89 Caprice with Olds 307

[goldieAF]

Anyone know why my Caprice has an OLDS 307 in it? Was it a Canadian model or something? My last Caprice (an '84, also a Wagon) had a Chevy 305. Any ideas as to why and how I can find out if the heads are 5A or 7A? Thanks in advance.
Allen

[CD Smalley]

Simple. GM had alot of the 307s to get rid off and they needed to meet CAFE (fuel mileage) requirements. The 307 became the standard engine in all b-body wagons circa 1987 IIRC.

Not sure on the heads. www.442.com and read the Olds FAQ.

Then come go to yahoogroups.com and come join us on the 77-90 B-Body email list.

[goldieAF]

Thanks a bundle. That FAQ was very informative. I don't actually have this car (yet), I'm bidding on it, but I'm determined. Ever since I had my '84 wagon I've been in love with 'em.
Thanks again

[CD Smalley]

I know the feeling. If you get the car, do come sign up with us on yahoogroups too. We're just starting our group up again. We had a pretty good group that posted at GMForums prior to it's closing. The yahoogroup has been where we've all landed....

[curtis73]

In 89, those would be 7A heads. The ports are exactly half the size of 5As. 5As would allow you to use aftermarket intakes and they flow a little better.

The heads should have the casting number on the top of one of the exhaust ports. Scrape the grease off and it will tell you what heads you have. If you can get it to breathe, a 307 is a pretty nice engine. It has a roller cam and the head designs are pretty fuel efficient.

[goldieAF]

Originally Posted by curtis73

In 89, those would be 7A heads. The ports are exactly half the size of 5As. 5As would allow you to use aftermarket intakes and they flow a little better.

The heads should have the casting number on the top of one of the exhaust ports. Scrape the grease off and it will tell you what heads you have. If you can get it to breathe, a 307 is a pretty nice engine. It has a roller cam and the head designs are pretty fuel efficient.

Thanks, good info, I had been wondering. I did indeed get the car, for $800 (though not through ebay) pics/info can be seen here http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2439987339
What I find amusing is that I bought it for $800, but in Miami (AkA the city of Caprices and Impalas) these go for around $3000.

I'm not really concerned with performance at this point, I just wanted it for nostalgia and to haul stuff around, possibly tow my other cars (any idea about towing capacity?). I'll be picking up the car when I return from this deployment (right around Thanksgiving), so I can't wait!
Thanks for all the ino,
Allen

[curtis73]

Originally Posted by goldieAF

I'm not really concerned with performance at this point, I just wanted it for nostalgia and to haul stuff around, possibly tow my other cars (any idea about towing capacity?).

That car looks great! You got a steal for that money! I think what will hurt your tow capacity is that the 307 came in two ratings; 140 and 170. Both were overrated. I had a 26,000-mile 307 in tip top shape that came out to 100 at the rear wheels. That's only 120 at the crank at best. I think the 170-horse guys were getting 155-160 depending on if it was a 50-state or 49-state emissions car. The frame is as strong as can be and would easily take 6000 lbs maybe more in a heartbeat, but the 307 might not do so well. The good news is that you probably have a 200-4r tranny in that which is one of my favorites! They can take a beating despite their little size, plus they have a .67 overdrive.

Have fun, and I would say just beat the pi$$ out of it and tow with it anyway. When the 307 dies put a 455 in it

[goldieAF]

Thanks. I really like the look, too. My other one was white, but the blue looks pretty sharp in the pics. It does indeed have the 200 trans. You don't by any chance know the all the gear ratios, do you? Final Drive?
My neon (my current highway car) has .81 overdrive and 3.94 Final. Makes for a rather obnoxious drone at 80mph with stiff mounts
If I'm not mistaken, my Vin Y would be the weaker of the two (as opposed to 9?), but that's fine, as it's apparently the more economical, as well. No big deal, because I'll surely just be driving it 95% of the time and maybe occasionally towing the neon somewhere. Thanks all. You all seem like a good bunch of people. I'm just getting started with all this, so thanks for the info/patience.
Allen

[curtis73]

Sure. Ratios are as follows for the 200s

first 2.740
second 1.570
third 1.000
OD 0.670

The 200-4r is a strong one using hardened shafts and more gears in the planet sets. In alot of cases they are stronger than the 700r4. They will take more hp, but not quite the torque as a 700. Here are a few sites with info on them.

http://www.drwtransmission.com/thm_200-4r.htm
http://members.aol.com/powerrslid/thm2004r.html
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/highperflist.htm
http://www.vibratesoftware.com/html_...nsmissions.htm
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/tran.../200rebld.html

And, yes, VIN Y is the 140 hp version. Its not that bad, especially if you put a decent rear ratio in it. I had one with the 200-4r and 2.56 rear. I couldn't use OD until about 80 or it would just cycle in and out helplessly. I could have really used some 3.08s or 3.42s in there.

Another nice thing (if you decide to change rear ratios) is that there are so many rear axles with so many ratios that you could probably hit any junkyard and get an entire 3.08 limited slip 8.5" 10-bolt from any taxi, cop car, or late-model wagon, and it will just bolt up with four bolts and a lift.

[CD Smalley]

Originally Posted by curtis73

Another nice thing (if you decide to change rear ratios) is that there are so many rear axles with so many ratios that you could probably hit any junkyard and get an entire 3.08 limited slip 8.5" 10-bolt from any taxi, cop car, or late-model wagon, and it will just bolt up with four bolts and a lift.

Not so fast there guys. The late model wagon rears will work. But sedan rear ends will not work. They are almost two inches narrower than a wagon rear.

I should add that IIRC, even there is a further variation. ImpSS rears I think are wider than the 9c1 rears... I think....

[curtis73]

I learn something every day.

[randy78]

the wagon rears do not interchange with sedan and coupe axles because of lower arm mounting position, wagons are wider from arm to arm

most all sedans and coupes were 7.5" axle cept 9C1 and trailer specials, and wagons were 8.5"

[goldieAF]

Intersting stuff. It looks like I'm in the market for a new torque converter, though. I'll start a different thread with some more questions, however. And CD, you'll notice I'm back on the miling list, as I once again have a home =)