carguy16
11-05-04, 11:31 PM
Or happened to anyone, this is a post from another forum where I was asking for info, and someone was kind enough to give it to me:
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I think there are a lot of cars that make more sense than a Fleetwood as a first car. If it has the air-ride suspension, that can be terribly expensive. Another problem with the big Fleetwood is all the electrical and electronics gizmos like climate control, power seats, etc, that give a lot of trouble, are hard to work on, and expensive for parts as well as labor.
It's gonna be expensive for gas, and things like tires cost more for a bigger car.
You also might want to do some more research on that LT1 engine and the cost for parts. On the 94-96 LT1's I've seen, the distributor is on the front end of the crankshaft, behind the crankshaft pulley. The water pump is just above it, and is driven by a shaft that goes from the crankshaft into the bottom of the water pump. The problem is that coolant leaks out around the shaft seal and drips into the distributor, eventually destroying the distributor's innards. Not only is it very labor intensive, but the parts are quite expensive.
While the engine is off and cold, check under the water pump for any moisture. If it's damp, chances are the seal is leaking, and the distributor is already either trashed or on its last legs. So you might as well count on a big bill to replace both the water pump and distributor. (I've heard that it is not unusual to have to spend $1000 to pay a shop to replace the water pump and all the distributor parts that the leak has damaged.)
If you really want such a big gas-drinker, I'd suggest a Caprice or a base Buick Roadmaster (without air-ride) which are the same basic frame and body, but without as many gizmos.
About 1 out of 4 of those years of GM's big sedans I've seen have a problem with the right rear window mechanism--the window falls off the track. So run it and all the other windows up and down sevral times. Junkyard parts are going to be hard to get for them if they're bad because so many of them fail.
BTW, the 94-96 Caprices with the 350V8 option, the 94-96 Buick Roadmasters, and the 94-96 Fleetwood all have the 350ci 260 HP LT-1. The 93 and earlier 350's had something like 180 HP, so there's a big difference in performance. But 180hp is adequate.
Interestingly enough, the stock Roadmasters typically handled better than stock Caprices and the Fleetwoods.
In the 94-96 Roadmasters and big-ugly Caprices, look for the trailer towing or handling package with the 350. They'll have a bigger sway bar up front and a sway bar on the rear, and will handle a lot better. They also have a separate transmission oil cooler. But don't buy one with a big trailer hitch on it, or it if ever had one. A lot of people bought them because they can tow a trailer, but that does wear them out faster.
If you don't mind its looks, a 94-96 Caprice with 350 and handling package is essentially an Impala SS that is uglier and taller, but sells for a fraction of the cost of an SS.
One final thing. '94 is the first year for the R-134 Freon, which will make it a lot cheaper to fix the AC than on the 93 and earlier ones that use R-12. From what I've seen the popular and cheap R-134 conversions do not really last long or work all that well.
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Im only worried about this, I know this could be a costly bill. I dont care about gas or anything else...
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I think there are a lot of cars that make more sense than a Fleetwood as a first car. If it has the air-ride suspension, that can be terribly expensive. Another problem with the big Fleetwood is all the electrical and electronics gizmos like climate control, power seats, etc, that give a lot of trouble, are hard to work on, and expensive for parts as well as labor.
It's gonna be expensive for gas, and things like tires cost more for a bigger car.
You also might want to do some more research on that LT1 engine and the cost for parts. On the 94-96 LT1's I've seen, the distributor is on the front end of the crankshaft, behind the crankshaft pulley. The water pump is just above it, and is driven by a shaft that goes from the crankshaft into the bottom of the water pump. The problem is that coolant leaks out around the shaft seal and drips into the distributor, eventually destroying the distributor's innards. Not only is it very labor intensive, but the parts are quite expensive.
While the engine is off and cold, check under the water pump for any moisture. If it's damp, chances are the seal is leaking, and the distributor is already either trashed or on its last legs. So you might as well count on a big bill to replace both the water pump and distributor. (I've heard that it is not unusual to have to spend $1000 to pay a shop to replace the water pump and all the distributor parts that the leak has damaged.)
If you really want such a big gas-drinker, I'd suggest a Caprice or a base Buick Roadmaster (without air-ride) which are the same basic frame and body, but without as many gizmos.
About 1 out of 4 of those years of GM's big sedans I've seen have a problem with the right rear window mechanism--the window falls off the track. So run it and all the other windows up and down sevral times. Junkyard parts are going to be hard to get for them if they're bad because so many of them fail.
BTW, the 94-96 Caprices with the 350V8 option, the 94-96 Buick Roadmasters, and the 94-96 Fleetwood all have the 350ci 260 HP LT-1. The 93 and earlier 350's had something like 180 HP, so there's a big difference in performance. But 180hp is adequate.
Interestingly enough, the stock Roadmasters typically handled better than stock Caprices and the Fleetwoods.
In the 94-96 Roadmasters and big-ugly Caprices, look for the trailer towing or handling package with the 350. They'll have a bigger sway bar up front and a sway bar on the rear, and will handle a lot better. They also have a separate transmission oil cooler. But don't buy one with a big trailer hitch on it, or it if ever had one. A lot of people bought them because they can tow a trailer, but that does wear them out faster.
If you don't mind its looks, a 94-96 Caprice with 350 and handling package is essentially an Impala SS that is uglier and taller, but sells for a fraction of the cost of an SS.
One final thing. '94 is the first year for the R-134 Freon, which will make it a lot cheaper to fix the AC than on the 93 and earlier ones that use R-12. From what I've seen the popular and cheap R-134 conversions do not really last long or work all that well.
----
Im only worried about this, I know this could be a costly bill. I dont care about gas or anything else...