1986 FWD has cast iron block and heads. Runs well, 4 speed automatic with overdrive. Any hiccups or class type problems I should know about? Usually after I buy something like this, I get 50 people saying "Everyone knows that ______ about that car."
Now's the time.
Thanx, Dan
Its not a northstar, just a junk 4.1 V8.
No power, no economy.
4.1 = STAY AWAY,
4.5 = OK but really no support since it was a stepping stone from the 4.1 to the 4.9 but shares alot of similarities with the 4.9,
4.9 = Good engine, moderate power for the day 200HP, silly torque 275 ft-lbs at 1500 rpm or something like that,
4.6 FWD (1993-2003) = Northstar, beauty, but prone to pulling head bolts due to poor bolt thread/pitch choice for threading into aluminum block w/no reinforcement,
4.0 FWD (Aurora, Late 90s) = debored N*, not as prevelant (or so it seems) but same headbolt problem as the 4.6,
3.5 FWD (AKA ShortStar since it's a V6, Oldsmobile, Late 90s) = 4.6 w/2 cyls lopped off, good engine, got the same headbolt problem as the 4.6,
4.6 RWD (2003+) = Northstar, beauty, period.
4.4 RWD Supercharged = Nuts.
This all being said, I have a 4.5 in my 1990, and a 4.6 in my 1998, I love the silky smoothness of the 4.6, but the raw thrashing torque of the 4.5 in the low-moderate rpm range is just silly fun...
The biggest issues with the 4.1L is distributor gear and the head gaskets.
For what you are doing it will still work well.
I own an Audi now, a 1994 model 90; 2.8 V-6 automatic, bad tranny. I'm having trouble locating a replacement tranny within my budget. The Caddy was a thought in case the cost of repairing the Audi costs more than a whole car.
Dan
I had a seville for that brief period of time in the early 90's when they where really small. It had a 4.9. I kinda liked it.
should be able to get a good running 4.9 example for cheap, with the economy tanking no one wants these cars, I should know my 98 ETC is NADA'd/BlueBook'd at 4-5k, but most examples that are near mint with under 50k miles in my area (Atlanta) are selling for 3k!
There was one on the Classifieds here a bit ago, $750. I may contact the seller if I can't come up with a tranny. Cheapest one I found is $850.
On a lighter note.... I was offered a free SAAB 900. 
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