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Thinking of buying a W-body....need help


hannibal
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It's been almost a decade since I bought my last w body Cutlass. What do I need to look for in regards of rust and oil / fluid leaks. I was stupid and bought a GTP a few years ago without reading up on the nightmare that is the 3.4. So I figured I should play it safe this time. Thanks.

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Depends on what year Wbody you are looking at and also what engine.

 

They really love to rust by the gas door, strut towers and trailer arm mounts.

 

It's a 1990 international with a 3.1 and auto. I never really owned one with rust so its kind of foreign to me. Thanks.

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I have a 90 international and I love it, not really a lot to report, couple alternators, starters, and batteries in 24 years, oh and front wheel bearings once. I love it. It may not be fast but it will be the best car ever

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I had a 90 cutlass sl that lasted to 250k before it got t boned and a 90 cutlass quad 4 5 spd. I loved both of them. I wish I still had the 5 spd.

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I'll be damned, didn't know the GTP could come with a 3400

huh?

 

It didn't.

 

91-96 GTPs had a 3.4l DOHC different from 3100 and 3400 engines. 3400≠3.4L

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huh?

 

It didn't.

 

91-96 GTPs had a 3.4l DOHC different from 3100 and 3400 engines. 3400≠3.4L

 

I'm more confused now, did it or didn't it come with a 3.4L engine?

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I understand this is 2 incarnations of an engine that displaces 3.4L or 3400cc. It actually makes little difference to what I was getting at, I just thought GTP always had a 3800.

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The 95 I had was a PITA, OBD 1.5, leaking LIM, head gaskets went and started nickel and diming me. The 3.4 is the most horrible engine I have ever worked on.

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The 95 I had was a PITA, OBD 1.5, leaking LIM, head gaskets went and started nickel and diming me. The 3.4 is the most horrible engine I have ever worked on.

 

I don't want a car with anything but a L36 0r L67 and a 4T65.

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It's a 1990 international with a 3.1 and auto. I never really owned one with rust so its kind of foreign to me. Thanks.

 

Rocker panels will rust from the inside out on those, even in salt-free climates. Other than that, the LH0 is a pretty reliable engine and not that difficult to work on. Not a great performer, but it doesn't overly stress the 440T4 / 4T60 transaxle like some of the bigger motors do, and the Internationals usually have more features. That body style is a bit dated, and obviously "older" in appearance to the 1992-1997 body style, but if you can get a decent deal, I'd jump at it.

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