New to Buick, took a chance

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by Lrobby99, Dec 3, 2021.

  1. Lrobby99

    Lrobby99 Active Member

    It is time for me to get to work on this big beast.
    Were the valve covers originally red?
    Air cleaner too?
    Prior to engine start I plan to pop both covers and inspect the valve train. And spread some oil around. I may as well paint the covers. And the air cleaner.

    I have advice from a guy to rap each rocker arm once with a rubber mallet. Supposed to make sure everything is free. Crazy?

    thanks~
     
  2. Lrobby99

    Lrobby99 Active Member

    Ordered a couple items from Oldbuickparts.com a week ago. No shipment yet. Are they always slow?
     
  3. RustyFuryIII

    RustyFuryIII Well-Known Member

    lrobby99,

    I’d be curious to know if the backup lights in the tail light assembly are hooked up at all. In my ‘70, there’s no provision in the wiring harness for backup lights in the tail light assembly. Just brake lights/tail lights. Of course the backup lights in the lil tail fins work.

    My ‘70 was built 3rd week of October ‘69.

    I know you posted your question about OldBuickParts roughly a week ago. Yup, they take awhile. Make sure you check your email junk box. After they verify the parts you ordered are for your car. Took a week for me. They then send you an email to make payment. After payment rcvd, took another week for my parts to arrive.

    Nice looking sled by the way!

    Enjoy,

    Paul
     
    Lrobby99 likes this.
  4. Lrobby99

    Lrobby99 Active Member

    Spark plug recommendations? Type? Brand?
    I imagine some platinums the right heat will work well?
    And radio interference issues?
    thanks!
     
  5. Lrobby99

    Lrobby99 Active Member

    My engine start attempt Saturday did not go well. Engine turning over well, but not so much as a cough. I have to admit I gapped the plugs at .035 instead of 0.30 I can explain why, but it was dumb.
    I could only check spark laying the plug against the manifold briefly before I had to stop for the day. I saw no spark at all. Could the gap really result in no visible spark?
     
  6. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    I seriously doubt it. If the rest of the ignition system is OK, you should see spark there regardless.

    Sounds like a problem somewhere else. I would check the coil first, make sure you're getting the correct volts to it and spark out of it, then look at the points (if it has the original distributor still) next if that is OK. Work your way down the chain, so to speak.

    I'm sure that there are a couple of threads here on how to do that. I haven't dealt with points in more than 30-years, so I'm really no help in explaining that.
     
    Lrobby99 likes this.
  7. Lrobby99

    Lrobby99 Active Member

    I will get back to it once the temps are back over 60 and re-gap the plugs. I'm working outdoors for now. The good thing is I have the huge old Buick repair manual for this and it has the troubleshooting procedures for everything.
    And no hurry. thanks!
     
    FLGS400 likes this.
  8. Lrobby99

    Lrobby99 Active Member

    Well I finally got that thing fired up on Sunday. I had tried Saturday and could not get spark any place I checked no matter what I did. So Sunday I bought all new ignition parts.
    The smart thing to do would have been to order some nice ACDelco parts online and wait. But I didn't do the smart thing, I did the fast thing because I wasn't going to wait another week.
    So, I ended up with Carquest parts and a set of universal Accel wires. I installed everything and gapped those points to the most perfect .016 right on top of that cam lobe possible.
    Crazy thing practically fired right up. Still much work to do before it moves. But we have a pulse!
     
    rkammer, Michael_G and FLGS400 like this.
  9. Lrobby99

    Lrobby99 Active Member

    Further engine running/observation has good results.
    For one thing; no OIL light.
    There is what looks like an exhaust manifold gasket leak adjacent to #2. I think it's just the gasket. But I think it might draw vacuum and cause some stumble when first advancing the throttle. Then again, I haven't checked all the vacuum lines and some might be missing.

    Q: Does that manifold have to be fixed and vacuum lines all good before I can properly set dwell, timing, and carb?

