Chuck in Canada - 1966 Buick Wildcat

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by Chuck Bridges, Jul 23, 2019.

  1. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    So I drove her home this afternoon. That was a different feeling from an F150. It will take a little getting used to but, darn, it was fun. She rumbles, I am not used to that as my truck is an 3.5L Ecoboost. No rumble, turbo whine. I put my toe into it to accelerate from 60 (35) to 100 (60). Ok she goes like a scared kitty. I could feel the acceleration. I won't be doing that too much, but, it was fun. ;)It is wider than my F150 and about the same length. When I got in I tried to reach over my shoulder for the seatbelt. Right.... lap belts. I felt silly, but will remember next time. I am going on a trip this week, but next week I will start the body work. That is something I remember how to do.
     
  2. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    My new (old) hood springs worked great[​IMG]I was a little leery purchasing them off eBay as the seller had "No Returns" on the page, but, they worked great. Look Ma, no Stake! Now for a little bodywork, a wash job and... the fun! New Springs.jpg
     
    PGSS likes this.
  3. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Thank You. I am old enough to remember no seatbelts, so lap belts should come back to me. But, then again since I will only be driving here on weekends, maybe not. I didn't wear seatbelts until my wife became pregnant with our first son in 1985. I have worn them since then, but everything had shoulder belts. Seatbelts in the '60's, right. I can remember laying on the back window since there wasn't room on the seat with 4 siblings. You had a great view though, especially at night. The Wildcat reminds me of some of the cars we had back then, but, believe it or not, in better shape (we were really really poor, Dad drank, a lot). I put in 50 dollars to ensure that I could get her home as the gas gauge goes from full to 1/4 to empty. Nothing in between. The total cost of my inspection and repairs, $1260 Canadian ($960 US). I will repay Ray $1500 even though he isn't even certain he wants to be reimbursed. I pay what I owe. I am really looking forward to continuing the work on her. I purchased a rebuild kit for the carb, but, I am not up to doing it myself so may ask the neighbour mechanic how my to rebuild the carb. Have to see, not right away that is for sure. Ray said for now to increase the idle and adjust the mixture to add more air. I will figure out how to do that from my manual I purchased.

    well, I need to get some sleep now. I have to drive my son to work in the morning. Everyone have a good night and sleep.
     
  4. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    I need to do some work on the carburetor. It drives great on the highway or city roads, but stalls when you come to a red light. (I think it just hates to sit idleo_O). I am going to try increasing the idle until I can have the carb kit I purchased installed. Right now, I don't have the money to hire someone. It really isn't driveable as it is though. I don't want to have to start it at every light. I really wish I would have paid attention (I was going to say closer attention, but hey, let's be honest, I didn't have any interest and didn't pay attention) when my Dad tried to teach me. I was only interested in cooking at that time and had electronics as a hobby. Who knew cooking would be a hobby and electronics my life :). Sorry Dad, you were right when you told me you couldn't always hire someone and need to know this.:(. I wish I could tell him, but I can't. The car doesn't idle at all when it is cold (the COLD light works, how good is that?). When it warms up, it idles for about 10 seconds then stalls. If you put it into reverse, it stalls. It has only been driven about 1200 Km (720 Miles) in the last 10 years. I might try putting some Carb Cleaner in it. Maybe that will help as it has sat so long.Ray has too many toys to run them all. His favourite is his '57 Lincoln, then his '63 convertible Lincoln. He also has a 64 Lincoln hardtop, but it has trouble with brakes. His daily driver is a right hand drive BMW two seater. Nice little car, but it has the cargo capacity of two postage stamps. He has a Caddy for winter (has 380,000 Km 175000 miles on it). He has a 1 ton Dodge Diesel with a deck on it for work, he works in the patch as a pipeliner. They pay him for his truck.

    Anyone with any advice on my Rochester carburetor problems would be greatly appreciated.

    My wife is chiming in to get things ready for tomorrow. Everyone have a good day!

    Chuck
     
  5. bostoncat68

    bostoncat68 Platinum Level Contributor

    hey @Chuck Bridges before you mess with the carb...check all the vacuum hoses (and don't forget the vac assist brake hose and booster fitting). A vacuum gauge borrowed from the neighbor would be well worth using (he never uses it...). If you have a bad hose or an open port it will run like dirt at idle (ask me how I know....). Anything rubber is suspect.
     
    Chuck Bridges likes this.
  6. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    I will check for anything that is sucking air when I get home. I really do want to drive it. Thank you very much for the help. These are things I wouldn't think of on my own.
     
