Repair-It

Posted: **Sat Nov 21, 2015 5:53 pm**

This video makes me want one of these even more.

That seat heater/lumbar/recline control is exactly the same as the Fleetwood.

Same crappy glove box as the Fleetwood.

I'm telling you - this thing is basically a Fleetwood on a B-body platform.

Posted: **Sat Nov 21, 2015 6:22 pm**

kevm14 wrote:Wow, orthopedic seats. They do look comfortable.

Orthopedic seats to match your orthopedic shoes.

Posted: **Sat Nov 21, 2015 7:26 pm**

kevm14 wrote:I like the color on this one http://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/5301920506.html

Got pics and SPID.

What's up with the steering wheel? That's weird. Also upper wood trim strip on the passenger door is missing.

V__0579.jpg

V__E883.jpg

V__3AB3.jpg

V__9208.jpg

2.56 car, non-V08. Need to decode to find the rest of the things. Seems pretty clean. Long Island though so need to check for rust. At least it's close. Price is reasonable.

Posted: **Sat Nov 21, 2015 8:00 pm**

Decoded:

AG2 - ADJUSTER, PASS ST POWER, 6 WAY, SPLIT BENCH
AG3 - ADJUSTER, FRT ST, POWER, 6 WAY, 2 POSITION MEMORY
AK5 - RESTRAINT SYSTEM, FRT SEAT, INFLATABLE, DRIVER
AM5 - SEAT, FRT SPLIT, 3 PASS, 6 WAY ADJ, 2 WAY LUMBAR
ARL - PLANT CODE, ARLINGTON, TX, USA
AU0 - LOCK CONTROL, REMOTE ENTRY – KEYLESS ENTRY (DOMESTIC)
AU4 - LOCK CONTROL, SIDE DR, ELEC, AUTOMATIC
A91 - PULL DOWN, RR COMPT LID
BY1 - ORNAMENTATION, EXTR EMBLEM, BODY, VAR 3
C68 - HVAC SYSTEM, AIR CONDITIONER FRT AUTO, ELECTRONIC
C90 - LAMP, INTR, FRT AND RR DRS, COURTESY
C93 - LAMP, OPERA
DE5 - MIRROR O/S LH & RH, REMOTE CONTROL, ELECTRIC, HEATED, FOLDING, COLOR
DF6 - MIRROR I/S, R/V, TILT, AUTO, DUAL READING LAMPS
D64 - MIRROR I/S, RH, SUNSHADE, ILLUM
D74 - MIRROR, I/S, LH SUNSHADE, ILLUM
D84 - PAINT, CUSTOM TWO-TONE
FE1 - SUSPENSION SYSTEM, SOFT RIDE
FE9 - CERTIFICATION, EMISSION, FEDERAL
GM8 - AXLE REAR, 2.56 RATIO
ID3 - TRIM INTERIOR DESIGN (D3)
JA2 - BRAKE, HEAVY WEIGHT DISC DRUM
JM4 - BRAKE, SYSTEM, PWR, FRT DISC, RR DRUM, CAST IRON
KA1 - HEATER SEAT, FRT
KD1 - COOLING SYSTEM, TRANS OIL
KG9 - GENERATOR, 140 AMP
LT1 - ENGINE, GAS, 8 CYL, 5.7L, TPI, HO
MX0 - MERCHANDISED, TRANS, AUTO PROVISIONS, O/D
M30 - TRANSMISSION, AUTO 4 SPD, HMD, 4L60E, ELECTRONIC
NA5 - EMISSION SYSTEM, FEDERAL, TIER O
NK4 - STEERING WHEEL SPORT LEATHER
NV7 - STEERING, POWER, VARIABLE EFFORT
N10 - EXHAUST SYSTEM DUAL
N81 - TIRES, SPARE FULLSIZE
PA3 - WHEEL, 15 X 7, ALUMINUM, STYLED
PA5 - HUBCAPS, WHEEL
QUK - TIRE ALL, P235/70R15/N WS2/GOLD R/PE ST TL ALS
T82 - HEADLAMPS, AUTO ON-OFF CONT
T87 - LAMP, CORNERING
UH7 - CLUSTER, INST, COOL TEMP
UL0 - RADIO AM/FM STEREO, SEEK/SCAN, AUTO REV MUSIC SEARCH CASS, AUTO TONE, CLOCK, ETR
UQ1 - RADIO PROVISIONS, FOR STEREO
UQ3 - SPEAKER SYSTEM, PERFORMANCE ENHANCED AUDIO
U75 - ANTENNA, POWER, RADIO
VH9 - ENVELOPE, OWNER INFO MAN
VK3 - LICENSE PLATE, FRT MOUNTING PKG
VM3 - LABEL INFORMATION CONSUMER, CONTAINS BPR IMP STANDARD FOR FRT 5 MPH & RR 5 MPH
V73 - VEHICLE STATEMENT USA/CANADA
Z22 - MODEL CONVERSION, ROADMASTER ITT LMTD
03U - PRIMARY COLOR EXTERIOR, MARBLEHEAD GRAY MET (02)
1SE - OPTION PACKAGE 05
1SZ - DISCOUNT OPTION PACKAGE
14I - INTERIOR TRIM, LT GRAY (I) (92)
143 - TRIM COMBINATION, LEATHER, LT GRAY (3) (92)
6TC - COMPONENT FRT LH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (6TC)
7TB - COMPONENT FRT RH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (7TB)
8RZ - COMPONENT RR LH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (8RZ)
87L - SECONDARY COLOR, EXTERIOR, GUNMETAL MET (91)
9RZ - COMPONENT RR RH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (9RZ)

Posted: **Sun Nov 22, 2015 7:04 am**

Bam.

