Chuck, Those belts are made of nylon, type of plastic. Really doubt any type of dye is going to work on them. Maybe some sort of fabric paint but not dye.
Thank you, I wasn't certain about that. Ah well, they are tan and can stay that way. They came nicely clean and work very well. When I get some 0000 steel wool, I will use polish on them and shine them up.
Well, I went back to the wreckers today, Gary's Auto wreckers in Raymond, Alberta, to get some caps for the wheels that I picked up 2 weeks ago. While I was there, I got another rim, a fifth one, for the spare. My steel spare cannot be balanced. The tire shop put 16 oz on it, then quit trying. I can't blame them on that one. So, I managed to find 5 matching Rallye Rims. They are code 895, so, not quite the 66 ones, but close enough for a daily driver. They looked in sad shape when I purchased them, but a little, well, a lot of elbow grease, 0000 steel wool, vinegar and aluminium foil, then Mothers Mag and aluminium polish and they came out nice. Driver quality for sure, but shiny and nice. I am going to put them on in the middle of January. Total cost for 5 rims and 4 Davidson Buick Motors caps... $250 Can ($187 US). They look great as far as I am concerned. We painted the black areas (My wife masked off the chrome. Her hands work way better than mine.) and then clear coated the chrome side. The backs don't look as shiny, but they are still presentable. He does have more wheels. I also saw a Riv and a Skylark. The Skylark looked pretty scavanged though. No doors or back seat left in it. There were a couple of other older Buicks that I didn't get too close to. I still don't recognize the cars without a play guide. I've got to get rid of the tire that was on one rim, but, they have to be mounted and balanced anyway, so, Kirks Tires problem, not mine. I am also mounting a set of driving lights on the front. Small rectangular Halogen Lights. I think they looks good mounted on the grill. I told my wife that 30 years ago I would have drilled holes in the bumper. From my lofty, well, aged perspective, no way Jose! I bolted them to the grill with no extra holes needed. I am planning on getting a relay and having them come on and go off with the high beams. That is the only way I would use them and that way, I dim my lights and do not haveto worry about forgetting them and blinding someone. They were on sale, $10, down from $50. My brother George says that is because everyone want LED's these days so they are blowing out the older ones. I like that they are an older technology, melts the snow and is more period correct for the car. I was really hoping to find a mirror for the passengers door, but, no luck. I will search again later online, but really do not want to pay $97 plus shipping for a Buick repop. Wait and see, not a biggie. That's all I have today. I hope everyone has a Wonderful Christmas Season. Best wishes to all from the Bridges Family.
Chuck, You handled it very well. If and when I ever get that comment I doubt I will be as polite. I kind of hope that dose come up in the future it might be fun to poke at the snowflake a little.
Caps say BUICK MOTOR DIVISION. I bought a set of NOS in their boxes for the RaSabre a few yrs ago. They are sharp on the wheels.
Sorry, trying to type when I'm tired. Thank you. They do look good. I look forward to putting them on the car next month. Thank you for the clarification. I actually found a set of coloured tri shield caps to fit the car online that my wife likes. I might go that way. Have to see. (Happy wife gives you a happy life!)
Well, I just finished wiring the driving lights in the car. I purchased a relay and rather than go to a switch on the dash, I ran the lights to work off of the high beams. The only time I would need them is if I am driving on the highway with the high beams on and I didn't want to bother with a switch. Now I know that when I dim the lights, they go out autmatically. At least my electronics background still comes in handy, occasionally. When it gets dark, I will go out and aim them. Right now, I am too tired andjust want to have a rest, wait for my Grandson to wake up from his nap and play.
