cfdfire40

hello I just got my first oldsmobile I've had just about every other kind of classic but this is my first oldsmobile. I got a 1971 cutlass supreme convertible v8 3 speed manual 37,000 original miles car is original top to bottom. I do have a question about the engine it's a 350 and it looks to have a 2 barrel carb but honestly it's so small it looks nothing like a 2 barrel to me but I could be wrong. my question is did they put any other size small block in these other than a 350. even the fuel pump looks nothing like I've ever seen on a 350. unless an olds 350 is different. this is the original motor it's been untouched other than tune up and oil change.

joe_padavano

Welcome. First, this is NOT a Chevy 350. For example, Chevy motors mount the fuel pump upside down and spin the distributor backwards.

The carb is a Rochester 2GC, same as used by Brand C. The three speed manual is pretty rare, especially in a Supreme. Is it column or floor shifted? The column shift 3 spd MT was the base equipment on that car, but nearly everyone upgraded to an AT or four speed.

cfdfire40

it's an original 3 speed on the column. and thanks I just did some research I had no idea an olds 350 was different than a chevy 350. I just got this car and it's untouched under the hood except for a tune up and regular oil changes. just confused me when I popped the hood and saw it cause it looked nothing like any 350 I ever saw.

cfdfire40

someone did convert it to a floor shift but still a 3 speed. I can't believe someone would order this car with a 3 speed manual. I may make it an auto but the car is so original and untouched I wasn't sure if I'd ruin the value.

4speed455

If I were to change the transmission I would switch to a Muncie four speed. You are a step up on everybody else wanting to do a four speed swap because your crank already has a pilot bushing. Most olds motors were not prepped for a manual transmission unless they left the factory with one. Everybody else has to modify their crank to work, which usually requires a trip to a machine shop. During a rebuild its no big deal. A running motor might require a tear down to do it right.

cfdfire40

I will switch it out to a m21 or m22 muncie not sure which one I don't know the difference but I'm gonna do that after I enjoy it this summer. thanks for your input much appreciated. you have a sweet ride!

joe_padavano

Contrary to what you may hear, you want a wide ratio M20 trans. The M20 has a 2.52:1 first gear. The others have a 2.20:1 first gear. Your 350 2bbl motor will appreciate the 2.52s off the line.

cfdfire40

thanks I wasn't sure what to go with I'll look for an m20 than. what else would I need to convert it over?

Tedd Thompson

Welcome aboard.

You might want to give that three speed a chance.They worked well enough in the seventies and with the 2bbl carb and stock cam you car isn't going to be a drag queen but more of a neat cruiser. You could like it as it is, cheaper too..... Just my thoughts .... Tedd

cfdfire40

your right it's not gonna be a drag queen lol I'm just gonna cruise to car shows and stuff. does the 3 speed hold up well I've never owned one.i may put an intake carb and can in it with some headers but that would be the extent of it.

joe_padavano

If you do go with a four speed, it's a bolt in. All you need is the trans and shifter.

cfdfire40

thanks for all your input guys it's much appreciated. I'm a firefighter and not one guy I wrk with is into cars so I'm kinda on my own when it comes to the hobby.

scrappie

That is a beautiful car. More pix would be great!

cfdfire40

cfdfire40

cfdfire40

it's only got 37,000 miles on it motor is untouched completely original I got it from an old man I take to the hospital a lot at wrk. he owned it for 40yrs. he can drive stick anymore so he let me have it for a once in a lifetime price it's definitely a keeper.

Fun71

Welcome aboard. That 's a nice looking car.

