86 Cutlass

[Jax86Cutlass]

And I were to go with new wheels, what would be appropriate back spacing?

 

[Mike buttafuoco]

The 7.5 diff can't take that much abuse. Unless it's built and built right. My cousin was running a grand national rear in his regal with an LQ9 up front and it lived until he wrecked the car. And he beat that thing unmercifully. Off the top of my head I can't say what the back spacing is without measuring it myself. Pull a wheel and use a straight edge on the drum/face of the rotor, and measure to the inner most part of the wheel house allowing 1/4-3/8" of tire bulge and that will give you your measurement. Again, consult a tire/wheel shop and they will give it to you straight out of the book.

 

[Texas82GP]

Check out the wheel fitment thread. Lots of useful information...........
https://www.gbodyforum.com/threads/wheel-fitment-guide.2442/
Many say the 7.5 is fine until you are putting down some good power and can hook up (slicks).

 

[Mike buttafuoco]

Texas82gp: I agree. With the differential comment. That's why I said "built." My buddy was running an 80' cutlass with a 355 and a nasty trans with a 7.5 and he broke it 2x that I remember. Finally after it hitting the wallet hard he sprung for auburn gears and had a local welder weld the center section to tubes(perimeter) and it held until the day he sold it.

 

[buick7332]

So from what I can tell, it's a 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass Brougham. Bench seat, column shift. The original drive train was swapped for an Oldsmobile 350 Rocket (Gold), and a 350 turbo transmission. The previous owner told me he had swapped the stock rear end gears for a 373 rear end. The car could use some body work, but overall I think its in decent condition for the year considering its a Michigan car.

There's nothing like a 4-speed G Body. Its easy to do and parts are plentiful. I converted a 82 Grand Prix and went with a Pontiac 400 motor.

 

[Jax86Cutlass]

So from what a co-worker told me, the cylinder head has a number toward the front of the block of my rocket 350 motor. That number is 8. Anyone have an insight to this number? I have heard of 7, 6, and 5, but not 8. Which are supposed to be the best flowing heads? Also, is there anyway I could clean up the engine bay and get rid of any of the equipment that used to be hooked up for the AC? I still want heat though.

 

[Pasikiainen]

8's are about the worst stock heads.

http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofhed.htm

 

[wonderboy24]

I'll take your word for it. Unfortunately, my Cutlass didn't come with a tachometer from the factory. That'll have to be one of the upgrades I do. As far as cosmetics go, I'm curious, what bigger diameter rims will look good and handle better on my Cutlass than the stock rims. I'm not wanting to go with anything big and ugly, just something maybe around a 17" or so that will fit my car.

i run 17 on my 86

 

[Jax86Cutlass]

Looking at a set of bucket seats for sale. The seller says they are for a 1978-80 cutlass. Will they fit my 1986 cutlass?

 

[O. D. Showtime]

They will fit. Hopefully you have the 45/55 split front seats now so all the floor brackets will be there to mount the buckets properly.