"Gramps" Goes FULL RACE CAR - Performance Land Yacht? 1989 Chevrolet Caprice

We're back on the cream puff 1989 Caprice. I know everyone wants to see the motor tuned up and running right, but we're waiting on parts....
What I do have in stock - new brakes, new shocks, new exhaust. This old boat is going to ride like a yacht! As for parts, if "heavy duty" was an option I PICKED it! Hopefully this old girl will be on the road in no time.
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[@marcmo7138]

Little tech tip. Leave the old pad against the piston and use the c clamp to push on the pad and it will go in evenly.

[@mzaccagnini7179]

That the way to do that.Been doing that for years.😊

[@kellismith4329]

I do that too, a big c clamp and press them in before you take the caliper off

[@kimberlywilliams9757]

That's the way I do it

[@darwinfoster7420]

You probably borrowed the torch from Merv and didn't take it back yet lol.

[@StephenViola-ib8dq]

That is the way it has been done forever.

[@ralphcole1604]

Love the Caprice. Take care of those they last forever not to mention the average Joe can work on them. Great find!!

[@VATION3RD]

I put Camaro iroc-z aluminum wheels on my 1989 Chevrolet Caprice Classic, you remember the aluminum 5-spoke wheels that were silver on Gray that came on the iroc-z's that's what I put on my Caprice and it made it look way better, it even match the color.

[@tonyflorio3269]

There are also steel 17" Chevy Rally replicas that look good on these cars.

[@gmjunky87]

My brother put a set of those on his 78 Bonneville for awhile. He would swap between those and pmd wheels

[@patcaza6166]

my dad got one of those in 1990 he knew it was going to be his last car so he went for the whole 9 yards full equip Station wagon with woody side panels (took more than 6 months to get it just because of this) that thing was made for sailing its great to see you work on one 👍

[@ImGdiddy]

I also bought one of these new and like your dad’s it was a Carprice woodie that was fully equipped. It was a true cruiser and was totally reliable over all the years that I drove it. Dan mentioned that some people had commented that it was not very reliable. I beg to differ. In fact if you looked at the taxis of that era, they were all this style Chevrolets and given hard usage for well into the hundreds of thousands of miles.

[@brianf8621]

ThisGM platform is solid and simple. GM used it to 1996. I road course race mine. 🤫 Yes 4 doors and 2 tons of metal.

[@brianhiggins4832]

I hate to admit that I'm old enuff to have worked in a prominent exhaust shop in the late 80s then a Chevy dealership from the early 90s thru 2015, I can assure you that exhaust system was factory issue and what looks like a shock washer on the tailpipe hanger was definitely how GM built them, it's amazing how OEM that car is for its age

[@alanligus6083]

A quick trick to get the front shock bolt off is to use a deep socket and long extension on the top nut. Rock the end of the extension back and forth, and top of shock will snap off. Works easier than you would think.

[@mattr.6119]

This is how it was done back in the day.

[@vancefalashetti3025]

Dan just snap off the top of the shock with a socket and a rachet. You don't need heat

[@garymatthys3605]

I just posted this. I shoulda read the comments first. doh!

[@bobdow9380]

Did that on my rusty old Monte . After an old mechanic neighbor saw me struggling to remove it

[@jerryzotta4482]

Pretty much any old Chevy I owned used this method. Have a '78 Cutlass now and will likely doing it to this car.

[@bwsgarage]

These things are like driving an air bubble. Great for long trips

[@bwsgarage]

It's got me thinking of my dad's old 84 Olds delta 88

[@thebigpicture2032]

Yeah, my daily is an 83 Grand Prix. Like driving the sofa down the road but softer with that plush velvet.

[@DDSpeedShop]

Man does it drive nice

[@whatsoutthere6822]

Gravity bleed. I have to do it that way since I have no friends. It works fine.

[@Brock_Landers]

That thing is SO clean for a northern car! I'd rock that thing with pride, but it'd have to get headers and a full dual exhaust back to Flowmasters. I likes em loud.

[@ozcrane5984]

I’m a tellin u it’s EGR valve. I had a 85 s10 four cyl. And went thru the throw all the parts at it,finally took it to a small dealer an it took 2 mechanics and a week to find it after tearing have the engine apart to get at it that’s what it was. A hole in the diaphragm but it was fixed...$$$$$

[@jerrykeel9799]

Hey Dan .. don’t forget to grease the ball joints and the tie rods etc. great time to do it when in the air . Good job on everything else .. nice car for everyday transportation.

