Your timing chain may be worn to the point it is jumping a tooth and thus changing the timing. If you can hear the chain that is a good sign it is worn. I would inspect the timing chain.
81-86 are the same. 87 is the same as the 88 supreme classic. 87 grills will NOT fit an 86 without changing the entire header assembly.
what is the ratio of gears in a 1986 cutlass
When changing the timing chain on a 1986 Dodge Aries 2.2L a diagram comes in handy. A diagram for this can be found in the cars maintenance manual.
stock setting is 10 degrees BTDC
1986 should be carburatored and it is not required. That would only apply to a fuel injected engine.
No, totally different bodystyles
My 1986 cutlass supreme w/307 was smoking bad, and I tore the motor down and the rings were shot.
what about it?
No
My 1986 Olds Cutlass Calais doesn't have a serpentine belt. It has a separate alternator belt. How do I change it?
www.motorcraft.com shows the ignition timing for a 1986 F150 351 - W code - as 10 degrees BTDC ( information on the underhood sticker overrides ) with automatic transmission ( manual transmission setting is not shown )
10 degrees before top dead center(BTDC) with the SPOUT connector unplugged.