Caprice engine swap?

[kevm14]

So anyway, we had plenty of arguing about having a "parking lot" in the driveway. I challenged her to explain how this impacts her and I think it is just this ambiguous aesthetic thing. I'm like, we spent a lot of money on a nice driveway, with parking areas. I intent to use it.

So I don't think it is so much a financial thing (though it is still money that could be used toward something else). Also I had never socialized this plan before and she is notorious for freaking out the first time something "major" is discussed.

She has a point about the CTS-V though. But that's not the real problem - the real problem is none of my vehicles are "normal" enough for serving as a backup family car. A Fleetwood has plenty of room but is not something she'd feel comfortable driving in snow if it came up, and if I got a clean one, I wouldn't want it driven in snow anyway. She wouldn't want to drive it, frankly, in any season.

The fact is, this car would be a daily driver for me, and a backup to her. By definition, it is not suitable for an enthusiast car for me. Or, by definition, an enthusiast car for me is not suitable as a year-round daily driver to me or a backup for her. They are literally mutually exclusive.

[kevm14]

Thank you for sending those pictures. Unfortunately that damage at the front passenger side looks like too much for me to live with and I don't think it is something that I can fix easily. I am not a body guy but it seems to need a fender and maybe a bumper. The cornering light and headlight seem out of alignment so I don't know what it looks like underneath.

It is too bad because it looks really nice otherwise, and sounds like it is in excellent mechanical condition. I am sure it drives great. And it is rare to find one of these cars without a cracked dash or torn leather near the heated seat control.

I guess I will have to continue my search.

Sorry for the trouble.

And his reply:

No problem,I understand.Thanks for your interest

Nicest guy on CL ever.

Makes me wonder though. Did he perhaps buy the car in worse condition for less money and mitigate the damage as much as possible and this is the result? Or did he buy it exactly like this, drove it for 1-1/2 years and is just ready to move on to something else? It is a bummer because most of the rest of the car was in exceptional condition. But this damage was unacceptable - I would compromise some of the exceptional other condition (ok not by much) OR possibly pay more to get what I want. I think this car as it sits is worth $3k. Maybe. It isn't impossible to find well-kept Fleetwoods. Or Roadmasters.

[kevm14]

Though I maintain I should still pursue a legit backup car first, even though I know this did appear and I have to act given the relative rarity of the things I am looking for.

Actually this may be wrong. Given we are coming out of winter, I think a better plan, if I had control over the order, is this:
- Obtain replacement B/D-body (up to 5 cars)
- Take summer to part out/swap things over from the Caprice
- Dispose of Caprice (this is kind of intense) (down to 4)
- Get backup/daily in the Fall or otherwise before Winter. (back up to 5)

If I don't do it in this order, I risk having SIX cars, because it would go something like this:
- Add Super to fleet now (up to 5)
- Get replacement B/D-body (up to 6)
- Get rid of Caprice (down to 5)

With the first plan, the sooner I finish with the Caprice, the sooner I can get my daily. But it likely won't be soon and I could still end up with 6 because I may not be done with the Caprice but still need a winter car.

I think I didn't learn anything from looking at the order because opportunity, in my opinion, trumps everything else.

[bill25]

- Dispose of Caprice (this is kind of intense) (down to 4)

Oh... This is serious...

Maybe, if you parked your excess cars at work, the parking lot thing at home would be less of a problem?

[bill25]

I think I didn't learn anything from looking at the order because opportunity, in my opinion, trumps everything else.

If I understand what is happening here, the idea of only having 4 cars is out and you are looking for a Super and a B/D body.

Problem is both are rare, and the best thing is to be flexible and buy either when a good option comes up. If you plan for one specific option first you might pass up a good alternative.

[kevm14]

That's exactly what I meant.

[kevm14]

Here you go. You can buy this guy and his father's everyday car:
https://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/6046939130.html

I can't tell if that is a Brougham d'Elegance or a DeVille d'Elegance. Brougham being much more highly desirable. And probably would be worth another coupe thousand. That said, the Brougham and DeVille are on the same 121.5" wheelbase that ran on the D-body from 77-96 so I don't really even understand the differences. Is it just equipment/trim? Engines are the same...Brougham did have rear discs...

So guess what. I think it is a Brougham d'Elegance. Research indicates that the taper on the B-pillar was a signature Brougham thing. The DeVille did not have that. Damn I want this. If it has the fuel injection, so help me...

