Im not sure of the hesitation I noticed today, was tryin to get up to freeway speed and felt like I wasnt gettin anywhere, felt the engine rev but no "go" if that makes sense ..
Clogged something? Accelerator pump maybe? Her motor sounds fine no loud or strange ticking or clacking ...
Just got the car still gettin to kno her an all but I cant help but feel that wasnt right and something needs fixed..
any thoughts or is she jus a gut-less cutlass?

 

Maybe just gettin used to her?Reving and not going anywhere my first thought is restriction in the exhaust,but than i see it's new to you and 170k the timing chain is questionable from previous posts.For sure it will not drive like your avatar pic 69.also the gearing is high somewhere in the twos.Nick

 

Revving but not going anywhere is most often a transmission issue. The motors going but it isn't getting to the wheels.

 

To ad to what smitty said check the trans fluid level. A few quarts low will do what you are describing.

 

And it's a 307, not the most powerful setup.

 

Oldcutlass I had a 307 in my 72 last summer while I finished my 355. With just add ons to an old tired 307 with 3.73 gears I could smoke em and it would keep up in traffic . Stock on that cutlass though yeah probably very wheezy lol.

 

Her gear ratio is no where near that, + cat and single exhaust, = anemic.

 

Yep like I stated in stock for very wheezy. A good friend of mine in high school had an 83 cutlass supreme and it was stone stock with dual exhaust. It would spin em from a dead stop not roast em but it moved decent for stone stock.

 

Tranny crossed my mind too, so I went thru her papaerwork again, she had her tranny rebuilt at 123 thou, granted that was bac in 97..sooo... idk what i do kno is Im already havin second thoughts about her, feelin like **** if I was jus gonna hav to do a bunch work to the new one real quick I should hav jus put all the money and work into my 69..bout ready jus to flip the 84 and do jus that..
idk gon drive her to town today see how she feels more ..

 

Check the fluid level . Find out what trans it is. If it was rebuilt in 97 and has not been driven a whole lot it might be something simple. I think for what you bought it for spending a little bit will reward you with a very nice daily driver

 

Gon do that before I leave today..I checked it jus for color looked red and clean but when I brought in the paper towel and showed my man he said it looked a lil brown..he managed lube shops for 10+ yrs so I kinda trust him haha

 

you gotta check it while hot and running in park. Dunno if you did that.

 

Ya I kno, gon warm her up an check then check again when I get to town..both while she running

 

What transmission? All the 5A headed pre 85 307 I have had were very reliable and good performers. It could also be a plugged catalytic converter

 

Could be the old fuel in the tank from sitting, Run some fuel system treatment thru on your next fill and drive it like you stole for a bit may get that hesitation out. I'm not sure if you have a vacuum shift but check it out. I hope this helps.

 

I would check the catalytic converter, if it is original it most likely is plugged by now and would cause the issue you describe.

 

Darrell wouldn't a plugged convertor smell something fierce ? Kinda like rotten eggs I've heard

 

The 307 you have is only 140hp, so not a fast car at all. A very stylish and comfortable car, but just not fast.
Perhaps do a short video of your experience and post it here or on youtube so we can evaluate it. I have an 86 with a 307 so I could give you a good opinion.

 

+ 123456789 on the timing chain on a 170K+ mile engine.

Other food for thought :

Most Cutlai' with 3spd automatics only came with 2.14 gears.

The 4spd OD equipped Cutlai' IIRC ... generally came with 2.56's standard.

Don't forget the basic tune up items such as plugs - wires - cap & rotor if they haven't been done in awhile.

There are miles & miles of vacuum lines on the stock CCC setup that need to be right.

Engine temperature & the catalytic converter are another major contributor to performance in a 307 as well ... & I say that with 1st hand personal experience.

A bigger/more powerful engine is a bit more forgiving when running warmer and/or having a slightly restricted exhaust system. With more power on tap to start with ... it can be way less dramatic when you start to lose some of that power.

With a 307 ... these things are very VERY noticeable.

Faulty torque converter clutch solenoids can rob power too ... but generally you will have stalling issues when coming to a stop.

 

Not sure if this has a clutch fan or not but a sticky clutch fan will rob power and make the engine sound like it's revving to the moon. Makes it feel like the trans is slipping.