Hello to the Group. I will shortly be getting a 1986 Buick Regal J47 and having been searching the web for info. This seems to be the place to be. So I joined! I'm trying to find out what I need to find out. As far as I know, everything is stock/original except what broke (like the heater). I'm hoping to generate a list of priorities for upgrades (starting small/cheap). It has well over 100,000 miles on it, but was owned by a race-engine builder, and was well kept. I've been browsing here, and found many comments about swapping out the Olds 307 - but that's beyond my budget, now. The carb seems to be a major point too .. maybe a replacement/rebuild? I'll be starting with cosmetic things, and a sound-system, but would greatly appreciate any input about longer term plans. Thanks. -Kyle
Welcome Kyle, The Olds 307 should be a reliable plant. A good upgrade would be a regular carb and vacuum advance distributor to replace your computer controlled stuff. I did that on my last 307 in my Estate Wagon and was pleased with the results. Also, I think the 307 that year has a factory roller cam. A seventies Olds 350 should have the donor carb and distributor. Any carb you get will probably need rebuilt. Rebuild kits are cheap, usually $15. If you've never rebuilt one you might wanna seek help. Good luck with your new Regal!
Thanks, Dan. I went down to the shop to talk to the engine-builder. When I walked in the door, he had a manifold in his hand that he was using to fit a Holly 4412 (2-Barrel, non-electronic) carb on the 307, and he mentioned replacing the distributor and bypassing the computer as well, before I could relate what you said. Synchronicity! I've been doing more searches, and found lots of info on the Buick-Regal and the Olds-307, but a lot of confusion about specific details. www.442.com has an "Olds FAQ" with a great deal about the 307. There's a history of how the 307 came to be called the "442" (also a confused past), but I haven't figured out where the "H.O." comes in. How do I figure out if the engine is a VIN-Code-Y or VIN-Code-9 model? And how do I tell if the heads are Type-5A or Type-7A? I'm getting the impression that the preferred is VIN-Code-9 with Type-5A heads, and there's a section at 442.com showing how to upgrade a Y to a 9 (no mention of 5A/7A there) .. is this worth pursuing? And one more while I'm at it: Is "Q-Jet"/"QuadraJet" a brand-model-name (Rochester?) or a class-type thing? -Kyle
Q- Jet is (Rochester) QuadraJet Vin Code- xxx : this would refer to the Vin tag on the cowl as can be seen from outside the car looking through the windshield where the driver's side pillar meets the lower portion of the windshield. Sometimes certain letters in the Vin code depicts certain models and equipment, Like I think the Turbo cars had "J". Before you start tossing parts off the car, find out what the regulations are for emmissions testing in your area. Some places (states) are very strick where all the original equipment must be present. You may want to visit the TurboBuick sites www.turbobuick.com and www.turbobuicks.com . While they prolly wont have info on the 307 engine, there's a wealth of knowledge pertaining to the regal body style. Welcome !!!
