Hello everyone,
I would just like to introduce myself to the group.
My name is John, I'm from Tulare, Ca. I travel around in a 1972 Cutlass Supreme, that I've owned for about ten years. It isn't the prettiest car, yet, but I love it just the same. With the help of a few friends I managed to install a new crate motor a couple years ago, which I am a little disappointed in its performance so far. It starts up and runs great, it just has no where near the raw horsepower of the original, (which I still have, along with a spare 350 rocket, waiting for rebuilds). I'm far from being able to call myself a car expert, or even a decent mechanic lol, but I love to learn as much as I can.
I've been married to my awesome wife almost as long as I've been married to my Cutlass, we have two beautiful girls and a newborn son.

 

Welcome, post some pictures when you get a chance.

 

Welcome John. As mentioned we like pics. Do you have any of your engine install and swap?

Tell us a little more about your car if you want. With the sites help, maybe we can squeeze some power out of it. But we'd have to know the details...all of them

 

Welcome John....welcome aboard and enjoy the ride.

 

Welcome John!

 

Welcome aboard!

Without having any other info, I would hazard a guess that the rebuilt engine had deep dish pistons and large combustion chambers (maybe #8 heads?) so its compression ratio is really, really low. The super deep dish pistons are common in rebuild kits.

 

JOHNPAUL72? Weren't you a pope not too long ago?

 

Welcome to CO. Doesn't matter that it's not in the best condition, just good to hear that you enjoy it.

 

Hello,
Thanks for all the welcomes and replies. I have been busy at work, so I don't have much time to post back. I will try to get some pictures up asap, possibly this weekend. Like I mentioned before, it isn't in the best shape, but from the looks of it, this group has plenty of good folks that are ready to give good sound advice on the best ways to get it there. I'm looking forward to reaping some of the benefits of that advice, and of course returning the favor however I can.
I may not be much of a car expert, but I do have nine years of tax preparation experience, and I'm willing to help any way I can in that field.

First of all I'll start by saving you some money on tax prep. If you make less than $50,000 look for a cset nearby, they offer free preparation.

They are usually packed so if you prefer to do your own taxes, here is a link to a great free tax prep site. Www.freetax.com/Simplyfree
And of course there is always www.irs.gov for free federal filing, and www.ftb.ca.gov for free California state filing.

OK, hope that info helps someone.

 

John, welcome to CO. You mentioned a crate engine, I figure that means it is a chevy. You need to get some real Oldsmobile power in that car! Good luck.

 

I didn't even think of that when I posted above; I just assumed it was a generic Olds 350 from one of those engine rebuilder companies.

 

I ordered it specifically for 1972 oldsmobile cutlass supreme, and it fit my transmission and motor mounts perfectly. It also looks much wider than a chevy 350. I am trying to remember where I ordered it, but I'm at work right now. I'll have to see if I can find my receipt when I get home.

 

The key would be to identify what engine it is from the block casting number and the head ID number. It's unlikely that your receipt would have that level of detail on it.