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Originally Posted by 2fords1jeep
I have been offered an '87 Cutlass Salon for free. Car has not run in several years, but I intend to replace the 307 with a 327 engine and a turbo 400 trans. I have. Interior is fair but the body is good (frame appears OK) and has T-tops. Car will be a father/son project for my son's first car.
Any inherent problems with these cars I should be on the look out for with this particular model ?
Any advice or comments are welcomed.
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Hi, and welcome to AF.
Well if it is anything like my 87 Cutlass Supreme, check the frame mounts (not sure if that is what they really are called) under the trunk. They apparently are bad for rotting out and it makes either one side of the rear end sag or both if both sides are rotted.
I had one replaced on my passenger side a few years ago. A cousin of mine had an 83 or 84 Grand Prix and told me that it was common in these cars.
The other thing as I am sure you are probably aware of is the T roofs will probably leak.
Don't be surprised if you have some electrical problems. Old wiring starting to decay, especially if the car has been sitting for some time. If you are in a colder, snowier, road salt using area, you will probably have some bad wires. Or you may be lucky!
From reading I have done, it seems that Oldsmobile in general have ghost electrical problems. The only real problem I have had with my 87 is I had to replace the ground from the engine to my battery. Otherwise everything on my car is original since we got it from the showroom in '87.
If your Salon has the chrome plates across the bottom of your doors like my cutlass does, pull them off gently and check for rust. They are held in place by plastic clips.. they break easily! Generally they will rot behind the Chrome and you don't even know it.
At the moment I can't think of anything else that you may want to look at, especially if you are going to tear out the engine and replace the trans.
If I think of anthing else, I'll let you know.
Hope this helps.
Hearts88