Not my best day this year

Discussion in 'Parts wanted' started by JoeBlog, Oct 25, 2014.

  1. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    I can confirm the '68 hood won't work. That model year the design was modified for the hidden wipers, for starters.

    Devon
     
  2. red67wildcat

    red67wildcat Well-Known Member

    Joe located a hood check your E-mail
    roy
     
  3. austingta

    austingta Well-Known Member

    What an awesome forum we have.
     
  4. bhambulldog

    bhambulldog 1955 76-RoadmasterRiviera


    My hood popped up on me on the Interstate..
    I was lucky the safety latch caught it from opening.
    The failure on mine was two springs in the latch. Just like your body guy suspects on yours
    the failed springs were each, about 1-1/2" long and 3/8" diameter.
     
  5. JoeBlog

    JoeBlog Platinum Level Contributor

    Bob, I've come to find out you're absolutely correct. It seems that as long as we're looking at 1967 parts, the choices are very limited. Thanks to Roy, I now have a solid lead for the hood. I've got the hinges, so it's the latch keeping things in limbo.
     
  6. JoeBlog

    JoeBlog Platinum Level Contributor

    Funny... The latch part in mine is kind of "lazy". Like it really wasn't ready for prime time, but looked like it was. What you described is exactly what happened, except with the perfect combination of wind gusts and road bumps at the wrong time.
     
  7. bhambulldog

    bhambulldog 1955 76-RoadmasterRiviera

    After I fixed mine;
    It closes snugly and then when I press it further, there is a very satisfying 'click'.
    the 'click' was the latch securing the upper bolt
    I realized the 'click' had been absent for some time before that.
    Copious amounts of white lithium grease also help opening and closing.
    grease the hinges, springs, latch, bolt, grease everything.... lots of grease..

    I found some replacement springs at an old fashioned family owned hardware store.

    good luck to you. It's a beautiful car
     
  8. wildcat4

    wildcat4 Well-Known Member

    Wow you ain't kiddin' that's a bad day. What a beautiful Cat.
    I wish I still had my wildcat parts car to help you, but that's been gone now for about 12 years.
     
  9. JoeBlog

    JoeBlog Platinum Level Contributor

    My very sincere and special Thank You goes out to you, my friend. Using the hood latch part number you provided, I did a search and found one on the Buick Farm website (last one, too!). I wasn't sure they really had it, but I just got a shipping confirmation number and it's supposed to be here tomorrow.

    I am am truly in the company of extraordinary and intelligent gentlemen. [​IMG]

    Joe
     
  10. BUHOG66

    BUHOG66 Well-Known Member

    I hope your part works.good luck and let me know your progress on getting the buick back on the road, bob
     
  11. THEPUGSRIVIERA

    THEPUGSRIVIERA Well-Known Member

    Sorry to hear of your misfortune. Glad you are all OK the cat too. I just saw an ad here on the forum try this guy he is advertising on the forum again Mike at Buick Bonery phone number 916-599-3934 hope he can help.

    John & Snoopy
     
  12. JoeBlog

    JoeBlog Platinum Level Contributor

    Here's where I am now: the hinges are here and getting worked to "new" condition. The hood latch arrived and is a perfect, never installed NOS part. I'm getting a hood from an associate of Roy in Washington state. He's having a crate made for it and I'm trying to find a shipping company to bring it to Wichita (the size/weight of the crate and hood limit my options quite a bit). I've looked into buying a "spare" hood (that way I almost guarantee that I'll never need it), but every one I've seen so far was only staying together because the rust molecules were holding hands. As long as I get the hood from Robert, and it hasn't been damaged in shipping, I think I'll be fine, but I will continue to search for another one at my leisure. That about covers it. When things get started, I'll post progress pictures to let everyone know what's happening.

    ...if it weren't for the incredibly generous, informed and supportive folks that populate this board on an everyday basis, I'd have gladly missed out on this adventure. Now, I wouldn't want to miss one second of it.

    Joe
     
  13. red67wildcat

    red67wildcat Well-Known Member

    Joe
    I was just wondering if you got everything fixed and back on the road?
     
  14. Smokey15

    Smokey15 So old that I use AARP bolts.

    x2............
     
  15. JoeBlog

    JoeBlog Platinum Level Contributor

    Roy,
    Glad you asked. Since it was going in for repair, I took the opportunity to get the bumpers rechromed, and have the hood lip chrome piece repaired (it was cracked and had a dent) and rechromed as well. Then, paint problems hit. For some reason, with the exact paint products, the exact recipe, the exact paint booth and even the exact painter, two coats into the base layer and everything began looking like an alligator hide. It was stripped and re-prepped, and it happened again, only it waited until the third coat of base went on. So..... re-strip and re-prep, then an added coat of sealer went on. Now, the base is done, the first layers of color went on last night and all went fabulously. Today, the color sanding will be done and the first two coats of clear will go on, then more sanding before the final coats of clear, followed by final sanding before buff and polish. Monday, the chrome pieces and bumpers will go on, and I get to go into detailing overdrive, because I've been invited to participate in the Starbird/Devlin Custom Car show (www.starbirddevlin.com) in the "Magnificent Seven" category, and they want the car there Wednesday morning at 11:00. I still owe you a beer, because if you hadn't connected me with Robert, none of this would be possible, and I'd probably still have a wrinkled 'Cat. As soon as I get some breathing room, I'll fill everyone in, with pictures, and hopefully, things will get back to normal.

    Joe
     
  16. Smokey15

    Smokey15 So old that I use AARP bolts.

    Good news! And, yes we would like to see pictures. Do you think someone was using a silicone based polish or other product in the vicinity of the paint booth? That happened to more than a few painters.
     
  17. BUHOG66

    BUHOG66 Well-Known Member

    Glad it all worked out for you. Looktng forward to see some pics.best of luck,bob
     
  18. JoeBlog

    JoeBlog Platinum Level Contributor

    The shop has a strict "no silicone" policy. No cleaners, degreasers, polishes, lubricants or sealants containing silicone are allowed in the production area. I once was almost banned from the shop because I unknowingly brought in a bottle of silicone based tire dressing. What was puzzling is that an area that went thru the entire process didn't lift at all and is fine, but right next to it was a mess. I'm beginning to suspect different paint batches, but now that things have stabilized, I just want to see it done.

    Joe
     
  19. BUHOG66

    BUHOG66 Well-Known Member

    It could be as simple as after shave or other body stuff .some paints react different.
     
  20. JoeBlog

    JoeBlog Platinum Level Contributor

    Now it looks like this (it's gonna take a WHOLE lot of work to get it ready by 11:00 Wednesday):
     

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