1986 Oldsmobile Calais

Additional Info:

This 1986 Calais has been sitting for four years on a non-op registration because it failed to pass California emissions and I did not want to put any more money into this engine transmission combo. I had an idea to swap the engine and transmission for something better but the money to do so has not materialized. My wife would very much like this car gone and I don't forsee any financial windfalls in the near future so I am selling it.
I am the third owner of this Calais. I purchased it from an auction in 2020 where it had been donated by its second owner who owned it for the past 32 years. The 2nd owner had donated it because the ignition module was failing and it wasn't getting spark. I paid to fix that ignition module and a few other things and drove this car as my daily for 2 years before it failed smog in 2022. I love everything about this car with the exception of that engine/transmission combo which is pretty rough. It's the Iron Duke "Tech 4" 2.5l inline four mated to GM's TH125 three speed automatic transmission with locking torque converter. Now don't get me wrong, both engine and transmission are bullet proof and will last forever. But the combination of the unbalanced engine with the constantly connected transmission makes the entire dashboard shake alarmingly when at idle. I advanced the idle stop screw a bit to raise the idle speed which reduces the shake considerably but it is still there when you're sitting at stop signs.
My other gripes with the power train is that the 2.5l is difficult to service. The oil filter is difficult to reach and the distributer is impossible without loosening the front engine mount and rocking the entire engine forward. The three speed is smooth but a dog and has difficulty climbing hills. On steeper hills the powertrain maxes out at 55mph and that's with only me in it. Hence why I didn't want to put any more money into it, it just makes this otherwise wonderful car unpleasant to drive in my opinion. But maybe you will feel differently?
Car has been in California its whole life. No rust anywhere. It ran well when parked. A few dings on the body but otherwise in good condition (see pictures). This is a three owner car that would be ideal for collectors of American malaise. You don't see many of these around anymore!
Things I have replaced on this car since purchasing it in 2020:

• Ignition module
• Ignition coil
• Water pump
• Exhaust manifold gasket
• Valve Cover Gasket
• Both ball joints
• Both tie rod ends
• Professional Alignment after replacing the previous two
• Steering wheel
• Driver's seatbelt
• Carpet
• Trunk liner
• Glove box latch
• Muffler (replaced with glass pack "fart can" I know I know trying to get a few more horses)
• All engine V Belts
• Alternator

• It's been sitting for four years in a rural area. All rubber and fluids should be checked prior to starting attempt.
• Battery is missing (I traded it in for a core charge on another vehicle)
• Oldsmobile badge on hood is missing (see picture)
• Headliner sagging. Headliner fiberglass panel is crumbling and needs to be replaced as well.
• Automatic transmission shifter gate is shattered and will need replacement (see picture)
• Paint on rear bumper peeling after many years in the sun (see pictures).
• Headlight switch is broken on this. It is also broken on every version of this car I've found in junkyards. The plastic headlight switch always breaks on its fulcrum. A new piece will need to be designed and 3d printed. Otherwise you can still turn the headlights on and off it's just more difficult.
• Tires are old and need to be replaced.
• The "new" steering wheel is cracked but not nearly as much as the old one was. It's perfectly functional and looks like it belons there even though its from a different model of Oldsmobile.
• The heat riser hose is torn and needs to be replaced (see pictures). I had replaced this when I bought the car with a cheap one from Auto Zone and it tore within a year. Not sure where to get a better one.
• Headliner was collapsing when I bought the car and I tried to replace it with a custom job. Unfortunately my spray glue only lasted four months and the new headliner is collapsing. If you are going to replace it you should replace the fiberglass backing too as it is crumbling.
• Same as above for the sun visors.