'65 Skylark Classic Custom

Discussion in 'Members Rides' started by 65Larkin, Sep 22, 2014.

  1. 65Larkin

    65Larkin Well-Known Member

    Flew up to Auckland with the Minister of War and Finance (Mrs.) a couple weeks ago and drove this baby around thee hundred miles home.
    Stock as a rock 300/310, 2spd Column, single exhaust, stock rims/caps with205/75r14 radials and a real sweet cruiser.
     

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  2. 65Larkin

    65Larkin Well-Known Member

    It has a couple of niggles I need to sort soon, the oil pump has sprung a leak, priced a kit for it from Rock Auto for a fair price but $31 USD for postage is a bit on the nose so i'll cut my own gaskets thanks, anybody know the gasket thickness/s for these? I assume that's what determines rotor end float, how much end float is desirable?
    The top radiator hose swells up when its up to temp. so that's an asap.
    The heater hoses are gone and I was told the core leaks, there's a brand new core came with it in the box of bits that came in the boot. I suspect i'll be removing the inner fender for that job, can I leave the outer fender on?
    Anyone have the hoses lying around?? I don't mind paying a FAIR price for postage but what most vendors charge to send stuff to New Zealand is just downright rude.

    Plusses I didn't expect
    The original AM radio works with the B U I C K lettering on the buttons in very good condition.
    The ashtray appears unused as does the lighter which works.
     
  3. 1989GTA

    1989GTA Silver Level contributor

    Nice looking Skylark. Very clean. :TU:
     
  4. brucer

    brucer Well-Known Member

    I suspect i'll be removing the inner fender for that job, can I leave the outer fender on?

    Nope, the heater core can be removed from under the dash:TU:
     
  5. Rony

    Rony Member

    Beautiful car!
     
  6. 65Larkin

    65Larkin Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the feedback guys.

    It was a bit reluctant to fire up the other day. I thought maybe it had the pip with me for leaving it alone or a few days then get in with my right leg in a splint (tore a ligament in the knee playing paintball - 4~6 weeks off work).

    Yesterday I checked the points, hardly any gap when on the nose of the lobe so I pulled them out and gave the contacts a clean/polish up. Not having any specs I took a stab and set the gap @ .016'. Pulled the plugs, cleaned them and checked he gap .040' some parts fitter must have put them in out of the box. Closed the gap to a more points friendly .028' and it started up sweet, warmed it up and set the mixture screws on the carb, found one to be 2 turns out and the other 2 1/8. It seems a lot happier with both now 1 1/2 turns out. I then sprayed 2 cans of degreaser on/under the motor and waterblasted it. Much better.
    Found a switch on the throttle linkage that has fried - Is this for switch pitch? I am unsure if my trans even has it..
    Is there a piece missing from the linkage (photos)
    What are proper tuneup specs and are the outer hubs on the ballancer prone to 'walk' ??
     

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  7. 65Larkin

    65Larkin Well-Known Member

    The 205/75r14's came off today.
    On went Olds SS style repros from Wheel Vintiques via Summit. Listed on the shelf Buick Rallye's weren't in the backspacing I wanted.

    Got 15 x 7 w 4.375 BS with 235/60r15's front and 15 x 8 w 5 BS with 245/60r15's on the rear. Bit of stuffing about to get the Buick style centre caps to fit but got there.
     

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  8. 65Larkin

    65Larkin Well-Known Member

    I think the wife is starting to come around. Yesterday lunchtime she told me if we get some improvements done around the house I might be able to get the motor I want. Ah summertime and honey do's.
     
  9. ragtops

    ragtops Gold Level Contributor

    Very nice 65.
    If you intend to keep it I suggest a pair of shop manuals, one chassis, one body. You can find them on ebay, sometimes cheap. I see a cheap body manual listed now.
    http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...p+manual&_nkw=1965+buick+shop+manual&_sacat=0

    All the switch pitch stuff in explained in the chassis manual.
    You could also join here, free, or it used to be free,
    http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-bin/globaltemplate.cgi?id=8
    You can then view the manuals free. Things are changing on that website and not sure if you can print the pages or not. But I like having the manuals personally.

