New guy with an 84 LeSabre Limited

[84Limited]

Hey everyone, I'm new here and I just picked up an 84 LeSabre Limited for $400.

It's got its issues, lots of front end damage, and the rest is normal wear and tear (and some rust). But have this unquenchible thirst to mod any car I get my hands on. It's in my blood. So I what I'd like to know is: what are some basic "essential" mods that you guys do to your cars? And what are some things I should know about these particular cars?

It has 76k miles (at least that's what the odometer reads) and the 307 5.0 V8.

I have already put in a Pioneer deck and I need to replace my front speakers. I also need a battery soon, tires and then wires/plugs. Starts and runs good but puts out some white smoke when it's first started.

Anyways, I look forward to being part of this group. Having owned a Celebrity for a couple years, this won't be my first Rodeo with a GM car.

PS: Does anyone have a bulb size chart? I need to know the instrument panel bulb sizes so I can get LED replacements.







(I know I need a dash kit.)

 

[HotZ28]

Welcome to the forums! Have you been able to find the front end parts? I would worry more about that than interior parts & a sound system. Anyway, you may want to check for parts @ http://www.pullapart.com/About/Main.aspx or http://car-part.com/ in an area near your location.

PS: Does anyone have a bulb size chart? I need to know the instrument panel bulb sizes so I can get LED replacements.

BTW, it appears that the IC cluster has 194 bulbs. http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1019191&parttype=2812

 

[84Limited]

Welcome to the forums! Have you been able to find the front end parts? I would worry more about that than interior parts & a sound system. Anyway, you may want to check for parts @ http://www.pullapart.com/About/Main.aspx or http://car-part.com/ in an area near your location.


BTW, it appears that the IC cluster has 194 bulbs. http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1019191&parttype=2812

Well I suppose I should have said that I planned to fix that front end first haha. And thank you, I'm glad to know that!

 

[jerreich]

The white smoke on start-up usually means coolant is entering a combustion chamber through a head gasket. Look carefully at the plugs when you take them out, look for one that has more gunk on it than the others. That will tell you if you have a bad head gasket.

 

[84Limited]

Welcome to the forums! Have you been able to find the front end parts? I would worry more about that than interior parts & a sound system.

I should have said that I plan to fix that front end before I do much else haha. And thanks, got some red LED bulbs coming via eBay.

The white smoke on start-up usually means coolant is entering a combustion chamber through a head gasket. Look carefully at the plugs when you take them out, look for one that has more gunk on it than the others. That will tell you if you have a bad head gasket.

Crap. If my headgasket is bad am I toast or can I just replace it?

 

[HotZ28]

Rather than an head gasket, the most common problem with white smoke from the exhaust when first started, would be valve seals. The seals get hard & brittle with age and allow oil to seep pass the seals, thus causing a puff of white smoke when first started.

 

[84Limited]

Are any of these things a done deal when it comes to the engine or can I just replace the seals and be good.

 

[HotZ28]

Usually, the valve seals will take care of the problem, unless the valve guides are worn and need knurling, or replacement. You will have to be the judge of that.

 

[84Limited]

Usually, the valve seals will take care of the problem, unless the valve guides are worn and need knurling, or replacement. You will have to be the judge of that.

Alright, I'll have to check this stuff out. Hopefully I can get the problem solved before it does too much damage. I'm low on funds at the moment.

 

[buickrider111]

I'm looking for a passenger side quater panel to a 1968 wildcat

 

[MelsRegal]

white smoke is engine coolant, blue smoke is oil, determine what color the smoke is before changing anything related to seals or gaskets