New member w/'71 GS Stage 1 4spd...my first Buick...

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by Barsteel, Mar 28, 2020.

  1. Barsteel

    Barsteel Well-Known Member

    Hello!

    This is my first post, aside from an intro posting.

    A few months ago, I was looking for a change, so I sold my '64 Galaxie convertible and ended up with a nice, solid '71 Buick GS Stage 1 4 speed. The car had been sitting since the early 80s with a spun rod bearing. The previous owner, a mechanic by trade, bought the car, completely rebuilt the engine, the front end, and the brakes. The VIN is 434371Hxxxxxx, which identifies the car as a Flint built GS. The numbers on the driver's side block match the VIN, so the engine is original to the car.

    The car starts first crank and idles nicely. The body, frame, and floor are solid, although it has a crappy typical late 70s enamel paint job and a bit of bondo in the rear quarters, nothing horrible, tho. In the next few weeks, I'm going to get the car into my garage and start addressing some of the things it needs...gauges and parking brake don't work, and the interior is somewhat rough.

    Anyway, I was doing some research and found that the carb is not original.

    1) I see conflicting data, one that says the car came with a 7041242 quadrajet, and other that say a 7041243. Can anyone tell me the correct carb number I should have, keeping in mind that it's a 4 spd car?

    2) The car has an aftermarket manual choke, which I HATE, so I'm looking to put it back to original. I'm missing the choke coil and rod. Does anyone have one that they'd be willing to part with?

    3) I looked up a 7041242 carb on Ebay, just to see what I was in for. After I regained consciousness from shock, I realized that a correct carb may not be in the cards for me anytime soon. Does anyone here have a correct carb for my '71 Stage 1 that they'd be willing to part with for less than they're asking on Ebay. No, I don't expect it for free, don't mind if it needs a rebuild, but I don't want to take out a 2nd mortgage if I don't have to.

    I'm not new to old cars. I've owned over 20 in the past 10 years, and currently have a '65 Fury 440 4spd, a '69 Mach 1, a '66 F100, and the Buick, which I've wanted for a loooooong time.

    Thanks in advance for everyone's help...

    Chris
    Monroe, CT
     

    Attached Files:

    1972Mach1, MRP, docgsx and 4 others like this.
  2. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    You bought that out of LI from a guy named Bob. One of your cars prior owners is a long time member here.
     
    Barsteel likes this.
  3. OHC JOE

    OHC JOE Mullet Mafia since 2020

    Sweet ride welcome from so cal
     
  4. Barsteel

    Barsteel Well-Known Member

    I did. I was told that the prior (2 prior, actually) seller's last name was Weiss (Weis)? I was hoping to get his contact information to learn some more about the car's history, etc.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2020
  5. 2001ws6

    2001ws6 last of the v8 interceptors

    Congrats! Welcome aboard! :cool:
     
  6. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    The 1242 carb is correct,..but the 43 carb is just as valuable,..and is exactly the same carb besides the float level setting
     
  7. Brian Albrecht

    Brian Albrecht Classic Reflections

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  8. johnriv67

    johnriv67 Well-Known Member

    Hello from Canton, CT!
     
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  9. Barsteel

    Barsteel Well-Known Member

    Interesting post. A few comments:

    I didn't pay close to the asking price.

    I'm not sure why the car was called a "mess". It is what it is, which is an unrestored car that needs interior work, which was plain to see. The floor and frame are solid, minor surface rust on the floor, and there's a small, maybe 1.5" x 1.5" hole in the trunk. However, the previous owner, a mechanic by trade, said that he completely rebuilt the engine, and I believe it. It starts first crank and runs beautifully. He also complete rebuilt the front end, put in new rear springs, the tires are new, as are the belts, hoses, and radiator (not correct, tho, but I DO have the original radiator), and the brakes are all new. The car is registered and insured, and I've driven it several times already. It did not disappoint.

    My immediate plans for the car are to get it up on my lift and go through it...check everything that he said was done, check fluids, etc, then fix all the gauges - none of them except the speedo work - get the signals, horn, and radio working as well, and then clean it as best I can. The interior IS nasty.

    I'd also like to get a correct carb for it if I can find one that doesn't require a 2nd mortgage. No, I don't expect it for free, however.

    I also need a correct choke coil setup as I had mentioned.

    Longer term, maybe at the end of this season, I will replace the entire interior and detail it as best I can.

    The biggest problem I'll be facing is the rust holes in the dash, past the dash pad towards the windshield. Has anyone ever dealt with dash rust?

    At the end of the day, I knew exactly what I bought, what it needed, and I'm happy with it. No, it's not perfect, and it will likely never get a frame off under my ownership. I've been down the "make it perfect" road before and I don't want to to do that again.

    Can't wait to drive it.

    Chris
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2020
    Brian Albrecht and docgsx like this.
  10. gs66

    gs66 Silver Level contributor

    Welcome and congratulations! Enjoy your car!
     
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  11. Stage 2 iron

    Stage 2 iron 480 IRON HEAD STAGE 2

    Welcome from New Jersey ! You won't be disappointed in your Buick GS stage one.
     
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  12. Barsteel

    Barsteel Well-Known Member

    Brian -

    Here you go...

    Chris
     

    Attached Files:

    Brian Albrecht likes this.
  13. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    1242 carbs aren't that much ,..I sold one for $200 few years ago Ken at Everyday performance had one ready to run played and everything for like 800,...I just bought one last year the same way for $800
     
  14. Barsteel

    Barsteel Well-Known Member

    I will call Ken today. Hopefully I can land one for what you paid.
     
  15. johnriv67

    johnriv67 Well-Known Member

    Ken is actually in CT as well.
     
  16. 70 GMuscle

    70 GMuscle Plan B

    You can contact cliff ruggles. The qjet guru.
    He posts here in carb section.
    Good luck w car.
     
  17. Brian Albrecht

    Brian Albrecht Classic Reflections

    Burnished Cinnamon with a Sandalwood top, just as I suspected. Awesome GS IMHO Chris!
     
  18. Barsteel

    Barsteel Well-Known Member

    Brian -

    Thank you! I have yet to learn the color names or to decode the trim tag.

    Any idea what the interior color would be called? I'm shopping for interior kits and am not sure what to call mine.

    Chris
     
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  19. Stage 2 iron

    Stage 2 iron 480 IRON HEAD STAGE 2

    Interior is saddle
     
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  20. Brian Albrecht

    Brian Albrecht Classic Reflections

    Many of us have. In all probability the area under the stainless at the bottom of the windshield is in poor condition. You might need this:

    https://www.thepartsplaceinc.com/pr...gal-gn-upper-cowl-panel-outer-skin-only/88137

    It may have contributed to all the dash electrical issues...
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2020

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