    Mike
     
  10. 65Larkin

    65Larkin Well-Known Member

    Took the family for a cruise from Gisborne up the coast to Tolaga Bay today. Beautiful sunny summers day. Definitely rides/handles heaps better with the new rims & tyres. Had to chuckle to myself at our girls who are usually real nervous about getting into the back with no seatbelts so comfortable they fell asleep both ways.

    Hopefully some warm thoughts to thaw the chill some of you are experiencing.
     

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  11. Golden Oldie 65

    Golden Oldie 65 Well-Known Member

    Humm....... Why do I like that car so much? :grin: Nice!!! Any rubbing on any of the tires?
     
  12. 65Larkin

    65Larkin Well-Known Member

    Looking at your avatar I wouldn't have a clue my friend ;-)

    Jut a couple of rubs up front, haven't had a good look yet but hopefully nothing a few wee 'taps' won't sort out.

    Whats the time there my friend, I'm home for lunch 1.15pm Monday and i se you're online
     
  13. Golden Oldie 65

    Golden Oldie 65 Well-Known Member

    We're in CST (central standard time)
     
  14. crewser

    crewser Platinum Level Contributor

    That is a fine looking automobile, maybe mine will look like that when it grows up..Mine had a much harder life

    Jim C
     
  15. 65Larkin

    65Larkin Well-Known Member

    Been a while since I updated so here goes. After the wheels went on I handed it over for an alignment. The tyre shop next to my work sponsor my speedway car some so they know me pretty well, the boss tried to find specs on the machine and didn't get far. When the technician got back from lunch he asked me notebook in hand for the specs I wanted. I told him about 1/2 degree neg camber as much pos. castor he could get within reason and about 3mm toe in, he thought they had shims but not the right ones it turned out so that evening I had a dig around under my bench and found a stash of HR Holden (66/67) shims which did the trick. Its nice to find someone in this day and age that will make the effort to get things right so thanks Tony.
    Over the coldest part of winter it was in the shed for the new heater core that came with the car to go in. Managed to wriggle out the inner guard leaving the outer in place, easy job compared to working on late model jap cars. When the heater box came of the firewall I discovered it had been snotted up it some sort of sealant some time in the past and on the inside the lugs on two of the control cables were busted so i went shopping .

    Heater seal kit, Heater control cable set and heater hoses came from OPG
    Top radiator hose (it used to bulge alarmingly when hot so inner hose split) and Moog springs from rockauto.

    The battery tray and inner guard were getting a bit poxy from the battery gassing off (prior to my ownership) so they had a birthday while it was apart. All went back together sweet and the heater works really well.

    Now the speedway car is occupying the shed getting panelled and a front cut and I am frequently using my Buick and thoroughly enjoying it. I get a lot of comments when people see it parked out the back of my work

    As of this weekend just past I have had it for a year and I still look at it & say to myself "Wow I actually own that"

    The only gripe is it doesn't scare me when i fire it up. Hopefully that will be sorted soon help from JW
     
  16. 65Larkin

    65Larkin Well-Known Member

    Wow two years since an update. Moved home July last year amd now the Skylark & 34G don't have to compete for shed space. My shed space has almost quadrupled + there's a single garage attached to the front of the house it fits in - just, about an inch to spare either end. I frequently use the car to cruise to work, seeing it out the back is still a blast - like pinch me out of the dream .
    Started running ragged a while back - fried points, not as if I can go to the parts store here and buy them but the set I'm my 430 dizzy so used them - sweet . Still not right - shagged vac. advance canister - you know where I found the replacement . Set dwell & timing, cleaned plugs and tweaked car by and shouted it an oil change, still running sweet today. Next to last warrant of fitness ( safety inspection ) found a bulging front brake hose, jumped online to rock auto, looked at options and went for all three a.c. Delco hoses. Box made in US of A. Hoses made in China grrr. Cleaned & repacked front wheel bearings and dusted & adjusted linings before flushing the brake fluid - difference to pedal huge improvement but still four wheel leg assisted drums so good first time. 20170915_135423-2-2.jpg p 20170915_140728-1.jpg 20170915_141059-1.jpg
    Took it for a wee drive today cos I could.
     
    Smalldog221 likes this.
  17. 65Larkin

    65Larkin Well-Known Member

    I have had my 430 block magnafluxed and started organising parts - started a thread in engine forum
     
    Bill Nuttle likes this.

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