Do you have any more front pics? It looks from that one pic as if someone put '72 grille and headlight surrounds on it. Perhaps it had front end damage at some point and those were put on during the repairs? I noticed there are no front fender emblems either - more indications of front end repairs?

cfdfire40

I'll have to get some pics from the front I know he said he restored the body about 16 years ago so maybe they use different parts for the front

cfdfire40

this is my first oldsmobile so I don't know the difference from 71 to 72 I'll get some pics from front and post. I got the car for 5 grand so it was a steal

joe_padavano

Actually, those are 1971 442 grilles, not Supreme grilles. The headlight doors were likely painted at the same time.

cfdfire40

I'll have to look to see the difference I would like to have the right grille and headlight covers on it

joe_padavano

cfdfire40

yes I see now mine is different. thanks

Fun71

He might have bought new fenders and didn't want to drill holes in them for the emblems. Or maybe there are patch panels on the lower fender area? Whatever was done, it looks like whoever did the work did a very good job.

cfdfire40

yeah he told me both front fenders and both rear quarters were replaced the doors are original looks very straight someone did do a good job on it. I just can't believe how great these cars drive so comfortable huge difference from other old classics I've had this by far is the best driving one I've owned I love definitely a big oldsmobile fan now.

Fun71

So you said this car has a 350-2bbl and a 3 speed manual trans. I'm curious to know what else it has (or doesn't have) - AC, PS, front discs, etc? Post as much as you know about it.

cfdfire40

it has power steering power disc brakes no a/c power top bucket seats

cfdfire40

I'll post some pics of the motor when I get off shift tomorrow it's really clean

cfdfire40

cfdfire40

Allan R

Actually the 3 speed manual was the factory spec for that car. An AT or 4 speed were options. I have seen only a mitt full of CS that have this configuration.

BTW, the 350 2bbl on the Supreme is a downgrade option (RPO L65 that gave a 33.70 credit to the buyer). The standard engine was the 350 4bbl, so this was likely a customer ordered car.

The headlight bezels are likely from a 1972 Cutlass.

cfdfire40

thanks for the information I really appreciate it. would I harm the value if I did a few things to the engine like cam intake and 4bbl carb. should I put the correct headlight bezels on? it does only have 37,000 documented miles is it best to leave it mostly original?

Allan R

No, it wouldn't harm the value and actually no one would be the wiser since there isn't an engine code in the VIN. If you want it period correct, make sure you get a cast iron intake without an EGR inlet, and a QJet 7043150. You'd need a new air breather too.

The cam in the 350 2bbl is the same as the 350 4bbl.

If you want the correct look of the headlight bezels, just take some fine sandpaper and sand away all the black. Then buff the bezel with some steel wool and it will look fine.

The 442 grills with the Cutlass Supreme emblem are also not correct. Just an FYI the original CS grills were made of heavy pot metal, the ones you have there are made of plastic, and likely are repops. Seeing as the transmission shifter has been modified, I don't think there's any more harm in putting the car the way you want it. What kind of intake and carb setup were you looking at? Lots of folks who change out the intakes go to the Performer series for better flow. A properly tuned QJet is a good carb, but folks also seem to like going with electric chokes and aftermarket brand carbs too.

cfdfire40

I was looking at the performer intake and matching cam and valve springs. carb I was looking at was 570cfm street avenger. also new pypes 2 1/2 exhaust from manifolds back. just wanna wake it up a little

cfdfire40

the street avenger is a holley carb I'm sure you knew that I've used them before and had good luck with them

Fun71

That's a really nice looking car, inside, outside, and under the hood.

Well, all except for the upper radiator hose. That's just wrong.

cfdfire40

yes that hose needs replaced and that starter wire needs re routed

Allan R

You have some good options there, but I'd go with a higher flow carb. If you want to really wake it up a bit, change the rear gears first. The standard gear set that came with the 71 Cutlass Supreme (and likely what you have) is a 2.56:1, which is an economy highway gear. Change that out to a 3.08 or 3.23 and it'll wake up quite nicely. The 3.08 is an optimal choice that gives decent performance and economy. You'd also have to change the speedo gear to calibrate the speedometer though.

cfdfire40

the next size up in that series carb is a 670cfm would that be ok and gears definitely will be replaced good thing you mentioned 3.08 or 3.23 cause I was gonna go with 3.73. but I'm mainly gonna just be cruising in it so those you mentioned are a better way to go I'm sure

Allan R

My QJet flows 750 cfm. I like that.