many other manufacturers) but I have seen too many cars with the shock mounts cracked. Granted, the op is pulling a trailer, not adding 100 psi to the air shocks to jack up the rear for a pair of N50 tires. Air bags keep the weight carrying job where it belongs, in the spring perches.

I put air bags in my car probably 20 years ago to eliminate torque steer at the track. About 12 pounds in the right rear bag, the car leaves straight as a arrow. A few years later when I did drag week, they came in really handy with the small U-Haul trailer. Some of my buddies with coil over conversions were constantly getting other drivers flashing their high beams at then because the headlights were blinding them. A couple hundred pounds of tools and supplies plus the tongue weight screwed up the headlight aim. Granted, they could have cranked up the coil over, but it’s so much easier with air bags!

 

Btw OP, I sent you a PM.