Jump to content

  • Welcome to Auto Parts Forum

    Whether you are a veteran automotive parts guru or just someone looking for some quick auto parts advice, register today and start a new topic in our forum. Registration is free and you can even sign up with social network platforms such as Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. 

     

Will A 33-Year-Old Cadillac Make It To Las Vegas?


Counterman

Recommended Posts

The 2,500-mile drive from Babcox Media’s headquarters in Akron, Ohio, to Las Vegas, across the iconic Route 66, is enough to test any vehicle. But the car Babcox Media’s Joe Keene picked to rehab and drive to AAPEX isn’t just any car. It’s a 33-year-old Cadillac Brougham with more than 180,000 miles on the odometer. 

As Keene says in the first episode of “The Road to AAPEX,” “It’s about the journey,” and the ASE-certified technician had a long road ahead of him as he brought the Cadillac up to a safe standard. With the help of aftermarket suppliers and experts, Keene conquered the leaking transmission, an air suspension that didn’t work, and a complete lack of air conditioning (which could have made a drive through the desert even longer), to name a few challenges.

“There were a lot of things about the car that weren’t specified in the ad,” Keene said with a laugh. “It floated, the steering was all over the place, the windows didn’t work–just all kinds of things going on with it. But I didn’t want something easy. I wanted something that was going to be an ‘are you going to make it’ moment every time I get in the car.”

Combing through junk yards, testing the counterman’s expertise in hunting down new parts for an old car, and a trip to Ohio Technical College were just a few stops Joe makes to whip the Caddy into shape. Watch the first episode above to see how Joe takes a clunker and, with expert help from the automotive aftermarket, gets it ready to tackle The Road to AAPEX.

Vehicle Stats

  • Make/model: Cadillac Brougham
  • Year: 1989
  • Hometown: Arlington, Texas
  • Mileage: 180,000+ miles
  • Engine: 307 LV2 Olds V-8
  • Power: 140 hp and 245 lb./ft.
  • Weight: 4,500 lbs.
  • Length: 20 ft.
  • Fuel capacity: 21 gallons
  • Fuel economy: 15 city/22 highway
  • Tires: 225/65R17
  • Transmission: Remanufactured Turbo-Hydramatic 200-4R
  • Brakes: Front vented disc/rear drum brakes
  • Air conditioning: R134a conversion
  • Air bags: None

AAPEX will take place Nov. 1-3 in Las Vegas. For more information, visit the

link hidden, please login to view
.

The post

link hidden, please login to view
appeared first on
link hidden, please login to view
.

link hidden, please login to view

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Similar Topics

    • By Mia
      To extend the lifespan of your brake pads, you can adopt several practices and maintenance habits. Here are some tips to help make your brake pads a longer
      Drive Smoothly
      Avoid Hard Braking: Try to brake gently and gradually instead of slamming on the brakes Coast to Stop: whenever possible, let your vehicle coast to a stop rather than braking abruptly.
      Maintain A Safe Following Distance
      Reduce Frequent Braking: Keeping a safe distance from the car in front of you allows more time to brake gently.
      Anticipate Stops
      Pay attention to traffic flow and road conditions ahead to anticipate stops. Gradually slowing down instead of slamming on the brakes can significantly extend the life of your brake pads.
      Avoid Overloading
      Excessive weight puts additional strain on your vehicle's braking system. Try to avoid overloading your vehicle beyond its recommended capacity.
      Coast When Possible
      When approaching a stop sign or red light, coasting instead of maintaining speed can reduce the need for heavy braking.
      Brake Gently When Towing
      If you're towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads, be extra cautious with braking. Allow more distance to stop and brake gently to reduce strain on the brake pads.
      Regular Maintenance
      Follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule for your vehicle, including brake inspections. Promptly replace worn brake pads before they cause damage to other brake components.
      Use Engine Braking
      When driving downhill, downshift (if you have a manual transmission) or use the engine to slow down the vehicle instead of relying solely on the brakes.
      Avoid Riding The Brakes
      Constantly keeping your foot on the brake pedal, especially when not actively braking, can lead to premature wear of the brake pads. Practice keeping your foot off the brake pedal when not needed
      Quality Brake Pads
      Invest in high-quality brake pads that are suited for your vehicle. While they may cost more upfront, they can last longer and provide better performance.
      Avoid Harsh Weather Conditions
      If possible, avoid driving in harsh weather conditions like heavy rain or snow, as these can accelerate brake pad wear.
      Check Brake Fluid
      Ensure your brake fluid is at the proper level
       
