Restoring a 1966 Buick Wildcat

I just purchased a 1966 4dr Buick Wildcat on June 25th. I plan on restoring it and am hoping to get some helpful tips and guidance from you all! I will post pictures and update my progress throughout the entire process.

 

Welcome aboard Dean. You will find all sorts of help here. I see that your car has a few body issues, but is not showing a lot of rust. Are you doing a "driving restoration" or going the whole frame up process? If it's the former, make it safe first. Check every inch of all brake and fuel lines - including all flex hoses. Do the same for everything between the steering wheel and the front tires. One thing that I do with an older new-to-me car after looking at all of the brake lines is to do a stationary pressure test. I step on the brake pedal just as hard as I can with the engine running in Park. If it blows a brake line or hose, you have had the failure under the safest possible circumstance. If it doesn't, now you know that the hydraulic system is safe. Do not think for even a minute that you cannot have a total brake failure because it has a tandem master cylinder. Ask me how I know!

 

Good advice John!
And yes, 1966 was the last year for the single master cylinder. The car weighs 2 tons and has drum brakes, so going through the whole brake system is a must. Watch the line going to the back, particularly around the rear axles, the flex line going over the differential and the solid lines going to each of the rear wheels is a common failure point on these cars.

 

Hi Dean,
I have several `66 Wildcats including a 4-dr hardtop which I love. Personally I think the 4-dr hardtop body is the most attractive and functional model, especially so on the huge `50`s cars but also on the `66 Wcat. Feel free to send me a PM if I can offer any advice, good luck!
Tom Mooney

 

Hello Tom,
My boyfriend recently picked up a 66 Wildcat 4dr hard top that we plan to restore.
It sounds like you are very familiar with these vehicles. We are hoping you might be able to help us replace the heater core. He has been trying since yesterday and he just cant seem to figure it out. Could you walk him through it?
Thank you so much!
Liz & Paul

 

Welcome Same car and same color as just about that my pops bought new. Except ours was a post..
I wouldn't just check the brake lines, I would change every single line, every single flex line and all the wheel cylinders even if they look good.
Even though you have a single master cylinder I have had like "John" mentioned lost all brakes on a dual master when blowing a rear wheel cylinder. It's not suppose to but it happens..
Parking brake to also should be working..
Get to know that you should have a dual stall torque converter if the tranny is original and it will launch you nice..

 

Congrats on the new ride.....
If you are going to replace parts --- and Don't want to go the Chineseum route of today's parts stores (they have no choice but to sell the garbage...),
I have NICE N.O.S. U.S.A. made parts ---
The correct (single) & the dual conversion Master cylinders, the wheel cylinders, the brake Hoses, the brake shoes, and wheel bearings & seals.
Also Front End, Motor & Transmission Mounts,
Fuel Pumps, Water Pumps -- All NEW --
Ignition & Electrical, and a whoooooooole lot more!!!!!