First Charlotte Autofair since restoration. Last here back in 2009. Come along way since then with the help of the V8Buick members! Now and then pics.
Not much, just tinkered a little. Installed the correct shock bolts purchased from Steve C. a few years ago. Put the radiator ID tag on to replace the old one I did not keep (see how long before it falls off and disappears) Painted the gas tank straps so they are no longer black, I guess Buicks were natural steel? Was going to install an NOS upper radiator hose but it looks too short and all of the identification markings and stripes are on the bottom where they would not be seen, so it would look like my current hose that does not have any markings.
After trying 3 Turbo 400 governors loaned to me by a fellow forum friend and having all 3 shift way too high for my motor (5800-6000 rpm), I decided to take a chance and modify my original BA Turbo 400 governor that was shifting at 5000 untouched. I used Gary Paine's instructions posted several times over the years and just ground a very small amount off the top of the inner weights and two small diagonal sections off each side of the weights. (See pic) I got lucky as my test run on my favorite country road netted 5500 rpm shifts in both the 1-2 and the 2-3 which is about perfect for my stroker motor. I was getting tired of crawling under the car in the garage too. I also learned that the tranny fluid loss when removing the governor cover is almost zero if the motor is allowed to cool completely before unbolting the cover. Another little tid-bit of info I learned about these governors (thanks to Larry the Wiz) is that there are two types of governors for our T400s. they look identical except for the outer weight. The originals are solid while the newer versions (or modified originals) have about a 1/2 inch hole drilled in the center. I always thought that the governor only affected full throttle rpm while the vacuum modulator was adjusted for part throttle. Not so. The outer weights affect part throttle and the inner weights are for full throttle. The outer weights with the holes raises the part throttle rpm from the original versions. Good to know if one is concerned about part throttle.
It has been sitting for a couple weeks, so when the weather cooled off some this evening, I took the Buick for a drive, up to Wawa.
Finished up the wiring harness and put the hood back on the RaSabre. Will get an appt today for the exhaust work and try to order some tires.
FWIW, I have a F*rd 9" 3.50 gear, BFG 26.5" (275 60 15) rear tire, unknown "race" converter in a T400 and am turning 3400 rpm at 75mph.
Exhaust is on. Sounds great. Took her for a ride to Oreilly auto and had to bring it home on a trailer. Inline fuel filter completely plugged with a fine rusty paste even though I flushed the tank. Ordered a new tank and will try to get it installed over the weekend. Other than that just working out a few bugs. Trying to quiet down the lifters. All pushrods are spinning and all but one pumping oil so pretty sure the cam is OK. Might try and figure out pre load but doubt thats an issue. Did a short walk around vid. .
Nice looking race Lesabre you got there Steve! The president of Palm Beach Junior College, Dr. Ed Eisey used to have one just like that, minus the 455, gauges, and sound. I used to get to detail it at work. Very nice riding car!
What a beautiful street sleeper, Steve. Love the instrumentation but, one question...................Why did you decide on a 10,000 RPM tach instead of a 6 or 8,000 RPM version?
Cause its what I had. The int plan for this build was to use only what I had on hand in my lot of many spare parts. However As usual I went way overboard and spent entirely to much. I bought that complete set of gages from Carhex for 500$. at the time I didnt have a plan for them but ended up using on this car. This car will be for sale at the Nationals. I did a 20 mile oil change and found this when I removed the filter
I like that tach and speedo in the dashboard!! How the heck did you do that? BTW that bad boy sounds good I am working on installing solid cam getting closer
Way more cutting than I planned on. Hot glue to hold em in place. Notice I moved the gas gage over to where the clock was factory mounted to make room for the tach.
Went for a 25ish mile test drive today and all I got to say is this thing is a beast. Oil pressure stays 40-50lbs at 2400rpm/ 60 mph. no T stat just a restrictor plate and it never got over 190*F. Did a 3000 rpm launch off the trans brake from a red light and roasted the tires across the intersection then tried out the line lock on a back road. Now I sorta dont want to sell it. THis coming week the micky Thompson drag radials go on and a set of BFG 245/60's up front.
Drove the GN for the first time since my failed attempt to go to Waterboy's get-together. And got the power seat working so I don't have to sit with my head jammed against the headliner.
