1972 GS Convertible 455 lead

i wish they weren’t, but they are definitely flat fenders. This pic gives you a better idea.

 

Hard to find the correct 72 GS hood molding. Seems there is a lot of those 72 Skylark ones.
Someone had the wrong one on my car also.

"The hood trim is from a 72 4 door skylark we parted out years ago."



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Thanks Nelson. I wasn’t aware of the 2 different versions until you posted. It’s a shame, this came from a 40,000 mile skylark and has really nice chrome. The only “correct” one we have is on our stage 1 and it’s pitted bad. I’m now in the market for a correct one, or will just paint this version for now and roll with it.

 

Looks great, thank you for the update.

 

Mocked up

 

Last one for now. Took it for its first cruise. Brakes aren’t very good, but otherwise it went fine. Has a fuel leak at the rubber line under the door. The bigger concern is a newly developed “tap”. It sounds like a rocker arm. We are going to forget about that for now and get back to work on the ‘38.

 

Man it’s going to be a Sharp GS when you get it done. Get the 38 done ASAP.

 

Working on it! If you thought getting parts for these cars were difficult, try shopping for a pre-war car.

 

Looking for some feedback on the bottom end’s health. There is an increasing possibility we drive this car to BG this year along with my GN.

I’m not sure if I already mentioned it here, but a valve stuck on our initial drive and bent a pushrod. I believe the lifter is fine. I’ve gotten the valve to free up but we are going to send both heads out to be rebuilt with new valves and springs. I am pretty confident in saying this is the first time the heads have been off this car and want your opinion on how the bottom end and cam look. I don’t see anything obvious outside of typical wear. It’s a 62K mile car. We all know if this came in for a head gasket in the 80s they would slap them in and go. I’m thinking we just button it up as is with a new timing chain and gaskets and send it. Thoughts?

 

I would have Stage 1 valves installed.

 

not a bad idea if I have to buy valves to begin with, but then I fear the snowball effect of springs, cam, etc snow balls.

I do have a set of big valve 70 heads that are ready to go…

 

It’s winter, the best time for snowballs…..

 

Brent is just trying to begin the snowball, lol.

Seriously, I don’t know that the valves alone are going to make much difference but if you have a set of S1 heads ready to go, I'd get 'em on there quickly before the snowball has a chance to get rolling. Otherwise, might as well tear into it but...

 

At least put a mild cam in it! You’ll kick yourself if you’re that close and don’t…
Patrick

 

Partick lives down south. He doesn't understand snow.

Yea, that cam would be nice (seriously, it would). Could probably slip some new bearings in too. Polish the journals. Rings should be good but while you're in there.

Oh, & Nationals is 5 mos. away. Plenty of time.

 

We understand snow. It happens every few years. Occasionally (once a decade) we get it really bad and a few of us die in wrecks or of exposure, but usually we have a milder event. We buy all the milk and bread (and beer and liquor) and stay inside for a few days. Then the sun comes out and melts it all and we go do cam swaps in the driveway.
Patrick

 

Yea, I'm just messing w/you.

 

Well I am going to pull it to paint it and detail the engine bay. It makes sense to put a small cam in it, but we aren’t chasing more power with this one. It’s a cruiser. We have a LOT of work to make this road worthy for the Nats, plus some stuff on my GN, plus the snowball (38) needs to be reassembled if I end up moving in the spring…

 

Cam looks nice, I'd leave it alone since low miles. Same with bottom end...Buick built some good motors back then...most of the time....on certain days.
You really can't just slap bearings in it at that point best to totally go thru it and do it right.....

i would put some new valve springs on it or at least some .030 shims.

 

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Offenhauser 5882 Buick 455 Dual Quad High-Rise Aluminum Intake Manifold | eBay