Hey Scotty/Community! About a month ago, I traded my 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis with 106k miles for a 1994 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon with 136k miles. Now you may be wondering why a traded a newer car with lower miles for an older car with higher miles, reason is because the Grand Marquis was having computer issues, the brakes were making a terrible grinding noise even though they worked perfectly fine, and it was by far the most uncomfortable car I've ever sat in. And I had to sleep in it once, my back was out of place for a week. And previously I had great luck with 90s GM cars (I still have my first car, a 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera with 193k miles that a bought for $500 when I was 16.) But I wanted something faster, more comfortable, that got better mileage, and was overall cooler and had a better collector status. And then I realized that a 94-96 GM B-Body would be perfect for me, as it was everything a could ever want in a daily driver. I've been driving the wagon for about a month as a daily driver and it's been wonderful, I'm planning on doing yearly fluid fill-ups/changes, getting some more power out of the LT1 (Hoping to get somewhere around 300 HP with 360 lb.ft.), taking off the catalytic converters, and putting some flowmaster mufflers on it for better sound. But what I need to know is how to keep this car as long as possible, like potentially forever. I don't drive like a lunatic or very much unless it's necessary, I drive on a normal basis 3k to 5k miles every year, I plan on doing normal maintenance to it, and it only has a few small issues with it and none are major. I know that the LT1 is a great engine, other than the optispark system. And the 4l60 transmission was ok as long as it wasn't abused, but I might need to replace both the optispark system and the transmission in the future anyway. But I have seen these cars with 200k to 300k miles on them with the original engine and transmission, so I have a good feeling about it. Any thoughts, advice or tips would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!
those cars are what we used to call a "Land Yacht" also a great highway cruiser.I believe they came with either a 350 or 305 V 8. Both were good engines.
If it were mine, this is what, over time, I would do to make it roadworthy again.
Fix any glaring problems right away and then,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Flush and fill the radiator along with new hoses and themostat
Change both the engine oil and trans fluid with new filters.
Check the alternator and water pump for proper function
Replace the spark plugs, wires, cap, and rotor
Four new shocks
New brakes all around
New battery
That's pretty much everything that can wear out in normal driving. Even if you have to replace the transmission at some point, switching one out on those big rear wheel drive boats isn't the hassle a front wheel drive is.
If you live in a warm climate, I'm in Florida, consider putting a low degree ther mostat in the help the engine run cooler.
These recommendations come from years of driving rear wheel drive lead sleds.
I'm not a mechanic, just a guy.
Good luck driving your "tank", fill it with your golf clubs and fishing gear and wave at all those Prius's and teeny little cars as you cruise by! {pear}:happy:
Well considering the shape your Ford was in back in those days GM didn't make a lot better vehicles than today
i like your car!
keep it running and you'll love it!
you can't beat a big old wagon for just about anything!
who cares about gas mileage if you like the car, i sure don't!
Thank you all for the advice! Much appreciated!