Hey all.
A few years ago, I inherited my uncle's 1978 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale with 5.7L gas engine and TH-350 three speed auto.
It had sat in a dry garage for about 20 years. Maybe started a couple times at most.
The first time I drove it, I was very gentle with throttle. The test drive was only a mile or two. It had a tiny bit of slip accelerating from a full stop SOME of the time.
Week later, took it out again on a short drive, only showed slip from a stop once. Next time I drove it - no slips.
This was 4 years ago now, and since then, I've put about 4,000-5,000 miles on it. It hasn't slipped in 4 years. It hasn't done ANYTHING "wrong" in those 4 years. It downshifts when I put my foot down, upshifts as I ease the throttle, shifts are solid and yet smooth. It's a pleasure to drive on sunny weekends.
Car currently has 112,000 original miles. I only drive this car maybe 1,000-2,000 per year. I can't know for certain if the ATF has ever been changed.
1. Should I leave well enough alone, and enjoy it as is?
or
2. If you think I should drop the pan, change the filter and fluid, what fluid would be best? I would hate to mess up the shift quality because the clutches or valves don't like the new fluid.
Brian
A few years ago, I inherited my uncle's 1978 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale with 5.7L gas engine and TH-350 three speed auto.
It had sat in a dry garage for about 20 years. Maybe started a couple times at most.
The first time I drove it, I was very gentle with throttle. The test drive was only a mile or two. It had a tiny bit of slip accelerating from a full stop SOME of the time.
Week later, took it out again on a short drive, only showed slip from a stop once. Next time I drove it - no slips.
This was 4 years ago now, and since then, I've put about 4,000-5,000 miles on it. It hasn't slipped in 4 years. It hasn't done ANYTHING "wrong" in those 4 years. It downshifts when I put my foot down, upshifts as I ease the throttle, shifts are solid and yet smooth. It's a pleasure to drive on sunny weekends.
Car currently has 112,000 original miles. I only drive this car maybe 1,000-2,000 per year. I can't know for certain if the ATF has ever been changed.
1. Should I leave well enough alone, and enjoy it as is?
or
2. If you think I should drop the pan, change the filter and fluid, what fluid would be best? I would hate to mess up the shift quality because the clutches or valves don't like the new fluid.
Brian