I went out to aim the driving lights after dark and, what do you know, they are already good. I guess my rough job of aiming them in the daylight actually worked. This morning I had a hour to kill before our Granddaughters party at school (Mom and Dad both work so we fill in, a lot.) so I went out to see how to hold the wires in place on the back of the grill, without drilling or having anything show. I started by straightening out the wires and using tye-wraps to hold them neat. Then, I looked at the wire going between the lights and the wires going to the relay. Hmmm, now, no drilling, how can I hold these wires in place....., ah, silicon. I can use the silicon I purchased when Terry taught me how to get to and tighten the fuel lobe. (It was purchased, you know, just in case. Does that happen to all of us, or is it just me.....) I laid 4 short, thick runs of silicon on the back flat part of the grill, then tye-wrapped them into place neatly. I then put a layer of silicon over top of the wires where they crossed the bottom silicon. Tomorrow, I will cut out the tye-wraps and, no more wires or tye-wraps seen. When I tested the lights last night, I was amazed at the difference with and without the new driving lights. They look good, and they work properly. Lately, my lofty goal of "Restore to new" has changed with time and realization that "Safe and reliable" are far more important. She has no rust, a fresh rebuild, and, most importantly, a full tank of fuel. Let the fun begin! (Rallye's in January)
Something told me to drive to Walmart last night for a snack. Something I usually don't do at night. I took the car because, well, it's fun. I parked and started walking into the store when I saw a man with his phone on flashlight mode looking at the left front of the engine compartment. It was on a Dodge Charger and seems he broke (rusted through) the negative cable post. What a stupid place for a battery. I opened the trunk, brought out my tools for him and helped to get the broken cable post off. While he went to purchase another one in Walmart, I did my shopping and met him back outside. Once he was running, he asked what he owed me. "Nothing, it was my pleasure." I replied. He kept insisting, since he lost a 3/8 inch drive 12 mm socket and the ratchet behind the battery. I let him buy me a drink at McDonalds and wished him a Merry Christmas. Dad would be pleased. My hand, on the other hand, hurts from all the skin scraped off of it. But, he got home to his family and I managed to make his day a little brighter. Driving my car had nothing to do with it. Do you believe me? (I don't.)
It was -12 here this morning. I needed to go and walk (she's too old to run anymore) the dog (not the wife). I debated as to whether it was worth the warm-up time to take the car, but, heck yeah, warm up time. We went to the dog park and spent about 30 minutes there. I took her home and drove to the Walmart for Denture cream When I pulled up, a young guy parked next to me and asked me a bunch of questions I answered them, then went in, got my things and came out to two older gentlemen looking at her Once again, I answered their questions, which included "Why are you driving this cat today?" I explained the Wildcat is my daily driver and my F150 is for out of town trips and hauling things. They didn't seem quite satisfied with that answer so I said "If I own a car, it has to earn it's keep. I cannot afford a 'garage queen'." I drove it home and took my groceries in. Every day I get to drive the car, is a good day. Tomorrow is Christmas and I wish everyone reading this an exceptionally good holiday season and new year. Thank you for supporting our Buick community with your wisdom and willingness to share. I know that in the last 3 years, I have learned, sometimes the hard way many things about our cars. I look forward to continuing my education (never too old to learn, eh?) and sharing my knowledge of electronics and electrical systems. Have a great day all! Chuck
Well, how was your Christmas and New Year. I had a good, but expensive one. Yesterday, my eldest Son and I went for a drive in my car to take the dog for a walk. William mentioned that he really is uncomfortable driving without a passenger side mirror. I said that Canadian Tire has a chrome sport mirror that is the same diameter as the drivers side mirror. He said lets go there and purchased me a mirror. We went home and measured the drivers mirror position. We then matched the location and mounted the mirror. I had Will sit in the drivers seat and set the mirror, then tightened it down. He is happy now. I am okay with it as it really is a safety matter. There are a number of two lane roads in town here so it really is peace of mind. I had to think about it before I mounted it, but my boy's peace of mind is foremost to me. Well, everyone have a great night all. I wish everyone and wonderful, fruitful year. Chuck
