Hey folks, my name is bob Scott, 63 yrs old and I've been in cars forever. Other then a chopped 62 Suburban yrs ago this is my first wagon. 87 Caprice wagon. I initially got this #1 cause it was free #2 to use it as a dog carrier. Dog training is another of my to many hobies. Problem is, by the time I drove it the 60 miles home I was in love with it. My first question is how do ai find out what engine I have. 8th space in the vin is Y. Some sites tell me that the 307 engine. Others tell me that it's a 305. Either way it got a carb instead of the TBI. Some site say that is just on the 307. Most just say it's a 5 liter. :banghead3::banghead3: Is there anyway I can figure this out? I've read the 305 is a great engine but not so much for the 307. I plan on fixing this up to make a nice cruser. All I need to do is clean out 5yrs of mouse/rat pee, wasp nests and old snake skins. Good sites/places for headliners, iinterior, rubber, etc? TIA Bob
welcome, you'll find that theres alot of friendly folks willing to help out with any issues you might have on this site... again, welcome!
Welcome Bob, I've got an 87 Olds, same basic car, as far as I know yours most likely is an Olds 307, as those were used as the 5.0 in the wagons. I found rear bumper fillers on E-bay, I have a local guy who is going to do my headliner. If you want to do different wheels, the bolt pattern is 5 on 5, same as a lot of full size GM truck wheels. My car is in my avatar, also you may want to take a look at the Buick, Chevy, Pontiac & Olds gallerys for ideas as from the cowl back they are all the same. Please feel free to ask any questions, as I'm still learning about my wagon as I've only had it since Dec.
If it's an Olds engine then it's a 307 if it's a Chevy then it's a 305. Both will be 5.0L engines. Are there 4 or 5 bolts on the valvecover? I would bet it's a 305 Chevy engine. Most Chevy's used Chevy engines, atleast by the late 80's. BTW welcome to the forum.
Thanks for the info guys! The valve covers have 5 bolts so I'm guessing that an Olds engine? I just finished tearing out all the old carpeting. I think that's about the ony way I'll get rid of all the rodent piss. When I picked it up yesterday it had been sitting for about 5 yrs, out in the open. Aftrer half dozen wasps nests, at least that many more rodent nests and a couple of snake skins, I just changed oil and oil and gas filters and it started up after about 10 -12 cranks. Had to swipe my son's yellow top battery out of his 55. Now I gotta get my tail to a store and pick up one of my own. The money pit begins! Thanks again. I'll be back! Bob Scott
Welcome Bob! Thanks for the kudos about the links in your other posts. Glad you enjoyed them. Like others have said, there's lots of real GM owners (not the Government-Owned versions ), to chip in. Glad you got the wagon-love bug!