      If you want to know more basic information about brake pads, you can refer to this website: 
      link hidden, please login to view
    • By Dorman Products
      Before selling a vehicle, make sure to remove personal data from the infotainment system
    • By Dorman Products
      Don't make this common oil catch can mistake
    • By NAPA
      In one of the closest Funny Car races in four-wide drag racing history, three-time world champion Ron Capps finished third in the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals final round Sunday afternoon at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Driving the link hidden, please login to view Toyota GR Supra, Capps laid down a weekend-best 3.902-second pass at 333.00 MPH to come up just thousandths of a second short in a four-wide photo finish. 
      Capps and crew chief Dean ‘Guido’ Antonelli worked their way through qualifying, steadily improving in each session. After a pair of 4-second passes on Friday, Capps laid down a 3.988 E.T. at 324.67 MPH to step up in the third session on Saturday. A consistent but slightly quicker 3.980 E.T. in the final session put Capps in the No. 11 position going into Sunday eliminations. 
      The first quad of Funny Car eliminations was a tricky one, but Capps came out on top. He and fellow Toyota driver J.R. Todd left first with identical .059 reaction times, then Capps held on to win with a 4.289 E.T. at 222.88 MPH over Todd, Dave Richards, and Daniel Wilkerson. Capps was first off of the starting line again in the second round, an advantage that helped him and his 3.932 E.T. finish ahead of Matt Hagan’s 3.938 E.T., Todd’s 3.951-second effort, and Jason Rupert’s 4.055 E.T. 
      Appearing in his 148th career final round, Capps cut his best light of the day, .056, and charged to his best performance of the weekend to reach the finish line third behind winner Bob Tasca III and runner-up Austin Prock. Capps finished less than a thousandth of a second behind Prock and just nine thousandths behind Tasca. 
      “What a drag race to watch as a fan,” said Capps, who’s won six times in Las Vegas. “I can’t tell you how ecstatic I am with our NAPA Auto Care team and what they’ve done with a brand-new car and a lot of the new parts that they’ve had to get used to. It usually takes teams a lot longer than this. I’m pretty bummed that we couldn’t win that round. I’m so happy we have our race car back, especially getting on a swing here where Guido is getting comfortable. I’m so happy about the car, but I’m so bummed at the same time. It’s going to take a little bit to digest.”
      No. 6-ranked Capps and the Ron Capps Motorsports Funny Car team will get another shot at four-wide glory in two weeks at the East Coast edition of the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 26-28, at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.
      Start / Finish: No. 11 / def. in Final Round
      Points Standing / Total: No. 6 / 242 pts.
      Next Race: April 26-28, Concord, N.C., NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
      How to Watch or Listen: FS1, 
      link hidden, please login to view NAPA Racing:
      link hidden, please login to viewRon Capps:  link hidden, please login to view
      Ron Capps Motorsports:  link hidden, please login to view The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • By NAPA
      Chase Elliott and No. 9 LLumar team qualified 11th for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway The 28-year-old driver finished 15th in stage one and advanced to sixth to end stage two, earning valuable stage points in the process The 2020 Cup Series champion continued to log laps inside the top 10 in the final stage before ultimately taking the checkered flag in the 12th position Elliott and the No. 9 team leave Las Vegas seventh in the Cup Series points standings Chase Elliott took the green flag in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race from the 11th position in his No. 9 LLumar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. When the first caution flag of the race was displayed on lap 10, Elliott was running in the same position. Under the yellow flag, the Dawsonville, Georgia, native reported that his entry was secure before bringing the LLumar Chevy to the attention of his crew for four tires and fuel. During the next run, Elliott continued to battle inside the top 12. He was scored in 11th when the race fell under the caution for the second time on lap 27. Elliott reported to crew chief Alan Gustafson that his Chevrolet was a little tight. Gustafson called Elliott to pit road for fuel and a set of scuff tires. With a couple teams opting not to pit and some only taking two tires, Elliott restarted in 17th. He gained two positions before taking the green-and-white checkered flag in 15th to end the first stage at lap 80.

      A fast stop by the pit crew set Elliott up with 12th-place starting position for stage two. After taking the green flag on lap 88, Elliott continued to race inside the top 15 through a long green flag run. After a round of green flag pit stops, the 2020 Cup Series champion found himself in the 11th position. Once there, he continued to methodically work his way forward, advancing to ninth on lap 134. Elliott was running in that same position when the caution came out on lap 156. After pitting for four tires and fuel, he lined up eighth for the restart and climbed to sixth to end the second stage at lap 165.

      Opting not to pit during the stage break, Elliott started the final segment in sixth on lap 172. The 28-year-old driver held his own inside the top 10 during a long green flag stint. Elliott was running in the 10th position when green flag stops got under way. He headed to pit road for four tires and fuel on lap 211. When an on-track incident brought out the yellow flag on lap 235, Elliott was scored in the eighth position. He brought his LLumar Chevy to the attention of his crew for the final time of the race, getting four fresh tires and fuel. He restarted in seventh on lap 240 and battled hard to try to keep a position inside the top 10, ultimately coming up just short with a 12th-place result.

      Elliott and the No. 9 team leave Las Vegas Motor Speedway seventh in the Cup Series points standings, just 23 markers behind the leader.
      Start / Finish: 11 / 12
      Points Standing / Total: 7th / 95 pts. (-23)
      Next Race: Sunday, March 10, Phoenix Raceway
      How to Watch or Listen: 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN or SiriusXM
      NAPA: 
      link hidden, please login to view
      Chase Elliott:  link hidden, please login to view
      Hendrick Motorsports:  link hidden, please login to view
      No. 9 Team:  link hidden, please login to view The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view

×
  • Create New...