Love your daily story of events. With my 70 GS, I get thumbs up from old people who know what it is. 95% of the time I get "what kind of car is that"? One lady asked me if my Buick was a new 2024 model, because she had never seen a car that looked like mine. Than I got this young kid in a Honda rice burner revving his engine next to me at a stop light. I looked around, saw no cops, and said to myself, this is going to be fun. Light turned green and I smoked him to the next light. Thought he might like another try but he wouldn't even pull next to me. I haven't yet had anybody tell me my car is bad for the environment. Had fun at a friend's service station. He a Korean guy who hires young Korean kids learning to be mechanics. I took my Buick to him to for an oil change and grease job. The young kid couldn't figure out how to open my hood. When he opened the hood and saw the size of the 455. His eyes got real big and asked me what size engine is in the Buick. I said a 7.5 liter. He almost fell backwards. I asked him what size engine his car has, he says 1.5 liter. Later he says oil & filter finished, I said did you grease the suspension parts, he says WHAT! The car has zerk grease fittings. You have a grease gun? I don't think so. He gets the owner Bill and Bill get a grease gun out of his tool box. I asked Bill, hey you use that much, only on your car, we started laughing. Bill is in his 50's, his father started the service station in the early 70's and is long retired. I said did you see your apprentice couldn't open my hood. Ya, I saw that, I see you showed him, ya I did. I had some fun today at your shop. We both starting laughing again. Who says you can't have fun with an old classic. I wonder what else these kids don't know about, O' ya, the high beam switch in the floor. Got to try that one next. Vet (Navy)
They also seem to struggle to find the gas cap, under the plate. Some ask me to back up, then I tell them that it is under here. You certainly can have fun with our old cars, and old friends. I have also found, much to my surprise, that I can have fun teaching my boys what I do know about my car, and, learning along side of them. Sometimes the lessons get expensive (Nope, shouldn't have jacked the car up there), sometimes they are dangerous (Like unbolting the back axle and forgetting to support it when I changed the springs and shocks. Almost cut me in half.), and sometime they are downright aggrevating (This worked 5 minutes ago!). Over all, I have learned, I have remembered things Dad tried to teach me, and I have started passing along the knowledge to my sons. (Will and Mike couldn't open the hood either, until I showed them how. At least I replaced the spring so the hood stays up!) That's all I have for now. Another day driving the car and enjoying the thrill. May it never end!
I fully understand where you are coming. I have a daughter and a car only means getting from one shopping mall to another one. Lol License plate hiding the gas cap, that's a good one. The better one is the 56 Chevy Belair gas cap being hidden behind the tail light lens. Had a young kid at the service station tried to rip off the tail light lens trying to get to the gas cap. Hey, you got points in stock for my distributor? What's points??? You need a key to open the doors and trunk on your car? How come you don't have power windows? You mean you have to crank them up & down!! My wife will break her expensive nails. How come you don't have a dimmer switch on the steering wheel? It's in the floor, that's weird. How come your head light switch is in the dash?? Hey, what's an 8 track player?? Who has a phonograph mounted under their dash?? How does it work on 12 volts?? Hey, what does GEN on your dash stand for? Why is it lit up?? How come when you go WOT your windshield wipers stop working?? Why does your air cleaner have oil in it?? One day, all this will be lost forever. Only to be found in the National Archives. Vet
I remember the oil bath air cleaner. when my Dad first got our, well, his, 1969 F250 4x4, it came with a 360 and oil bath air cleaner. Dad told me to clean it out, so I took it off, washed it out and put it back, completely forgetting oil. Dad didn't have a temper, but, he wasn't happy when he found out 2 days later. A lot of dust on those bush roads, no oil to trap it. My bad, sorry Dad. I never had power windows, until we were leaving Ontario to go back to the Yukon and purchased this big old boat of a car, I can't even remember what type it was. Just big, and 4 doors. It had all the luxuries, but quit on us about 250 miles into the trip. We purchased a 1974 Chevy 1/2 ton with a 250 6 cylinder and a 3 on the tree. The dealer that sold us guaranteed that it would make the Yukon. It did that, and much more. What a bullet proof engine! The 3 on the tree, well....., I lost 1st gear after going through the Kicking Horse Pass, headed to Alberta. We went to a wreckers in Brooks Alberta and they sold me a transmission for $50 and put it in for $75. Cheap! The jump from 1st to 2nd was huge, but doable. What I haven't mentioned is that we were pulling a 1975 Terry Taurus 23 foot trailer. Not exactly a lightweight. This explains the loss the the transmission. I just looked it up, dry weight 3790 lbs. Probably 5000 loaded. On our trip to my Mother In Laws for a few days, I drove home in the dark and kept stomping on the floor to dim the lights, in my 2012 F150. I feel foolish...
Stomping on the floor, that's so funny. 3 on the tree, my Dad had a 68 Firebird with 3 on the tree. After doing a bunch of power shifting, I manage to screw-up the shifter linkage, oops! That was a pretty fast car too.
