My first V8 Buick

Whats goin on everybody? I don't know much about cars except changing the oil and brake jobs. But Ive been fixing and calibrating electronic and mechanical equipment for over 10 years from my stint in the military to my current job of working on flight simulators. My friend is a mechanic and sais I should be able to pick up quick on old school auto mechanics.

I just bought a 69 Skylark. Its a Houston car that was sitting in the country for at least 10 years. It looks like junk but runs well, I drove it around the sellers farm. I gutted the interior, let all the bugs out(lol)sanded the surface rust off, changed the oil, and bought a new battery and alternator. Im hoping to get helpful info on this site since Im pretty green when it comes to old schools.

 

Welcome. I think you will enjoy your new car. Check out those breaks, break lines, fuel lines and filters, maybe the tank if it's been sitting that long. Probably want to check out the wheel bearings and tranny fluid and filter while you are at it. Try and avoid repairs that can be prevented.

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Thanks, is there anywhere online that I can purchase a complete interior kit for the skylark? I tried OPGI and they said they dont carry those. Will a Cutlass kit fit in the skylark?

 

Hi and welcome. good to have another Texan on here.
You will have to search for interior items for the Skylark. What you will find is that nothing from any other type of car will work. I would try Legendary interiors?

I've got lots of other parts if you need anything.

 

You should be able to find what ever you need at yearone.com also. I don't know how the quality and price compare with legendary ( legendaryautointeriors.com ), I know that a lot of guys buy all their stuff for 65 - 67 through legendary, but there should be someone with experience with both places that will pipe in and give the comparison.

 

I removed the gas tank from the car recently and there was some type of material between the tank and the body. Im assuming its some safety provision, but its all cracked and coming apart. Whats that called and where would I go about finding a replacement? Also are there any suggestions for getting that last bit of gas I cant just shake out of the tank?

 

You have a pad that goes in there. I think it's mostly for rattles. There was a thread about it recently on here.
Year one has a part number of AX468 and it's about $36.

 

When I put my tank in I just put quart of fresh gas in and shook it around a few times to rinse it out the best I could.I wasn't going to drill and solder it up I'm not that brave.
Jamie

 

Time to pony up and purchase a 1969 Chassis Service Manual!

Devon

 

Well folks Im finally able to get back to my buick. Sorry to the two people on here I talked to about getting some parts. Unfortunately my mother in law passed away in June so I had to get two last minute tickets to London which pretty much destroyed my skylark fund. Its taken me a few months but I finally scratched some side funds together. Its in the body shop right now gettin primered. Im gonna try to post some pics today.

 

Here are a couple of pics 69 custom. Some in my garage and some at the body shop. Had alot of surface rust on it which took me a few hours to take off. So far the guy at the body shop said he found a little bondo on the rear driver panel but not much. He is gonna redo it with fibre glass. Originally brown/gold?

 

The body looks to be in good condition. It pays off being in a dryer climate like you are which keeps the rust in check.

 

Shooter!:laugh::laugh:

 

Looking pretty good. I can't wait to see more as it progresses.

 

This car has 4 drums, and right now I just plan on putting disc brakes up front. So my question is would it be better to pull the discs off another 69 at the junkyard or go ahead and buy a front conversion kit? Im not really up on the whole process as far as converting drum to disc. Basically would the junkyard option put me at a decent starting point instead of paying for a conversion kit?

 

Well the junkyard said they want $600 to pull the disc setup out of an old 70. Thats about what it would cost for a new conversion kit so Ill just go that route instead.

 

There's a lot to be said about the conversions (who are you choosing?), especially considering replacement parts availability.

Devon

 

YO sells either Legendary or PUI. They do not make their own interirors . There are are only two suppliers for Buick.

 

If I recall,I paid 800 for the complete new bolt on FDB kit on ebay.Just something to consider.