The Oldsmobile Connection

[DarkFox]

When I get some money squirreled away, I'm planning on a new engine, and I have many questions.


My father tells me Jasper is reputable for great quality rebuilds, at a very affordable price.

What motors did Oldsmobile offer in the 1979 Cutlass?


I'm 90% sure my car is 260 cubic inches, at 4.3 liters.
I could be totally wrong here, but hey, I'm making an attempt..
Doing some math, 1 liter = ~60.5 cubic inches?

Jasper lists the following as available for my car, but they're in liters, and thats why I'm confused.

So by that math, we have the following from Jaspers website;

3.8 liter - Guess this is a 230 cubic inch? Didn't know they made that small..

4.3 liter - (I'm pretty sure this is what I have, and that it's the 260 cubic inch)

5.0 liter - I'm going to assume this is 300 cubic inches??

5.7 liter - And that this is the Rocket 350 cubic inch?


Anyway, here's the questions.

Does the 3 speed automatic transmission bolt up to 5.7 liter engine?

The engine itself costs roughly $2500. How much does (should) an installation normally run for?

Whomever has owned a 350 Rocket, how are they on power?

How bad are they on gas mileage?


If you took the time to read all that, I really appreciate your time.

[andrewk]

DarkFox wrote: My father tells me Jasper is reputable for great quality rebuilds, at a very affordable price.

Anything that is mass produced can have flaws. As a general service engine, it should be fine.

Quote: What motors did Oldsmobile offer in the 1979 Cutlass?


You have found all the available options, except the diesel-

Quote:
3.8 liter - Guess this is a 230 cubic inch? Didn't know they made that small. .

That would be the Buick 231 V6-

Quote: 4.3 liter - (I'm pretty sure this is what I have, and that it's the 260 cubic inch)

That would be correct.

Quote: 5.0 liter - I'm going to assume this is 300 cubic inches??

307, actually.

Quote: 5.7 liter - And that this is the Rocket 350 cubic inch?

Yes. A word about the "rocket" terminology... Rocket was a marketing term, used for all Olds V8s. There is no "regular" 350 from Olds, and the term "rocket" does not imply a greater performing engine.



Quote: Does the 3 speed automatic transmission bolt up to 5.7 liter engine?

It probably does, but the transmission might not last long under the load from the 350. I think your car has the metric 200 transmission, which was known for weaknesses when driven hard, at least in my neck of the woods.

Quote: The engine itself costs roughly $2500. How much does (should) an installation normally run for?

Most places will probably do it by the hour for an older car- How much depends on labor rates in your area, and how long it takes them.
Quote:
Whomever has owned a 350 Rocket, how are they on power?

Depends on the total configuration, but they are much more "fun" than a 260 or 307.

Quote: How bad are they on gas mileage?

I had mine in a 84 Cutlass, TH-350 transmission, 3.23 gears and could manage 15-19 on the highway if I kept my foot out of it. It got about 11 in town, but I was 16 at the time, and was in the throttle a lot. However mine wasn't close to stock either.

Quote: If you took the time to read all that, I really appreciate your time.

Hope this helps you out.

A couple questions I would ask are:

What are your expectations out of this swap? Any specific intended purpose? Are you looking for a specific performance level, or do you just want a faster car? Does fuel economy matter to you?

A better engine recommendation could be made depending on the answers to your questions. If you have that metric 200 transmission, I would hesitate putting a 350 in the car, unless you want to do transmission work too.

Also, most of these rebuilt engines are long-blocks, meaning they don't come with an intake, carb, distributor, etc- so if you go to a larger engine, you will need the corresponding components. It could get to be a more complicated and more expensive venture than you bargained for.

Anyway, hope this helps, and I am sure others will chime in too.

Andrew

[88 Coupe]

andrewk wrote: ........ I am sure others will chime in too.
I think you covered it.

Norm