The absolute worst thing I ever did to Dad was I took his 1964 Fargo Short-Box 4x4 out without permission. I went freewheeling down a steep (about a 10% grade) bush hill with my foot on the clutch, in first gear. We hit a bump, my foot slipped off of the clutch and... Big Bang, lots of dust. At the bottom of the hill, no first, second, or any gear. It just revved up, and sat there. We got Dad and he took one look at the truck, then the hill (We had pushed it to a side, logging trucks) and said "You were riding the clutch." Not a question, a statement. "No Dad." I lied. Whack upside the head. "You were riding the clutch and that is why the truck is broken. The smack was for lying." I am sorry Dad, I replied. He towed it back to camp and made me help take it apart. I shattered the clutch, pressure plate was ruined and did something to the vacuum advance. Not my most shining moment. All the time I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting and, nothing. Dad didn't hold grudges. He taught lessons on whatever we needed at that moment. Have I mentioned he was step-dad? So, he really didn't have to care about Mom's screw-up son who couldn't even take the time to learn his trade (Mechanic, Log Loader Operator, Truck Driver, Welder... Dad did it all, and well.). I had my head in cooking at that point, sure I was going to be a big deal chef. Nope! He had me help put it back together a few days later when we had time to go to town for parts. In the meantime, I was grounded from Mom's '72 Toyota Corolla Coupe. In the bush in 1975 with no vehicle, good lesson. Now for a little Buick, I went out to the car today and replaced the wipers (broke one scraping frost). I like to do pairs when I change, makes it easier to remember. I found in my basement a new, in package, magnetic block heater. I put that under the car and hope it shortens my warm-up time on the car. It's only about 3 - 4 minutes, but that is 3 - 4 minutes of my Grandchildren asking if we can go yet. Along the lines of "Are we there yet?". I had almost forgotten that one, till the Grandkids came along. Well, I am talked out, enough memories. I hope everyone here has fond memories of times with our parents. I know, I got a smack, well deserved I might add, but that lesson has stuck with me and I am habitually honest, to the point of annoying my wife sometimes. May all have a wonderous new year filled with love, joy, peace, and , rides in our cars. Bye for now! P.S. I didn't mention that Dad was a Status Native. He taught me the meaning of work, honesty, and commitment. Dad, I miss you. Chuck
I love your life story, and yes, I've had similar stories. My Dad made the Army a career. So it was yes sir or no sir. He was a hard man but fair. Vet
The weather forecast for Lethbridge, when I looked Friday, had warm temperatures, no precipitation and lots of fun (Well, for me in my car anyways.) Today, I woke up to 5 inches of show and -12 C (10 F). Bummer Dude! Well, I won't be driving my car for a bit, until the Chinook rolls in. In the meantime, I am going to have to drive my F150, but, I have a slow sidewall leak that has to be topped up every morning. I put in 50 lbs of air, by the next morning, 15 lbs of air. I talked to my Brother-In-Law Ray when he called and asked how things are going. "Not worth a crap." I told him. "What's wrong?" he asked. I told him about the sidewall leak and that I had to get a new tire to replace it. but, no money. I can't drive the Wildcat in snow, I have All Season Tires (Well, they are really 3 season tires.). He said to get it replaced and call him. He would loan me the money. I told him that until Jenny gets her CPP (Canada Pension Plan), I could only afford to repay him about $50 per month. He said he would rather his sister and Great Niece and Great Nephew were in a safe vehicle. Can't argue with that. Tomorrow morning, I will take the truck to the tire shop and see what they can do for me. I don't think there is any road hazard warranty on light truck tires. I brushed the snow off the car while I was out there and whacked the mirror I put on the passenger door. Still not used to seeing a mirror on that side yet. It does make a difference according to the traffic safety rules. With only 1 side mirror, no tint on the back window. With 2, you are allowed. I will have to see. I have about 12 inches of tint at the top of the rear windows. I might redo it, might not. Have to see how I feel. Without AC, it does get hot in there, but the kids have learned how to open the side windows, just not close them yet. I guess at this time of year, it really doesn't matter, the only heat they are going to get is from the heater. Well, the cold my Grandson gave me it telling me it is bed time. I wish everyone on V8Buick was wonderful Sunday, and all the love of the Lord. Chuck
For the time being just put a "Hot Patch" inside over the part which is leaking. That will at least give you a little time. I've done it plenty in the past. Shouldn't cost anymore than $15.00-$20.00 Tom T.
