Timing a 76 cutlass
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Timing a 76 cutlass
Alright guys so first off I have a 76 cutlass that was used as a drag car out in Arizona, from what I’m told it’s a 350 bored 30 over with a t6 transmission which I’ve never heard off and an elderbrock carb and a Msd distributor. Long story short my grandfather bought the car and it had been sitting for a few years and I bought it from him.
I changed the oil and topped off all the fluids, set the timing to 16degrees and took it for a ride and it doesn’t like to shift out of third it feels like and didint like to start right away when it was hot. I do have a leak in the o ring on the spodometer cable on the transmission but the dip stick still showed fluid when I checked it.
My question is what would cause the car not to shift if the fluid is full and smells fine and second what should the timing look like? The engine did have s 150lb tank of boost on it that I took off, did the difference of the throttle body plate do anything to the carburetor?
thanks
I changed the oil and topped off all the fluids, set the timing to 16degrees and took it for a ride and it doesn’t like to shift out of third it feels like and didint like to start right away when it was hot. I do have a leak in the o ring on the spodometer cable on the transmission but the dip stick still showed fluid when I checked it.
My question is what would cause the car not to shift if the fluid is full and smells fine and second what should the timing look like? The engine did have s 150lb tank of boost on it that I took off, did the difference of the throttle body plate do anything to the carburetor?
thanks
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42,496
From: Poteau, Ok
Does the pump whine or trans make any peculiar noises? Is the fluid a nice bright red and does not have a burnt smell? Are the 2 modulator rubber hoses good and is there vacuum at the modulator with the engine running?
Your timing is probably fine for now.
Your timing is probably fine for now.
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The fluid doesn’t smell burnt and is a pinkish color, I’ve been using dex2, as far as a I know there’s no modulator for vacuum and the 2 lines coming from the radiator to the transmission looks good. Thanks
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I’m going to have the car on a lift this weekend and as far as the t6, that’s what my grandfather told me but he also said that the carb was a carter and when you open the hood you see the big elderbrock sticker on the carb lol I’m not 100% sure it’s a t6 or if that is a real thing or not
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,801
From: Northern VA
First, I ASSUME we're talking about a MANUAL trans? There's no such thing as a "t6" transmission. There is a T56 six speed, which is used in newer cars. It requires some work (including floorpan mods) to adapt to an Oldsmobile.
In 1976, you could get a T50 five speed trans from the factory in these cars. That transmission is the only five speed that's weaker than a T5. It was only available behind the V6 and the pavement-ripping 260 motors. If that T50 is what's behind an Olds 350, I'm not surprised that is isn't working properly.
How about you start by figuring out exactly what transmission you have and posting a photo of it. Guessing won't provide you any useful answers.
In 1976, you could get a T50 five speed trans from the factory in these cars. That transmission is the only five speed that's weaker than a T5. It was only available behind the V6 and the pavement-ripping 260 motors. If that T50 is what's behind an Olds 350, I'm not surprised that is isn't working properly.
How about you start by figuring out exactly what transmission you have and posting a photo of it. Guessing won't provide you any useful answers.
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,801
From: Northern VA
Out of Line, Everytime😉
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,104
From: Melville, Saskatchewan
If it I the 700R4, the TV cable must be set properly and have the proper geometry for the cable. Make sure the proper TV cable bracket is on the car. There should be slight tension at idle and full cable pull at full throttle.
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Thanks Joe, guess I don’t have to tell you now that this is my first Oldsmobile. My fault won’t do that again. Still trying to figure this thing out the cable going up the back of the engine looks intact nothing seems out of place. Fluid smells fine and is a good color, car shifts from park to d and r fine but won’t shift out of 2nd.
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,801
From: Northern VA
A 200-4R in stock form won't live very long in drag strip use. Unless you know that the trans was modified for HD use, it likely needs to come out. The Buick Turbo community has developed fixes for every weak link in the 200-4R, but it isn't cheap to incorporate them.
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Update, the throttle linkage was moved and never opened up all the way to open up the kick down cable for the transmission to shift. Everything works fine now just have to mess with the idle and timing a bit. Thanks for everyone’s time
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