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Old 01-12-2007, 01:41 AM   #1
Prod
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Default GM/Chevy peeps: Are there any issues with these?

(Besides styling... I'd rock it)

Someone posted something about these up on OT today. Buick Roadmaster/Chevy Caprice wagon. LT1 + sturdy frame = good for towing.



Any major mechanical issues with these? I'm looking at the low cost tow vehicle market, and these are going for around $1-1.5k in decent running condition. (Gotta love domestic depreciation) I also love wagons and I hate SUVs. I'm considering picking one up. (So that it may match my LGT in highway mpg despite have double the cylinders.) I figure if I can find one with the timing belt somewhat recently replaced I'll be good to go.
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Old 01-12-2007, 01:50 AM   #2
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D00d, you could totally do an Impala SS conversion on that. That would look sweet.

IIRC, they are sturdy as hell, and the engine/drivetrain damn near bulletproof. That's why the fuzz liked 'em and cried blue bloody murder when Chev discontinued them.
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Old 01-12-2007, 01:58 AM   #3
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I've entertained similar thoughts... But my wife would surely leave me if I came home with one of those.
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Old 01-12-2007, 03:51 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Prod View Post
I figure if I can find one with the timing belt somewhat recently replaced I'll be good to go.
CHAIN


Oh, and the LT1 is a solid motor, however the Opti-Spark unit can be a little picky, and not very cheap to replace either.
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Old 01-12-2007, 03:58 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4FishLimit View Post
CHAIN


Oh, and the LT1 is a solid motor, however the Opti-Spark unit can be a little picky, and not very cheap to replace either.
exactly what i was about to comment on, transmissions are fairly solid, motors are stout with a broad torque band. Unforunately the Opti-Spark system is hidden under the water pump and not easily accessible.

FWIW i think it was a major step in the right direction for GM which led them to the LS-1/LS-2/LS-7

btw: if it's an Ex cop/Civil Duty car make sure it's not the 4.3L V-8(yes they made them) basically a very low output V-8. Emission sticker under the hood should easily clarify that.
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Old 01-12-2007, 04:06 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HndaTch627 View Post
exactly what i was about to comment on, transmissions are fairly solid, motors are stout with a broad torque band. Unforunately the Opti-Spark system is hidden under the water pump and not easily accessible.

FWIW i think it was a major step in the right direction for GM which led them to the LS-1/LS-2/LS-7

btw: if it's an Ex cop/Civil Duty car make sure it's not the 4.3L V-8(yes they made them) basically a very low output V-8. Emission sticker under the hood should easily clarify that.

Generally what most people do is if they end up replacing the water pump due to a bad bearing (leaking through the weep hole), it is advised to replace the Opti-Spark unit because there is a good chance coolant may have seeped in there. The main thing that kills the Opti-Spark unit is water damage.

Also, if it has A/C (and there is a 99% chance it does), have fun changing the forward most spark plug on the passenger side. I do most of the maintenance on my Aunt's Z28 and after changing the plugs for the past 6 years it still takes me about an hour to fudge around with that damn thing.
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Old 01-12-2007, 04:13 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4FishLimit View Post
Generally what most people do is if they end up replacing the water pump due to a bad bearing (leaking through the weep hole), it is advised to replace the Opti-Spark unit because there is a good chance coolant may have seeped in there. The main thing that kills the Opti-Spark unit is water damage.

Also, if it has A/C (and there is a 99% chance it does), have fun changing the forward most spark plug on the passenger side. I do most of the maintenance on my Aunt's Z28 and after changing the plugs for the past 6 years it still takes me about an hour to fudge around with that damn thing.
yeah it;s been a while since i worked on them but i was sure i remember something regarding the water pump leaking onto the Opti-Spark unit...then agian it's be at least 7 years since i touched any of that stuff.

Doing plugs on a Camaro = no fun Dr Jones
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Old 01-12-2007, 01:05 PM   #8
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I didn't know they had timing chains. w00t!

I'm going to seriously investigate this.
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Old 01-12-2007, 01:09 PM   #9
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Anyone remember the ad for the Roadmaster with the guy dressed up like grandma doing a burnout? That rocked.
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Old 01-12-2007, 01:11 PM   #10
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If you ever need parts, there is a shop near me that specializes in Roadmasters...they've got about 50 of them.
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Old 01-12-2007, 01:14 PM   #11
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like everyone already mentioned - dump the LT1 and swap in an LS2


you will make your life much easier
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Old 01-12-2007, 01:23 PM   #12
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that thing looks like it can haul more than a tacoma

police wagon ftw.
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Old 01-12-2007, 01:24 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Prod View Post
I didn't know they had timing chains. w00t!

