Well, figured I'd start a thread to chronicle the restoration of my Buick. Not only is this my first Buick, it's my first Carb'd Vehicle and first Vintage/Classic/Antique Car (depends on how you define it). So I've got a LOT to learn! The Car: 1967 Buick Skylark 4-dr Post sedan, 1 of 9123 made for that year (so so my research thus far as indicated). Has the 340-2v and ST300 it is almost completely original. Previous owners put in a CD player and a dual exhaust system with cut-outs in front of the muffler. The Good: Runs, shifts and drives great. Interior is in pretty decent condition and so is most of the exterior trim. The Bad: Some pretty bad rust on the rockers and behind the rear wheels (as you'll see in the pictures.
Skylark as I found it: http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/102_1021.jpg http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/102_1022.jpg http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/102_1023.jpg http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/102_1024.jpg The bad rust spots (good places to find panels or patches?) http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/102_1105.jpg http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/102_1102.jpg http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/102_1101.jpg http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/102_1100.jpg
This is how much dirt was on it, you can see where I started to clean it: http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/102_1099.jpg The first wash and cleanup: http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/102_1117.jpg http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/102_1114.jpg http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/102_1115.jpg and I wish it was this shiny, I think it's the water that hadn't dried off yet: http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/102_1116.jpg Sorry for all the links, it'd take me longer to edit the size then just upload them to photobucket.
And here's the cowl tag for you research hounds (don't think I have any too rare options.:grin http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/cowltag.jpg
It looks as if someone did take car of it over the years. For the rusted areas you'd be better of replacing the entire affected panels if you can find them from a clean western or southern car. As for the paint , it can be brought back to a shine with a mild polishing compound and a high speed buffer. Ive brought back as bad or worse finishes than yours in an afternoon. It wont be perfect but much better than it is now.
The previous owner left this outside parked over grass, not sure if he even covered it or not. At least now it's parked inside a nice garage. eventually all the 1/4 panels and rockers will have to be replaced. You can see the rust on the rockers and rears, the fronts have this split forming at the very front vertical line. From what I've found so far not too many options out there for repro sheet metal for these cars, and I'm guessing the 4-drs are even harder. There's just surface rust on the roof. the hood is ok other than that one dent, the trunk lid is great, both bumpers are pretty solid. Mechanically, it fires over and idles better than my truck does. Though I did notice the passenger side exhaust is spittin' some oil (it's Dual exhast, but no cross over so i know its just that one side.). Haven't done a compression check yet. But I'm patient, I'm in no hurry so as I find the parts she will be rebuilt
I was going to clean up the stock aircleaner for the 'lark, any suggestions on what grit paper or how to clean the rust off the cleaner, and what color paint to use? it looks silvery right now. Also what would any appropriate decals for the air cleaner be? i.e. "powered by buick" "Wildcat 350"....etc.... (I searched the forum, but could not find an answer for what color and what if any appropriate decals for the 67' 340-2 would be)
No answers on the proper color paint for the air cleaner? Been working on decoding the cowl plate, this is what i have so far O1D 67-44469FL1 145855 181-A D-C EO 2X 4C 5KY O1D- 4th week of January 67- year 44496- 4-door Post Sedan FL- Flint, MI 145855- Fisher Body Number 181-A : Not sure what color, Bench seat E- Tinted glass all around O- Two Tone paint (D-C, Sapphire Blue and Artic White) 2X- ST300 Auto trans 4C- Ext. Belt Reveal Moldings 5KY- Door Edge Guards, and Deluxe front seat belts Seems to match everything it's got, suppose I can rule out it being a 4-door clone :spank:
Finally had some time to start fixing up my 'lark. replaced all the plugs, found 7 of them where bosch, and 1 was an even older Ac delco (i think?) not sure why you'd change 7 and not the last one o No: I had no problem getting it out. http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd423/urbancowboy0307/102_1129.jpg you can see the odd one out that is much rustier than the rest. Though they all looked like they'd been in there for a while, very black and very worn down. So far all I've seen for stock air cleaners is painting it black, is it possible that the paint came off mine leaving a silver color? or does someone else with a '67 have a silver colored on their 340-2v?
I dont think thats the original "air cleaner" the original was all black.. If you want to clean this up I suggest you degrease with Eastwood "Pre" then sand thoroughly with 220 sandpaper take your time to get all the nooks and cranys wipe down with tack cloth prime and paint with something like rusteolum Semigloss black and let dry for a few days.. I you have other question just pm me, Ive done a lot detail work like this..
hey,,, I would put in a request for the correct air cleaner in the "parts wanted" section here... We have plenty of members who have parts galore for your car..
I am pretty sure the air cleaner in the pictures at the top of this post is the correct one for your car. I believe the silver color you are seeing was a rust preventative coating applied to bare metal before painting, I see it sometimes when I bead blast parts in prep for painting. It was on the air cleaner on the wagon I did.
Warmed up a bit and the wind dried things out so i took the Skylark out for a little spin and grab some gas. I'll have to say, even with as ragged as my car looks still turns heads, and people don't pass me, they pace me to check it out! :TU: I'm exctied for when it's warmer again! Lots to do over the winter, so it'll keep me motivated. Haven't had the chance to do anything, been fooling around with my truck's brakes.
