Is this car worth the trouble part 2 - caprice content

[BagelConsultant]

Get it running, see if frame and floors are OK and then just vaccum it out and drive it

[Haynie]

when it's road worthy, you can do this dance:

[tampaSi]

I'd rather have the Olds Trefeo

I'd rather have the 540i wagon in the background

[1985Jetta]

I'd rather have the 540i wagon in the background

That's my dad's. It has 171,000 miles now. I'm considering leaving all the dents and not trying to find trim for it now when I get it running.

[Noah Fecks]

Even though it would be good for a demo derby, it would be a very nice cruiser. The interior needs help though. Also not sure which 350 it has and how much power it came with, or if it's a Powerglide or a Turbo Hydramatic.

it also appears to have no carb. how long did it sit without the intake manifold? it might be worth the time to take off the heads and see if its even worth messing with. it might be rusty inside the engine.

[1985Jetta]

it also appears to have no carb. how long did it sit without the intake manifold? it might be worth the time to take off the heads and see if its even worth messing with. it might be rusty inside the engine.

It's been sitting for at least 5 years, but I'm not sure how long without the intake or carb. We will need to at least vacuum it out, because there was dead pine straw and other things in it.

[Air and water do mix]

It's been sitting for at least 5 years, but I'm not sure how long without the intake or carb. We will need to at least vacuum it out, because there was dead pine straw and other things in it.

Since it's been outside, you can bet that the engine is rusted in place. I'm working on a long-sitting engine, myself. It was inside, but it sat for nearly 20 years.

It's soaking in Marvel's Mystery Oil right now. It's been doing so for about 2 1/2 weeks and it won't budge yet.

In your case, since you're dealing with a small block Chevy, it might be cheaper (and definitely easier) to find a different engine.

I'd give the project a "go" if it were me and I had the time. I give it

[1985Jetta]

Since it's been outside, you can bet that the engine is rusted in place. I'm working on a long-sitting engine, myself. It was inside, but it sat for nearly 20 years.

It's soaking in Marvel's Mystery Oil right now. It's been doing so for about 2 1/2 weeks and it won't budge yet.

In your case, since you're dealing with a small block Chevy, it might be cheaper (and definitely easier) to find a different engine.

I'd give the project a "go" if it were me and I had the time. I give it

My dad said it's not locked. After doing some research, I found a crapload of 4 door hardtops on cardomain and only a few 2 doors. Well, it really was a luxurious car when it was new, so that probably explains why. There's a 70 4 door hardtop sitting around here. Probably for sale.

[Air and water do mix]

My dad said it's not locked. After doing some research, I found a crapload of 4 door hardtops on cardomain and only a few 2 doors. Well, it really was a luxurious car when it was new, so that probably explains why. There's a 70 4 door hardtop sitting around here. Probably for sale.

Awesome!

Dump the oil out (it's full of acid and water) and do NOT spin it, as you're pumping that acidic oil up to the bearings. Put in some fresh oil and a filter before spinning it. Go ahead and put a bit of Marvel's Mystery Oil (or some ATF) in the cylinders, work out the problems with the running bits and don't forget to change all of the rubber fuel lines, filters (there may be a screen in the tank) and check the tank for flaky rust. If you don't clean a rusty tank, it will keep bugging you until you do.

The 4-door '70 could be a great parts car if it's not worth restoring. Fenders, bumpers, hood, grille, interior, engine/driveline...

[1985Jetta]

Haven't seen the 4-door in person yet, just saw it sitting at a repair shop that also sells extra cars. Looks like my dad got yet another set of wheels. They look like late 2nd gen F body Z/28 wheels. I wonder how they would look on the Caprice.

[IntrstlarOvrdrve]

They're monte carlo SS wheels

[tjl]

Even though it would be good for a demo derby, it would be a very nice cruiser. The interior needs help though. Also not sure which 350 it has and how much power it came with, or if it's a Powerglide or a Turbo Hydramatic.

A 350 would have 255 to 300 hp gross (to be comparable to today's numbers, probably about 170 to 206 hp, based on 1971 net hp numbers)*. For Powerglide versus Turbo Hydra Matic, check if it has a 2-speed (PG) or 3-speed (THM) transmission.

*Yes, the progress of technology is such that a four cylinder engine of less than half the size puts out comparable power today.

[1985Jetta]

A 350 would have 255 to 300 hp gross (to be comparable to today's numbers, probably about 170 to 206 hp, based on 1971 net hp numbers)*. For Powerglide versus Turbo Hydra Matic, check if it has a 2-speed (PG) or 3-speed (THM) transmission.

*Yes, the progress of technology is such that a four cylinder engine of less than half the size puts out comparable power today.

In that case, I'm going to need a power boost.

[1985Jetta]

They're monte carlo SS wheels

Never thought of that. Good catch.

