Gaskets for a '88 2.8L

[mstrjon32]

Hello all- first post here.

I currently own a 1997 Monte Carlo LS, which is out of service due to a transmission failure. I've been looking for a decent car to drive to work and back this summer while I save my pennies to fix my Monte the way I want to.

I came across a relatively inexpensive 1988 Buick Regal Custom, with ~139K miles, and the 2.8L 60v6 motor. It's a very good deal at $350, and the only real problem with it is that it idles terribly. I haven't looked at the car in person yet (I'm actually sending my father to have a look at it this weekend as I'm off at school now). I spoke with the seller and he claims that it starts up fine, but has a rough, fluxuating idle, which I am almost positive is going to be an intake gasket failure.

I've done a bit of searching, but havent' come across much information for this particular motor. I'm pretty much looking for torque specs (I have a feeling they may be different from what I've got for my '97 3100) and part numbers for the preferred gasket sets for this motor. I hope to get quite a bit of life out of this prospective purchase, even after I fix the Monte, so I'd like to fix it the right way and make sure it lasts.

Also, it's got the 3 speed automatic transmission, and I am unsure of its condition. What kind of track record do these older 3-speed transverse transaxles have? I know the 4T60-E in my MC isn't the greatest thing in the world (after all, its dead) and I'm almost sure that the 3-speed is a predecessor of what I have in the MC.

Thanks for your help guys!

[geoffinbc]

The old motor used paper gaskets which are MUCH better. They almost never failed. The new plastic gaskets they came out with suck in comparison. But now the problem with the plastic gaskets seem to have been solved. I can get you the torque specs on the motor when you need them. Just PM me. They are probabally on the front page aswell.

[bszopi]

http://www.60degreev6.com/index.php?p=pages&pid=11

[mstrjon32]

Exactly what I was looking for, not sure how I missed it. Thanks bszopi!

[geoffinbc]

Guess I dont have to send em to you now do I?

[Rhedalert]

the '88 Regal will have the 440-T4 tranny- 4 speed OD. They hold up like the rest of em, however they are notorious for breaking the 1-2 accumulator spring and thereby softening the 1-2 shift drastically. If the trans is driven like this for a long time, other problems arise such as not going into 2nd gear when cold, heavy slipping during shifts, etc. If the tranny is all original it's about guraranteed the spring is already broken with that mileage. My '89 and old '90 Cutlass both had this problem. Replacement spring is available thru GM, if a tranny shop is familar with this, they can do it without removing the trans or opening the case. FYI.

[Rhedalert]

P.S.- You don't happen to live in CT do you?

[mstrjon32]

the '88 Regal will have the 440-T4 tranny- 4 speed OD. They hold up like the rest of em, however they are notorious for breaking the 1-2 accumulator spring and thereby softening the 1-2 shift drastically. If the trans is driven like this for a long time, other problems arise such as not going into 2nd gear when cold, heavy slipping during shifts, etc. If the tranny is all original it's about guraranteed the spring is already broken with that mileage. My '89 and old '90 Cutlass both had this problem. Replacement spring is available thru GM, if a tranny shop is familar with this, they can do it without removing the trans or opening the case. FYI.

Hmmm...OK I guess its possible that the guy doesn't know what hes talking about, but he said it had a 3-speed. I guess I will find out soon enough.

As for the accumulator spring, that should be easy enough for me to replace in the driveway, I would think? If its anything like the design of the 4T60/5-E's (being pretty much just an older, non electronic model of the same trans I would think so...) I know where it is and am relatively familiar with how to do the job. Do you have a part number for that? Thanks for the heads up on it, BTW.

My hometown is Carmel, NY, so I'm right over the border from CT. The car I was looking at is in Waterbury, CT. I'm sending my dad out there to see what kind of condition it is in tomorrow and if its as good as the guy said it was (outside of not idling) I'll have him pick it up. I hope to have it on the road in top-shape that first weekend I come back from school, so I'm trying to get together parts I need to order now.

[Rhedalert]

I only ask about location because very recently I was researching Regals for sale and came across a white '88 with idle problems selling for cheap on autotrader, and it was in CT. I have done the accumulator springs myself, but half of the housing is part of the tranny case, so you have to install everything upside down....which gets tedious since the spring, rod and piston assembly have to stay straight in the bore while you bolt the bottom back on. When I did mine I just wiped everything clean of oil and I was just able to do it after a couple tries.

[mstrjon32]

I only ask about location because very recently I was researching Regals for sale and came across a white '88 with idle problems selling for cheap on autotrader, and it was in CT. I have done the accumulator springs myself, but half of the housing is part of the tranny case, so you have to install everything upside down....which gets tedious since the spring, rod and piston assembly have to stay straight in the bore while you bolt the bottom back on. When I did mine I just wiped everything clean of oil and I was just able to do it after a couple tries.

That's actually the very car I was looking at. My dad is headed out tomorrow to pick it up as long as there is nothing glaringly wrong with it.

I'm probably going to do the accumulator springs myself, as this is definately a budget car project, I'm trying to save my money to put into my Monte Carlo (I have very big plans for it). I'll do a bit more research on that later on. I am already spending more than I want, even after I save some money on the car (I'm sure he can be talked down), and then fix the gaskets and now the accumulator I'll be around the $5-600 range. Initially a friend was going to sell me an '96 Honda Prelude for $250 that ran and only needed the e-brake fixed for inspection, but he won't be able to sell it by the time I need it. I'll be happeir with a GM anyway. Honda = vomit.

[Anonymous]

I'm willing to bet that it idles terribly due to a faulty MAF and probably a dirty IAC.

[mstrjon32]

Ah, someone beat me to the car. My dad decided he was going to work today so he couldn't make it out there to get it, and now its sold. I found another one that is in much nicer shape though, for a couple extra dollars for sale elsewhere, so it might work out in the end. As soon as the guy calls me back I'm going to write him a check and go get the thing. No going to wait for someone to snatch this one from me too.

I'll keep that in mind about the MAF and IAC if I have any problems with the "new" regal. I'll still be doing the accumulator spring for good measure anyway, and I get a feeling it will be due for a pan drop and fluid change anyway.

[mstrjon32]

Picking up the Regal tomorrow. I think its kind of crazy that I paid $800 for a car I never even looked at, but the guy promises me that it is running and ready to go, and it looks pretty good in the pictures. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

On a very important note: The color (dark red) is much nicer than that dirty white one...haha...

[mstrjon32]

Well, I got the car. I'm not too happy. It's not as nice as he said, but mechanically it seems to be in decent shape. It's got some nice old-car noises going on, and it seems like it sat for a while and then was put back on the road I'm guessing in 2001, since its got a few window stickers from 2001. One thing I am very pissed about is the windshield has a crack in it which he did not disclose to me, and I didn't even notice until after I left. I'm either going to have to replace the window or slip someone at a less than reputable shop a few extra bills to get an inspection sticker.

The transmission shifts decently, but the downshift into 1st is a little rough. It was acting weird on the 200 mile drive home, but it seems to have sorted itself out. The fluid is still bright red, so it appears to be healthy. I was VERY, VERY, VERY impressed with the gas mileage. I averaged about 30mpg on the ride home. I was getting at best 22-23 in the Monte doing the exact same kind of driving. So that extra mileage is kind of nice.

Overall the car just has been neglected, but once I have a chance to clean it up, change the oil, flush the coolant, inspect and clean the brakes, etc., etc. I think it will serve me well until I get the MC back on the road.