Like the famous background cry of “Play All Night” as heard on the Allman Brothers Band’s 1971 recording “At Fillmore East”, we still get suggestions of “Put an LS in it” anytime the question of a needed re-engine rears its head. Almost two weeks ago, I wrote a post referencing just that action that had occurred to this 1983 Buick Regal station wagon. The talented and enterprising owner showed us the result of his efforts in doing just what’s often suggested. Today, we’re back at it with a corporate cousin of that Regal, a 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass. The circumstances are a bit different but it’s the same issue – this baby needs an engine and I know the call to “put an LS in it” will likely surface. This Cutlass sedan is located in Lodi, California and is available, here on craigslist for $2,500. Thanks are due to Tony P. for this tip!
OK, right out of the gate, we’re straddled with a four-door sedan and one that I doubt is a very desirable choice. Had this been a two-door coupe, we’ll that’s a different kettle of fish but I’d suggest that this car’s future as a hot rod is limited. The body appears to be pretty sound with an odometer reading of only 62K miles, but it’s just not a big hit of a sedan. It might be worth more than $2,500 as parts…just a thought.
The VIN is not listed so the original engine is unknown but the gasoline choices were a 3.8 liter V6 or an Oldsmobile sourced 5.0 liter (307 CI) V8. There were diesel engines available too but this was originally a gasoline-powered car. There’s no automatic transmission either and I imagine that the rear axle is a GM 7.5″ ten bolt – a characteristically weak piece so there’s consideration that needs to be given there regarding a prime mover upgrade.
I find the use of a “club” on a car with no engine a bit like locking the barn door long after the horse has vamoosed but whatever. The taupe fabric and vinyl upholstery look pretty fair though I imagine the dash pad is damaged and thus the topper. The interior is workable as is but it is well used and I doubt the accuracy of that 62K mile recording, it’s probably 162K and thus the need for a new powertrain.
OK, it’s now what to do with it time. An LS isn’t going to just drop in, there are engine mount issues, exhaust system considerations, wiring (ECM), cooling, etc. an entire rash of things to figure out. And that’s before getting into the matter of the engine and transmission (4L60?) cost on top of a car that’s borderline worthless. If someone wants cheap wheels, it might be a better-served approach to find an engine and transmission that aligns more closely with what this Olds was born with than to go all upscale. Anyway, that’s my thought, what’s yours?
If you want to go to a lot of trouble but not spend a lot of cash, just stop by Harbor Freight instead and get/adapt a Predator engine. Pays for itself with the gas savings. And speeding tickets will be a thing of the past. Be the only one at Cars and Coffee.
I was all in until I saw two things – the dash toupee and the crank windows.
There’s going to be a lot of money spent on a drivetrain. And in a car like this, I think the rest or the car better be damn near perfect to make it worthwhile. You know, the ultimate sleeper.
But even if I could somehow convince myself that there’s some merit to doing this, despite the probably cracked dash cap, It’s got the “armstrong” windows. There’s a bit of charm to the crank windows, but the back windows don’t roll down in these cars, only the little vents open. And then, to have to crank the windows, in what could be a nice little driver, that’s just putting me over the edge.
“Dash Toupee”, I like it!
JO
Let the EV dorks have it. It’s perfect for them.
Gotta b a way to make an LS work with 1 coil & quadrajet & no computer. The sd-455 had great performance with pts & cond! HEI not avail for that motor.
I had an 85 in maroon given to me as payment for fixing a fender. The car had knocky 3.8. I filled it with 90 weight gear oil and drove it 75 miles back to my place. I bought a used 3.8 with 137k on it. Once in the car my wife and I put another 185k on that engine before it broke its crankshaft on a very cold morning. I replaced the engine with a 70 350 but not before I replaced it with a very clean 150.00 87 Caprice that is still in daily service. Ours is crank windows with a tilt wheel and power seat. I did ad the rear power vents that were a big help as the ac never worked and I was too cheap to put an evaporator in it. I like these cars, ours sleeps in storage. I may retire the Caprice and switch them out and do all the repairs to the Cutlass while we use it. This car is a great buy. There are still a bazillion Oldsmobile engines out there and any 307 80s unit will provide all the mounts and brackets needed for a switch, or just get a rebuilt 3.8 and go. You won’t go fast but you will have a super decent, comfortable, reliable, caveman stupid car to fix and maintain. Add a heavier radiator and a tranny cooler and you will likely never have any transmission issues. Nice unit here for a smart savy car person.
Well said Chris. These were well designed and easy to fix cars. Not fast, but you could easily make it so.
Grab a 403 cubic inch Oldsmobile engine and turbo 350 transmission from a Trans Am and you are laughing.
I was going to say an Olds 350 but I like your 403 idea!
403 is wider and the ac/ heater box is in the way. 350/455 buicks and 425/500 Caddies, along with 425/455 Oldsmobile engines fit but the box has to be altered or removed.
I would sell what parts I could on evil bay then scrap it I’m guessing his wife said get that POS out of the driveway and he posted it with a I don’t want to sell it price
It’s an olds and while it might have come with a Buick v6, I’d try to find an olds engine and put that in.
The only down side of the G bodies was their lack of power. They handled good, rode well, just needed more “oomph”. An LS solves that easily.
I hate seeing clean cars go to scrap. this would be a good first car/project
car for a kid wether you keep it stock for ease of maintenance or LS it for better fuel economy.
I got a chuckle seeing the steering wheel lock, I can’t imagining this would be on a thief’s bucket list. Spend 5K to do an LS swap? Go down to the pick-a-part and find something to fit or just send the car to pick-a-part and be done with it…
Not an olds but extremely similar 87 monte carlo , toasted 305, 2004R tranny, 2.31 10 bolt rear. Garaged after grandpa parked it when transmission failed, before he died he will the car to son in law, who had no want to fix it.
Up for sale for $1k.
I paid him $850 and towed it away. Everything was good except the drive train.
I got a 350 crate and TH 350 from pick up
Mildly hopped up motor about 300 h.p hedman hedders, 650 4 bbrl.
Car ran good and became a custom ride before long.
I sold it a few years later to a guy that just had to have it .
$6800. It had just over 112k on the chassis and all original interior.
I can see a 403 cube,or higher engine made as a sleeper car with great gas mileage with lot’s of drag strip advantage when needed.a decent dual exhaust with cherry 🍒 bomb 💣 mufflers and open headers for the racing with a switch to change your exhaust system for racing. A wonderful car to drive around in and for racing!
I agree with one of the other guys. If it has a bad 307, get a salvage yard 403 from a trans am, change the cam, update the exhaust and presto, a respectable sleeper. Or if it has the 3.8 v6. Buick, why not a grand national drive train.
Four doors are fun.
Crush it…