[@joewood5921]

Whatever becomes of this boat, respect this transmission - TH200-4R, famous from Monte Carlo SS's and Buick Grand Nationals !

[@Stevespoken]

The old man knew what he was doing those deluxe mud flaps saved that car

[@kevinl.2291]

This is s as great daily driver. Car is in such good shape. Very cool Dan .👍😎✌️

[@rickypevey7751]

One of the best cars I had was an 84 caprice I loved it

[@markszczepaniak5888]

You made a comment that some say they are not a good car, mentioned by some of the viewers, but just a reminder is any brand (ford, gm, chrysler)of car that was used as a police car fleet are great cars. In addition to losing a bleeder screw, I never use heat. Instead, I use an air chisel with a flat end and vibrate close to bleeder screw and wrench on screw at same time with some pressure. It works every time, no matter how long it's been on there, plus helps the piston to free up, try it next time. Keep the content going, love the channel, for showing reality. Great job!

[@christiannelson7899]

I was a mechanic for sears back in the early 90's lots of shocks, we used to on those front shocks, just put a snug fitting socket on them with a long extension, and just pull on it like a prybar back and forth til they broke off, instead of even trying to unbolt them. Management had a listed time for how long th job was supposed to take, that was the only way to do it in time.

[@douggrenard91]

I put 197,000 miles on my 89 Caprice before I sold it. Great cars to drive plus 22 to 25 mpg.

[@roymceachin7409]

Never had to use my torches after moving from the rust belt up north Florida nothing is rusted. It a beautiful thing having a fifty year old truck and everything unbolts.

[@DDSpeedShop]

Bragger haha

[@richardoerter9928]

Dan, I've been working on old GM's since the mid 70's. IF, you get any squeaking or squealing from those front brakes, clean with a little Emory cloth the calipers and the mounts where they touch one another. A very thin film of brake grease on those surfaces goes a long way. Also, bend the tabs on the outboard pads so it fits tight.

[@ralphthompson6791]

I love that you are flying our American flag , your a great Canadian , and I've been a fan for now three years of your show. You showing and teaching others the skills needed to be a at home mechanic are superb 👌

[@captlazer5509]

The 80's Caprice design looks like a kid drew it up with a box of crayons in the 2nd grade but having driven them, I appreciate the simplicity. Rare to see one in this shape!

[@jaymac2184]

Brings back memories of my grandfather who had almost the same caprice just a different color. Great times riding around the retirement community with it AC blasting... lol

[@MRobichaud99]

You don't know how happy I am to know you're NOT going full DONK on this incredible specimen of American Ingenuity! Good purchase!

[@gmjunky87]

I miss those old b body cars. Parents had a 78 Caprice wagon. Brother had a 77 and 78 Bonneville and a 94 caprice. I had a 77 impala that I used in a demo. Wish I would have just kept it as a cruiser.

[@jamiemoen-bi3gd]

I love this car!!!🇨🇦🇺🇲💯✌

[@andrewgirling7194]

Dani gets so excited, “Ooh it’s like a spaceship!”

[@mikesonneson2824]

First thing I would check for the radio being inop are the fuses. Radio has 2 fuses. One is probably a 10 amp fuse says "radio" and the other is probably a 20 amp memory fuse that usually is the same circuit for the lighter and may say "aux" or "room" depending. Been ages since I've done audio in that era GM. Worked on loads of these when they were new.

[@davidlang9939]

REAR AIR ASSIST SHOCKS GR8LY IMPROVES HIGHWAY DRIVING WHEN THE TRUCK HAS EVEN THE SLIGHTEST LOAD -- VETERAN LAND YACHT OWNER KNOWS!!

[@user-ThomReec8587]

I Love my Bearing Packer. I have 3 different size sockets I bought about 50 years ago, that fit and hold the shock shaft so it dosen't spin. Mosty all my tools are at least 40 years old.

[@stuckoutwest5169]

DD speed if you want to delete the kitty cat and the smog pump the belt you need is a k060980

[@TheBBodyBuilder]

Dan for the front shocks…just get a deep socket with a long extension or two…slip it over the top of the shock shaft and nut and bend the shaft back and forth until it snaps…way easier than dealing with a busted bolt. Power wash the floor and frame…run water inside the boxed section of the frame to get the dust/gravel out…then apply liberal amounts of Fluid Film…or Eastwood has a protective undercarriage spray.

