88 Caprice Classic Wagon

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CorvairGeek

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Boise
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Jerry
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C20 Scottsdale
Engine Size
292 L6, T400
It's possible, I didn't look under the car, just assumed it was a 700r4.
They are plenty durable in this late form, the 307 even has a roller cam, just rather anemic. GM even claimed the wagons had a 5000lb tow rating when properly equipped, IIRC.

I've never heard an official reason, but I can only assume that this anomaly was justified to keep the Olds V8 in production. The only remaining applications otherwise, would have been the remaining Buick/Olds G coupe through '87 & '88 respectively, Buick B wagon, the Olds B wagon and the Cadillac Brougham. Picking up the Chevy in early '86 and Pontiac B wagon (no 1990 model) added a lot of production volume until everything went Chevrolet powered in 1990. This is even more strange when you think about the fact that B wagons continued to be carbureted through '90 when the Caprice sedans went to fuel injection in 1989.

This same anomaly was probably the reasoning behind the 200R4 being built through '90 and even expanded into the Caprice sedan in '88, IIRC, except with the 350 engine. The 200R4 is probably one of the most common for a dual Chevy / BOP bolt pattern.

There was also a possible influence from the beloved CAFE mileage ratings, though it appears this should have been the opposite. Sometime in very late '85 or early '86, the Olds powered cars were appearing with a note on the window sticker stating that a gas guzzler tax may be applicable, even if they had the same mileage ratings as a Chevy powered car. The Olds V8 was considered a domestic engine, while the Chevy V8 was not (Canadian assembly). Gotta love how our congress wrote laws to penalize our own 'evil' industries. This notices disappeared shortly after that part of CAFE was killed, but I do remember seeing these notices myself on new cars on the lot. I've wondered if this reprieve may have influenced allowing production of the Olds V8 to continue as well. We'll probably never know (like so many things) why the General did what they did.
 

JoeR Jr

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Stokesdale, NC
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Joe
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1986
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C10
Engine Size
6.0/4L80E
I just learned something...I never knew they put Olds 307's in Caprice Wagons. How did they compare with Chevy 305's?

The 307s leaked a lot more oil and a lot more vacuum. They were equally durable.
Joe
 

AuroraGirl

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Northern Wisconsin
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Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
Hers was bigger and boatier
a 98 was slightly larger but almost the same appearance wise, so it could be the previous gen with the similar front end but longer car, older interior design, and i believe part of the gen was still RWD
 

custodian

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Catawba
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William
Truck Year
1973, 1985
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
5.3 LS, 350
Got her home today. Will need door lock keys, can't get the the 3rd row seat up, missing the bottom (the part you sit on) of the 3rd row seat.

Need source for parts, any forums.

PO stated that it wouldn't drive, no forward or reverse. I took a comealong to get it on the trailer. Also took some trans fluid. Put 3 quarts of trans fluid in and drove it on the trailer. Found all new brake parts for the front and back, 4 door seals, spark plugs, and oil and filter in the back under the rear cover

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bucket

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Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
There's so much I did not know about the late 80's wagons. Good stuff!
 

CorvairGeek

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Boise
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Jerry
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1978
Truck Model
C20 Scottsdale
Engine Size
292 L6, T400
Wagons all have Hydroboost brakes too.
 

bucket

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Engine Size
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Wagons all have Hydroboost brakes too.

Just the 307 wagons? I never noticed that.

Of course, I also can't remember the last time I saw under the hood of a B-body wagon.
 

CorvairGeek

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Jerry
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1978
Truck Model
C20 Scottsdale
Engine Size
292 L6, T400
Nope. Vacuum on mine. 307 Olds motor.
I learned something new. I thought sure they stayed that way until the body change. Early 307s even had belt driven vacuum pumps to run accessories and brakes, so I'm really surprised.
 

custodian

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Catawba
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William
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C10
Engine Size
5.3 LS, 350
I'm looking for the temp gauge for my wagon. An 85-90 should work. I'll post a pic of what it looks like later.

Update: I decided to put a set of gauges in a pillar pod.
 
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custodian

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1973, 1985
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
5.3 LS, 350
Someone had put a radiator in that was to small, sat cockeyed. They cut the fan shroud to work on that radiator.

Put in a new radiator and upper and lower radiator hoses. Now to either come up with a fix for the shroud or try to find another one.

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custodian

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Catawba
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William
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1973, 1985
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
5.3 LS, 350
Well, I've found anther truck I want, so the wagon will be put up for sale.
 

custodian

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Location
Catawba
First Name
William
Truck Year
1973, 1985
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
5.3 LS, 350
SOLD the wagon today.Now looking for another short bed square.
 

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