I found an 87 brougham that i'm looking to buy with the 307 in it. I've looked through this forum and i saw alot of different opinions on it, so i though i'd ask. simply, would you recomend me a car that ways 2 tons with an Old's 307 engine?
i would like it to be powerful, well more powerful that my other caddy with the HT4100 . but i'd rather have it be more reliable than powerful. it needs a new radiator, and i hope that's the only thing that needs to be wrenched on.
Others on this forum may correct me, but I've seen at least one thread where a recurring complaint among many owners of 307 and HT4100's 80's units with the 200R4 is that they give you abysmal mileage at freeway speeds (say ~70) because these combinations are "constantly" downshifting from OD to 3rd on "every little hill".
I can't swear if this is the trans fault or the combo - and indeed if this is easily or completely correctable. The shift is internal to the trans and is controlled by a governor with weights. I've heard it can be fixed, but not on this forum.
they give you abysmal mileage at freeway speeds (say ~70) because these combinations are "constantly" downshifting from OD to 3rd on "every little hill".
that wouldn't be a problem for me, i live in wichita, kansas .
They do have their little quirks, like Mastertech pointed out. The intakes start to leak oil out of the ends and do develop coolant leaks at the intake over the years, but that stuff happens in all engines with aluminum and cast parts combined. It's not some kind of unfixable headache.
Had one in a '85 Toronado. Bullit proof. Ran 140k without ever being opened up. Just normal maintenance ( and a water pump at 40K, but that's my own personal curse ). The engine ran like a swiss watch when I took it to the crusher because the body rotted out. If it's been maintained go ahead with it.
My g/f's dad is a VERY gifted mechanic; he has an '80 Toronado with the Olds 350 (same block as the 307) and then an '84 Delta 88 with the 307. Great motors; I think the '84 has 239,000 on it! Gets GREAT mileage, too.
Yeah, they're going to downshift often, but you can rectify that by just dropping it into 3rd. The problem was the "fuel economy" axle ratio; the ratio was like 2.92, which is ridiculously low for a 140 hp/255 lbft car that has overdrive and weighs over 4000! On the other hand, our '87 Caprice, with the Cheeby 305 with 170 hp never really had problems. That 30 hp wasn't noticeable around town, but on the highway, you bet...
But yeah, I think it would be a great car; just don't expect a performer. Again, g/f's dad runs his 307s in 3rd gear all the time. Those 200R4s can break apart, and as we said, the motor doesn't have much to give!
What ^^ they said. I have the 90, and it works. I pound mine, since I live near Boston, and that's all stop and go, and it gives me no real trouble. can't kill them. go for it. after all, you can get a bigger motor anyways - the Olds 403 will bold right up, and that will give you performance
. but i'd rather have it be more reliable than powerful. it needs a new radiator, and i hope that's the only thing that needs to be wrenched on.
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