[@toejam503]

I was taught that Brake clean removes Brake dust from rotors and other hard parts and not to use it directly on the pads. It supposedly can weaken the bonding agent that holds the pad material together. So I've always used soap and water if a light sanding of the pads doesn't get rid of your greasy fingerprints. The pads usually come with a micro coating on the face, so running a piece of sandpaper in the face helps reduce any squeaking that may occur with new pads.

[@StephenViola-ib8dq]

set of 64-96 Impala SS rims with 17" tires look great on these cars, I did it on my wagon years ago.

[@benjee74]

those box Caprices are awesome.

[@richardray9267]

Had a 78 two door Caprice classic and loved it great car Dan I'm sure you and dani will love it

[@andhe12345]

12:30 Can't help but laugh every time Dan shows how much IN LOVE he is with the paint on the undercarriage of this car. ;-)

[@DDSpeedShop]

Iv never had a rust free floor haha

[@ViciousAdventures-ls2em]

43:45 Discovers power seats. GLORIOUS! Wait 'till she sees something with adjustable pedals in it...

[@DDSpeedShop]

Haha itll b 30 years before we get something with those options

[@bigdoglogging8584]

We just bought an 87 5th ave off a 97 year old original owner. 79 thousand km. Like driving a lounge chair. Cheap and fun

[@jeremyTallen1]

I love the mud flaps!

[@garymatthys3605]

on those shock nuts..... put a deep socket on with a long extension(no ratchet). Pretend you're jamming gears. The shock rod will snap off.

[@Monza62000]

doing my 79 caprice in black fluid film....have it on my 92 chevy k1500 an it looks like paint,,,an it stops rust...

[@beardedscrapper538]

31:43 that was a neat trick with the castle nut and rear bearing. Very cool.

[@majorpayne5289]

I’d run those numbers to ensure correct engine. I thought mine was a 305 until needed a water pump. Found out it was a 267 cu in V8. Great lil engine by the way. Cruised the highways, great gas mileage.

[@charlesranscheart6738]

I snapped a little head off at the top finally understood crap on this at the hangar grandeur stuck in between the rubber and the metal at the top of them off on both sides about 10 minutes on the second side in the front you learn stuff as you do it every time and you know I'm 59 years old I still learn new tricks about working on cars

[@goodfortune6399]

I have a couple of old shock sockets that are made for the top of those shocks it's like a double d shape

[@MIKEH.777]

Dan maybe check the lockout torque converter on the caprice because I had a chevy that was jerking when you slow down and it ended up being the lockout torque converter wasn't unlocking when I slowed down. I hope this helps you. Keep up the great work 👍

[@angryyank]

I learned back on the ranch to coat the entire underside of each vehicle with oil in a spray bottle each fall to keep the metal from rusting out in winter months...... We kept an amount of used engine oil for that purpose...... We never had a rusted frame or a rusted out body on any of our vehicles.....

[@Vaino_Hotti]

I put in regular KYB Excel-G's to replace the clapped out old shocks in my '85 Grand Marquis (basically Mercury flavour of this Caprice). The difference was amazing, so much better driving! Actually feels like the wheels are on the ground at higher speeds. Now all I want is a rear sway bar and I'd be happy with the handling department.

[@olikat8]

KYB, not Monroe, on Excel- G. Use poly bushings on the sway bars & HD end links and the handling difference is noticeable

[@Vaino_Hotti]

@@olikat8 whoops, yup I meant KYBs. Too bad the factory rear sway bars on old panther bodies don't use end links and attach straight to the LCAs like on foxbodies.

[@olikat8]

@Vaino_Hotti that makes it easier, lucky you! Cop cars should be easy pickings for that rear bar. I know an old, inexpensive trick on the GM B-bodies was to just plate the bottom of the trailing arms (in the rear) to add rigidity them- like the LCA's on old torsion bar Mopars. Believe the GM's rear swaybars bolted through those trailing arms, too.

[@Vaino_Hotti]

@@olikat8 The rear sway bars are rare as hell for box panthers. Bars only fit 79-91. They have mostly disappeared from junkyards altogether, even rarer to find a cop car. That's the case in the US. And I'm in Finland :D

[@olikat8]

@@Vaino_Hotti Weirdly, in the PNW, I still would run into the box P71 on occasion. The 9C1 was much more common with wagon versions and trailer package variants having the rear bars

[@snake_eyes_garage]

Back in the day, Caprice cop cars always scared me. 😮🤣

[@smarternu]

@33:30. Dani is just overflowing with appreciation...for once! You have spoiled her Dan she has expectations.

