1989 Cutlass Calais thread

[grouch]

I picked up a car the other day to help a guy out. I was a bit surprised to see the engine under the hood. While the car isn't much to look at, it's got the Quad 4, 16 valve engine under the hood. It's a 35 year old car with 77K on the clock. The paint is terrible. It's from when the "new" paint process requiring less preparation came into use. A couple years later they realized that it really DID need all the preparation. A lot of the original paint fell off and someone did a really poor job painting it.

Right now I'm just cleaning junk from the years out of it. Fixing a few burned out bulbs and finding what all I have. The fresh fuel already has it running better. It needs a windshield and exhaust. Add in some new tires and possibly some brake work and I should have a nice driving little car.

 

[grouch]

More photos.

 

[grouch]

Lastly, the power plant.

 

[homesick]

I hope it's worthy. I'd like you to be able to save it.

The windshield looks like someone came off the top rope on it.

joe

 

[grouch]

I hope it's worthy. I'd like you to be able to ave it.

The windshield looks like someone came off the top rope on it.

joe

This is an old "Granny" car in pretty good shape. I'm thinking it sat in a barn for years. I'm so used to rust buggies, I've only found one small spot about the size of a quarter. Typical crappy paint that was rattle canned. I'm thinking after a windshield, exhaust and some new tires, I'll have a good driving old car. Most of the work is requiring more elbow grease than new parts.

 

[grouch]

Update on the Calais. I finally got a good clean title to the car. No burn marks or anything. Now I feel better about spending money on it.

I wanted to find one good 13 inch wheel and use the damaged one as a spare. If available, 13 inch wheels cost more than 14's. Then I found the only readily available 13 inch tires are for trailers. I spent most of Friday chasing 14 inch wheels. I kept finding larger wheel bolt patterns but finally tracked down 4 wheels that sort of match. I went by Discount Tire to see about some tires and they even had some inexpensive ones in stock. They told me it would take between an hour to an hour and a half so I went home to get my truck and 30 minutes later, they were done.

They will the wheel wells nicely and have plenty of meat. No two tires that came off were the same.

I also started looking for rust. I've not had time to get it on the rack to look underneath, but except for the exhaust having rotted off from sitting, I've only found one rust spot on the other body.

That's it. Is the body perfect? No. It's been bumped in the front. just for grins and giggles, here's the data sticker in the trunk.

I don't know what they mean, but if someone is looking for one of these, this will help. Next step is to go for a new windshield

 

[Tonyrodz]

I'd definitely DD that. Ive always liked those little cars. There's one similar for sale near me for $2500.

 

[grouch]

I'd definitely DD that. Ive always liked those little cars. There's one similar for sale near me for $2500.

That's about what I'll sell this one for when it's done. I plan to drive it a bit to debug it. It will still need work but some one will get a really nice car. I've got a radio for it but will probably let the next owner put it in.

 

[Doubeleive]

That's about what I'll sell this one for when it's done. I plan to drive it a bit to debug it. It will still need work but some one will get a really nice car. I've got a radio for it but will probably let the next owner put it in.

Here's Why the Quad 4 Was One of GM's Most Important Engines Ever

The General needed something to compete with the imports. More specifically, it needed an efficient, modern four-cylinder engine.

jalopnik.com

 

[OR VietVet]

Did the owner pay you to take it away?

 

[swathdiver]

Those Quad 4s were fun little engines back in the day.

 

[grouch]

Did the owner pay you to take it away?

I didn't pay much. He needed money pretty badly so I helped him out.

 

[grouch]

Ran the old gal over to the glass shop today. It still runs rough when cold, but once on the road, it ran and drove pretty good. Granted, there is a smashed area the size of a basketball in the drivers view, so you have to lean to the right to drive, but it drove pretty decent.

I did figure out why the fuel gauge isn't working. Somebody used a floor jack under the fuel tank. It's crushed from beneath. I'm not sure what, if anything I'll do with that. Those new ties and wheels make it ride nice. That Quad motor definitely has some get up and go!

 

[grouch]

Got the new windshield installed today. Amazing how clear an intact glass can be. I also did a walk around video of it.

I'll be posting it for sale soon. I'll get some new photos once my larger wheel covers show up. The old 13 inch jobs won't fit the new wheels and tires.

 

[grouch]

I've got a new fuel tank and fuel pump module on order. I need a new tank anyway and since the fuel gauge is stuck, I'm thinking the float may be smashed. I've also noticed the pump is rather loud and that's often a precursor to failure I figure I'll get everything while I have the tank out. Get a new exhaust and I'll start driving it when gas prices go up after the first of the year.

 

[grouch]

Got my new fuel tank a while back. I ordered a new pump module while I was at it. Everything came in right before the ice and snow hit. Pulled the old tank and it was a stinker to get out because it was crushed and warped.

Got it out and found out why the fuel gauge didn't work. The float was gone and the pump was bent and in there crooked. I went to put the new pump module in and it didn't fit. an inch too tall and the lines were routed differently. The electrical plug was completely different too.

Then the ice rolled in. Later several inches of snow. I've got a new pump that is identical to the old one as far as fit so I'm hoping I can clear enough to get the new tank installed today. If not, later this week it's supposed to be up to 50 degrees.

 

[grouch]

I took advantage of the thawing weather today to put the new fuel tank and pump into the Calais. I've had the parts for a while, but I didn't want to fight inches of ice and snow.

Everything went in pretty well. The new tank straps, to replace the damaged ones it had, were not quite the right size but I can go back and modify the one when weather permits.

With a reliable pump, and my fuel gauge works now too, I took it out on a loop I use to road test cars. I knew the Quad 4 motor was hot but this took me by surprise. My Mazda CX-5 is close in displacement a little over 25 years of development new but this is close to it. I didn't even really get on it either.

I also got pulled over by a Deputy. I know him and he just wanted to see what I was running. I wasn't speeding but I got up to the speed limit pretty quick.