Project: 1981 Oldsmobile Toronado

This is my project thread for restoring my 1981 Oldsmobile Toronado as close to factory as possible.

Immediate term:

Replace trunk struts - Don't always hold the trunk open.

Replace the hood ornament - this wasn't high priority, but current one is cracked and I found one in great condition on ebay for $15

Replace the rear air shocks and springs

Diagnose and repair the automatic leveling system (ELC), the compressor doesn't even kick on Fixed, was the ELC relay under the dash. NOS part found on E-bay for $20

Replace the front shocks.

Replace the catalytic converter and rebuild the smog equipment

Replace the tires.

Replace front floor mats. Again, not a high priority but found a proper color NOS set on ebay for $19.99

Replace various burnt out interior bulbs.

Replace leaking washer fluid lines.

Medium term:

P-N-R safety switch... it works, but is flakey, the reverse lights don't always come on. According to my service manual, this could be related to the ELC not working.

Remove subwoofer and associated wiring from trunk. The wiring is poorly done.

Replace air feeder tube to air filter

Replace valve cover gaskets

Remove "Thug Bug" aftermarket security system.

Return to stock sounding exhaust. I'd like to keep the current configuration with dual pipes, but I prefer my cars quiet. (Exhaust sound as purchased)

Replace every vacuum tube EVAR!

Replace missing hood insulation pad.

Long term:

Replace headlight switch. it's operation isn't very smooth. it feels loose in the dash.

Diagnose and repair power driver's seat/switches. Only operates in certain directions.

Replace power window motors, both sides. Bearing in the driver side motor is squealing.

Adjust/Repair/Replace remote mirrors. Mirrors are very loose and require constant adjusting.

Make a click free wire wheel.

Replace aftermarket stereo/CD player with OE unit.

Replace front and rear bumper filler panels.

Recover sun visors.

Good plan.

Drew, you are doing a lot of the same stuff I had to do. I started in 2007 when I got the Toronado and I just finished this year. The only thing I need to do is get another OEM stereo. The one in the car works fine, I just do not have the top of the line unit.

Shouldn't this be in the "project car" section?

It's my site and I'll post where I want to.

No, you're right. Moving it.

Sorry to pick nits, but this section has such great stuff that I had to say something.

I actually like the way the exhaust sounds. You could always add Damplifier and keep the exhaust.

I bet those old cars have about as much sound deadening as a piece of paper.

Seems like a fun project.

I actually like the way the exhaust sounds. You could always add Damplifier and keep the exhaust.

I bet those old cars have about as much sound deadening as a piece of paper.

Seems like a fun project.

I don't mind the exhaust sound, just not on this car. It doesn't fit the image, plus it makes the car all bark with no bite to back it up. Most Cobalt owners on here have more horsepower than I do.

I don't mind the exhaust sound, just not on this car. It doesn't fit the image, plus it makes the car all bark with no bite to back it up. Most Cobalt owners on here have more horsepower than I do.

Understandable... so as far as wanting to go w/ a vintage radio, is for the appearance or do you have a bunch of 8-tracks or cassettes you want to listen to?

I still have the original AM/FM/cassette unit from my '87 Mustang GT but replaced it w/ a Sony AM/FM/CD player and updated speakers back in '99.

Understandable... so as far as wanting to go w/ a vintage radio, is for the appearance or do you have a bunch of 8-tracks or cassettes you want to listen to?

I still have the original AM/FM/cassette unit from my '87 Mustang GT but replaced it w/ a Sony AM/FM/CD player and updated speakers back in '99.

For appearance. But almost all of my music is on iPod. I have a cassette adapter that works decent in the CR-V.

I actually like the way the exhaust sounds. You could always add Damplifier and keep the exhaust.

I bet those old cars have about as much sound deadening as a piece of paper.

Seems like a fun project.

Which reminds me I need to add this to the list:

Replace missing hood insulation pad.

The body appears to be in good shape. If you get the rest of the stuff repaired, you should take it to the Starlite car cruise in Wexford next summer. They already had Oldsmobile/Cadilllac night this year.

I like the tube grille Olds used those years...a bit of an homage to the '66.

What engine do you have in there? Please tell me it is the V8.

Other than changing the exhaust...I am pretty much down with it.

And did you mean vacuum hoses instead of vacuum tubes...perhaps a 1958 Olds had Vacuum tubes instead of transistors in the radio....

Well, boo on the silent treatment, but the rest of the list sounds dandy. We'll be watchin' to check progress, Drewbert!

Yes we will..be watching...Sweet Ride!

He has a 5.0 307 V8 Oldsmobile rated at a 140 hp.

I hate to think what the Buick V6 had for power, I think it was around 110. The V8 probably has respectable torque.

I hate to think what the Buick V6 had for power, I think it was around 110. The V8 probably has respectable torque.

The 3.8 used back then was 110 hp as you stated. this was the early days of the 3800 before it changed.

I don't love it for its speed. I love it for its sound. And the attendant attitude that goes along.

What engine do you have in there? Please tell me it is the V8.

Yup. The 307. No speed demon, but no slouch either. Unfortunately, it's only a 3-speed auto, so it's not great on the highway.

Other than changing the exhaust...I am pretty much down with it.

And did you mean vacuum hoses instead of vacuum tubes...perhaps a 1958 Olds had Vacuum tubes instead of transistors in the radio....

This (and all other 80s cars) are filled with a series of tubes!.... with vacuum!

I had a 307 4V in my Olds Cutlass...that's a fine power train...my girlfriend at the time, wife now...and I...drove that thing across part of Canada one summer when we were dating.

NOTHING at all wrong with that Olds motivation...

I hate to think what the Buick V6 had for power, I think it was around 110. The V8 probably has respectable torque.

