Expert: Jeff Clark - 7/29/2007

Question
My son just purchased this car.  We are trying to find specs on it.  Want to know what size motor is in it.  We have this number 3161GM5.0L.  Also would like good reliable source for panels and other original parts. Wants to make "muscle car" like in the '70's.  It is in pretty good shape.  And by the way I chose you because I went to school with a Jeff Clark.

Answer
Well, if you graduated from Jordan-Elbridge High in 1976, then we did indeed go to school together!

Several motors were used in '79 Olds mid-size that year, but this most likely has a 305/307 or a 350 (I'd bet on the 350, as the Calais was the top-of-the-line Cutlass model that year).  You need to search the web and look for sites with forums devoted to late 70s-early 80s Cutlass models.  I went to Yahoo!, typed "1979 Cutlass forums" in the search box and found these within 10 seconds:

http://www.oldspower.com/vb/index.php

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1189

These are just two examples of the great sources you can find on the web for what you need.  Good luck!