Advise needed regarding a car for sale online

KINGCORY

MEMBER
1978 CADILLAC DEVILLE
V8
RWD
AUTOMATIC
60,000 MILES

Someone is selling a Cadillac online for 1,200 Canadian dollars. Runs and drives, decent shape (so he says) and good fixer upper. Says it has a 350 Oldsmobile engine Now I am no mechanic but I was under the impression the engine was different. Was it changed? If so is that still a decent engine? I am a complete newbie to car mechanics. But lately I have been wanting to get into it. I know almost zero. But in my financial position it is unlikely I will have a brand new car, so I figured learning to fix an old one up would look cool, give me something to learn and hopefully save me some money on mechanic costs in the future. Is it an easy car to work on for a beginner? What should I like for when I buy it? I am mostly looking for what it will need to run and pass inspection. Here is the link

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/charlottetown-pei/1978-cadillac-deville/1204593396?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

4 Replies

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

The only 350 I am seeing for a Cadillac Deville between 1977 and 1984 is a Diesel!

Nothing wrong with the the engine you submitted, that is if it is still in good operational condition.

Vehicles from before computers are a lot easier to repair and keep up, especially when it is time to pull your wallet out.

I suggest you have a 'Motor Head" of some sort look it over with you before you commit. Sometimes there is stuff you might overlook. Getting in over your head might depress you.

I have had nothing but Jeep CJ's for daily drivers ever since they let me on the asphalt in 1981. My present two were obtained in 1991. "Mr. Jeep" is a 1977 six cylinder (daily) and "Willy" is My 1946 Willy's (Driven every chance I get).

Payments (one for each)

Mr. Jeep $2,400.00 (road ready). Modifications over the years.

Willy $100.00 (two years later road ready). They all laughed at me when I brought him home on a trailer. They did not have the vision I had!

It is all in the upkeep and love you have for them, granted I have no car payments (no one has their hand in my pocket with time restrictions).I do spend money to do upkeep and improvements, but it is all on "My Time Schedule".

Best of all, things are not outrageously expensive, things are not all plastic, pretty easy on most tasks. Jeep parts will be around forever! Sure beats a monthly car payment (it is so much cheaper too!).

There is the "I did this all by myself" grin when you talk to other folks.

The Medic

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Saturday, January 28th, 2017 AT 7:16 PM

KINGCORY

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hey thanks friend! My brother in law actually lives in my basement and has a Jeep that he is always working on. He instructed me to buy a Buick Le Sabre and I loved it. Steering rack is on with a u-bolt right now but we have the new rack, just a matter of putting it on. I will have to get him to come with me to check out the Cadillac.

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Saturday, January 28th, 2017 AT 8:59 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

Return with pictures of your treasure if you do get it!

If you need help, we will try if we can.

The Medic

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Saturday, January 28th, 2017 AT 9:14 PM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,414 POSTS

Yep, it is a 350 Oldsmobile gas engine. Why? Simple, that car was bought with the Other 350 Oldsmobile engine, an engine which made diesel a bad thing in the US. Namely the 350 LF9 Diesel. The POS built using a modified 350 Oldsmobile block and special heads to build a diesel engine for GM to use.

The common "repair" to rid oneself of that lovely pile of junk was to simple remove it, bolt in the Oldsmobile gas engine and have a much better car. It is a very easy swap as you use all factory parts.

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Sunday, January 29th, 2017 AT 3:23 AM