4 speed swap-70-For F sake

Discussion in 'U-shift em' started by moleary, Nov 24, 2008.

  1. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    Most of you know me, but part of the healing process is to come out and say...My name is Mark and I am a gearaholic...

    Group meetings are not helping, a recent temptation has me off the wagon and in the ditch. There is only one thing I need to cure this....parts.

    I really prefer to find a seller who has most, if not all, of the parts for this mission; a package. Must be 70 Specific.

    Thanks.
     
  2. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    I have a possible deal on a solid base of parts:TU: , but, I would still like to find a seller that can furnish most all of it in one deal for a swap from A/T to M/T. 1970 GS correct parts where required, and is preferred for as much of it as I can find, however, proper functioning interhangable incorrect vintage is ok too.

    New aftermarket Garrison parts is also option to fill in for OEM parts where possible.

    Thanks,
     
  3. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    :beers2: ugh
     
  4. Joe65SkylarkGS

    Joe65SkylarkGS 462 ina 65 Lark / GN

    We are here today to let you know how much we all love you. We can't stand by and let you slowly kill yourself.







































































    (Intervention):Brow:
     
  5. painekiller

    painekiller Well-Known Member

    get ahold of my Dad, Greatscat he just bought a 68 GS 400 4 speed that i think will be parted out.
     
  6. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    Thanks for your concern Joe; this is quite a monkey on my back I just choose to wallow in it's missery:laugh: Got any parts, man?



     
  7. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    Thanks Doug, I saw that and got quite excited but presumed the parts were vamped up already? I will contact him. MarkO


     
  8. wheelz

    wheelz 'B' is for Buick.

    MarkO...FYI, the 68 4 speed setup doesn't utilize the backdrive steering lockout mechanism! THAT system began in 69. SO just remember that tidbit when looking for 70 specific 4 speed setup. :beers2: Wheelz, Tampa Bay
     
  9. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    10-4. as I said, I prefer 70 correct, but would consider otherwise so long as functional. I have a lead on the 70 parts but can't seem to close the deal :puzzled:
     
  10. Joe65SkylarkGS

    Joe65SkylarkGS 462 ina 65 Lark / GN

    Nah, I don't have any 4 speed stuff. The resto i'm doing now is my first 4 speed.

    And I know ours are totally different.

    I will keep my ears open.
     
  11. MGSCP

    MGSCP Guest


    :idea2: Also 69 backdrive is different from 70-72
     
  12. Thumper (aka greatscat)

    Thumper (aka greatscat) Well-Known Member

    Thanks for posting the info Wheelz.
    gary
     
  13. marxjunk

    marxjunk Well-Known Member

    RACEBUICKS had a back drive he reproduced, if you go to the repro section he has pics listed.,..nice stuff....some 68 stuff+repro stuff=gotter done
     
  14. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    Not that anyone really gives a rats arse, but I played hookey today and planned for an ALL BUICK weekend. I worked to arrange that all the parts would be here by today. It did not quite work out but enough showed this week to keep me out of the tavern. Demo last weekend has the car all ready for it's next life...

    All I am waiting on now are clutch parts and shifter linkage. Next weekend it will be on the road.

    Today I restoed an SFI bellhousing and a butchered block plate. Bought new grade 8 hardware for it. That now looks like a car part, was dry fit it with the trans and I measured for driveline. Damn, my beefy driveline I had is going to be an inch short, what's another $300:moonu:

    I restored the BB steering shaft I yarded from the 68 GS 400 I deboned a while back and when the steering column is ready to go in, it will too.

    I removed the dry fit bell housing and trans, mounted pedals and cut floor opening. [PIC]

    There is an issue with the steering column that arrived today.http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=174661 It will take some work tomorrow and hopefully resolved and installed tomorrow.

    Any down time from the trans job will be spent installing the SUMMIT rear control arm braces and the power windows. I will also get the M/T speedo in the instrument panel and button the dash up.

    The Parts Place boned me today with the speedo cable and fire wall boot which was promised to be here today. Long story short; crappy customer service.

    New carpet and Dynamat showed up. New door panels are next to finish it all off just needing paint and a top some day:TU:



    :beers2:
     

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  15. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    Not too much head way as some other stuff popped up this weekend beyond my control keeping me out of the shop.

    Got the dash backk together with the M/T speedo, and did a little tidying up of some wires.

    Installed the dynamat.

    Next weekend should be a good gain on it.
     

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  16. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    I only spent about 2hrs on the project.