    ~Thanks!
     
    Michael_G likes this.
  10. Michael_G

    Michael_G Living the Dream... Fast with Class...

    I know vacuum will definitely have an effect but can't speak to the manifold leak. I'm no pro; have just spent a lot time years ago working on those adjustments. I'm sure the real Pro's will chime in...
    -MIG
     
  11. Lrobby99

    Lrobby99 Active Member

    I need a good spot to run the electric choke on the Edelbrock carb on there. Needs to be ignition switched.
     
  12. Lrobby99

    Lrobby99 Active Member

    To run the Edelbrock electric choke, I'm thinking of tapping into the wire going to the #4 circuit at the regulator. That wire is about 1 amp of power and is only live when the ignition is ON.
    I need some chiming experts??
    thanks,
     
  13. Lrobby99

    Lrobby99 Active Member

    This thread sure doesn't get much attention anymore.
    Went to replace the pos battery cable yesterday. Quite a task. You have to remove a bracket then pull that out with all the starter wires, then split apart the bracket and a case to
    separate the cable out of the tray. The jacket on the old cable is splitting apart just begging to become nice and grounded.
    Another job going is brake drums. Worst removal I have ever seen.
     
  14. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    I'll probably need to replace the battery cable on my GS400 at some point. Not really looking forward to it...

    You must be referring to the front drums. If they're the same as the A bodies, the whole hub has to come off. Not too hard though, provided the shoes are not stuck to the drums.
     
    Lrobby99 likes this.
  15. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    I wonder why you are messing with the wiring harness in order to connect the electric choke on the edlebrock? I would skip that and get the Original Q-jet built...

    You don't need a choke to run the car and test/troubleshoot repair things.

    I think these cars came from the factory without exhaust manifold gaskets. You might start using your favorite penetrating oil on all the exhaust manifold bolt. many of these have an opening on top, so you might be able to put some there also...
     
    Lrobby99 likes this.
  16. Lrobby99

    Lrobby99 Active Member

    Well, Max, correct me if I'm wrong, but restoring the Q-jet will also mean re-assembling the whole "divorced choke" arrangement, and most of it is missing. I mean if one wants a functioning choke, which is usually a good thing to have.
    If the next owner wants a true restoration, go for it I say. But for now, that simple 12v choke should bring easier starts when she's a bit chilly.
    And before that I need to solve a GEN light on the dash. Voltage reading at the ALT is a very erratic 14-16. I bought a regulator from NAPA which is some Chinese knock-off. Knock on wood.
    thanks!
     
    FLGS400 likes this.
  17. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    That voltage reading sounds ok (although the erratic part is unclear).

    If your throwing parts at it, you can also do an alternator upgrade that gets you the beefier internally regulated style "SI" alternator.

    There are kits like this one on Amazon, on or you can do this yourself with jumper wires:
    https://www.amazon.com/American-Aut...GSRHQQL/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=B08GSRHQQL&psc=1


    Yes, I like the divorced choke too ;~)
     
    Lrobby99 likes this.
  18. Lrobby99

    Lrobby99 Active Member

    Anyone know where to order a fuel tank sending unit? 69 Electra 225 Custom Conv. 430
    I am striking out all over the place.
    thanks,
     
  19. lemmy-67

    lemmy-67 Platinum Level Contributor

    Welcome, nice power boat. The 430 is an excellent engine, especially with the correct Q-Jet on top. Skip the Elderbork & get a good core, do the rebuild & you're good to go. There's lots of divorced choke coils floating around...I may even have a few spares...
     
    Lrobby99 likes this.
  20. lemmy-67

    lemmy-67 Platinum Level Contributor

    Yes, original color for that gen 430 Buick V8 is red. That's why my builder sprayed mine Chevy orange.

    If you have the stock valve covers with the wire looms, you can have them chromed like Briz did with his, and then I copied him...looks killer.
     
    Lrobby99 likes this.

Share This Page