Hello from Evansville, WI!

Hi there!!! I'm new to the forum, just got an 1988 caprice classic station wagon and I love it!!! I can't wait to get going on fixing it up!!! Any advice on where to begin would be great! I'll be posting pics soon!!! Thanks!

WELCOME!!!!!

Didn't that wagon come with the 140 horse Olds 307?

Pics are a requisite!!!!

Yes it still has a 307 in it and it goes thru a bunch of oil...was that a requirement when they made it? jk...I love it!

Welcome!! looking forward to seeing pics of your new project.

If I had a boxy wagon like that, I'd drop in a 5.3 LS / 4L60E motor in it tomorrow. Better gas mileage AND twice the horsepower!

Welcome! I love Caprice's, and box wagons. I've recently had an 86 Caprice Sedan and an 89 Olds Custom Cruiser, and grew up with an 86 Electra Estate Wagon. Many other B-bodies in the past too. Great cars!

Just an FYI, the mid-80's Olds 307 were known to burn oil. There were even some recalls issued way back when. The 307 in our 86 Estate Wagon ATE oil. We had that car when I got my license, and my friends LOVED it when we took it on the highway. Someone would tailgate us, and I'd floor the Buick. It would not go any faster.....but huge clouds of black smoke would pour out the rear.....ha! Got the tailgaters off us fast!

My 89 Custom Cruiser had the 307, and while gutless, it didn't use oil. I have an 88 Cutlass Supreme now with the 307, and it's also gutless....but so far does not blow oil. There is an engine swap in the Cutlass near future.

An easy upgrade if you want more power is just to go with a larger Olds engine. Externally they are all the same dimensions, and other than exhaust they are basically a bolt-in swap.

The 77-79 Olds 403 used in many GM full-size cars and also the late 70's Firebirds is a good swap. You can still find running cars with these engines cheap, many with low miles owned by older folks.

Another option is a 70-72 Olds 350, which gives you much more power, but installing hardened valve seats is a good idea for unleaded fuel. The early 70's 350 was a great engine, and has a strong aftermarket following. You can also bolt on your 307 intake and computer controlled carb and the car will run fine....and still be emissions legal....if that's a concern in your area.

An Olds 455 is also a popular swap, tons of torque and they will tow anyting, but they USE GAS, so if that's a consideration, the 350 may be a better idea.

Looking forward to seeing your pics, and glad you found the group!

-Mike

Gas schmas. Our 455 Cutlass that we had when I was a kid kept local gas merchants in business. Good for the economy or some such.

Pics! Or I could just come out there and look at it...

Welcome!! Yes...pics please I used tool around in an '87 Caprice Wagon (with the Olds motor) Love those boxy wagons!

Chris

<- first car I drove was an 86 Caprice wagon. Gutless, floaty, but oh so comfortable. Loved that car.

sherlock9c1 wrote:

<- first car I drove was an 86 Caprice wagon. Gutless, floaty, but oh so comfortable. Loved that car.

I have to agree. I can't put my finger on why, but I remember my old '79 brick wagon being an easier handling, nicer riding vehicle than my '95. There's no real reason why it should have been, so I chalk it up to "only remembering the good stuff".