    Last weekend since I didn't have all the parts to build on, I dry fit the SFI bellhousing and the trans to measure for driveline length. (The car has a built Chevy 12 bolt rear) The driveline was built 1.5 years ago and for whatever reason was 1/2" too short, and I have been running it in the SP TH 400 as is without issue). I decided since I am going all in, do it just right for this project. I dropped the driveline off with my pals at Driveline NW and they took care of me last week.

    I took a few minutes to inventory parts and snap a couple pics for the record. I see I don't have a clutch return spring; I will resolve this coming week. I will store the factory aluminum bellhousing, boot and inspection cover for now as I feel better with the Lakewood SFI Steel set up.

    This weekend with limited time, here is the progress report.

    I prepared and installed pilot bushing. Mic indicated solid .001" too tight for the crank even with 2 days frozen bushing (1.093" frozen). I Took emery cloth wrapped around a socket and a few spins with the gun in the crank hole (previously measured for concectric bore). I was careful to not over do it. I cleaned up bore and pounded it in just right with a little 30W oil on the bushing and a blast of WD-40 after it was started. It is a bit un-nerving beating on the end of the crank (thrust) but you get a feeling if it is right or not. If you do not have the proper bearing install tool set, use caution pounding the bushing in. Just a RPH past flush.
    Next, I the set block plate, installed the fly wheel, cleaned surface with brakeleen, and installed clutch assy. Follow clutch instructions carefully, tighten / torque the clutch pressure plate properly to the flyweel. Use alignment tool this step! Flywheel to crank torque spec is 60 ft.lb and clutch to flywheel is 30-40 ft.lb torque.
    Install fork and Lakewood Bell housing.
    Install ball stud in block. (It helps to chase these threads previosly.) With engine in place, limited but accessible with the 3/8" open end.
    That is all under car time allows today.
    I took a few minutes to install an OEM Neutral Safety Switch.
    Next weekend should be all done. I still have issue with the steering column. Must resolve this week to have on the raod next weekend.

    See you next week. MO
     

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  17. Topcat

    Topcat Got TORQUE?

    Looking good MarkO :TU:

    I love all the gearhead Buick photo's.........get-er-done !

    Peace WildBill
     
  18. Lee Bacon

    Lee Bacon Well-Known Member

    You just wait Mark!!!! 4-speed in a ragtop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:3gears: :3gears: :3gears: :TU:
     
  19. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    "Weekend Update" for those who care and those that really don't:bla:

    A Minor set back from completing the project this weekend as I discovered my M-20 is a '68 unit so it does not support the '70 linkage levers (I have). I will need to replace the 68's for a set of 70's; I hope to have the parts this coming week.

    I poked at a few things this weekend.

    I took the time to realign the body to the frame which was off by 1/4 at the front favoring the passenger side. I did not check that close when I put the body back on the rebuilt frame years ago:Dou: I figured now with the Manual Trans, the body alignment is a bit more crucial. I needed to remove inner fenders for that task of course to get to the body bushing nuts that live in the torque boxes. While the inners were out, it made for good opportunity to tack two of the press in nuts back on:TU: Pass side all back together, but I left the driver side out for easier access until I get the swap done. It is was nice for the other projects I had going on too.

    One item off the list is I changed to BBB steering shaft that I picked out of the 68 GS 400 a few months ago. It was blasted and painted of course.

    I restored the tilt floor shift column, installed with the clutch linkage boot. Sure looks perty in there:beers2:

    I installed the Z bar frame bracket, Z bar, cluth likage rod and fork, ready for the trans install next Friday. I will finish the grade 8 bolts all the way around the bell housing before installing the trans.:TU:

    For reference for those who are planning a swap, simply remove the dust shield on the frame / innner fender and there is just enough access to install / retro fit the Z bar frame bracket and access for Z bar install. The holes are already punched int he frame. I posted a pic of that before I removed the inner for my other projects.

    I Prepped and welded the floor hump in , seam sealed both in and out and coated under side. Final trim of the hump for shifter opening after tanny is installed to get it just right.

    I installed the speedo cable and new firewall grommet and connected the dash side. I plan to fab a couple of the speedo cable clips as I do not think anyone repops; I will check Cheby sites first since most everything is popped for Cheby's:rolleyes:

    I finished today swapping the rear quarter power windows.

    Maybe I will have it ready for an Easter Sunday Ride:beers2:

    Off to the grill to get the London Broil on point and a few cocktails:beers2:
     

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  20. Lee Bacon

    Lee Bacon Well-Known Member

    Hey Mark show me a pic of what your talking about on the linkage. Lee:confused:
     

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