Faults:

After about two weeks, the flex plate broke in half.

Because someone had poorly installed a Buick engine, the engine mounts started to split in half! Finding replacements was hard as the engine mounts were half Oldsmobile, half Buick.

When I bought it, I had to fix a hole in the exhaust pipe (which was also homemade) and I had to put two new ball-joints on.

Power steering pipes leak since they are also homemade.

Speedo lights don't work.

Cruise control doesn't work.

Air con doesn't work.

Yesterday I discovered that my head gasket blew, sludge on the oil filler cap, and a loss of cooling fluid.

General Comments:

Despite some mechanical problems, I love this car.

The ride is unbelievable comfy, and the only noise you hear on the highway is some soft whistling of the wind.

Parts aren't a real problem, as long as you are prepared to wait a couple of days.

Love that V8 sound!

Faults:

Radiator was only a 2-row design, engine overheated fast when pushed, replaced the thing by a heavy-duty 3-row, replaced fan-clutch and thermostat too.

Heater core gave out after successfully racing a Mazda on the highway, because the driver wanted to overtake me using the righthand lane (prohibited in Holland!).

Engine started bad, solved it by fixing the ground lead, replacement of distributor and plugs, then found out that the ignition timing was only 4 degrees, set it to 15 degrees..

Fixed the right front brake caliper; was stuck so the car pulled to the right quite a bit.

Fixed 3 of 5 electric windows.

Fixed a rust problem underneath the rear side windows.

Replaced the TH 350 vacuum modulator, it had a leak so the engine was draining the tranny.

Fixed the cruise control modulator.

General Comments:

What a surprise this car is. I wanted a station and this is what I found.

This an all stock 1978 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser.

I'm a GM kind of guy, so other brands were not in the picture, and I never was aware of the qualities this Oldsmobile had, as I was to find out later.

The first radiator caused the engine to overheat, no damage though, but also the tranny took a beating.

Too hot meant that ATF came spilling right out of the crankshaft-side seal, not okay.. and then that burnt smell!.

Fixing the cooling problem, solved the leaking trans too, then came the modulator leak, ran 3 times out of trans-fluid while the engine was sucking it up, 2 QT every 200 miles.. car stopped driving, topped her up every time and kept on driving.. now replaced the modulator by a new adjustable one.

When I bought this car, it was freshly imported from New York state, it had all the smog equipment still installed, so I started by having the cat-converter removed, then came the EGR-valve, then the ignition-timing, and then after a LPG gas tank install. Started to dial in that 4-barrel for use on LPG, even the secondary air valves where removed causing the engine to bog, placed them back from a junkyard carb and it's okay now!.

There are a lot of "free" horsepowers coming out now, and it runs a lot more economical too.

I tested it last time doing a 100 mph on my navigation system. I drive 60 mph normally.

The comfort is great, I love the split bench, very comfy, and the room inside, fold the rear seat back and there's space for moving almost anything!

Faults:

Thermostat needed to be replaced

Belts

Radiator cap

Tail pipe rusted out

A/C needed to be recharged

Auto choke.

Some minor dents.

A mechanic messed with the radio, now there is now radio and the car alarm will go off if you don't release the key fast.

General Comments:

This is my first car, and I love it. Only 190 hp, catalytic chokes engine, but it still feels like a rocket.

The suspension is nice and soft; a lot of body roll, but it doesn't feel like it will flip, low center of gravity.

It has a factory car alarm. If a thief is able to some how get in without tripping the alarm, turning the car on will trip it.

Only basic maintenance so far.

I'm going to get dual exhaust.

Power windows work good. Every thing is power except the seats, which I prefer manual seats anyway.

Tailgate works good, but I want to grease it to keep it working well.

There is very little rust on it.

Although I have haven't put on many miles on it, I know it's a good car. My Grandpa had 1972 455 Buick wagon, and my dad had a 1973 400 Chevy Kingsbury wagon. Both regret selling them.

What I pay in gas, I save in not having to repair it.

I want to put a 3rd row seat that faces the back.

Good for work or a sunday drive.

I researched replacement parts; it's cheap for the engine and transmission.