1978 Cutlass Supreme

[Retro_Future27]

Bought a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero for $600, had it for 2 months sold it for 2 grand and I got this car August of 2013 for $700 in Springfield,Tn site on scene non running and towed it home. Sat in my Moms driveway (16 at the time) because I didnt have very many tools, parts, or money. Was the original 260 th200 trans.

First thing I ever did to the car was change the fuel tank cause it decided to randomly leak one day


Strolling around junkyards I came across this headliner out of a 86 cutlass for 10 bucks (I didnt have one)


For the most part after that It sat around till March 2014, but now it will idle, move 3ft and die, and has a james bond smoke screen out the exhaust.
Girlfriend got me Subwoofers for my birthday and said "I dont know exactly what you need to get it running, but I knew you could do something with these." 2 10" Rockford Fosgates Punch P2.

So knowing that the 260 spun a bearing, burned oil and coolant, and had gas getting into the oil, I knew it was time to do a swap. With virtually no money I got lucky and bought a 307 for $200 (wanted to keep it olds) borrowed some tools from my automotive teacher at my school (Olds guy too) and the pulling began...

 

[Retro_Future27]

Pulling the engine and trans out for me was a 2 man job since my car was on a slight incline and im a lanky 6'0" 130lbs


After that it was as simple as unbolting the torque converter and bell housing and separating, after that the 260 was stripped of its good parts, it was junked and some parts transferred to the 307 to be less of a headache. The 307 sat in the bed of my friends 88 s10 4cyl for a week until I got a picker to take it off. I was impressed with that little thing. But I freshened up the 307 Deleting all the unnecessary, degreasing it, and painted it autozones version of "Olds Gold"



Took me several tries to get the motor mounts to sit properly then after I was to frustrated to care anymore, I slammed the engine down and it slid right in place.
spent alot more time fooling around with the crossmember and transmission mount to get those to seat perfect then everything else was just assembling it back together 8)

I didnt get stumped until I ran across wiring up the starter again. The previous owner made all the wires red for some stupid reason :evil: I didnt pay attention to this when I was pulling cause I was over excited about getting it out. But eventually figured out which went to what and plan on going to the junkyard to get the color correct wires. Also have to get new throttle cable and speedo cable (when disassembling I noticed it was all bound up, probably explains why my speedometer doesnt work) from there too.

 

[Longroof79]

Looks like you're on the road to recovery. So far, so good. Finding an un-hacked wiring harness at the junkyard is a step in the right direction.
Good luck man!

 

[Retro_Future27]

This is where I am currently. Got the swap done in about 4 days. The things left on my to do list is Install distributor, fluids, exhaust, and find a 4 barrel carburetor. Ive been more worried about finding a carburetor over everything else. Youd think finding a budget carburetor would be simple, not so much for where I live. Most boneyards have been picked clean of their carbs and no one has one of reasonable cfm. Buying a new one is out of the question. So Ive been a sitting duck until then. As far as exhaust goes im really unsure of the route I want to go. My plan was to run longtube headers, cherrybomb glasspacks, and have the piping stop and angled out before the rear wheels. I dont know if chevy headers are compatible or If theres a cross member to look out for in junkyards that has dual humps and mount up even with slight fabrication. I plan on babying the car until I get a bigger transmission which isnt expensive at a junkyard and ill go ahead and do the rear gears as well.

 

[Retro_Future27]

Looks like you're on the road to recovery. So far, so good. Finding an un-hacked wiring harness at the junkyard is a step in the right direction.
Good luck man!

Thanks, Anything wired to anything has your average joe wire job and all hacked to pieces and connectors. I plan on replacing the cluster, column, and figure out why the ac/heat is so butchered.

 

[Longroof79]

Put the word out for a non-computer controlled (Olds) Q-jet carb...or even a Holley spreadbore replacement. Any other type carb will either require an adapter, or different intake manifold.
As for the X-member, if you're still running the TH-200, keep the one you have and maybe have it notched for dual exhaust. No sense getting a different X-member if you plan on swapping out the trans in the near future.

 

[Retro_Future27]

I know I have been neglecting anyone that has been concerned with any updates, Ive enlisted in the USMC and juggling school, but the car is up and running now. It still doesnt have exhaust, heat or a/c, functional cluster, or window regulator for the passenger door. I replaced the cluster and panels to the dash, installed a tach, and replaced the top part of my console. I tried my best at wiring a connector that was given to me (out of a 86 I believe) but not all wire colors from my dash matched the connectors colors so did the best I could. Fuel instantly goes all the way to full and the only lights I get on the cluster is GEN and the right turn signal. Ive yet to get a speedometer cable thats long enough. I installed Air horns more for SNG's. My only serious mechanical problem is my water neck. I broke the head off of a rusted bolt, drilled, tapped, redrilled and retapped now the hole is slightly too big. Its okay for baby driving but when you get aggressive it wont handle the extra pressure and begin to seep. Ive been frustrated with it to fix it again and dont believe that this 307 will be permanent. Its rarely seen drive time since its been in my hands and my goal is: after Bootcamp Locate a olds 350 and begin a real build after my service. But until then its getting me by.

First drive when I got it running it blew a tire. Saved for about a month, Bought american racing 15x7s for $50 and a set of mismatch boneyard tires for $80. Getting the old twist on lowrider wheels took the entire automotive class (17 bodies) to break the seized hubs free.

At the moment im at another pause on this build, Its getting cold here in KY, another reason why I hate to drive it (no heat). no funds, And im really down to the big items now. (interior, body, suspension).






Ideas and Opinions are appreciated!

 

[QS442]

It's coming along and good work stretching the dollar to get it running. I have tons of parts and if you need something small or have a list of some readily available cutlass parts, let me know and I maybe able to donate if you pay shipping. Just send me a pm about what you are looking for.

Also thanks for your recent enlisting and service.

 

[ADentice]

Make sure you get a decent radiator to keep it cool. I swapped a 260 out of my car for an olds 350 and the 260's radiator was junk. They're a single core and dont do all that much to keep your car from over heating

 

[1979Calais]

Looking good, love the 78-80 gbodys.
I use to ride through Hop-Town all the time when I was stationed at Fort Campbell.