Newbie from MI

Hi kids.

I've had hot rods, customs and cycles but pretty new to the Wagon scene, but have always like 'em.
Recently purchased an '87 Caprice Estate 9 pass. wagon as a daily driver.
83K miles, 5.0, AOD and loaded. A little rust under the wood vinyl so I've removed it to fix the spots. Actually I like it better with out the woodgrain. I want to change out the wheels and tires, maybe lower it a bit and change the steering wheel.

Mostly wondering what kind of simple things I can do to tweek the motor. I'm on a short budget (aren't most of us) so a cam, headers, intake, etc are out of the question right now.
Is there anything in the emissions that can be removed to improve performance? The only thing I've done so far is to change out the air filter and add a bottle of Sea Foam to the tank.
It seems to run good but stumbles occasionally.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.
Donzie

Hey Donzie,

Welcome, and enjoy your stay. Make sure it's tuned up with quality parts, then try advancing the timing a few degrees. That's the only free power increase I can think of for that anemic 305. Removing the cooling fan and installing a JY elec. fan in its place will help a little, and shouldn't cost an arm and a leg. A duel fan set up from a LT1 B-body works good, you will just have to use some ingenuity to wire it up. Makes changing/adjusting the fan belts easier too. 9C1 exhaust (y-pipe) may be bigger, and a free flowing muffler to help the engine exhale better. The biggest problem with the 305 is that it doesn't inhale enough to make a difference.

Mike

Welcome aboard - from beautiful, sunny Flint, MI!

Welcome aboard! Let's see some pics of your new wagon
We like round or boxy we're pretty easy that way

Donzie wrote:

Hi kids Donzie

hey gramps,..

Nick

Welcome! I really like the box body wagons. I had an 89 Olds wagon and an 86 Caprice sedan. Loved them both and looking forward to seeing your pics.

I can make some engine suggestions, but do you know if you have a 305 Chevy or 307 Olds in your car? Many wagons got the Olds engine. The dead giveaway if you are not familier with the engines is the Olds has the oil filler tube right on the front of the motor, above the water pump. They Chevy has it on the valve cover.

-Mike

And the 307 has enough vacuum lines to circumnavigate the globe...


...twice.

And all are dry-rotted in my 88 Cutlass....I'm scared to touch them for fear the car may never run again..HA! ; )

This was the Olds 307 engine in our old 1988 Estate Wagon. For a while I thought of replacing all the vacuum lines, but all the plastic connectors were brittle and broke if you touched them.

That pic looks very very familier.....

I'm looking for a 70-72 Olds 350 now. Going to yank that gutless 307 out soon.

...sorry for the late welcome!! But hello!

Chris

Nick Danger wrote:

For a while I thought of replacing all the vacuum lines, but all the plastic connectors were brittle and broke if you touched them.

So you decided not to replace them. Good plan.

Oh yeah, hi Donnie. yada

I'd say a good mod for that car would be to just go ahead and sell it to Flathead Pete.

Welcome aboard!

Pete is the man.

jimbeau wrote:

Nick Danger wrote:

For a while I thought of replacing all the vacuum lines, but all the plastic connectors were brittle and broke if you touched them.

So you decided not to replace them. Good plan.

Oh yeah, hi Donnie. yada

Well I did, a year later. I bought a Roadmaster.

I've now opened the hood on my 307 Cutlass three times with the intention of replacing brittle vaccumn lines, but then I get scared and close the hood again..... ; )

I've got one more year before the car is emissions exempt. Damn tree-huggers.....

Nick Danger wrote:

jimbeau wrote:

Nick Danger wrote:

For a while I thought of replacing all the vacuum lines, but all the plastic connectors were brittle and broke if you touched them.

So you decided not to replace them. Good plan.

Oh yeah, hi Donnie. yada

Well I did, a year later. I bought a Roadmaster.

HaHa I like it. You replaced all the bad parts in one fell swoop.

Welcome... Sorry a little late.......

Tim