ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
Tough decision. The one thing to consider is you know the history of this car. That is always a plus.
To engine or not to engine...
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Nice car - I have my dad's 89 Caddy Deville coupe with 70K on it in FL in near excellent condition no rust at all. I cant get anyone to buy it for $2500- with new AC comp, new rad, new batt, new alt , new heater hoses, new brakes etc.
I don't understand the "belt slipping" in the trans. Isnt this a chain on a sprocket?
I don't understand the "belt slipping" in the trans. Isnt this a chain on a sprocket?
arco-yes its called a chain, but not sure the actual material it's made of...the chain is very likely worn out.
there is a video on youtube that shows the chain and sprockets on the 4t60e, i will try and find and post it.
there is a video on youtube that shows the chain and sprockets on the 4t60e, i will try and find and post it.
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ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Nice car - I have my dad's 89 Caddy Deville coupe with 70K on it in FL in near excellent condition no rust at all. I cant get anyone to buy it for $2500- with new AC comp, new rad, new batt, new alt , new heater hoses, new brakes etc.
I don't understand the "belt slipping" in the trans. Isnt this a chain on a sprocket?
It is. I just assumed it was the clutches slipping. I know folks who have had that chain fail but it is usually S/C versions that have been beat on.
Nice car - I have my dad's 89 Caddy Deville coupe with 70K on it in FL in near excellent condition no rust at all. I cant get anyone to buy it for $2500- with new AC comp, new rad, new batt, new alt , new heater hoses, new brakes etc.
I don't understand the "belt slipping" in the trans. Isnt this a chain on a sprocket?
It is. I just assumed it was the clutches slipping. I know folks who have had that chain fail but it is usually S/C versions that have been beat on.
Not sure how close this is to where you are.. but.. just saying. $2000 for a whole car with 1/2 the mileage of yours:
http://carbondale.craigslist.org/cto/5308051595.html
http://carbondale.craigslist.org/cto/5308051595.html
I'm thinking more like a shot 4th gear input shaft in this transmission, i have heard loud chains when they are worn out but they didn't jump.
If the rest of the car is good you can do a quick and dirty rehash on these transmissions while they are in the car, replace the clutches and bands, do the 4th input, the valve body mods and a chain if necessary and keep steppin like nothing happened.
You cannot get to the pump, front seal or TC without removing it but for a few hundred it might be worth a shot. It takes 4-5 hours if you include coffee breaks.
Another alternative if you really want to keep this body would be to find a 2000-2003 drive train with ecm and low miles for cheap, there are loads of them out there even SC ones that will bolt right in, all you need is a higher volume fuel pump and radiator from a Bonnevile SC to make it work.
IMO if you like the body and its in good shape there is nothing wrong with repowering it, jesus if i tossed the car away for a bad drive train all 3 of my Grand Prix would be in the junkyard, i bought a mint body, suspension and interior with no drivetrain at all but its a rare 40th Anniversary model.
If the rest of the car is good you can do a quick and dirty rehash on these transmissions while they are in the car, replace the clutches and bands, do the 4th input, the valve body mods and a chain if necessary and keep steppin like nothing happened.
You cannot get to the pump, front seal or TC without removing it but for a few hundred it might be worth a shot. It takes 4-5 hours if you include coffee breaks.
Another alternative if you really want to keep this body would be to find a 2000-2003 drive train with ecm and low miles for cheap, there are loads of them out there even SC ones that will bolt right in, all you need is a higher volume fuel pump and radiator from a Bonnevile SC to make it work.
IMO if you like the body and its in good shape there is nothing wrong with repowering it, jesus if i tossed the car away for a bad drive train all 3 of my Grand Prix would be in the junkyard, i bought a mint body, suspension and interior with no drivetrain at all but its a rare 40th Anniversary model.
This car is from the time period I was in a GM service department, frankly I'm surprised this isn't transmission number 2 at least but we virtually never had any engine trouble outside crank sensors.
If you are going to do it, I would put a remanufactured transmission in it - a GM SERTA if you can still get one because they typically have all of the upgrades made during the run.
I wouldn't replace the engine unless there is some need.
No point in doing an economic analysis - any money you put into it is money you won't get back out (of only get a small fraction of) if you sell it or it is in an accident.
If you are going to do it, I would put a remanufactured transmission in it - a GM SERTA if you can still get one because they typically have all of the upgrades made during the run.
I wouldn't replace the engine unless there is some need.
No point in doing an economic analysis - any money you put into it is money you won't get back out (of only get a small fraction of) if you sell it or it is in an accident.
They do not sell a GM unit any longer for this car.
A good rebuild is about 1600 plus core and install, i can grab a 2002 55K non SC running good drive train not split and ready to drop in for 1K locally on the door, no core.
This is one engine for under 5 bills.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-3800-Series-I...l-/231521255723
This trans has 81K on it and over priced IMO, i can get a 50K or less unit for 4 bills delivered.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/99-LUMINA-MONTE-CARLO-3-8L-81K-Mile-Automatic-Transmission-4T65E-IC-3423-17002-/351221405240?hash=item51c66d5638:g:MRUAAOSwibFUYOnP&vxp=mtr
Just saying.. I rather have a whole low mile drive train in a good body for less than a rebuilt trans with a 300K+ engine.
A good rebuild is about 1600 plus core and install, i can grab a 2002 55K non SC running good drive train not split and ready to drop in for 1K locally on the door, no core.
