1987 Buick Regal Grand National from North America - Comments

Nothing has really broken on the car, but it does leak oil since I use only synthetic motor oil (previous owner used petroleum-based oil), but that is supposedly normal for synthetic.

Except that I can't keep tires on it (the rears mysteriously keep going bald!) :-)

This is the last true American musclecar, regardless of the fact that it's powered by a turbo V6. There are few cars that will keep up with it. it is cheap to modify if you want to go faster (which I always do), and the sinister monochromatic black paint is nothing short of evil-looking. No lie, when people see me coming up from behind, they move aside. Maybe it's because the CT State Police used to use GN's, or maybe they're just scared. :-)

It rides very well, handles decent for a car of its size, although it could use 4-wheel disc brakes (what car couldn't?) and full instrumentation with a speedometer that goes much higher than 85 mph. If I can keep my foot from dipping into the accelerator too often, I can get 25-28 mpg. Not bad for a car of it's size.

There is nothing better than taking off the T-Tops, turning up the stereo and spooling up the turbo, gotta love thaat whistle.

If you're looking for a performance car that will seat 4 paople comfortable at a reasonable price, find yourself a GN or T-Type and enjoy.

I'll never get rid of it.

Hi

This is Ryan. My father has one of these awesome cars. I am in love with the car it, you are right about everything. But we installed a new speedometer. We have the same problem with our rear tires. They just keep on spinning. We have beat many cars. Mostly slow Mustangs.

To talk to me email me at kturbosix

Thanks Ryan.

Using synthetic oil does NOT mean the car should leak oil. I run synthetic in all my vehicles and none of them leak. Sounds like a gasket problem to me.

I agree. Synthetics were said years back to be leak-prone, but as the previous poster said and who I agree with, your problem is a gasket leak issue. There are tight enough tolerances to accept any type of oil.

If you're not convinced, change back to conventional oil of the same grade, viscosity, etc. and see if the leak goes away.

My guess is that the leak will still be there.

I admire your thoughts in terms of using Synthetic oil. That's a great move in and of itself and tells me that you really do care about your motor. Try this - just for kicks... if using fully synthetic oil, try the Valvoline fully synthetic oil. Don;t know why, but that stuff act different in a good way.

Best.

ETM, Germantown, WI.

I agree. Synthetics were said years back to be leak-prone, but as the previous poster said and who I agree with, your problem is a gasket leak issue. There are tight enough tolerances to accept any type of oil.

If you're not convinced, change back to conventional oil of the same grade, viscosity, etc. and see if the leak goes away.

My guess is that the leak will still be there.

I admire your thoughts in terms of using Synthetic oil. That's a great move in and of itself and tells me that you really do care about your motor. Try this - just for kicks... if using fully synthetic oil, try the Valvoline fully synthetic oil. Don;t know why, but that stuff act different in a good way.

Best.

ETM, Germantown, WI.

Once you change to synthetic, you should not go back to conventional. On older engines, you could be getting some leaking from the synthetic because the tolerances are probably not as tight as in a new engine. Try going to a higher viscosity like 15W-50 if it's really seeping out. But also get a torque wrench and make sure that your valve covers are tightened down correctly, since those gaskets are prone to shrinking over the years and can allow some oil leaking.

If you start tightening valve covers with a torque wrench, you will only make it worse. Correct approach - replace valve cover gasket and do it as per the Haynes manual.