In this video, we'll be talking about an engine that used to be everywhere, and now it's almost gone. The Oldsmobile 307 cubic inch (5.0 Liter) engine.
I drive daily a 1982 Olds 98 Coupe. It has over 300k miles and runs beautifully. Idles smooth, fires right up every morning. Ive taken her all up and down the east coast and always got home.
I had the 307 in my '87 Cutlass salon. Engine wasn't the fastest but had decent pickup, solid torque and was absolutely bourbon smooth. I remember traveling the long uphill grade on I-70 just north of Fredrick MD, passing trucks that were climbing the grade slowly with their blinkers on. I was going around 80 with the A/C on and the secondaries on the quad open. Fuel economy on the grade not the best but that 307 made easy work of it all while sounding like smooth, V8 authority. Great car. Great engine.
As a kid we always use to tell my dad to 4 barrel it. He had an 86 olds cutlass with the 307 V8. That car had such an awesome sound when he floored it. Nothing ever sounded like a 4 barrel carb again.
These were relatively reliable (at least by 80’s standards) and pretty smooth. The biggest issue was the lack of low end grunt. They were decent in the smaller cutlasses but in the big B and C cars or even worse the wagons they were dogs.
I am glad that so many of you have had good luck with the 307 engines. I have owned an 85 Cutlass Supreme Brougham where GM replaced the engine with the newer version with the roller rockers and cam, it did run great, I own a 78 Cutlass Salon with the 260 V8, very smooth but gutless and still better than the available 231 Buick V6. My 85 Custom Cruiser, I am on my third engine. The first was a smog bomb that CA didn't like so I commissioned a rebuild. That engine had suffered from extremely poor parts. Especially the valve pushrods and the final nail in the coffin was the number seven piston shattering just below the rings. Second rebuild, I just got it back last week after nearly ten months of waiting for the rebuild and the installation. It is hard to find mechanics willing to work in so many shops today. I have only driven it home so far as the weather has been bad. It seemed to be much smoother than before. We did install hardened piston rods to strengthen the bottom end of the engine. The cam was turned, and the heads reworked, new water pump, distributor and PCU. Let's cross our fingers for a long enjoyment of the Custom Cruiser and its new engine. I do enjoy the Oldsmobile cars. Last year I bought a 78 Delta 88 Holiday coupe. It has the venerable Olds 350 engine that was rebuilt by the previous owner after the car had sat for years in storage. It seems to be a very reliable and clean car with less than 50K on the odometer. I plan on taking this to Reno's Hot August Nights this year. Only my 78 Cutlass Salon Brougham has been entered because of the 1979-year restrictions. I would like to enter the Custom Cruiser someday too.
I had one in my 86 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. Great engine. Better than the HT4100 crappy Cadillac aluminum block v8 from 82-87. 403 was a great engine too.
Currently drive an 86 Fleetwood Brougham. I'm very surprised by the engine. Its 38 years old, done 62000 miles, spent 13 years sitting in a scrapyard on an island off the coast of France and all I've had to replace is the choke pull off, a couple of vacuum hoses, the HEI module and a spark plug (because I broke it). Been a daily driver for 14 years. Its the most reliable car I own or my family owns. Its just a pity that there isn't an aftermarket for this engine.
The last car that my grandfather (mother's side) ever bought was a new 1987 Chevy Caprice coupe. His had the 307 Olds V8 in it. What a really nice car....it rode and drove like a dream. I really miss that car.
My great aunt by marriage bought a 1988 Cutlass Supreme Classic brand new with the 307. She still has it today and it's in excellent condition.
I drive daily a 1982 Olds 98 Coupe. It has over 300k miles and runs beautifully. Idles smooth, fires right up every morning. Ive taken her all up and down the east coast and always got home.
