Caprice engine swap?

[bill25]

plus a weight-saving aluminum hood.

So it took Ford 50 years to catch up and they are claiming innovation... Interesting marketing scheme...

[kevm14]

That makes the 77-79s even more interesting. Rear discs, aluminum hood. Neither of those continued. Well I don't know the exact years of the hood but I'd guess 78-79.

[kevm14]

That guy didn't get back to me yet. I have to say $2950 seems low for what it is. Maybe it's a scam.

[bill25]

Definite possibility. Did they specify contact? Call, email... Some people don't deal w/email on craigslist due to the many garbage emails an ad can spawn.

He also might already have a bite, and is not fielding questions if he thinks that person is serious. There are a lot of possibilities. You just contacted last night right?

[kevm14]

He said call or email. I reverse looked up the number and it is NJ...

[kevm14]

That guy didn't get back to me yet. I have to say $2950 seems low for what it is. Maybe it's a scam.

I sent another pinger, not in reply, just another original e-mail. A little after midnight he replied to my first e-mail saying to call in the morning. I reverse looked up the number and it is NJ. I don't know what the "morning" is if he was e-mailing me at 12:30am.

[kevm14]

Then again:
https://charlotte.craigslist.org/ctd/6059855244.html

1990 Cadillac Brougham - $3495 (Rock Hill, SC)
This is a super nice Cadillac Brougham with only 110,587 miles. This vehicle has been very well maintained. Power windows and power door locks, original floor mats, leather, wood grain, power drivers seat, cruise control, AM/FM tape cassette, original Cadillac hub caps and much more. Come and experience the ride of a Cadillac. 803.327.6375

Usually well-priced 1990s mean it has the old Olds 307 with 4bbl. But it has a VIN and the 8th digit is 7, which is the L05. It isn't d'Elegance but with this available for a small amount more than the 78, it makes me think....and this is a true southern car. I actually think I care about d'Elegance. Those pillow seats are desirable.

I don't know that I know enough to have a preference on 90-92. The online specs I can find do say the 90 L05 had 175 hp and the 91-92 had 185 (same as the 93). I know it seems pointless to care on a car like this but I definitely still care.

[kevm14]

That guy didn't get back to me yet. I have to say $2950 seems low for what it is. Maybe it's a scam.

I sent another pinger, not in reply, just another original e-mail. A little after midnight he replied to my first e-mail saying to call in the morning. I reverse looked up the number and it is NJ. I don't know what the "morning" is if he was e-mailing me at 12:30am.

I called at the number he left me in the e-mail, same area/area code but different number. No answer, VM full. I tried the original number listed in the CL ad. No answer, VM not set up. I replied stating I called and no answer, and that I will try later. I gave him my number...

[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.

It's actually gets worse. The TH400 would have no lockup torque converter and is a lossy transmission. Which means a 90-92 L05 with 4L60 and lockup torque converter will not only drive a lot better but get better fuel economy. Things to think about. I've kind of always desired one of these late 70s Cadillacs, preferably with the analog EFI (the obsession started with the Seville). Like I said before, if this has the original EFI and it is still working, I will have a very hard time resisting this car if it is real.

[kevm14]

I tried calling both numbers again. No answer.

Please let me know if you are interested in selling this car.

Thanks,
-Kevin

So....

I was thinking again about this plan on the way into work this morning. Here is my latest logic:
- Procure Super unless I move on to something else that fits that criteria.
- See if Caprice passes inspection in May. I might bring it in with the cracked windshield but I don't know how to tell them "inspect it and ignore the windshield, if you don't find the rust on the frame, I will do a windshield and come back" without actually saying that. I may just have to hedge and spend the money on a windshield but it would piss me off if the car failed and I just bought a new windshield....
- If Caprice fails, I have the rest of May to do glorious burnouts and then park the car. Unless of course they have a limited and specific rust issue that I can actually fix. I'm not restoring anything.
- Procure replacement B/D-body since I now have a daily driver in the meantime.
- Swap parts over or otherwise store them
- Dispose of Caprice

In conclusion, I need to get hot on the Super again. And drive one to see if I am barking up the wrong tree.