Chevy Caprice and Chrysler Sebring
A 1987 Chevy Caprice and Chrysler Sebring Convertible
Jul 4, 2007
Question: 1987 Chevy Caprice Wagon
Please do not put too much time on this question; you have better things to do. We have a 1987 Chevy Caprice Wagon, serial number 1G1BN81Y9HX161438. We bought it used in 1989 from the dealer that sold it new, Bobb Chevrolet in Columbus, Ohio. I was hoping to learn how I could get a copy of the original window sticker. They do not keep such stuff for 20 years. Actually the car has only 92,000 miles, it is in better than average condition. The QUADRAJET as always, needs to be pumped before starting, the "Y" BLOCK engine has helped. I can get 25-26 MPG on highway at 65 mph. Anyhow I had to replace the headliner and this idea came to mind.
Thanks,
Bill Nesbitt
Answer:
I don't know Bill. The selling Dealer would keep the original invoice for a certain period of time but not the original window sticker. I would think if you could find it anywhere it would be with Chevrolet. It's worth a call, but I doubt they would have it.
Question: Chrysler Sebring Convertible
I have a Chrysler Sebring Convertible, and the timing belt went. A mechanic said on these 2.5-liter engines, when the timing belt goes, the engine self-destructs. What is he talking about?
Answer:
It depends on which 2.5 liter engine you have. There is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 2.5-liter V-6 engine. The 4-cylinder is not an interference engine and the V-6 is.
An 'interference' engine is an engine design that has been avoided by some manufacturers for well over 80 years. General Motors, Chrysler, etc., typically use a steel timing chain to transmit torque from the engine crankshaft to the engine camshaft that opens the valves that admit air and fuel. Rather than use a steel timing chain, interference engines may use a rubber timing belt with its limited life, whereas steel timing chains typically last 150,000 to 200,000 miles or more.
Valves open further in an interference engine and project further into the combustion chamber than in a 'free-running' engine. This allows the air/fuel mixture to flow faster into the combustion chamber through the larger valve opening. The engine can therefore inhale more air, be a little smaller, and still create as much power while reducing its manufactured cost.
If a rubber-timing belt breaks by not being replaced soon enough, some of the valves stuck in their open position will collide with the top of the pistons, thereby breaking or irreversibly damaging one or the other, or both. To make matters worse, it is not possible to measure the wear on such a rubber belt so that it could be replaced when there is some indication of imminent failure. Failure in these belts is catastrophic, without warning. This can require the installation of a whole new engine. Additionally, the rubber belt may have to be replaced long before 60,000 miles, solely due to its age.
