I have a 1984 Cutlass Supreme Coupe with a 4bbl 350 out of a '72 Buick le-sabre mated to an Oldsmobile 350 turbo trans. I bought this car just like that and I am having trouble with the distributor, plugs, and wires failing prematurely. Whoever did the engine swap used a distributor from a '78 buick 350, a radiator from a 350 chevy, and the stock 4bbl from the same '78 buick 350 the distributor come off of. How do I clean up this mis-matched assortment of parts? what should I change and what should I change it to? I like the 350 that's in the car, I just want it to run at it's optimum performance level keeping in mind that this car is a daily driver and I do drive close to 1,000 miles a week. The only major upgrades I want to do to this car is install a posi' rear end and change the torque converter and flyweel and possibly a new 4bbl or two. Any suggestions? Also, what is the stock rated horsepower for the engine and what, if any, performance gains should I expect with the '78 distributor on the '72 motor if it is properly timed?
Not sure what you mean by the plugs, wires, and distributor failing prematurely. Timing specifics make a Huge difference in the way an engine runs, and it's power output, as well as driveability. I keep recommending distributors that are converted by Dave Ray www.davessmallbodyheis.com This is a no brainer IMHO. Either go with his HEI conversion, or get the MSD trigger conversion and run an MSD 6AL. In either case you will get a distributor that has been gone through soup to nuts, curved to your application, and will make that engine pull like it should. Get yourself a stock Buick points distributor, and send it to him. Lots of guys on this BB have used Dave's Services. His prices are extremely reasonable, and his work is flawless, you won't be sorry.
