BUILD THREAD '78 Cutlass Supreme Lichen Edition

[doood]

Actually you could get a 2bbl 455 in 71. I had one out of a Delta 88 years ago. Though starting in 1970 455's were originally painted metallic blue, small blocks were still gold till 72 or 73 I think.

Just to be sure... No way I'm going to be able to do without a raised cowl hood with a 455 on the SBO mounts, right?


Funny thing I found this morning tearing the interior out of the Monte Carlo so the rear windshield can get rebonded.... I found why the passenger front seat belt retractor wasn't working. It was full of toys and coins. My children had been bored and put coins in the seat belt slot. I pulled two quarters and a plastic letter 'B' out of the retractor. Lol

 

[Rktpwrd]

Just to be sure... No way I'm going to be able to do without a raised cowl hood with a 455 on the SBO mounts, right?

That is correct. The 455 will sit considerably higher in the engine bay than any stock engine, and you’ll find that even with a cowl hood you’d still have to use a drop base air filter. At least I had to with a 3” tall filter which I consider necessary for adequate airflow for a 455. There’s a reason that The Juggernaut’s custom hood is so tall and wide.

I can’t say for sure because I’ve never had one, but I believe you’ll be ok with the 350 Olds because the deck height is considerably shorter than the 455’s. The Olds 350 shares the same deck height as the 307, so there should be zero issue unless you’re planning on using a non-stock aftermarket performance intake manifold that is taller than factory.

 

[doood]

Not sure if 71... But is pre-72, has points distributor with 7mm wires, and full perimeter bolts for the valve covers. Plus the older style power steering pump. I could not see head number.

If cross section of Intake is 14 inch, it's most likely a 455. Folks get this mixed up, as all Olds seem to look the same to most. SBO 260, 307, 350 and 403 is 12 inches across.

If you can get for decent price might be worth picking up. Trans appears to be a BOP 350.

I have 4 BBL iron OEM you could have but with cost of shipping... Might be better to just get an aluminum from Summit or Jegs, or other...

What heads do you think would be on the 2bbl 350 SBO from 1971?

I need to find some reference material.

In the end, I would hope to put an aluminum 4bbl manifold, new springs?, cam, timing gear, seals? What am I getting into? Where to start?

 

[BuickOldsPontiac]

What heads do you think would be on the 2bbl 350 SBO from 1971?

I need to find some reference material.

In the end, I would hope to put an aluminum 4bbl manifold, new springs?, cam, timing gear, seals? What am I getting into? Where to start?

Off the top of my head, the heads should be either 7 or 7A.

 

[spidereyes455]

Very old site but has lots of good info.

Oldsmobile Frequently Asked Questions

 

[doood]

Ex

Very old site but has lots of good info.

Oldsmobile Frequently Asked Questions

Excellent. I also bought a "SA" book of the same series that helped me rebuild my 8.5.

Oldsmobile V-8 Engines 1964-1990: How to... book by Mike Forsythe

 

[doood]

Very old site but has lots of good info.

Oldsmobile Frequently Asked Questions

This here has me thinking the Olds swap might lack luster vs. a 4.8L/4L60e.

https://www.automobile-catalog.com/curve/1971/2363735/oldsmobile_cutlass_hardtop_coupe_rocket_350_v-8_160-hp_turbo_hydra-matic.html#gsc.tab=0

 

[Ugly1]

It does not. You will need to take the interior panel around the window and remove the nuts and some small brackets to remove it. There is some sticky window sealant that is hard to get off and extremely sticky when taking the glass out, so make sure you don't get it on anything.

3M vinyl window sealer will be what you want to put the window back in. Comes in the chalking gun tube around $30-ish. NAPA and I think O’Reilly’s carries it.

 

[DRIVEN]

This here has me thinking the Olds swap might lack luster vs. a 4.8L/4L60e.

https://www.automobile-catalog.com/curve/1971/2363735/oldsmobile_cutlass_hardtop_coupe_rocket_350_v-8_160-hp_turbo_hydra-matic.html#gsc.tab=0

But why would you want your Cutlass to identify as a Silverado?

 

[doood]

But why would you want your Cutlass to identify as a Silverado?

I tend to feel the same way (keep it olds) for my own use, but I figure the ls swap would probably increase its resale value. I'm not burdened by indecision; I'm going to get the 350 SBO... Maybe even keep it two barrel with a 1990 TBI and CCC ECM. What sucks is the dash cluster is just a speedometer so I'm in the market for original or aftermarket rally gauge cluster with tach, or I'm going to put a 3 gauge cluster on the A pillar.

The numbers on the heads are hard to make out: reads 395558 2

EDIT: that number just means block casting 68 to 76

On the other car, the '84 Monte, having the rear windshield re-glued by a professional was a good idea. It came back perfect. A little pricey at $270 but I'm happy with the workmanship and the flopping window death rattle is now gone. They told me the original butyl was deteriorated. I'm surprised it was butyl, because the Oldsmobile had urethane.