Hey Capn456: how are you rebuiling your Dual Path - did you find a kit? I have a '63 Skylark convertible with a tempermental reverse gear, so would appreciate any tips or advice possible (other than replacing it with something else; I'm not about to attempt that). Many thanks.
Kanter Auto carries them for about 380 $. http://www.kanter.com///productdeta...b=0&Vdr=&Itm=&MDv=1&MDpt=0&MSb=0&Cat=4&Prc=32 Thats the Master kit with all bearings, clutches, seals gaskets.... But its also possible to buy just the clutches if you want, or a smaller rebuild kit. Check out their shop. Select your car, then youll find "Automatic Transmission" at "Other Restauration" in the list on the left side of the screen. Hope that helps :TU:
Kanter products are all grossly overpriced, I learned that a decade ago working on my Packard. I found Fatsco (Google them, talk to Mike and tell them Mike in Texas told you to call) have the kits, they come in several different versions, I chose the top of the line which included all the clutch plates, fiber as well as metal. I have a GM repair manual on CD which is a great help. Repairs are not that hard just need to take it a section at a time. It really involves just replacing seals and O-rings and clutch plates. I could have finished in 1 weekend but found a lower clutch pressure plate broken in 4 pieces. A heavy piece that I could not imagine how it got broken until I found that the clutch pack that rode on top of it was missing both a fiber and a metal plate. Go figure. Since the car was parked 25 years ago with a stuck engine I have no idea if it was running and driving. The part is not part of the kit and I thought I was screwed but I called Mike at Fatsco and he had the part although used for $14.00. That reminds me, their major kit that I got was $318. If Kanter get $380 for the minor kit I can only imagine what they get for this kit. Here is a photo of the broken part. It is 5/8" thick. I will let you know how it goes back together. The overhaul CD came off of Ebay, search Dual Path.:Smarty:
Here are the prices from Fatsco for the dual path kits. Overhaul (gaskets,seals,rings) $156.62 Major Kit (overhaul kit + friction plates) $213.49 Master Kit (overhaul kit + friction & steel plates) $318.24
Thanks for the advice and information - hope that everything goes together right on your Dual Path rebuild!
Well the disc conversion is going well, I have all the parts from Scarebird and the rotors and calibers from Rock Auto, and today dropped off the old drums at the machine shop to have the hub and drum seperated. They also need to machine the neck off of the upper spacer that used to mount the old wheel cylinder. I also ran into a clearance problem, although slight for the knock off wheel adapter and they will make a couple passes off the adaptor to fit tight against the rotor. Looks like the machine work will be about $150 but still worth it. I am taking photos and will post them as I finish up. I also saved all the invoices from Rock auto and will scan and add to the post so you can see the part # and the price. I should have a real good handle on the conversion costs for everyone. The Dual Path rebuild is at a standstill because the very last and smallest part that needed to come out of the valve bodyto have o-rings replaced, I buggered it up trying to get it out. Luckly Fatsco just today sent me an e-mail saying they had shipped me one for $9.64. These Fatsco Transmission folks along with Rock Auto are amazing. Parts are on my doorstep within two (2) days and I am not paying extra handling. Fedex Ground delivered a couple little suspension parts from Rock on Saturday, I ordered them on Thursday. Spring is here on the South coast of Texas and temps are moving into the high 70's and everything is starting to bloom, great time to be in the shop putting the Dual Path back together. The Stroker motor is setting in the crate waiting on the Dual Path and I am getting antsy. Regards to all,:Smarty: Mike
Mike, sounds like you´re putting an awesome car together. I´m curios to see pics. What parts did you use for your stroker build? Maybe you can tell me what you used, where you bought and how much you payed for it (not exactly, just about).