[@CPthetooladdict]

Factory parts are awesome they last longer then fancy will wood or bear brakes and you can get parts anywhere good call!!!

[@VATION3RD]

Miss Dani LeVar Burton was the guy from Star Trek Next Generation that had the visor over his eyes, the Reading Rainbow Guy 😅

[@donaldlawton7384]

Them shocks can be a bear! A small pipe wrench with a pivot. Or grind 2 flat spots on the lower shock stem. To keep vice grip from slipping,worked for me. That's a great poor man's Cadillac. Great cars! Thanks Again guys👍👍

[@johnhere6058]

DAN -Again You probably are under on your fuel inlet pressure - you have to have 15 psi at the throttle body or it won't idle correct - I know this because I've been there - The TBI has a 15 psi regularor built into it in case your new pump is over pressuring it - Git Mur to check the pump psi output.

[@michaelstrafello7346]

Top shock bolt on the front put a socket on the top stud with an extension from the top bend the stud and it should break the stud under the nut and your done ,try it you'll like it

[@haroldrogers6083]

The glue we use on pads here in Texas is Disc Brake Quite . Keeps the pads on the caliper and retracts with the piston when you get off the brake peddle . Stops the brake squeal . Bill Kings Brakeo secret !!

[@1944chevytruck]

WOW! NICE CAR! NICE FIND!

[@vintagesawyer6246]

Great cars , I had an 86 Parisienne, basically the same car,and the 305 might surprise you. If you get bored with it, I think Dani needs a lowrider,so Bag it. Lol.

[@markbrown6236]

Your the only utuber I've seen that knows the proper tool to remove a cotter pin is a side cutter. I guess it's our secret. I giggle when I see folks struggling with pliers, screwdrivers, and hammers.

[@kellyd887]

Dan, I must say, it has been an absolute pleasure watching you treat that jewel of a car with the respect for the factory integrity that she deserves. I've seen you pull some awesome (and some sketchy 😜 ) mods along the way and I got nothing but respect for your talents. But staying factory with this car was definitely the way to go. Best resale value if you let er go down the road some day too. You can see that Dani loves it already ! Good on ya 🏁

[@DDSpeedShop]

I have my moments haha

[@DavidJones-hl5om]

Dan, I think you like that Caprice a lot. You're working on it ASAP. Daily Driver with all the Bells and whistles whistles. A Keeper in my book.

[@sccarguy8242]

I don’t need a torch… cause I live in the south.. Did brake lines in my 99 E150 van, did not even need penetrating oil.. just came right apart. It’s fantastic!

[@stevekuhns793]

First car in a long time that you haven't suggested fenderwell headers and a straight axle. Lol! Sweet ride, keep up the great work!

[@DDSpeedShop]

It's coming.....

[@jamesoliver896]

Put some nice rims and tires on it dan

[@kennethreiver985]

I can smell the burning shock bushing all the way down in by me 😂

[@michaelstrafello7346]

Gm parts are different than some ac Delco, some Delco parts are reboxed aftermarket just what I've found over the years

[@michaelstrafello7346]

Guess I didn't read all the comments another suggested the same thing

[@MrSerenityNow]

I love this thing. I have an 83’ LeSabre coupe I’m putting together, and all this stuff is the same. Cool cars for sure.

[@brianhdueck3372]

I’m glad I can’t count how many of those brake jobs I have done! Wow brings back memories. Thanks for the memories Dan! PS, I learned to just clamp a pair of vice grips on the shock rod, lots of penetrating oil and buz the nuts off with impact. … hu you just said that. Works great

[@rdbrnr86gt]

Love this car. Cracks me up the back and forth with you and Mortske too. Gotta love some trash talk between friends. Be careful though, he might decide to store the Bricklin in a nearby pond!

[@JohnnyAFG81]

What I like about these Caprices is they are relatively inexpensive to buy and could be hoped up for not a lot of money.

[@majorpayne5289]

They use to be relatively inexpensive to buy but I’ve searched recently and like everything else, they’re getting really expensive.

[@bobfurman862]

Great video, great car, very good to watch. Dan: No safety glasses? No eyes means no videos, no followers, no fun.

