Black GS convertible restoration!

[gssizzler]

Let the games begin! So far restored the driveshaft, A arms, coated exhaust manifolds! Would like to get the frame blasted and painted or powdered and a rolling chassis ready! Will put up pictures soon!

[wildcat65]

Sweet - they do look good in Black.  TN

[elagache]

Best of luck on this restoration!! 

Cheers, Edouard 

[GS66]

Good luck, will be following along!

[cwmcobra]

Looks like fun, Jon.  It'll be a beauty when finished!

 

Chuck

[gssizzler]

These are the frame blocks pay close attention to the date codes! More documentation this is a very early car! These help also authenticate that the the date codes are correct and it is a early car! They are some of the earliest GS specific parts I have seen! Once they get painted and go back on the frame the part# and date codes can't be seen!

[elagache]

Dear Jon and mid-60s Buick restorers of historic cars,

These are the frame blocks pay close attention to the date codes! More documentation this is a very early car! These help also authenticate that the the date codes are correct and it is a early car!

Glad that you are making progress!   What do you know about when and where this car was built?

Cheers, Edouard 

[gssizzler]

Worked on the rear end ! No pics as I didn't stop to take them! Ripped it apart, cleaned it, took it to the sand blaster, cleaned and por 15!, Going to the rebuilder tomorrow for new posi unit, bearings and setup! The transmission and torque converter is going to the rebuilder Wednesday too! Hope to get started on nailhead soon too! But might have to wait till after the first of next year!? Got all the bearings bought! Pistons will be a big expense as they will be forged! We did get a set of heads done! New nos vavles, seats,surface, etc

[elagache]

Dear Jon and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

Great to hear that you are starting on the drivetrain restoration!  Sounds like this Buick is getting plenty of luv' 

Keep up the good work! 

Cheers, Edouard 

[gssizzler]

Rear end is done! Guy who rebuilt it is 83! Been building rear ends for like 60 years! Will try and get pictures up! But not after some problems! The ring and pinion had some rust so no problem thought I had another nos one! But it turns out it wasn't correct!  So I had to locate another one! Got lucky and a guy close by had one! The transmission is another story some of the parts inside were trashed! Evidence of it's street racing days! Had to get some Parts from Loren! Should be able to getter back together then! I would start on the 425 asap to but got find the money tree! Lol

[yachtsmanbill]

I harvested that same money tree last fall. The leaves are now gone and its pretty barren LOL.  I hafta count my blessings as most of my job is labor. The BADLASS has a 3:23 open which the gear is marginal with a 455, yet the cost of going up to a 3:64 is not in the cards this year. Sure would like a posi at least. What ratio did you go with?

Might have to plant a money tree grove out back, but our dirt here by the lake is pretty sandy! Get going on some pictures woodya???  Bill

[gssizzler]

Well, started with a 3.23 which was rusty!t then I was going to use what I thought was a NOS 2.93,but ended up with a 3.08 which is what the car had original! Want more of a cruiser plus didn't want to tax the nailhead at 70-75 mph! Will be running a 300 auto setup till I can get the 425 built with a auto 300 or 400! I could also put a stick in as I have most of the GS only parts to do  it! But kind of want to go auto as my other cars are stick and I have not had a non stick GS car! Other than ones I parted out!

[yachtsmanbill]

I wish you wouldve piped up... I have a running take out spare '64 or '65 8.2 with a 2:78 that you couldve had, drum to drum. I took it from a pal before I realized I already had a 3:23 in the car. I was gonna build a nice gear for it but I wouldve had to start from scratch... I'm kind of in limbo with the 3:23 open. My 72 455/auto has a 2:78 and thats plenty!   Bill

[gssizzler]

Thanks looks like a 64 to me as the bushings look small in the carrier ! The 2.78 gear wouldn't have worked on the posi unit as it is a second series 2.93-3.23 unit! I wanted to keep this rear as it is a very clean housing and tubes! It is all welded up for strength and no more leaking! Hopefully!

[wildcat65]

IMHO 3.23 is great with the 455 or nail.  The Special Wagon has 3.23- key is a torque converter that stalls @ proper rpm.
 (You know this already - just blabbing here)  Keep up the good work.