June 2002 The car was all rusty and in bad shape. Inside it was rotten after standing unused and wet outside for years.
Before tearing it apart I tried to get as much as possible to work, that way I knew the status of everything,
and saved only those parts that worked fine. I bought it for only $300.
I started with the engine, that I think only ran on six sylinders. I changed the spark plugs and wires.
That proved to be the cure, it ran smooth. I do not know the milage of the engine, and have decided to take it apart and rebuild it.
In my 1988 Caprice there is a 305 engine, the 1979 enigne is a 350 with a four barrel carb.
My plan is to rebuild with som hotter parts and then at some time install it in my 1988 car.
I believe with easy tuning it is realistic to get about 280 HP out of the engine. With almost one litre of
extra volume and more horsepower I believe my Caprice will be much faster, and even more of a pleasure to drive.
The good parts I saved:
Radiator, the steering mechanism, the alternator, the fan motor, all four electrical window and power door locks, Power seat motor, side windows,
all the engine accessories, dashboard, roof rail, the crome trim around the windows and the engine.
Since I did not need the wheels/tires and the three speed TH350 gearbox I sold those parts for $300 :-)
23 february 2003. Empty block waiting for new camshaft bearings. Sylinderservice a local engine shop will do that job for me. ($100 with parts)
07 april 2003. Engine cleaned and painted.
21 april 2003. Sylinders honed.
