Well, it's funny you mentioned that. I'm still in shock as to what happened after I wrote that comment yesterday. The buyer showed up with a trailer after a 13 hour drive across western Canada. He looked the car over, was impressed, and then decided for one more look underneath the car. He found a little bit of rust on one of the rear body mounts, nothing serious, but it was there, and had been there for about 20 years more or less inert because the car hadn't seen much moisture since. I just looked at it, and that's the only rust I could find on it. Sure, there's a heavy undercoat on the car that was applied over 20 years ago. But where that mount was rusted, it's about a 2 inch circle in the kidney shaped bit aft of the driver's rear wheel. All in all, not a difficult repair if one had to do it. The trunk floor wasn't compromised at all. So he notes that. makes a pained face, tells me he really has to think about it, and then gets into his truck and leaves. He texted me an hour later and said he wasn't going to follow through on the deal and that he was headed back home. Needless to say, I was totally floored. I estimate the trip cost him $2000 including the deposit he forfeited. The car was priced at $15,000 CDN, ($12,000 US) so I'm not asking Barrett-Jackson rates and the ad was clear that the car is a 57 year old driver. So the last thing I did to my Buick? Put it back in the garage. Oh, and it started yesterday without a problem, it was about 3 degrees F out. I found out the heater actually isn't too bad; the car was tolerable to sit in after it warmed up.
What did I do? Fixed the washers- I'd bumped the hose off when I replaced the PS hoses. Inspired by success with the low hanging fruit, I pushed on. Fortified with beers, I got the horn working, and did my glove puppet impression to get to the indicator tell tail lights. Mind you, the bulb had a whole year to blow, when the dash pad was on with two nuts. Naturally, it waited until it was all together to blow. Then I got serious. Out with Fisher Body manual to adjust the driver's door window. I love me a hardtop, but adjusting the window is a PITA.
I found out the Olds 350 water pump is not in the same location as the Buick. Seems our water pump is an inch or 2 off centerline of the crank and when I installed the fan and shroud its off center and hitting on the L side. Also found the routing of the PS line is going to hit the fan. So now I got some MORE stuff to figure out.
Yesterday was a good day! Installed the HP PS line I had Napa modify for me and it fit perfect! Installed the lower shroud section and slotted the holes where they mount to the lower part of the core support which gave me enough room to clear the fan blade. Its not centered but still should work. Its really deep so in a worse case I can mount a electric in there as well as the stock clutch fan. Mounted the radiator and top of the shroud. Layed out some of the wiring then started thinking about trans cooler lines. I have nothing onhand I can make work! Going to have to make it braded hose and AN fittings. Was about 90% sure I'd kept the cooler set up off the Regal but dont see it anywhere so will make new. Going to rain today, Not sure how much I'll get done.
To make a little money for my Buick project, I work on other projects. This is one that I am currently working on. Almost done with fabrication of the new frame. Set the body on today to verify some measurements. Old school hot rod, 1929 Model A.
Today was a pretty productive day. I fixed the heater controls, R & R'd the cigarette lighter, chopped up (!) the old stock speaker and installed a pair of Alpine 4" speakers in its place. I still have to paint it and recover the rubber/cloth cover with new grille material. I'm ordering new heater cables and glove box light switch tonight. I'll post pics of the speakers when they're done. The short term list is figure out what a previous owner did to rig the windshield washer and cut the front springs to get the ride height just right.
Bought new clips for the boot. The only ones I could find for less than $150/set were for 67-68 Camaro/Firebird. They'll fit if you take a grinder to the "meat" of the clip so they flex. Spring's finally here, so driving it will be top priority.
Woke it up from hibernation and it took its first breaths of 2023 air. Took a little spin and now have to set up a NYS yearly safety inspection. Those are a pain (waste of my time and $). The new BFG's look so much better than the brown letter versions I had. And it this is its birthday week month according to the cowl tag and build sheet. 55 years young.
Today was also my day to fire her up for the first time in (6?) months. Took a few cranks, but fired up and still runs like a big old top.
Not necessarily today, but the last week: Front and rear coils Shocks Spindles Brakes Tie rods Air bags Boxed control arms Eaton posi/gears Dual exhaust Rear wheels 4 new BFG’s Gauges Borgesen steering pump shims. Still have a long way to go, but making progress!
I started the floor repair work I've been dreading on doing. The floor was actually in really good shape. Welded up some small holes on the D/S front pan, D/S rear was good just surface rust. I had to do a small 2"×3" patch piece and weld up a few small holes on the rear P/S pan. Now, the front P/S pan on the other hand is completely toasted, gotta put in a full panel section on that guy. While I wait for a front floor pan I decided I'd POR 15 the rest of the floor and I'll start laying the Kill Mat down.
Cut my front springs to get the ride height the way I wanted and took my new car for it’s first long drive, 60-70 miles. Noticed a lifter like noise on the return loop at 60 mph, about 50 miles. Got off highway and everything sounded normal. Oil pressure was about 20. It’s back in the garage. I have some family obligations & will check oil pressure tomorrow.
One person car show at Home Depot. Super nice day. Almost 70* in Utah (just north of Salt Lake). Thought I'd go peruse tool boxes. Didn't want to buy so I took the car
It finally warmed up here and the ice buildup is now gone from the shed doors so I started the cars today!