[Air and water do mix]

*Yes, the progress of technology is such that a four cylinder engine of less than half the size puts out comparable power today.

Sure, but hook up that 4 popper to that behemoth and see if it can get out of it's own way. The torque curve even on a smogged 350 is pretty huge.

[Air and water do mix]

In that case, I'm going to need a power boost.

Thats the cheapest and easiest engine in the world on which you can boost power.

Hell, if the engine is healthy, simply buy a matched Edelbrock intake, carb, cam and headers and you're good.

[1985Jetta]

I have a feeling it should be all good. It wasn't driven much before it was parked.

[Ghost85]

I'd fix it, every single clean large normal car from the 70's were ran in derbys, which now everyone is starting to regret. The fact that it's a hardtop is just that more awesome. Nothing beats the look of a car with no B pillar.
The Monte Carlo wheels will fit it but I'd rather put the Rallys on the Caprice. Though the El Camino would look perfect on them.

[1985Jetta]

I'd fix it, every single clean large normal car from the 70's were ran in derbys, which now everyone is starting to regret. The fact that it's a hardtop is just that more awesome. Nothing beats the look of a car with no B pillar.
The Monte Carlo wheels will fit it but I'd rather put the Rallys on the Caprice. Though the El Camino would look perfect on them.

I've seen a few with Rallys and I'm liking the look. That's my dad's Caballero pictured. It has the right GMC wheels on it and I don't think he wants to change them.

[1985Jetta]

Still have this, still planning on keeping it.

[Broduski]

Still have this, still planning on keeping it.

This is the correct answer. Don't you have a Torino wagon too? Those things are beyond cool.

[scoTT la rock]

Backed

[1985Jetta]

This is the correct answer. Don't you have a Torino wagon too? Those things are beyond cool.

Yup, a '73 that needs just as much work as this does. Then theres dad's cars....

[Geechie_Suede]

Sell it to Richard Rawlings, he'll find something to do with it.

[Big_Tom]

It def will be a lot of work, but i think it may be worth saving

[Jettavr666]

I would keep it. Old 70's american iron isnt that common anymore, and I bet you will see even basic cars like this increase in value in the next few years. As long as you have the space for it, right now, I would get it, get it running, and at least do a good cleaning to see what you're up against. While tons of these were made, I bet at least 95% of them have been scrapped by now.

[Uberhare]

I'd rather have the Olds Trefeo

Hell no. I had one for several years. Cheap car but parts were sort of hard to find. All kinds of electrical problems. And god forbid you have one with the electronic dash/screen. Nightmare to repair/replace.

I'd take the simple and easy-to-fix Caprice.

[1985Jetta]

Hell no. I had one for several years. Cheap car but parts were sort of hard to find. All kinds of electrical problems. And god forbid you have one with the electronic dash/screen. Nightmare to repair/replace.

I'd take the simple and easy-to-fix Caprice.

Chances are ours has electrical problems. Theres a bit of rigged wiring.

[1985Jetta]

I would keep it. Old 70's american iron isnt that common anymore, and I bet you will see even basic cars like this increase in value in the next few years. As long as you have the space for it, right now, I would get it, get it running, and at least do a good cleaning to see what you're up against. While tons of these were made, I bet at least 95% of them have been scrapped by now.

We are out of space now, but we have a Maverick parts car that will be getting scrapped.

This was my original plan (but with smaller wheels), but now I think I will lower it with rallys and call it a day.

[1985Jetta]

As of late 2012:




May end up taking the tarp from the GT wagon since it's too small and transferring it to the Caprice.

2 of our other cars:

[91gti20v]

They're monte carlo SS wheels

They are called N90's and they were also used on 2nd gen Camaros (Late 2nd gen Z/28's)



Here is a thread that will help you differentiate which vehicle they came on:

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=168435

[Ghost85]

2 of our other cars:

I have that trim piece for that 80's Olds there.
Mine was light blue

[1985Jetta]

I have that trim piece for that 80's Olds there.
Mine was light blue

It's an 86 Cutlass Supreme. There's a ton of them around here though. Also have 2 more G bodies to fix...

[Harold]

Definately keep it. My dad had a '71 Caprice 2 door, 400 small block, was my grandfathers. I was hoping someday to get it, but he sold it a couple of years ago.

The curved rear window is cool. My dads had a mild 400 in it. Go to a Chevy or even a Classic American car show and you will probably be the only one driving one. You might see early '60s Impalas, but NEVER the 69-72-ish years.

[Trike Kid]

Clean it up, paint it white again or all black, swap in a 500ci Cadillac motor and a th400 and I'd rock the hell out of it and be okay with the fact it'll never be worth Camaro/Chevelle money. Or, put a manifold, carb and distributor in it and derby it till it dies then scrap. You don't see them restored because you don't find many folks that go "Man I've always wanted a '70 Caprice!"