I had the 307 in my '87 Cutlass salon. Engine wasn't the fastest but had decent pickup, solid torque and was absolutely bourbon smooth. I remember traveling the long uphill grade on I-70 just north of Fredrick MD, passing trucks that were climbing the grade slowly with their blinkers on. I was going around 80 with the A/C on and the secondaries on the quad open. Fuel economy on the grade not the best but that 307 made easy work of it all while sounding like smooth, V8 authority. Great car. Great engine.
As a kid we always use to tell my dad to 4 barrel it. He had an 86 olds cutlass with the 307 V8. That car had such an awesome sound when he floored it. Nothing ever sounded like a 4 barrel carb again.
I had a 1985 Buick LeSabre with the 307. The engine was so smooth and quiet you couldn’t tell it was running.
307 Olds was a great V8, dependable and bulletproof. Ran forever!
Ihad a 1985 Buick LeSabre Limited Colector Edition with the 307 4bbl. Damn good engine
These were relatively reliable (at least by 80’s standards) and pretty smooth. The biggest issue was the lack of low end grunt. They were decent in the smaller cutlasses but in the big B and C cars or even worse the wagons they were dogs.
I have a Y code 307 in my 84 LeSabre coupe. Very reliable. Keep it up and itll go forever
My dad's only reliable transportation was a 83 cutlass 4dr with a 307/200r4. 350k miles when the 3rd trans went out.
I am glad that so many of you have had good luck with the 307 engines. I have owned an 85 Cutlass Supreme Brougham where GM replaced the engine with the newer version with the roller rockers and cam, it did run great, I own a 78 Cutlass Salon with the 260 V8, very smooth but gutless and still better than the available 231 Buick V6. My 85 Custom Cruiser, I am on my third engine. The first was a smog bomb that CA didn't like so I commissioned a rebuild. That engine had suffered from extremely poor parts. Especially the valve pushrods and the final nail in the coffin was the number seven piston shattering just below the rings. Second rebuild, I just got it back last week after nearly ten months of waiting for the rebuild and the installation. It is hard to find mechanics willing to work in so many shops today. I have only driven it home so far as the weather has been bad. It seemed to be much smoother than before. We did install hardened piston rods to strengthen the bottom end of the engine. The cam was turned, and the heads reworked, new water pump, distributor and PCU. Let's cross our fingers for a long enjoyment of the Custom Cruiser and its new engine. I do enjoy the Oldsmobile cars. Last year I bought a 78 Delta 88 Holiday coupe. It has the venerable Olds 350 engine that was rebuilt by the previous owner after the car had sat for years in storage. It seems to be a very reliable and clean car with less than 50K on the odometer. I plan on taking this to Reno's Hot August Nights this year. Only my 78 Cutlass Salon Brougham has been entered because of the 1979-year restrictions. I would like to enter the Custom Cruiser someday too.
Note: all small blocks Olds engines from 260 to 403 used the same 3.38 stroke. Bores changed for displacement.
Had 2 307's..one was 84' Electra wagon.. other one was 84' LeSabre sedan.. Awesome motors!! Thanks for this video!!
I had one in my 86 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. Great engine. Better than the HT4100 crappy Cadillac aluminum block v8 from 82-87. 403 was a great engine too.
Still have my 90 Oldsmobile custom cruiser 307
Had one in my toronado. Worked well, quiet, no problems.
Currently drive an 86 Fleetwood Brougham. I'm very surprised by the engine. Its 38 years old, done 62000 miles, spent 13 years sitting in a scrapyard on an island off the coast of France and all I've had to replace is the choke pull off, a couple of vacuum hoses, the HEI module and a spark plug (because I broke it). Been a daily driver for 14 years. Its the most reliable car I own or my family owns. Its just a pity that there isn't an aftermarket for this engine.
U kno what's crazy these engines are still in sum of these cars today and there are still millions of them running or on sale on ebay 😅thats wild😂
These 307 olds are torque powerplants. Not a high horsepower engine. But lives for ever.
The last car that my grandfather (mother's side) ever bought was a new 1987 Chevy Caprice coupe. His had the 307 Olds V8 in it. What a really nice car....it rode and drove like a dream. I really miss that car.