CUTLASS A little late for the most original competition

[ck80]

Thanks much, my old group of friends are all excited for me to find it.

Looking at your signature line, its obvious you've got a lot of experience with these cars. Do you know what transmission and rear end came with the 260 diesel models? I know my prior 305 had a THM200 transmission, but it did have a limited slip differential. I haven't put the diesel up on ramps yet to count the bolts on the transmission pan or look at the differential.

Out of curiosity, what corner of the state do you hang around in? I'm collecting junk I don't need again lately. I might be able to give that 260 a home in a garage or workshop instead of a scrap yard (and if its a th200 and thus that's coming out, it too)

 

[Doug Chahoy]

Nice score. One possible bloop to your plans is the old paint. They weren’t using clear coats back then. You’d need a paint matching magician to get something close after all those decades of sun fading. Since your not keeping it stock otherwise, consider a complete respray in your plans.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Nice car. Wow, the 260 is super rare and was somehow even worse than the 350 diesel. The block should be plenty strong but the tiny 3.5 bore makes it useless to build. I say a nice Olds 350 or Olds 403. Both directly swap and for 400 hp, a stroker isn't needed. I say a 68 to 76 Olds 350 block to start. Cutlassefi, Mark Remmel in Florida, worked with Edelbrock to bring a new and improved 68cc aluminum cylinder head with a better chamber and flow that allows a mechanical fuel pump to be used. He also brought a direct fit connecting rod from Molnar, Scat also now has a rod, although not as good but cheaper. He also worked with Mahle to bring a 10cc dish forged 4032 piston with their 1mm ring pack for the Olds 350. They are available in 4.065" hone to fit, up to a 4.155" bore which most Olds 350 pre 77 blocks will take. He can do custom cams, including a roller cam as well as complete builds to easily hit your 400 hp number. He is also a trained aftermarket EFI tech and sells Holley and AEM systems as well. Of course that leaves your potential TH200 or it may also be a TH250, look for a stud near the cooler lines if the pan doesn't say Metric. It is another weak transmission, mine lasted one day behind my mild 403. Also 2 something gearing weak 7.5" rear will need addressed. Good luck and a nice Cutlass, love the Colour.

 

[dgmeadows]

Out of curiosity, what corner of the state do you hang around in? I'm collecting junk I don't need again lately. I might be able to give that 260 a home in a garage or workshop instead of a scrap yard (and if its a th200 and thus that's coming out, it too)

I'm near Augusta, but engine swap will be done in Alpharetta, North of Atlanta.

 

[dgmeadows]

Nice score. One possible bloop to your plans is the old paint. They weren’t using clear coats back then. You’d need a paint matching magician to get something close after all those decades of sun fading. Since your not keeping it stock otherwise, consider a complete respray in your plans.

Hoping there isn't much fade, as the car was dry stored,out of the sun for 30+ years. There are no fade spots on the seat, carpet, or dash. The door panels have a little color deviation at the rear of the window and top of armrests, but that's it. I'll just have to see what the paint expert thinks they can do. For sure, it's in good shape for a 42 year old.

 

[dgmeadows]

Nice car. Wow, the 260 is super rare and was somehow even worse than the 350 diesel. The block should be plenty strong but the tiny 3.5 bore makes it useless to build. I say a nice Olds 350 or Olds 403. Both directly swap and for 400 hp, a stroker isn't needed. I say a 68 to 76 Olds 350 block to start. Cutlassefi, Mark Remmel in Florida, worked with Edelbrock to bring a new and improved 68cc aluminum cylinder head with a better chamber and flow that allows a mechanical fuel pump to be used. He also brought a direct fit connecting rod from Molnar, Scat also now has a rod, although not as good but cheaper. He also worked with Mahle to bring a 10cc dish forged 4032 piston with their 1mm ring pack for the Olds 350. They are available in 4.065" hone to fit, up to a 4.155" bore which most Olds 350 pre 77 blocks will take. He can do custom cams, including a roller cam as well as complete builds to easily hit your 400 hp number. He is also a trained aftermarket EFI tech and sells Holley and AEM systems as well. Of course that leaves your potential TH200 or it may also be a TH250, look for a stud near the cooler lines if the pan doesn't say Metric. It is another weak transmission, mine lasted one day behind my mild 403. Also 2 something gearing weak 7.5" rear will need addressed. Good luck and a nice Cutlass, love the Colour.

Thanks for the info, I will share with my mechanic. I have great confidence in his shop, but they're not Olds specialists. He's been researching options. I'm really giving some thought to the old school Olds Rocket 350 vs newer crate engine debate. With the diesel, even if the trans is THM350, I am expecting to change it out, along with rear end. Got a lot of decisions to make & $ to spend (much to my wife's chagrin.)

 

[Doug Chahoy]

Thanks for the info, I will share with my mechanic. I have great confidence in his shop, but they're not Olds specialists. He's been researching options. I'm really giving some thought to the old school Olds Rocket 350 vs newer crate engine debate. With the diesel, even if the trans is THM350, I am expecting to change it out, along with rear end. Got a lot of decisions to make & $ to spend (much to my wife's chagrin.)

I sure understand about the wife. Even though not a penny of household income has been spent on the car, every penny came from extra at work, overtime, prevailing rate jobs, even selling parts. But she’s jealous of the money I’ve spent. In 4 years I’ve bought all the items that your talking about buying PLUS. New engine, trans, rearend, suspension, brake system, A/C system and alot more. Boy does it add up quickly.