The Buick V6 that was available was the 4.1 liter, not the 3.8. The 3.8 was never available in this body of Toronado. It was available in the Riviera in turbo-charged form with 185hp.

The 4.1 liter V6 had 125hp and 205 ft/lbs of torque.

My 307 is 148hp and 250 ft/lbs of torque. The 140 hp - 255 ft/lbs version arrived in 1985.

The Buick V6 that was available was the 4.1 liter, not the 3.8. The 3.8 was never available in this body of Toronado. It was available in the Riviera in turbo-charged form with 185hp.

The 4.1 liter V6 had 125hp and 205 ft/lbs of torque.

My 307 is 148hp and 250 ft/lbs of torque. The 140 hp - 255 ft/lbs version arrived in 1985.

Strange they had power figures which were not multiples of 5.

Strange they had power figures which were not multiples of 5.

Well if it makes you feel better. Since it doesn't have a catalytic converter, I can probably say it's got 150hp now.

Feel the powah.

I don't think I ever saw one without the V8.

The ones with the V6 were what Drew said. Oldsmobile in the catalog referred to the V6 as zesty... I knew he had the 307, but the 148 hp thing... Interesting..... The 5.0 307 rated at a 140 hp was before 1985. Let me pull out the catalog and books. The V6 he speaks about was standard equipment. A lot of people must have opted for the V8. It was a 4.1 liter V6 rated at 125 hp. Buick used it too. The V8 was optional. There was a diesel offered too. In 1980,the 307 had a 150 hp. In 1981, it had a 140 hp. I am sorry. Yours may have more due to dual exhaust.

This was the interesting thing as I was reading. The cars long as they were were not heavy. GM's cars have put on some weight. The heaviest was Custom Cruiser at 4,061 pounds. The rest of them were well below 4,000 pounds. Most GM cars weigh more today than they did back then. I thought it was interesting my Toronado is wider than yours. Yours is 5 inches longer than mine. You have a longer wheelbase.

What would be very interesting if possible, would be to put an Aurora V8 or Northstar V8 into an 80s Toronado. I bet it would fit, but then the transmission would likely need changed also to handle the torque, and that could be a very expensive job.

I'd go the LT-1 route first.

Fixed tonight:

Replaced the hood ornament.

fixed the stupid twisted seatbelt. Had to actually disassemble the unit.

Valve cover gaskets should be easy to fix.I loved the gasket design for the 3.5. Instead of a flat gaskets it's a rubber one that sits in it's own groove, so it won't slip out of place during installation.

Valve cover gaskets should be easy to fix.

In cars of this vintage, getting to the valve covers is the hard part - lots of plumbing and bracketry in the way.

Can't be much worse than having to deal with the engine harness.

In cars of this vintage, getting to the valve covers is the hard part - lots of plumbing and bracketry in the way.

I don't know what you're talking about.... this should be a breeze!

That is a messy engine bay.

Fixed tonight:

Replaced the hood ornament.

*grins*

Nice. That's one of the first things I did with my '79 MC Landau when I got it (actually bought from GM back then) ... and this is one thing I have yet to do with my CC. The hood ornament on it now has a few holes in it ... literally . I know it's just a winter beater, but I love emblems.........................as if ya'll didn't know that....lol.

Lookin' good, Drew. Sure hope I get to see this in person when I'm in Pittsburgh in August!

Cort | 36.m.IL | 5 Monte Carlos.1 Caprice Classic | pig valve.pacemaker * NoreastrTrekRT=Aug2010 *

MCs.CC | models.HO.legos.CHD.RadioShows | RoadTrips.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Waiting to be mended like a potter would mend a broken vase" ... Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers ... 'Broken Lady'

I don't love it for its speed. I love it for its sound. And the attendant attitude that goes along.

I vehemently disapprove of the 307 and even I can agree with ocn. The exhaust note was the one thing that did not change much at all after the Olds 350 in my old Regal was replaced with the 307.

Unfortunately, it's only a 3-speed auto, so it's not great on the highway.

Don't remind me.

(Speaking of my old Regal, it's for sale again: http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/1831336925.html)

Edited July 30, 201014 yr by whiteknight

That is a messy engine bay.

Standard 80s fare.

She's in need of a waterpump...

she is no longer in need of a water pump. Thanks Dominic.

Hey Drew,

Glad I got to see it when I was in Pittsburgh last month. Great to see you, too! And, thanks again for having me stay with you guys Saturday night.

Cort | 36.m.IL | 5 Monte Carlos.1 Caprice Classic | pig valve.pacemaker * Chicagoland Meets, 2011?

MCs.CC | models.HO.legos.CHD.RadioShows | RoadTrips.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"You can call it life and say that it's not right" ... Mel McDaniel ... 'I Call It Love'

And now a new radiator is in.

Just watching you make progress and work on your Toronado reminds me of how I had to work on mine and do a lot of the same stuff you are doing.

I think I've managed to cure the Toronado of all fluid leaks now. The replacement radiator earned me a transmission fluid leak at the A/T fluid cooler fittings.

Now on to the gaseous leaks..... I have an exhaust leak, a leak in the air suspension, an emissions system leak and a vacuum leak to tackle next.

Those are unfun.

Well crap. Two weeks before the Toronado is due to be garaged for the winter, the CR-V just ate it's power steering pump.

Never a dull moment.

If I can ever get the Tahoe heat right, the wagon goes into its winter slumber too.

I wish I could get my car garaged =/

don't you drive it all year?

I try to avoid driving it in the winter. Usually I'll either drive the Prizm or borrow the Grand Marquis. If I have to use mine I was it religiously...perhaps that's why the underbody is in good shape.