Thanks bud, you may not have been here but you are taking care of the next generation for us. And we have talked through- at length I might add- the proper things to do at each step of the way to do the car justice. Not to mention the 6 dozen pictures I have sent in the past few months.. As I said from before. Im not an owner, just a caretaker
Picture from the day I bought it. Taulb has proved himself more than a worthy caretaker of this gem. I still miss her but Im so glad he owns it. I don't think you guys posted the obligatory Yungling bottle on the core support pic
One step at a time my friend! Haven't seen that one yet. Glad I passed the test Oh and challenge accepted.. I have just the picture in mind to feature our favorite car building fuel. Current status..
Im sure Ive posted this before, I remember the day that picture was taken vividly. It was a Saturday afternoon. My friend Mike, who owned the car at the time pulled it into my driveway right where its sitting in that pic. He tells me he wants to thin out his collection and wants me to help him sell it. One thing leads to another and in a matter of 15 minutes, Im handing him a stack of cash and driving him home. So I get back home and resume what I was doing in the garage staring every so often in the driveway and smiling as I admire the car gleaming a few feet away. Jen comes home shortly afterwards. She sees Mike's car in the driveway, looks around and asks me, "where's Mike? I tell her he's home. Confused, she then asks, "Why is Mike's car in the driveway??" . I smiled at her and said, "yeah....that's not Mike's car"
March update.. tinkering around here and there finishing up little motor details. Think it’s ready to go back home. Turned my attention to the transmission this weekend. I had debated doing a Flat Rate type job to seal it back up and be done.. but Eye of the Tiger came on the radio and I had an inner montage then decided to spend some real time on the poor thing. So out came the power washer, wire wheel, brake clean, gasket kit and paint. Straight forward auto 101 type stuff. Adding an aluminum pan painted flat black since I am no fan of the factory style unit. I dread transmission work and am glad this bit is almost over. Onward to some pictures.
April update, hit one hell of a milestone today.. This is the turning point where all major work has been performed and all that is left is the comparatively smaller details of sorting the support systems. The morning started out much like any other when a Buick pal comes to assist, a few warm up brews while catching up. Progress began as Shawn torqued bolts on the entire motor. Next step was to install that fine torque converter I ordered from Mr. Weise before Christmas. Then came the big moment.. The pair was mated yet again after spending months apart. A tear was shed as we toasted to the engine and transmission's renewed vows to stay together. Shawn managed to share a dance with the lovely couple before being set at home. Pictures of this moment are in the attachments. The lungs of the operation were next, and as promised it was put on using the hoist. It saved 2 bad backs from annihilated so we were very happy to be lazy during this procedure. All mounts and fasteners were tightened and overall it went rather well. Another fine Buick day. And Mr. Cook, a beverage on the intake for good measure
Awesome work!! Looks so good. We need a pic of the engine sitting between the fenders now! And that's what Shawn looks like without a baseball cap on huh?
Thanks! You must have caught me when I was editing the pictures, they kept coming in sideways and took some tweaking. All better now. Its a rare sight seeing Shawn without a hat.. but now its on the internet so it has to be true!
For some strange reason I actually didn't think you'd post that pic.....what was I thinking! And yes, it's amazing how many people have know me for years and not seen me without a hat. Anyway, the thing looks even better in person. Really takes an already beautiful car up a notch. And here's some proof Taulb did some work too (along with a few more shots I took):
And I should add, Taulb had these made, my new favorite mug! It also likely led to that one picture of me...
Are we there yet? Cleaning parts with wire wheels and scrub pads every single step is seeming to take forever. The last very greasy bit to clean is the 2 ton starter motor, then of course hoisting it into place. I took an evening to cut open the wiring harnesses to clean and inspect each wire, then wrapped back up before install. Primed the oil system and got oil out of all 8 rockers. First time messing around with the choke system on the Quadrajet so I am looking forward to rebuilding that part a few dozen times till its right. It took me a minute after I took this picture to realize- Holy crap I am almost there! With any luck I will fire for the first time this weekend.. All this warm weather coming in I need to cruise this thing something fierce..
For anyone still paying attention I sure could use some help: http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/wire-bbq.333043/#post-2798552
Is that covered under the warranty?? Well Taulb, i called for a wizard and got an ostrich. This sure doesn't work like the Lord of the rings. But hey, we'll take it, he's a wise old ostrich I suppose....
The electrical gremlin has been taken care of, quick starts and smooth operation. GS air cleaner assembly blasted, painted, and sticker donated by Shawn. Bleed the brakes and we are off!! Sorta..
Engine compartment looks fantastic man, nicely done! Look forward to seeing it in person (and you needed that sticker more than I, glad I could help). That bleeder on the other hand.....