1001.jpg

Now this 95 I'm looking at actually has a two tone Gunmetal under the door trim but I think that would still look good.

I was thinking more about V08/2.93 vs 2.56. This being a 95 means I can program the PCM with existing tools, so when I swap the axle, I can program the speedo. It does also mean I would be subjected to the emissions dyno test but that should work out alright.

I also thought more about the transmission. Maybe it's not V08 that helps (even though I think it WOULD lead to lower average transmission temperatures), maybe the 2.56 cars give up the trans more often. 2.56, a tight converter and a heavy car with a good amount of power is the WORST thing for a transmission. A higher numeric axle ratio is like a lighter car to the transmission, for example. So at 150k, I guess I'll say I don't have full confidence. But if it shifts well, and I change the fluid/filter, that's as good as I can do.

I actually need to check if the 9C1 axle is the same width as the RMS axle. It MAY be, but there were at least 3 different axle widths on the sedans (wagons were a 4th). Would definitely be easier to swap the entire axle...

With this car and from what I've seen, here are the knowns:
- I like the color combo, inside and out
- Limited is sweet (lit opera lamps! Assuming they work)
- 95 means I can tune it without buying anything
- Exterior paint seems to be in good shape (needs a left side mirror)
- From what I can see of the interior, decent shape

Unknowns:
- Does the A/C work?
- Frame and body rust, underneath. Rust is kind of the most important thing here.
- Driver's seat condition, especially on the side near the seat heater controls
- Condition of the trans

A couple snippets from brief text and e-mail from the seller:

there is no rust, hardly if any dents or scratches, the interior is normal
wear and tear for the age surface cracks in the leather carpet is good.

I asked about if it's always been driven on Long Island, about rust and mechanical issues. I got two texts back "summarizing:"

Yes and my neighbor took good care of the car.

To my knowledge there isn't any rust under the car

Ok so needs more info. LI isn't too far (relative to NC)...

Posted: **Sun Nov 22, 2015 7:41 am**

General RMS priorities:

1. Rust
2. Clean condition (paint/interior), but specific issues are not deal breakers (i.e. a side mirror)
3. I think I want a Limited with all the toys
4. Color combo. Not sure if I can stomach another white on blue car like my Fleetwood (like that mint 96 in Charleston). I think I hate the blue interior much more than the white exterior.

I guess the whole V08/V92/FE2 thing vs 2.56 FE1 isn't that big of a deal, especially if it's a 95. Maybe I'd prefer not having to ditch the V08 fan since I think I would eventually do that anyway.

If it's a 96 I'd lean the other way and say I'd rather have the better driving manners of V08/V92/FE2/2.93 since I'd have to buy something to reprogram the PCM (I.e. when I switch axles).

Posted: **Sun Nov 22, 2015 8:21 am**

kevm14 wrote:I actually need to check if the 9C1 axle is the same width as the RMS axle. It MAY be, but there were at least 3 different axle widths on the sedans (wagons were a 4th). Would definitely be easier to swap the entire axle...

http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/ ... p?t=237620
http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/ ... ostcount=2
http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/ ... ostcount=2

Chevy
91-92 sedan
1566mm - narrow (all)

93-96 sedan
1566mm - narrow (9C1 - disc & drum & some other drum applications)
1598mm - wide (Impala SS - disc & B4U - drum)

Buick 91-96 & Fleetwood 93-96 sedans
1566mm - narrow (all)
NOTE: Fleetwood housing is unique to the application - 4-channel ABS provisions

91-96 wagon, all
1642.5mm

All 93-96 7.625" (ring gear) housings are 1598mm wide (Chevy sedan only)

Sedan housings, in both widths, have the same lower control arm bracket location/spread distance, and will fit any other sedan frame. Wagons have a wider spread distance (approx. 2") between lower control arm brackets on housing, and corresponding wider frame lower control arm mounts.

So actually there are TWO sedan widths in 91-96, plus the wider wagon width. The 9C1 and RMS/Fleetwood all share the narrow one. The SS and B4U (maybe others?) get the wider one in 8.5" ring. Civilian applications (Caprice only) of the 7.625" ring (who cares) from 93-96 also get the wide dimension. This means I can swap my axle directly into the RMS. I may not be able to retain my 30mm spacers due to the fender skirt.

Posted: **Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:13 am**

The best part about Long Island is that the ferry to CT is cheap, and you don't have to drive through NYC! If I remember correctly, it is like an hour or hour and a half on the ferry.

Posted: **Sun Nov 22, 2015 10:14 am**

Oh, wow. 1 hour 20 minutes from New London to Orient Point, NY. $71 one way with two people. On the way back with two cars it would be $55 per car.

Of course Orient Point is the most distant location on LI. So I guess it depends where the car is. Are there other ferry lines?

Also, this is a hilarious typo.

LI Ferry RoarNnaster.png

Roadmaster is also affectionately known as:

Roadsmasher
Roadmonster
Others? Toadmaster? Toastmaster?

Trivia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_Roadmaster

The nameplate was used from 1936 to 1958 and wasn't resurrected until 1991.

Posted: **Sun Nov 22, 2015 3:32 pm**

This is reduced to $2000 now. Sure you don't want a wagon?

http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/5313222222.html

Repair-It

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