[A/S] Re: trans/cooling temps

["vrmanac" <andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Dan

I would tend to agree with the others that towing in overdrive with 
the 700R4 transmission is not a good idea.  I know it tows the 
Airsteam pretty well in overdrive but the transmission was not 
designed with a very heavy duty overdrive gear set.  Pretty much 
anyone that I know that towed extensively in overdrive has had 
transmission trouble at some point.  In your case the synthetic fluid 
and the shift kit may make the difference.  

If your Buick has the factory tow package then you have a 3.23:1 
final drive ratio and your overdrive is .70:1 givng you in effect a 
2.26:1 final drive in in OD which is pretty steep for towing and not 
likely any more fuel efficent.  I do shift into overdrive when going 
down long grades or if I happen to have a very strong tail wind.  A 
vacume gauge will tell you when it makes sence to use overdrive if 
you are maintaining at lease 5" of manifold vacume they it is likely 
fine to use overdrive.  Below 5" of vacume the mixture richens and 
you will likely use more fuel than in third gear.

By the way something that you can do to the Wagon to improve its 
handling is to bolt on a rear axle sway bar from a Caprice with the 
LTZ package.  It is quite inexpensive and it realy tightens up the 
back of the wagon.  The wagon axle is 1" wider than the Sedan so it 
takes a little prying to get it on there but it will fit.  You need 
three parts the sway bar itself and two little brackets that bolt 
into the lower control arms.

The other change we used to make to the wagons was the tires.  We 
often installed 215/75R x 15" LT (light Truck) Load Range "C" tires 
which substantially tightened up the handling and give you slightly 
more power.  The other change we would make was more expensive it 
involed changing to an aftermarked aluminium wheel 16x8" with a 
235/60 x 16" tire on it these don't handle any better than the truck 
tire but they sure look cool.

Andy