This is one engine for under 5 bills.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-3800-Series-I...l-/231521255723
This trans has 81K on it and over priced IMO, i can get a 50K or less unit for 4 bills delivered.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/99-LUMINA-MONTE-CARLO-3-8L-81K-Mile-Automatic-Transmission-4T65E-IC-3423-17002-/351221405240?hash=item51c66d5638:g:MRUAAOSwibFUYOnP&vxp=mtr
Just saying.. I rather have a whole low mile drive train in a good body for less than a rebuilt trans with a 300K+ engine.
thanks for posting all,
my overnight thoughts were to let it go, but it is a solid body and suspension and I alone know that myself and it's hard to explain to some folks.
trav, you may be right about the 4th gear: here is what was happening,
problems started as slip on the hills(i have many hills on my daily drive-and i suspect this was it's demise-begs the question whether i should drive in 3rd gear selection on my commute-but that is topic for other conversation)
eventually the slip on the hills got worse and now there is little power on take off, in other words it won't take the gas very good.
my mechanic, for better or worse, stood on the brake and gave it gas and you can here the loud thud,thud,thud from the left side- his thoughts were the chain....
my overnight thoughts were to let it go, but it is a solid body and suspension and I alone know that myself and it's hard to explain to some folks.
trav, you may be right about the 4th gear: here is what was happening,
problems started as slip on the hills(i have many hills on my daily drive-and i suspect this was it's demise-begs the question whether i should drive in 3rd gear selection on my commute-but that is topic for other conversation)
eventually the slip on the hills got worse and now there is little power on take off, in other words it won't take the gas very good.
my mechanic, for better or worse, stood on the brake and gave it gas and you can here the loud thud,thud,thud from the left side- his thoughts were the chain....
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I think I understand the OP's dilemma, there is a maturity and peace that can come from maintaining "old faithful" with no need to always have newer. As long as you have the finances and there isn't a wreck, one can keep these things going a long time, and it's not foolish, in fact some could see it as responsible, less wasteful, or just someone at peace with their life.
Side track - read the studies -- the #1 vehicle owned by people worth over $1,000,000: 2wd single cab ford f 150, generally all over 150k.
I'd swap/rebuild the trans. I wouldn't fool with the chain. Swap the trans and get some sort of warranty with it. Keep driving it and worry about bigger things like recovering from the accident.
I appreciate the OP's interest maintaining a good vehicle.
Meep
Side track - read the studies -- the #1 vehicle owned by people worth over $1,000,000: 2wd single cab ford f 150, generally all over 150k.
I'd swap/rebuild the trans. I wouldn't fool with the chain. Swap the trans and get some sort of warranty with it. Keep driving it and worry about bigger things like recovering from the accident.
I appreciate the OP's interest maintaining a good vehicle.
Meep
You're going to have to get over your sentimental attachment to the vehicle which I know is difficult to do.
Putting money into that car other maintenance would be very foolish. That car is worth a few hundred dollars tops. Its not a rare, antique or collectable car. Your Olds served its purpose and lasted considerably longer than it was designed to. It's time to move on, brother.
Putting money into that car other maintenance would be very foolish. That car is worth a few hundred dollars tops. Its not a rare, antique or collectable car. Your Olds served its purpose and lasted considerably longer than it was designed to. It's time to move on, brother.
With deals like this around it'd be a no brainer for me...
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/5262499853.html
Almost six years ago I sold my '93 Grand Marquis with 155K on it to a freind for $1200(mainly just needed brakes and tires) & bought a 'one owner, garage kept '98 with 33K mi... Paid $4500 or $3300 counting what I got for the '93...
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/5262499853.html
Almost six years ago I sold my '93 Grand Marquis with 155K on it to a freind for $1200(mainly just needed brakes and tires) & bought a 'one owner, garage kept '98 with 33K mi... Paid $4500 or $3300 counting what I got for the '93...
Originally Posted By: TFB1
With deals like this around it'd be a no brainer for me...
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/5262499853.html
Almost six years ago I sold my '93 Grand Marquis with 155K on it to a freind for $1200(mainly just needed brakes and tires) & bought a 'one owner, garage kept '98 with 33K mi... Paid $4500 or $3300 counting what I got for the '93...
is this in norfolk, virginia? i have never used craig list, so i don't know much about it.
thanks all for your continued help...
With deals like this around it'd be a no brainer for me...
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/5262499853.html
Almost six years ago I sold my '93 Grand Marquis with 155K on it to a freind for $1200(mainly just needed brakes and tires) & bought a 'one owner, garage kept '98 with 33K mi... Paid $4500 or $3300 counting what I got for the '93...
is this in norfolk, virginia? i have never used craig list, so i don't know much about it.
thanks all for your continued help...
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i would also appreciate if anyone could share some insight on the transmissions from O'reilly(Powertorque) and Autozone(Alltrans, National & Moveras brands they show)
prices on these are $1300 to $1680
are rebuilts better than these new ones because of quality control and internal parts used?
prices on these are $1300 to $1680
are rebuilts better than these new ones because of quality control and internal parts used?
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I'd keep driving your olds.
Originally Posted By: John_Conrad
i would also appreciate if anyone could share some insight on the transmissions from O'reilly(Powertorque) and Autozone(Alltrans, National & Moveras brands they show)
prices on these are $1300 to $1680
are rebuilts better than these new ones because of quality control and internal parts used?
It all depends on what parts were used in the rebuilds compared to parts used in the new ones. There were some upgraded parts made for the 4T60's that were only available during a rebuild. I'd talk with a few local rebuilders to see what they use. If they offer a very generous warranty, that's usually a good sign.
i would also appreciate if anyone could share some insight on the transmissions from O'reilly(Powertorque) and Autozone(Alltrans, National & Moveras brands they show)
prices on these are $1300 to $1680
are rebuilts better than these new ones because of quality control and internal parts used?
It all depends on what parts were used in the rebuilds compared to parts used in the new ones. There were some upgraded parts made for the 4T60's that were only available during a rebuild. I'd talk with a few local rebuilders to see what they use. If they offer a very generous warranty, that's usually a good sign.
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