I'm going to seriously investigate this.
the fact that you thought and OHV GM V-8 used a Belt worries me
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Old 01-12-2007, 01:41 PM   #14
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My parents had a 94 Caprice 4.3l V8 for over 10 years. No major problems.

They used to get flyers in the mail all the time from some company that wanted to buy it and send it to the middle east.

My dad always said they wanted it to turn into a gunship.
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Old 01-12-2007, 01:47 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unit 91 View Post
Anyone remember the ad for the Roadmaster with the guy dressed up like grandma doing a burnout? That rocked.
nope...none of us are that old.

<3
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Old 01-12-2007, 01:49 PM   #16
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i heard the wood paneling has termite issues.
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Old 01-12-2007, 02:06 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HndaTch627 View Post
the fact that you thought and OHV GM V-8 used a Belt worries me
I have no knowledge of domestic engines other than the LS series rocks and the 3800 never dies.
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Old 01-12-2007, 02:10 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ToddZ199 View Post
My parents had a 94 Caprice 4.3l V8 for over 10 years. No major problems.

They used to get flyers in the mail all the time from some company that wanted to buy it and send it to the middle east.

My dad always said they wanted it to turn into a gunship.
the gm 4.3L was a v6
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Old 01-12-2007, 02:41 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMcCrackin View Post
the gm 4.3L was a v6
Wrong
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Old 01-12-2007, 02:44 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ToddZ199 View Post
Wrong
GM Vortec engine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Family Type RPO Name Displacement
(Liters)
122 I4 L43 2200 2.2
LN2 2200 2.2
Atlas LK5 2800 2.8
I5 L52 3500 3.5
I6 LL8 4200 4.2
Gen. I-E V6 LB4 4300 4.3
L35 4300 4.3
LF6 4300 4.3
LU3 4300 4.3
LG3 4300 4.3
V8 L30 5000 5
L31 5700 5.7
Gen. III LR4 4800 4.8
L33 5300 5.3
LM7 5300 5.3
LM4 5300 5.3
L59 5300 5.3
LQ4 6000 6
LQ9 HO 6000 6
Gen. IV LH6 5300 5.3
L92 6200 6.2
Big-Block L18 8100 8.1
7400 7.4
Vortec is a trademarked name for a line of piston engines for General Motors trucks. The name first appeared in 1986 on a 4.3 L V6 but is now used on a wide range of different engines. Modern Vortec engines are named for their displacement in cubic centimeters
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Old 01-12-2007, 02:45 PM   #21
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u must have been tinkin 4.8L = v8
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Old 01-12-2007, 02:51 PM   #22
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My grandparents have a roadmaster sedan. 134K miles and...well... it runs.
It's fallen all to crap inside... but it runs.
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Old 01-12-2007, 02:52 PM   #23
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevy_Caprice#1991-1996

Generation V, 1994-1996.

They only made it for a few years.
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Old 01-12-2007, 02:54 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ToddZ199 View Post
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevy_Caprice#1991-1996

Generation V, 1994-1996.

They only made it for a few years.
now ur talking FORD:

the Caprice 9C1 was also fitted with the LT-1 engine, and it became one of the fastest and most popular modern day police vehicles. One of the most notable performance stats is that it was able to beat a Ford Mustang SS4 with a 4.6 L V8 on the dragstrip


FORD has had a 4.6L V8 for years
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Old 01-12-2007, 03:02 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ToddZ199 View Post
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevy_Caprice#1991-1996

Generation V, 1994-1996.

They only made it for a few years.
holy crap - i stand corrected:


L99 (4.3L)
A 4.3 L version of the LT1, designated the L99, was introduced in 1994 for the Chevrolet Caprice. It was externally identical to the LT1, but the bore was reduced to 3.736" and the stroke to 3.00" (similar to the late sixties Chevrolet 302 used in the first-generation Camaro Z28s). The pistons used in the L99 were the same as the ones used in the Vortec 5000 with the use of 5.94" connecting rods.

Like the LT1, it features sequential fuel injection, reverse cooling, and an optical crank position sensor. Output is 200 hp and 245 ft.lbf.

Due to its smaller displacement, it provides better fuel economy over the 5.7L LT1.
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