Hi All,

I'm new here, and I need a little help. I'm looking to buy headers for my 71 Cutlass Supreme, but I keep seeing that all of the major brands won't fit it because of the engine position. It'* got a 5.7L 350 V8, but how different can the engine position be between models that a set of headers will fit one and not the other?

Also, if any of you guys have bought headers for this car and know where I can find a set that will fit (even if that means making custom ones), I would greatly appreciate any advice or pointers you can give me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Bobby

Bobby, welcome to the forum and congrats on owning a GM A body full framed classic and not some uni-body bucket of rust. Those old full frame cars really respond well to suspension and tire upgrades. But to your question, does your car have the original olds 350 or had someone dropped in a chevy 350? They are totally different motors and if you still have the original olds one of the classic olds sites should be able to put you on the right track. If the original olds 350 was replaced with a chevy, you may be stuck with getting custom fabricated headers.

1971 Chevelle SS
2004 Bonne SLE

It'* the original Olds engine.

I looked up a set a headers and seen the notation of them not fitting offset motor on the cutlass supreme. I did some further research and according to more than one source it'* a myth. Apparently back in the 60'* GM had some issues with the Olds motor mounts and at random would throw a 1/2 in spacer under one side or the other for better fit-ment. I'm betting if you order a set of higher end headers they will fit fine.

GM did have motor mount issues in the mid-60'*, 65 specifically, but the OP has a 71 GM A body and I'm pretty familiar with those cars and I'm not aware of any motor mount issues in that year so I would suggest that he research it further before spending big bucks on headers that won't fit.

71 Chevelle SS
2004 Bonne SLE

I to am very familiar with the 68-72 A bodies. I've cut up about 10 of them to make race cars over the years. I spent about an hour looking at different forums and it'* pretty unanimous about the myth theory. Here is a interesting thread on a different forum.
'Will not fit Cutlass Supremes' - OldsPower.com

Looked at that thread, bout all I could tell was lots of conflicting information, but nothing in that era of GM would surprise me, they had so many factories then and often they thru what they had on hand, e.g. you could see muncies coupled with 10 bolts and saginaws with 12 bolts. btw, hope your not cutting up any more of those A bodies, they're to nice and valuable to sacrifice at your typical saturday night short track.

1971 Chevelle SS
2004 Bonne SLE

I think the issue is that the header companies only sell 1 olds header to 1000 cheverolet headers so I'm sure the R&D just isn't there for the Olds motors. That is why I say buy a hire end header with good tech support.

As far as cutting up cars don't worry I haven't cut up any SS chevelles or buick GS cars. Most of the doner cars have been 4 door cars or wagons because I usually only need the front frame clip.