4 Speed Convertible Restoration

[WkillGS]

Great progress. Call me weird, but I love the look of bare clean metal!
If you want the interior floors to look original, they should be red oxide primer with LOTS of body-color overspray. Mark sent me pics of his 65 once upon a time.
Ames sells the original style paper-covered tar underlayment, if you want to go that route....
Time to start putting the chassis together!!

[dsags]

Walt,

Thanks for the kind words. Likewise on the bare clean metal. The chassis is going together now. New bushings have been pressed in. Kanter front end rebuild set installed. Going with regular steel brake and fuel lines but the shop is clear coating them. Heard too many stories about the stainless lines leaking unless really tightened.
I am familiar with how the floor should look but thanks for the reminder. When I changed the carpet in the post car I found the original floor covering. See pics. Got one of those underlayment kits from Ames. Actually Ames has quite a few items that are correct for the Buick.

Dan

[dl7265]

Looking good Dan  . I also use the GM restoration paint. On the body mounts I understand they are different ( smaller?) than the ones on the 68-72 Models. I always bought mine from CARS INC, they were identical to original.  Have you bought yours or have  a part # ?

Thanks,

DL

[Mark Ascher]

Dan,

All the work is looking good. It's great to see all the progress on the various cars on this part of the forum.
I would give the quarter repair all the effort you could muster before cutting it off.
And you'd have to find the sheetmetal.
DL, I used bushings from Year One, not exactly like original, but once in, you really can't tell.
I re-used all the original washers and bolts.

Mark

[dsags]

DL,

I bought mine from Ames Performance. Part number S382A https://secure.amesperf.com/qilan/Detail_Web?part_num=S382A&order_number=2829606&web_access=Y. They also have a bolt kit Part Number S382BA.
Hope this helps.

Dan

[kcombs]

I have a complete rear clip for sale, but it sounds like you would be looking for just one side so you might contact this guy, he has both sides for $375 each:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SKYLARK-1965-REAR-pass-side-1-4-PANEL-complete-/280790789486?hash=item41606f6d6e&item=280790789486&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_1194

I believe he is in San Jose, CA.

[WkillGS]

I researched the heck out of this a few years ago for my '66 GS....
I've bought body mount kits from Year One ( hardware store-grade bolts were disappointing), CARS (same as everybody else but they cost more) and Ground Up. All the bushings looked the same, but the Ground-up kit at least had the correct flanged bolts included for $80 :
http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=chevellecamino&Product_Code=DCC-1515

If you want the best match to originals, I'd recommend the following:
1) The kit from Ground-Up, pn DCC-1515
2) There are 2 mounts over the rear axle that don't use bolts. (Puck bushings) You can get repos from the CARS spin-off site here: I believe Ames sells these too.
http://www.oldcarstuff.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=1450
pn BM-11

Mounts behind the rear wheel are a larger diameter, about 2.5". The oldcarstuff BM4 and BM644 are close, but may be a little thicker.

Another source for individual bushings is www.restorationspecialties.com    I bought a few bushings from them to use for the rad support. A very close match, but I had to enlarge the ID.

Sigh... I think we should start a new thread about bushings. Maybe we can even convince Chris to sell a correct kit thru the 'DamnGoodAutoParts' store.

[dl7265]

Walt,
On the cars mounts and cushions , the 68-72 if you buy the "kit" you get the generic chevy ones. But if you buy the individual bm644 you get the exact to nos ones. Not sure why this is. I will call and discuss if same scenario for the 65 ones, or of they simply have not had the correct ones made yet. I also pass on their generic hardware. I re plate my originals or have gotten them from AMKproducts.com. However they don't have the exact pointed tip as originals but will work. Does anyone sell a good '65 assembly manual ? Wondering if certain mounts and cushions were painted colors for their locations like 70 models.   
 
Feel free to move these post to anther thread to not interrupt Dan's restoration.

DL   

[dsags]

Well the frame is at the rolling stage. Doesn't look too bad. It will get cleaned up, a sheet of plastic put over it and then the body will be mounted to do the body work and other prep.
Question - the brake lines up front do not look right. What do you guys think ? Also included a picture of the axle brake lines.

Dan

[Weldar]

Dan - Very Nice! Not an expert by any means but for reference I've posted a pic of my front block prior to removal. Hope that helps. Can you post a pic showing the rear spring area a little closer? Thanks.

Dwaine

[Mark Ascher]

Dan,

Another pic. About 20 minutes after it came out from under the body.

Mark

[dsags]

Dwaine,

Here is the only closer picture I have. Thanks for posting your shot. You too Mark. I can tell my front brake line is incorrect. I found the original line so I will try to make it work. Anyone know where to get 'correct' brake lines ?

Dan

[dsags]

It has been a long time since I have posted an update. It was decided to fix the quarter panel that is on the car (see # 45) and this took a bit of time. Then the body was shot with a color coat and it revealed that more preparation was needed. After the additional prep work another color coat, followed by a clear coat, was done.
In the meantime the dash, glove box door and ash tray were painted gray. This turned out to be a bit too shiny so a coat of satin clear was put over the color coat. No sanding or rubbing was performed. Before the windshield was installed (a date coded replacement from Auto City Classic) the pillar posts were painted white with SEM paint. The windshield was then installed.
Next step is to hang the doors, fenders, core support, trunk and hood and spray with a final color and clear coat.

[glenn4spgs]

Coming along pretty nice!

[WkillGS]

Anyone know where to get 'correct' brake lines

I make my own. A roll of 3/16" tubing is under $30 from NAPA. Fittings I buy from 'The Right Stuff'.

Your car is looking fantastic! Keep the pics coming!