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I just wanted to say hello as I just registered at this forum, but have been reading numerous threads for the past few years. I've always been involved in modifying cars - my last car was a 1999 Camaro which I heavily modified and the LS1 was a great platform to mod. I won't get into the details but she was a great weekend warrior! Here is a little drive-by video of it:
Anyways, I sold the Camaro, and purchased the family Cutlass. Cool fact about the car: it's been in the family since it was purchased new off the showroom floor. My grandmother purchased the car new in 1972. When she passed, it went to my Mom. My Mom and Dad did a full frame-off restoration of the Cutlass when they owned it for 10-12 years, and repainted it the original factory color. Now, I own her! I love the car to death already.
Car basics: 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 350/TH350, Convertible.
Since I've had the car for a few years, I have installed:
-New Suspension: UMI Lower and Upper A-Arms, 2-in lowering performance springs, Shocks, Sway Bars, Rear Control Arms, etc.
-Installed disc brakes in the front, with new master, booster, lines, new drums in the rear, etc.
-Hedman Shorty Headers
-Full tune-up (dist., plugs, wires, etc.)
-All new factory-style Gauges (tick-tock-tack, etc.)
-New Delphi steering unit (tighter gearing, better steering feel, etc.)
-Painted the engine block, cleaned up the engine bay a bit.
-442 Style grille
-New tires on stock SSII (14 inch)
-New Stereo
-Window Tint
-And a bunch more smaller, odds and ends here and there.
I now am ready for some engine/drive train updates, and cannot wait to learn more from here and see what can be done while keeping the originality of the car at the same time.
And here are some older photos over the past few years, as there has been some minor changes to the car since then, but the overall idea is still the same. I'll need to take some actual good photos (not on my cell phone) this season!
I now am ready for some engine/drive train updates, and cannot wait to learn more from here and see what can be done while keeping the originality of the car at the same time.
Do you know if the engine is factory, specifically are the pistons original? I ask because the factory pistons (and basic aftermarket rebuilder cast pistons) have HUGE dishes which result in about 8:1 compression ratio, so you can't go very big with the camshaft before overcamming the engine.
Do you know what rear gears the car has? Most have the basic 2.56 or maybe 2.73 gears, so doing a gear swap to something in the 3.xx range will really wake the car up. Back in the 80s I swapped the factory 2.56 rear gears for a 3.08 axle, then later for a 3.55 axle, and both times it felt like the engine had a huge increase in horsepower. That is where I would recommend you start for performance upgrades.
Do you know if the engine is factory, specifically are the pistons original? I ask because the factory pistons (and basic aftermarket rebuilder cast pistons) have HUGE dishes which result in about 8:1 compression ratio, so you can't go very big with the camshaft before overcamming the engine.
Do you know what rear gears the car has? Most have the basic 2.56 or maybe 2.73 gears, so doing a gear swap to something in the 3.xx range will really wake the car up. Back in the 80s I swapped the factory 2.56 rear gears for a 3.08 axle, then later for a 3.55 axle, and both times it felt like the engine had a huge increase in horsepower. That is where I would recommend you start for performance upgrades.
All I know is the engine is not original (the car came with a 350, so replaced or rebuilt but not sure when as my parents do not remember...) Sometime in the 80s. It's a 2 barrel carb, has 7A stamped on the heads, and is gutless. Not sure if the 7A stamp gives any clues to what year the engine could be?
I plan on upgrading to a TH400 as a friend has a core for me, and 3.42 to 3.73 Posi rear end (car has a 10 bolt). Engine rebuild will be last.
Originally Posted by vette442
Nice car. Saddle Bronze and white is a great color combo. It looks really nice being lowered a little too.
All I know is the engine is not original (the car came with a 350, so replaced or rebuilt but not sure when as my parents do not remember...) Sometime in the 80s. It's a 2 barrel carb, has 7A stamped on the heads, and is gutless. Not sure if the 7A stamp gives any clues to what year the engine could be?
Depends upon the size of the A.
1972 350 engines used 7A heads with the A being smaller than the 7.
Late model 307 engines used 7A heads with the A being the same size as the 7.
If you're sure it's a 350 engine (block casting 395558 2) then it may be the correct year, or even the engine that came in the car. Look on the block VIN pad and see if the numbers match what's on the cowl tag.
Depends upon the size of the A.
1972 350 engines used 7A heads with the A being smaller than the 7.
Late model 307 engines used 7A heads with the A being the same size as the 7.
If you're sure it's a 350 engine (block casting 395558 2) then it may be the correct year, or even the engine that came in the car. Look on the block VIN pad and see if the numbers match what's on the cowl tag.
Thank you for the response on this.
It looks like the A on the heads is very large, which means the engine could be a 307 instead of a 350?
Attached are photos I took of the engine bay. I can take more tomorrow as I’m off work that day.
Talked to Mark this afternoon - was a great and knowledgeable person. Spent way more time with me then I thought anyone would have.
I want to replace and vastly upgrade, while keeping streatabilty, the entire drivetrain I’m wanting to keep true to the Oldsmobile heritage and want to do it right, and it being no one in this area works on them often or at all, I want the right person to do it wherever the location.
Took some photos of the car after replacing a few parts this afternoon. Going to check if block is original or not tomorrow.
Last edited by 72GoldOlds350; Mar 15, 2018 at 10:01 PM.
Hello! New Cutlass Owner (1972)
