Hey everyone, Wanted to introduce myself and the Buick I’ll be working on this summer. I just graduated high school and got a ‘69 Skylark to work on over the summer before college. It belonged to my great grandaunt and was the car she drove to Vegas to play the nickel slots. It had been sitting at my uncles house under a cover in LA since before I was born. It was shipped across the country to NY where I’ve spent some time working on it. I’ve never worked on a car before, so it has been lots of fun learning about all the pieces and how they work together. As it sits, the spark plugs, oil, starter, and one wheel have all been replaced (vinyl cover was also in very bad shape so I took it off). I’ve been working on getting the timing cover off to see if the chain is broken or the gears have been worn down (distributor wasn’t turning), so I’ve been following the massive paper manuals to try and figure out how. Also there has been some minor aftermarket pieces put in, there’s a switch under the dash that I can’t figure out what it does, thought it might be a kill switch or maybe it turns off the brake lights, but neither proved to be the case. Lots of fun so far and I’m looking forward to the next couple of months that I have to work. Attached some photos below. Took these when I had taken the fan and shroud off and was getting the radiator ready to come out.
Welcome. Very cool! Car looks pretty clean/rust-free. Seems like yesterday I was your age wrenching on Buicks. Lots if help on here. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Welcome to v8Buick and its greatest subgroup…Stepchild Nation! Sounds like a great car to start with, especially being a family car that has a somewhat known history and appears to be unmucked with. Keep plugging away using the service manual (you said ‘thick’ so I presume it’s the factory book-which is the best). It’s more common for a chain to get slack and jump time than to break but you’ll know soon enough. The top gear had plastic (nylon actually) on the teeth to make it run quietly; that likely cracked and came off allowing the slack. The bad news it that it’s likely in the oil pan and can get into the pickup tube and will need to be removed. If you don’t it can starve for oil and go ‘kablooey’. Like, extra holes kablooey. Patrick
Welcome aboard from NY, You have a great start with a good body for your project. Enjoy your summer exploring Buicks. Fred
Awesome! Nice looking car. Be careful with it in the winter or the salt will eat it... 1) don't throw away stuff you take off, you might need it. 2) Distributor not turning? Do you mean when the engine is turning? Could just be the roll pin at the base of the distributor that locks into the drive gear. If you mean it doesn't turn when the car is off, that is correct and expected. 3) Cool car! Enjoy!
Welcome to the board! I like the set up you have to work on the car... shade. Make sure you have enough to drink, a place to lay out that service manual, and maybe some good music. Take it one project at a time, ask all the questions, take lots of photos, and enjoy the process. There isn't anything you can't accomplish (or have done for you)!
Awesome. I can't wait to see more. Welcome to the site. Brings me back to 1990. I was 17, working on my '71 Skylark 350 2bbl.
Thank you and great advice! The distributor wasn’t turning with the engine, and I just double checked the roll pin and where it connects to the distributor. It turns fine and is in place so I assume it’s all good. The connection point on the bottom of the distributor is solid as well.
Welcome , Good luck enjoy the ride ! Its nice to start with a car with limited rust. There are many stepchild supporters here. Good luck!
Welcome from Florida! Looks like a great car in good shape to work on and keep, especially give the history. This place is full of Buick gurus to help you out.
Welcome! What a fantastic family heirloom. And congratulations - you too are now a steward of American automotive history
Welcome and keep at it! Study your manuals as they hold a lot of info, but don’t be afraid to ask ?s on here everyone is very helpful. A great car to get alive again, great to see it stay in the family, and you learn as you go! “How do you eat a whale?” “One bite at a time…”
Welcome, that’s an awesome story to have with a first project and body wise it looks clean. Good luck!