hi Mike: did you change out your master brake cylinder as well? If so - what did you use? I also did the Scarebird conversion (and yes - Rock Auto prices and delivery are amazing!!) but couldn't use their recommended Fairmont brake cylinder because of the extra bracing in the engine compartment of my '63 convertible. Now I found out that I'm not getting enough pressure to fully clamp the front brakes onto the rotors, so may need a secondary brake cylinder set-up. I'm still waiting to see how much this will cost! Also - do you know where to find rear wheel cylinders for these baby Buicks? So far I've had no luck. thanks for your help and your wealth of information! Ray
I think the master cylinder is going to be my biggest headache. I have power brakes and the set up is apparently very rare, no parts and just plain weird. The booster is a bellow unit by Kelsey Hayes. It has a standoff bracket that clears the wiper motor. I had hoped to somehow use the bracket and install a 7" modern booster with a dual mastercylinder. I did find a AMC Javelin master cylinder that fits the Kelsey Hayes system and has the ports inboard which is a must. I am going to make sure the whole system is together (disc brakes and master cylinder/booster) before I put the motor back in. After spending a awful lot of time cleaning 48 years of grease and East Texas red dirt off the suspension things are starting to look pretty nice. Hope to get the hubs back from the machine shop this week and I will hang the disc brakes and wire wheels on her and see how they look. Want to make sure the wire wheel clear everything before I decide on tires. Even though I am going to 14" I would like a wider but shorter tire to lower the puppy a little.
Mike, Could you help me a bit with some infos on your motor. A friend of mine has a 62 special. We have to build a motor for this car in the next weeks. It would be cool to build a good stroke for the car. It would really help me with ordering parts and so on. Would be very kind of you.
I will post the information shortly. I need to bring the article to work and scan and/or fax it. Maybe if someone wants a copy, PM me with a fax or e-mail address and I will send it. Not real sure if attaching it as a thumbnail will work. I will try that first. I go home for lunch and I will get the magazine then and try to get it done this afternoon.
Guys I have the article scanned and in word format. If you e-mail me at mike.linbeck@eimc.com I will gladly send it to you. Going to make the same offer down in the engine forum.
Are you looking for the complete wheel cylinder or the kits. Here is a lead on the kits on Ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/61-6...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item53e0016a84 These come from Argentina but I have done business with these folks and it is good stuff. I have not looked if I have some spares so before you buy let me check on Saturday.
My buddy bought this parts from "classic Buicks". Brake work well:TU: BTW, Mike, I checked out the Hot Rod article. Its the best describtion Ive ever read about 215 strokers. You said that youre gonna put this motor on your dual path. I called D&D Buick because they carry a lot of good stuff. But they told me that it doesnt matter which combo Im going to build. This transmission wont last. I was told that a TH200 would be the choice. The make adapter plates for this. When do you think you will take you car out for a test drive?
I have a feeling this little dual path I have just about finished, hopefully I will finsh tomorrow will take it. It has a little extra work. Besides I had one brand new in 62, and I drove the hell out of it as as a teenager and never had a problem with the trannie. But to be safe I had a flywheel made to mate a new GM 6 speed if I cook the Dual Path. My 86 year old uncle used to own a transmission shop in Dallas and he still will tell you it was a good transmission and way ahead of it time. After rebuilding this one I tend to agree. Buick engineers were way ahead of the powerglide
Got the parts back from the machine shop Friday and tried a Scarbird disc set up on the right front. Worked out really well. The only issue so far is there is going to be a little clearance issue on the wire wheels seating properly on the spline because of interference with caliber. I don't think it would be a problem with a normal wheel. Looks like a 1/4 spacer will solve the problem. Here are a couple photos I took today. The caliber doesn't have the outboard brake pad in the photo, I was just doing a trial fit.
Wow - very nice wheels! Can't wait to see the finished product mounted on your car. Sorry to take so long to respond - I am interested in the complete wheel cylinders for the rear wheels, rather than just the rebuild kits. cheers, Ray
Discount Tire went beyond the call of duty for me. I wanted to lower the car and since we were going from 13" to 14" wires I had done a ton of study on what I wanted. Troy the manager at DT, based on what I wanted, hollered at his man in the tire rack to throw down a 195R6014 low profile. We popped it on and it looked great. The only problem when we tossed in the water tank it was found to be leaking in about a 100 places at the spokes. Kinda of looked like a Jazzuci. I figured they would need tubes anyway. Troy ordered 4 tubes for me and the only thing he asked was that I find some baby powder to put in the tires to prevent friction between the tube and tire, which I did. Picked up all four tires yesterday and they look great. Standing next to the original I got about a 1 1/2" shorter and a 2 1/2" wider tire, just what I wanted. Stuck one on the car last night and it looks really good. I need to change out the front studs because the long ones I bought were not quite long enough because of the 1/4" spacer I needed on the front disc conversion. If I wasn't using knock offs I think the 1 7/8" studs would be fine. The wire wheel adaptor is just a little to close to the caliber so the spacer was needed. Photos in a short. Mike
