I don't know where to post this at. I hope this is ok. I was just wondering how much a 89 Firebird would weigh with a 350SB. I will be towing it with a 1990 4.3 v6 Astro van. BUT ONLY WHEN NEEDED!. I plan on driving the car to the drag strip to race but if something were to happen and I needed to get it home. (15 miles away) than I will be towing using a car dolly. Also was wondering, Should I drop the drive shaft to tow it home or back it up on the dolly. 700r4 tranny. Thanks

 

1. Depending on options etc your car probably weights 3200-3600lbs so that van would be working VERY hard to pull it on a tow dolly. It would work but I wouldn't do it if you don't have too.

2. Always tow a car on a tow dolly with the front wheels on the dolly. If you have the front wheels down on the road the car tends to move all over the road even if you lock the steering. Especially with a older car with worn suspension parts. Also when possible pull the driveshaft so your transmission gears are not moving w/o the pump supplying them fluid.

 

Thanks so much. the towing cap is 6000 on the van but it does have 188k on it, but like I said, i will only be towing it only if I can't get the car home. its not a long distance but there is a major hill it has to go up thats like a 1/4 mile. which sucks. but thanks for all the info.

 

As a veteran of a LOT of towing, how the manufacturers arrive at
their advertised capacities is a bit bewildering. That being said,
the Astro-Van should be able to perform the "emergency" job, as
described. Definitely DO NOT tow w/ front wheels on ground,
and DO remove the driveshaft. In which case, something to seal
the tailshaft (so that you don't leave a trail of tr-fluid all the way
home) would be a good idea. At one point, cheap plastic units were
available. Otherwise, junk-yard another yoke. And something to
lash it in place (wire, string, tie-wraps) should also be in the tool-box.

(Get a good running start at the hill )

Good luck