Monte Carlo SS Hunting

[bill25]

Well,
The good thing for me is that people selling these cars are interesting to say the least.

I love this ad: http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/4397011368.html

For sale 1988 Monte Carlo SS.
Has body rot, come on man, it's a New England car!

But I will take cash, beer, guns, gold or silver if you want it.

This was modified as of yesterday to include the acceptance of beer, guns, gold, and silver as payment, so if yesterday, 3000 cash was a problem, you now have options my friend.

[Bob]

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/4519773623.html

This is a nice southern car. I love duel exhausts too!

[kevm14]

Well,
The good thing for me is that people selling these cars are interesting to say the least.

I love this ad: http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/4397011368.html

It's gone!! Someone came up with enough beer, guns, gold, or silver.

[bill25]

Here is a potentially good buy:
http://worcester.craigslist.org/cto/4555163063.html

Has a 350 for near term driving,

Suspension:
Inner/outer tire-rods
Center link
Upper/lower ball joints
Brakes:
Brake lines and parts front to back. EVERY line.

Upgraded rear and trans:
8.5 inch rear end
700r4 with B&M converter lock up kit

Why is he selling this???

[kevm14]

I think you should look at it. It's not bottom dollar priced but it sounds very mechanically sound, good interior, and drivable today. It even has a proper 4 speed auto trans. It even has the primer black you like. The carb is terrible, but I'm sure it drives well, and a carb is period correct for 1986 anyway (aside from the 4.3L V6). Should give you plenty of time to amass the parts for powertrain modernization.

One thing I don't like is what sounds like aftermarket torque converter lockup control. Factory should have had a computer doing this. He may have ripped that out. It's ok, I guess, as the modern V8 you'd swap would need an entirely different harness and computer.

Price check on LQ9s (best/closest):
2002: 111k miles for $950 (Berkley Used Auto Parts USA-MA(Berkley))
2003: complete change-over, 93k, 6 mo. warranty for $1500 (Goyette's Inc - - ARAPro USA-MA(New-Bedford))
2004-2007: plus $100 core, 104k for $1000 (General Auto Recycling USA-RI(Tiverton))

These are the compatibility groups as far as the original vehicles go (Escalades, Silverado SS, Sierra/Yukon Denali and trucks with Vortec HO or VortecMAX branding).

[Adam]

Not sure if you still care, but here's one:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... =371050582

Waltham, MA. One owner, 44k, recent headliner, might need valve seals(?), A/C doesn't blow cold, but NO RUST. That last bit might make the high-ish price ($8700) worth it.

[kevm14]

Bill sent me this last week and I am just getting around to seeing it.

http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/4675680272.html

Have an 87 monte carlo ss for sale. It has a 350 (76 with 010 casting numbers) Heads are just average, new flow tech long tube headers, x-pipe, flowmaster 40s, edelbrock performer rpm intake, 600cfm edelbrock carb with mechanical secondaries, th350 transmission with B&M shifter. 7.5" 3:73 posi rear end, bucket seats. Floors and frame are solid, starts runs and drives fine. New fuel pump, u-joints and balanced drive shaft. All factory gauges working. Good solid, strong car, I just have too many projects going on right now, and need to make space and consolidate. Needs to go Asking $4000 or best offer. I'm flexible on the price, but at the same time I'm not gonna give it away. If you are interested call or text Dan 774 28o 1158. I will not accept any offers over the phone, have some respect and come look at the car first.

[Adam]

That looks like what would have been the common G-body build in the late 90's/early 2000's. Its probably a truck block with a stock-ish cam. Probably makes just under 300hp, but with 3.73s that car would be very entertaining to drive. Its a shame he got rid of the 200-4R, as the SS version was fairly beefy (for the 80's) and most importantly had overdrive for those 3.73s.

Sounds like it might be a solid platform, though. It has paint (not original) and what looks like the correct SS wheels for that year. I bet is sounds great, with the headers and flow masters (unless you hate that sound, like some people I know).

I would recommend taking a look if you at this one. If the body is straight and rust free, it might be a good project candidate that you could drive how it is for a little while. The interior doesn't look destroyed either, for the missing center console and the fact that there is probably a hole in the floor under that B&M. The factory floor shifter would have used cables to attach to the column which had a rod that went to the trans.

[kevm14]

TH350 and 3.73s is the dumbest thing in the world.

[Adam]

TH350 and 3.73s is the dumbest thing in the world.

Unless its a track car. And by track, I mean dragstrip.