REGAL 86 regal v6 acceleration issues

[olds307 and 403]

That is a big issue here that everyone is overlooking. How good of an install was performed on this swap? Could verybwell be a complete basket case hack job and we can't tell over the net. This is a situation beyond a forum's help.

Exactly it could be a CCC set up or some mixed combo like a non CCC carb and CCC distributor which would give the symptoms he mentioned, no timing advance. I would imagine the 307 timing and fuel curve would not be ideal for a Buick 3.8. I wonder if the prom or the proper ECM was used. Why someone would put in a 110hp/195 ft/lbs in place of 150 hp and 245 ft/lbs is still beyond me.

 

[ck80]

Exactly it could be a CCC set up or some mixed combo like a non CCC carb and CCC distributor which would give the symptoms he mentioned, no timing advance. I would imagine the 307 timing and fuel curve would not be ideal for a Buick 3.8. I wonder if the prom or the proper ECM was used. Why someone would put in a 110hp/195 ft/lbs in place of 150 hp and 245 ft/lbs is still beyond me.

"Run what you got" comes to mind.

The 307 is an absolute dog of a motor. The extra weight over a 3.8 eats up some of the hp difference.

My guess is the 307 blew, someone didn't want to spend the money on a sbc or the like, and could get a cheap or free 3.8 so it got stuffed in.

I'd do it.

 

[Albert714]

That is a big issue here that everyone is overlooking. How good of an install was performed on this swap? Could verybwell be a complete basket case hack job and we can't tell over the net. This is a situation beyond a forum's help.

I have owned the car 2 years now and the swap was done by previous owner when they restored the car haven’t had issues with the car till now and I haven’t taken it on long drives 2 hours to be exact no issues before

 

[Kra5379]

What’s up guys I’m having this issues with my 86 regal v6 engine 231
Turns on fine I can rev it no problem once I start to drive I can put the pedal to the floor and the car is barely moving any suggestions or where to start ?
Any advice would be appreciated as I still can’t find an honest mechanic around my area anaheim ca

Because different people use different words to describe various symptoms it’s incredibly difficult to diagnose anything without actually seeing, hearing it. What I read and interpreted sounds to me like a ignition system problem...timing is off, distributor cap is cracked, etc. Has the carburetor ever been rebuilt? Check engine light on? If so see what codes are setting, either way the Buick 3.8 especially with the computer controlled carburetor always takes a lot of patience and time to get tuned and humming properly

 

[Kra5379]

Why would anyone swap a 307 for 3.8? Hopefully you figure out this mess.

Playing devil’s advocate...only about a 20-40 horsepower difference, but I would guess whatever little power advantage the 307 has over the 3.8, it loses in the weight difference and fuel economy! Unless a car is being built to be completely original and all Oldsmobile, I still don’t understand the people who will walk away from a cutlass sale because it has the 3.8 in it and not the 307!!! I’ve also noticed that most people don’t seem to understand that there is also a 260 Olds V8, that they all end up telling everyone is actually a 307🤷🏼

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Playing devil’s advocate...only about a 20-40 horsepower difference, but I would guess whatever little power advantage the 307 has over the 3.8, it loses in the weight difference and fuel economy! Unless a car is being built to be completely original and all Oldsmobile, I still don’t understand the people who will walk away from a cutlass sale because it has the 3.8 in it and not the 307!!! I’ve also noticed that most people don’t seem to understand that there is also a 260 Olds V8, that they all end up telling everyone is actually a 307🤷🏼

Olds 307s made 140 to 180 HP, depending on which version. However, the big advantage the 307 would have over a 231 is torque, 245 ftlb vs 195 ftlbs. The 307 was setup as a low rpm torque motor. Another issue is that a factory 307 car is setup for an easy swap to a larger Olds motor. A 231 car will need everything changed for any swap, trans, rad, computer system, exhaust, rear gearing, etc. Each engine type uses its own version of CCC. A 307 CCC system won't work on a 231, so unless it was swapped to a 231 CCC, the OP's car will have oddball issues.

 

[Kra5379]

Olds 307s made 140 to 180 HP, depending on which version. However, the big advantage the 307 would have over a 231 is torque, 245 ftlb vs 195 ftlbs. The 307 was setup as a low rpm torque motor. Another issue is that a factory 307 car is setup for an easy swap to a larger Olds motor. A 231 car will need everything changed for any swap, trans, rad, computer system, exhaust, rear gearing, etc. Each engine type uses its own version of CCC. A 307 CCC system won't work on a 231, so unless it was swapped to a 231 CCC, the OP's car will have oddball issues.

I guess I was focusing more on just the overall driving experience of each power plant, I’ve had G-Bodies with everything from the Buick 231, up to the Olds 403, and a Chevy 454, in my experience I’ve never found a 307 that performed in a way that set it apart from the 231. Personally I too am at a loss for why someone would swap out a V8 for a V6, but equally lost as to why anyone would choose a 307 As the V8 to replace the 231😂

 

[Kra5379]

I have come across at least 8-12 Cutlasses the last 20 years, advertised as being powered by a 307...which was really a 260!! A lot of people fall for that one when buying

 

[olds307 and 403]

Even the swirl port 307 is an improvement, only 140 hp but 255 ft/lbs. There is no way a 110 hp motor with less than 200 ft/lbs of torque should be in a 3800 pound car. Add a weak TH200C and the usual 2.41 gears, it was just embarrassing. I would take the 1 mpg penalty, if any with 307/2004R. You could at least get a TH2004R and 3.08 gears as an option, not available with the 3.8. Part of the reason new V6 cars perform so well isn't just the 300+ hp, it is the 250+ ft/lbs of torque and a very steep first gear, then close ratios to a 2004R like overdrive and 3.00+ gearing in the axle(s). It means old economy box fuel economy with 14 second 1/4 miles. Unless I knew where a good Buick 350 was, I would not look at a 3.8 car.

 

[Kra5379]

Even the swirl port 307 is an improvement, only 140 hp but 255 ft/lbs. There is no way a 110 hp motor with less than 200 ft/lbs of torque should be in a 3800 pound car. Add a weak TH200C and the usual 2.41 gears, it was just embarrassing. I would take the 1 mpg penalty, if any with 307/2004R. You could at least get a TH2004R and 3.08 gears as an option, not available with the 3.8. Part of the reason new V6 cars perform so well isn't just the 300+ hp, it is the 250+ ft/lbs of torque and a very steep first gear, then close ratios to a 2004R like overdrive and 3.00+ gearing in the axle(s). It means old economy box fuel economy with 14 second 1/4 miles. Unless I knew where a good Buick 350 was, I would not look at a 3.8 car.

My 83 is all original, V6 (Buick 231) with a factory 350 T-Hydramatic trans. Even edelbrock offers heads, intakes, etc. for the 231. I know for sure I would never walk away from an otherwise solid G body Over its factory engine!!! Worst case it takes all of 4-5 hours to pull the V6 and just toss a mediocre 300HP SBC in?