The most noticeable difference in appearance between the Brougham and the less costly DeVille sedan lay in Brougham's distinctively tapered pillar design between front and rear doors. Brougham also stopped itself with four-wheel disc brakes. New this year were the restyled grille and back bumper, plus a weight-saving aluminum hood. Front seats now had seatback pockets. Brushed chrome moldings held new wreath-and-crest ornamentation. The Elk Grain vinyl roof held opera lamps just behind the back doors. Color-coordinated wheel discs repeated the body color in the center. Door-pull handles were new, and the door armrest hold six-way power driver's seat controls. Brougham interiors held individual reading lamps. The Florentine velour interior was offered in mulberry, light gray, black, light blue, dark green, yellow, or light beige. Leather interiors came in eleven colors.

Standard engine was the 425 cu. in. (7.0-liter) V-8. Oversized steel-belted radials rode match-mounted wheels. New standard equipment included electronic leveling control. Joining the option list were seven new interior colors, rear deck accent stripes, color-keyed bodyside moldings, and chrome accent moldings. Available chromed wire wheels showed the Cadillac insignia on a hexagonal center hub. An electronic-tuning stereo radio with digital readout was available with 8-track tape player. The familiar Astroroof was available too. Brougham d'Elegance added contoured pillow-styled seats trimmed in Florentine velour (in five Antique colors), with velour trim in doors, pull straps, and seatback assist straps. Medium Saddle leather was also available on the 50/50 Dual Comfort front seats. Plush pile carpeting reached up onto the lower doors, and covered front and rear floormats. A "Brougham d'Elegance" insignia was on the glove box door; another outside. Also included: three above-door passenger assist grips, accent stripes, and available turbine-vaned wheel discs.

Damn, aluminum hood? Rear discs? So exotic for 1978.

The 425 is 180hp with the 4bbl or 195hp with EFI. I like the EFI, though modification is pretty much impossible without ripping it out and going to something like TBI or newer. Or just sticking with the 4bbl carb (ugh). It is probably a carb, whether it came with one from the factory or not.

http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/cad1970/cad78b.htm

[kevm14]

Little bit of a drive...

[kevm14]

The 3 speed gearing is pretty rough. 2.28 axle was standard I guess.

1st will take off like my Caprice in 2nd gear. Ouch.

3rd on the highway is like having a 3.23 rear on a b-body which is to say a little short for a big lazy engine. So, slow off the line, not ideal on the highway. 2nd is pretty close to my Caprice in 3rd.

This is why I always bitch about Monte Carlos with 3 speeds. There is a HUGE difference between a 3 and 4 speed.

Even though the HP and torque is very similar on the 90-92 Brougham with L05 it is going to drive worlds better with the 4L60.

[kevm14]

Cool options list though.

Fuel-injected V-8 engine for Brougham $744
Heavy-duty cooling system $41
80-amp alternator $51
Engine block heater $20
California emission equipment $75
Limited slip differential $67
High altitude pkg. $33

Brougham d'Elegance cloth: $938
Brougham d'Elegance leather: $1270

Astroroof w/full vinyl roof for Brougham $995
Sunroof w/full vinyl roof for Brougham $795
Cruise control $122
Controlled-cycle wipers $32
Rear defogger, grid-type $94
Six-way Dual Comfort power passenger seat adjuster $118-$150
Power 50/50 seat recliner $116
Power 50/50 passenger seat recliner $210-$262
Tilt/telescope steering wheel $121
Automatic door locks $114
Illuminated entry system $59
Fuel monitor $29
Theft deterrent system $130
Trunk lid release and power pull-down $80
Twilight Sentinel $54
Guidematic headlamp control $62
Trumpet horn $21
Remote-control right mirror $34
Lighted thermometer on left mirror $27
Lighted vanity mirror, passenger $50
AM/FM stereo radio with digital display; $106
AM/FM stereo radio with digital display w/tape player $106
AM/FM stereo radio with digital display w/CB $281
AM/FM stereo radio with digital display w/tape and CB $427
Seek/scan AM/FM stereo radio with tape player and digital display for Brougham $225
Firemist paint $163
Front bumper reinforcement $9
Chrome accent molding for Brougham $85-$100
Accent stripes for Brougham $53
Door edge guards $11-$18
License frame each: $9
Leather seating area $295-$315
Carpeted rubber front floor mats $31-$34); rear: $15-$21
Trunk mat $12
Turbine-vaned wheel covers $54
Locking wire wheels $541-$595
Locking wire wheel covers $179-$233