[@Rollormotor]

Dan they sell a socket that fits the end of the shock, crows foot to hold the nut and a power ratchet clockwise on the top stud and GM shocks come out so easy, no need for torches. I was a mechanic in the 80s done so many of these GM front ends. Hope this helps you the next time. Oh yeah tools & parts on a cart not laying all over the floor so you have your tools ready. the older you get the less you want to work on the floor

[@stevenmcinnis8105]

Stakeing the outter pad ears down prevents outter pad from flopping around. This can be done last just hold down brakes while you put a screaw drive between pad metal and rotor while you hammer ears down. No more floping pads noises.

[@kelvinboyd7459]

Dani's been living under a bridge Or something I never seen you by so excited over power seats😂

[@DDSpeedShop]

We're easy to impress

[@xozindustries7451]

Pro tip: you can put disks from a 1 LE Camaro on those cars with 12” brakes so you can use the 5 on 4.75” bolt pattern rims

[@ronaldhellengreen7063]

I REALLY like the MUD FLAPS!😂

[@dwb812]

As with most things "automotive" related Dan, when people say something that works as intended gives them fits it's usually an operator problem. TBI, like Quadrajet carbs, is all about what you know about making them work properly. Then, it's pretty much "set and forget" for long stretches of time.😂😎

[@kurtzxcvb3481]

If you crack the bleeders when you press the pad back in you don't push dirty fluid into your reservoir

[@rockysplace6012]

Love watching you work Dan you can fix anything 😊

[@franktagliarini3073]

The shocks are made to put a 9/16 socket deep well with an extension about 18 inches with a cheap handle, moving it back-and-forth at the top of that shop will break off down at 100 times

[@raybame5816]

This is one of your best videos. I've done a ton of what u did here and I give big kudos to u, everything done to a t. Thanks. Dani looked great in the new yacht and it fits her nicely.

[@bmacd2112]

"Hot Rod" might be a bit of a stretch for a car that size with a 150-170HP engine under the hood! Great car though. I can't believe how nice a condition it's in for a car that lived it's life in the Great White North.

[@geraldhutten7338]

What an AMAZING find

[@dirkmichaluk3270]

Thanks for the refresher. I just bought an oldie and it’s going to need all of it.

[@ViciousAdventures-ls2em]

Check those trailing arm bushings. Cheap enough to replace the whole arm and you won't be chasing a mysterious 'clunk' later on.

[@DDSpeedShop]

Ah good tip

[@philpartin8618]

I'm really digging your restoration. Your girl is gonna love that car when you're done. 👍

[@richardgreening3533]

Great episode of basic brakes and exhaust repair. Keep gramps as daily driver. 😁

[@69CutlassKen]

Hey looks great to me!!!! Lets keep it going.

[@kennethsonier1766]

With a little normal maintenance that's going to be one awesome car. Power seats! Dani already loves it. Keep up the great work and the cool videos✌️🇺🇲

[@puddleduckist]

It's lookin good Dan, clean car for sure!! Crazy it has such low miles!

[@thman6453]

Great looking car

[@ksokie63]

Thanks, Dan, for sharing the video on the 89. Not a bad lookinvg old chev. 👌

[@seaboltandsonsautomotivead2510]

Cool seeing this car getting some love

[@cudaman-yq7pq]

"Not mandrel bent" is compression bent. This shows how big a job it can be to get even a "creampuff" safely back on the road. :>)

[@user-cg1ki9gt4p]

you truly do make me laugh. thank you.

[@lloydh4251]

Back in the day there were thin lock nuts on top of the shock bolts that when removed would clean the threads, apparently they were to expensive and were deleted!

[@lindzee924]

That car and it's little V8, has many, many miles (kilometers) and years left, on it. Please keep it stock and enjoy the ride !

[@SNAKERADIOS]

I got to drive a brand new Cream on tan with tan interior 78 Caprice back in the day AND a baby blue 78 Lincoln town car. My dad was car crazy. The Caprice Had a 140 hp. 305 2 barrel 4 door and it was SA LOW But it was not meant to be a fast car. It was for the Sunday go to meeting runs . It was like riding on a cloud. I hope you don`t make it loud LOL.

[@johnnyweaver1300]

The caprice has been around for a long time, that car you got is one of best, they ride great, decent gas mpg, & reliable, the newer one's are front wheel drive they not as good, thanks for showing how to pack bearings & the whole brake job, it's good to have a reminder!👍