  7. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Today I started the bodywork to repair the "small" hole I found over the drivers rear fender. "Small", famous last words, as usual with body work. First step, remove the trim and mud flap. The pinholes in the metal started at the front of the wheel well and continued around to the back behind the wheel. Ray had mud flaps installed on all four tires. I removed this one and, even though it rained 2 days ago, was still damp. Hmmm, now, if I remember correctly, trapped moisture and dirt = rust. Right, makes sense with what I found. I used my cordless drill and wire wheel and started to remove any rust I found. I used my wire wheel... and used my wire wheel... and used my wire wheel. Good thing that the batteries recharge fairly rapidly. Okay, I think I got it all. I put the fiberglass reinforced Bondo on , thinly. One layer, two layers three. sanding in between. I used putty glaze for the last layer. 80 grit, 180 grit, 300 grit, 400 grit. Now, use my handy-dandy handle on my primer can and spray. 2 light layers of primer. Oh oh, severe thunderstorm warnings, rain, time to quit. The last layer was dry, I was planning to sand it but, the rain interfered. When the rain quit, wouldn't you know it, 2 small bumps that I couldn't see before. Ah well, tomorrow is another day. Good start for one day.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Today I installed the stereo in the car. I haven't installed the back-up camera yet, the heat got to be too much (95 F), 36 C. I was just dripping on the seat. I tied all of the cables under the dash. While I was there, I noticed some wiring that appalled me. A connector with 6 wires, about 3 inches from one end, all wires taped, with the tape slipping. Umm.... can't have that. Even with the heat, I trimmed all of the wires, one at a time, soldered and heat shrink over the splices. Now, that makes me feel better. I am going to have to go under the dash one morning while it is cool and trace everything. I noticed some cut off wires under there, but the heat beat me. After 19 years in Lethbridge, I still cannot handle the heat. I am more suited to a moderate climate, like in Northern BC where I grew up.

    I was going to install the stereo in the dash, but, in the end, I couldn't force myself to cut out that dash. It seemed like sacrilege to cut the dash so the original equipment (AM Radio) wouldn't fit ever again. Just couldn't do it. So.... I built a box for the speakers and a box for the stereo. I cut the doghouse tray Ray had in there to fit between them. I will attach a picture to show. I am not unhappy with how it turned out. Installed, but nothing modified that cannot be put back in a short time. Sounds really good. It has Bluetooth, MP5 (video), USB and SC card inputs. I installed 4 speakers in the car, so it sounds like a new car. It has controls on the steering wheel to, similar to a new car. I didn't install the backup camera yet, too hot to get under the car right now. I plan to take her out on a trip to Fort McLeod this weekend to let the carburetor cleaner I put in run through. I put some fuel stabilizer in as she is not going to be run much this year, until I get the Carb situation solved.

    Well, it's tomorrow (Feel asleep without posting this). I got home from my appointment in Calgary and, being bored easily. I purchased some Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish as well as some steel wool, just to see if I could clean up the chrome trim. $17 seemed like a small investment to test out what I skeptically saw on YouTube. Well, I have to say, wow. They were telling the truth. It doesn't take a lot of elbow grease, just time and persistence, and the chrome that I practiced with came out beautifully. I did the trim above the wheel well I repaired and the 4 housings around the headlights. I am impressed. If it continues this good, I may not need to get the trim re-chromed. That would be a major money saver.

    One done and one just washed. When I watched the video, I was certain it was a gimmick, but, I am glad to say it wasn't. Wash with soap and water, dry, use Mothers and steel wool and work over all of the chrome surfaces a couple of times. Let dry a bit, then use fresh steel wool and once again work it over a couple of times. Wipe with a microfibre cloth and voila, almost like new. Me one happy camper I will have to remove the bumpers to work on them but that is a weekend job (one weekend each) as there are not enough hours in the day after watching my Muffin, Aria while Mommy and Daddy work. I would highly recommend this method to anyone who wants to re-furbish their own chrome, and is on a budget. Just be forewarned, it is time consuming. If it does this good a job on the front chrome on a 53 year old car, then I have to say again, wow.

    Well, everyone have a good evening. I am going to post this before I fall asleep again.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Aug 23, 2019
  9. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    I spent 5 hours today polishing the front chrome on my girl. I love the grill, but today, having to polish each one finger in the grill 3 times, (Wash, polish with steel wool and , steel wool, the a cloth), I wished for simpler grill. Now that it is done, it looks great. I love the way it shines. The shape of the grill is something you would never get today, with it's angles. The bumper was easier, still took 90 minutes to take care of. Now, when I get more money, I will do more of the chrome. For now, I hurt (Age sucks, 30 years ago I could have done the whole car.)

