Topic: '92 Chev Cavalier Z24

[wannabe4x4ing]

  Hello, All!

I have the opportunity to buy a 1992 Chev Cavalier Z24 (my dream car since I was 12)! It's got high kms (225 000) but runs like a hot damn! It's got some body work done already (ground effects package, shaved door handles and locks, etc) that I'd want to have redone because it's amateur but over all there's minimal rust and the previous owner painted in a flat black to protect the work he'd done. My question is: it's been sitting for the last year and a half outdoors in northern Alberta conditions because the owner got a DUI and cannot afford insurance. If I buy this car, it will be a project (I am well aware and expensive one, but I LOVE these cars!), but what kind of problems can I expect due to the sitting motionless? Any help would be great, I want to have it inspected but that will only tell me current problems.

Thanks guys!

Wannabe

[Turbo Bob]

New tyres, oil, filters and premium grade fuel with added cleaners should do the trick!  Then take it for a good long drive, warm up gently though.

Good luck.

[articsteve]

Kind of a bad time of year to get it started, but you would want to disable the fuel pump, spray fogging oil into the spark plug holes and let that sit overnight and then bump the starter a bit at a time to move the pistons.  Then re-engage fuel pump.  Drain as much as the old gas you can out of it and add 94 octane an change oil before you fire it up.  Let idle an hour.

The rear drums might be seized.  You will need a jack and a large breaker bar to work the rear wheels.

[Zoo]

Congrats! I used to want one of those cars too (I was in my early 20s then and a co-worker had one at Northern Telecom where I worked). That V-6 has a lot of potential. Have fun and take your time!

[barrie1]

I would fully charge the battery 1st and check all of the fluid levels as well. Make sure they are up to the full marks and then try to turn it over. Once running I would change the oil after you have it heated up enough and grease this vehicle very well alsol. You have dry cold out there so i wouldn't worry too much about condensation in the engine as it will burn off any small amounts of it that may be present.  A good additive such as GM's own E.O.S. Engine Oil Supplement will quiet the engine down when you change the oil in it. Around $6.00 for the large bottle of it. Steve is correct if the rear brakes are seized you will need a breaker bar to get them to turn. I would dump the anti-freeze as well at the 1st opportunity you have to do it as this way you will be starting out fresh with all of your fluids and know where you are at with the vehicle. Change the thermostat at this time as well as it probably will be due as well.  A new 195 will be proper for this engine.  Don't drive this vehicle very hard at the beginning until you know its all OK under the hood and under the car.

[wannabe4x4ing]

Any suggestions for modifying the engine?

[barrie1]

Hopefully the engine will run fine without any mods but you can always chip it up and put some hotter plugs in it and a booster on your Distributor. A higher spark is always a nice touch also. Maybe Dual exhaust which will add around 30-35HP more to the engine as well.