It's Do or Die for my '67 Special - Looking for Advice

If the battery is old, Take it to your local auto parts store and get it load tested!!
That would be better than just hooking it up to the charger! That way you will find out if your batt will even hold a charge.

 

I'm loving this forum. So helpful.

Thanks everyone. If you can think of anything to add, please do, but bear in mind I am reading every word of your posts, and fully intend on taking the steps you have already suggested.

 

Hey don't you love the "Buick Community". It is the love of our odd-ball/unique choice of automotive fixation.

As for gathering information I have noticed that you have been provided with some very good direction in that area. Along with some very good distance trouble shooting. You should be rippng up the streets soon, who knows maybe in the hunt for your next Buick project.

If not and you get fed up and take-up something silly like yoga I get dibbs on the grill in your car...lol

Good Luck
Ross

 

Like Sean said if the lights dimmed and then everything died the alternator is toast. There is alot of good info on this thread for you. Being new to working on a car might be a little intimidating at first but you will do fine. The board is here to help.
Ray

 

Been so long since I've seen a motors manual, I forgot about that one. Good book to have! Heck, I should keep and eye out for one of those. I think you're on the right track here with all the advice. Keep in mind the way that it quit on you. That's your key to the most probable cause. It's got to be electrical.

 

So I can still put in a healthy battery, check for spark at the plugs, and add fuel to the carb as preliminary checks? What I'm asking is that if the alternator is toast, would the car even have a chance to turn over if I try these things?

 

Yes. Quit asking questions and just do it.

Jim

 

or you can call me and come up and borrow the 67 book and stuff......

 

Totally pointless post. Please stay out of my thread.

 

I have a friend of mine up at school who is a buick nut, who has a copy of the '67 shop manual. He offered to come out and check out the situation with my car. In the meantime, i'm just going to try and mess with it on weekends. If I need to I'll just borrow his manual, or photocopy from it. Ellington's pretty far for me. Thanks for the offer though.

 

thats fine. good luck

 

If the alternator is bad like I think it is then you can still start it up and it will run fine untill the battery runs dead. The alternator is powered by a belt that is run by the engine and turns mechanical energy into electrical to re-charge the battery as the car runs.

I hope Jim is ok after your told him not to play in your sandbox.... He means well and I sort of agree.... We have given you a TON of advice, all you need to do is get out there and spend a few minutes and let us know what you find.

 

I'm going to get out there and mess with it, but I do have obligations like the rest of us during the week.

I don't think my questions are "stupid" or anything. I'm just trying to educate myself before I go and mess with something that's foreign to me. If I knew everything, I wouldn't have started the thread. You can't blame me for trying to do this myself with little experience.

 

Jim was just excited to see you get your car running that is all. When a thread like this comes up we really want to hear you get the thing running since we really love these cars! I think you should keep on asking questions and we will keep on answering them!!!! A few years ago I was like you but with some sweat, tears and time, I am not scared of anything anymore!

 

I'm starting to see why this car sat for 3 yrs with a bad alt.

 

Update: Battery charger hooked up, and tomorrow I'll start messing with it.

 

Oh my God.....I think you're right.

About three years ago my other car died on the highway with the same symptoms. Why I didn't think of this, I have no idea. *face palm*

Now, would it even make any sense to bring it to the parts store to get tested at this point just to make sure it is the alt? I'm just not sure if a good alt would still test well after 3 years of sitting. (But yes, I think you're right, and it is probably a bad alt).

 

You got it, Numbskull.

Jim

 

Where are you in Connecticut? I know I've made this offer in the past....but I'll make it again.

Give me a little advance notice (so I can pack up the tools I think I'll need) And I'll come out and give you a day of my time. Throw me a couple of buck's for gas and feed me lunch. I bet we can chase it down, get her to run and the rest is on you. PM me. I'm in Southern Westchester county, not far off I-287

 

Hi William,

I am in southeast CT...about the farthest point away from NY

Thanks for the offer, but I wouldn't want you to have to drive that far. I feel like I'm being considerate by saying that, but also maybe a little rude because it really seems you want to help, which I appreciate. If you know how long it takes to get to Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods, that's how far I am!