    Chrome grill.png
     
    PGSS likes this.
  10. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    I remember the beautiful sound it made when running my finger across the fins of the grill as a kid on my fathers..
    You know I always did wonder why the Electra had the Lesabre grill in 66 also??
     
  11. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    The '65 & '66 grilles had to be a nightmare as far as making a mold, etc.
    I have a '66 grille that I feel is ALMOST perfect for being 50+ yrs. old IF ANYONE is looking.

    Tom T.
     
    PGSS likes this.
  12. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    I took the car for a 60 mile (103 KM) drive just to determine what I needed to fix next. First, the carburetor. If you don't give it a little gas at intersections, she will stall. After driving to Fort McLeod, I turned around at a cross road. As soon as I took my foot off the gas to wait for traffic, it stalled. It started easy enough though. Then, while parking, when I put it into reverse, it stalled about 3 times. Definitely something wrong there. Second, lots of heat in the cabin. A cable may have come off under the dash (Yup, found it). Third, there is a squeal that I think is the vent on the passenger side. Jenny thinks so as well. I will have to check that. The carburetor is the main thing though. That is a safety issue. On the highway, she goes great. Lots of power to be had. I accelerated up the hill without even trying.
     
  13. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Going up a hill without trying is pure Nail Head torque:)
    Did you fix the vent cable? You can bypass the heater core for now if you didn't fix it yet.
     
  14. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Good Morning. It came off right on the lever. I put it back on and put a tie wrap on it to keep it on. I am taking the day off of working on the car to spend the day with my Granddaughter Aria. The car will always be there.
     
    PGSS likes this.
  15. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    I used the last of my polish to work on some of the chrome down the side of the car. The chrome on the side started out white and when I was done, looked like a mirror. I am shocked. I am looking forward to tomorrow when I can afford more steel wool and polish. I love the way it is turning out.i just whish I had access to the funds to fix the carburetor. Ah well, all in good time. In the meantime, I will continue to fix rust and polish what I can. There is a small leak on the power steering pump on one of the connectors. Need to look at that.
    Side.png
     
  16. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Well, all work on the car has come to an abrupt halt. Over the last 2 - 1/2 day, 50 cm (18 inches) of snow. Hard to do anything when everything is covered in snow. I don't have a garage, just a parking spot. Ah well, the snow will be gone in 3 or 4 days.
     
  17. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Well, my Brother-In-Law, Ray, has rebuilt my Rochester Carb. He said that a number of the screws in the carb were loose, which signifies that the seals were shrinking. There was quite a bit of gunk in the carb, but it is clean again. Now to take it home and re-install it on my old girl. Then, make an appointment with the mechanic to tune it up so she runs like new again.:). Of course, now it is coming on Winter, so I plan to purchase a cover for her and have put fuel stabilizer in the tank. I am not going to run her in the winter, she is a summer girl.
     
  18. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    I replaced the carb and re-attached everything in accordance with the pictures I took. I would start, but not run. After playing with it for a while, I gave up and decided to wait for Ray. Today, I got frustrated, went out and started adjusting the screws on the front. All the way in, then out 2 1/2 turns. Then pour in some gas, start and adjust. I found the large rubber hose coming out of the front of the carb hanging down which is where it was when I got it. I plugged it onto the valve cover and it started to idle. I adjusted the pot attached to the throttle linkage and now it idles, warm and cold. Once it is warm, it starts without touching the throttle. Yeah!
     
  19. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Ray coming down in 2 weeks. He is going to bring his vacuum gauge and fine-tune the carb for me. Now, it's fall and snow is on the way. I hate to cover her up and leave her until spring but, after doing the body work and cleaning the chrome, I have no desire to risk her in winter. She will be there in spring and will be my weekend date (along with my wife of course).
     
  20. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Well, Ray is no longer coming down, so, I researched mechanic shops in our area. I tried one but they suggested another. Bernie's Automotive is recommended and advertises that they work on classic cars. I sent them an email asking if they were able to accommodate my old girl. I told them setting up the rebuilt carb and perform a general tune-up. I will wait for their response. There is a performance shop in town, but they specialize in rebuilds and such. Wait and see. I just want her to run like new, or a close as I can get. Then, my paint job :).
     

Share This Page