Secret experimental 1964 GX 455

[elagache]

Dear Bill and mid-60s Buick parts hounds,

Darn parts washer! Spending some time swimming in there yesterday, I finally washed the oil pan and saw just how banged up it is. Looks like the rigging failed and it crashed on the floor ON TOP of a 2x4 and then half the rods swiped the inside, making those areas pretty thin. Any repairs will only net heart ache; I really think I need a new one.

Sorry to hear that your oil pan was stepped on by an elephant!  TA-Performance has some that are nicely powder coated if you want something that you can absolutely rely upon.  Here is the web location of "da' suspects." . . . . .

http://www.taperformance.com/products.asp?cat=185

Of course you might see if your blood-hound nose can uncover the scent of another one.  Obviously you'll need to consult that "other forum down da' hall."  As this forum is more in love with da' nailhead . . . . 

Cheers, Edouard 

[yachtsmanbill]

Does it really matter as long as its "Valve in Head" design by Buick???

Just spoke with Afton at T/A yesterday. That new pan in plain steel is $170.00 plus another 60.00 for the golf cart ride. 6 lbs and a
3 cu. ft. box wipes me out. If you read the disclaimer, "Modifications may be necessary to fit in the 64-67 model years". So today I am gonna try to do a mock up on the bare block and trans. The pan is on loose with 6 bolts. If it doesnt clear mid-way in, the pan can come off and get hacked up with a cut-off grinder. I take no prisoners, cut grass, or chew bubble gum. I burn steel and pass gas! (MIG get it?)

I have found a few locally, but are in the "new" (1970 dollars) range... about $75.00 and if the elephant mound wont fit then these wont either. Gotta go make breakfast for Pat after I make some carbon and scorched earth.    Bill

[elagache]

Dear Bill and mid-60s Buick owners who are on a first name basis with too many TA-Performance employees!

Just spoke with Afton at T/A yesterday.

Shucks! I didn't know of an employee named Afton at TA-Performance . . .    I suppose that's a good thing!   Instead of having to call TA-Performance all the time to find out what was up with my trusty wagon's engine, these days enjoying my trusty wagon's engine is as easy as - starting it up! . . . .

If you read the disclaimer, "Modifications may be necessary to fit in the 64-67 model years".

You might need to check with that "forum down the hall," but I'm reasonably sure the mid-sump oil pan fits without issues.  There were a lot of problems getting the engine into my wagon's engine bay, but nothing with the oil pan that I can remember.

Unfortunately, you may eventually find yourself between a rock and hard place on this one.  The oil pan needs to be really true to avoid leaking at the seal.

Cheers, Edouard

P.S.  A quick warning of "upcoming attractions" . . . . .   Are you thinking about headers or exhaust manifolds?  Exhaust manifolds are okay I believe, but getting the steering column past the headers is really a tight squeeze.

[yachtsmanbill]

The proverbial square peg in the round hole... needs a bigger hammer and Voila! Mock up went well. Wanted to be sure before assembly and moving a 1000#  behemoth around! The "blank" is heavy enough!   ws

[GS66]

Looks good in there!

[yachtsmanbill]

Thanks jim! just trying to make it as simple and smooth as possible!  Bill

[elagache]

Looking good Bill! 

So far you are definitely steady on the mark!

Cheers, Edouard 

[yachtsmanbill]

LOL Edouard!  Thar she blows!  Had to mark the hole while in mock up stage for precision and drill with a bell hangers drill! Then the seat was freed from captivity for the first time in 54 years. It looked pretty good underneath; a veritable time capsule again. Surprisingly solid, whew! Pulled the rug out and layed out the hole for the hump. With the mock up (MU) sitting on all three mounts, the shifter is only gonna stick through the OEM floor about 1-1/4 inches. I dont  think Im gonna use the hump, and its a cruddy fit anyway. Just the ring and the boot should do it. EXSPURTS?? 

Also got the factory copy of the assembly manual. The book was 28.00 and I already got 20.00 worth of info out of it. Be warned, the book is a nicely put together Xerox copy of copy of a copy. Details and such are poor. The pages are also bound left handed. Kinda hard to read.

Gonna start posting some time capsule pics and install booty pics with the MU.   Bill

[yachtsmanbill]

So the dotted line is from the hump insert, and the solid line is from the ring. Underneath shows the C/L of the shifter pivot bolt to the floor bottom. Thats 1-1/2".  The shifter pic shows from the pivot to the top of the stalk mount. EXSPURTS??? I think the boot and ring will cover it all.    Bill

[yachtsmanbill]

Last pics guys... just had dinner and am reaching CRITICAL MASS LOL... One shows the cruddy fit up on the hump; Ill probably return it for 50.00 ! I can make a better one if I have to. The others are the new ASS. BOOK. ..And thats an understatement!   Bill

[Brian]

Bill,  the hump will fit fine once you cut the hole.  The part you are gonna cut out is currently higher than the lip around the hole in the hump and is making it not fit all the way down on the floor.  You need to use the hump, otherwise the boot will tear on the shifter mechanism over time.

[yachtsmanbill]

Thats exactly what I needed to hear! I will check that out for sure. "I cant believe its too short; I measured it once and cut it twice..". I ran outa time today after 5 hours, PLUS two hours blowin' snow!    Bill

[elagache]

Dear Bill and 65GS.com owners of da' perfect "convincer" tools . . . .

Last pics guys... just had dinner and am reaching CRITICAL MASS LOL... One shows the cruddy fit up on the hump . . . .

. . . . . Not to worry!  All you need to do is put that elephant that did such a nifty job on your oil pan on da' case!  With just a few foot-steps it will make that piece fit flat on da' hump!  Best of you can probably get the whole job done for peanuts! . . . . . .

. . . . 

Cheers, Edouard 

[yachtsmanbill]

Gotta oil pan coming from a V8 guy. Pretty fair condition. Got my new clutch COMPLETE KIT yesterday, disc, plate, TO bearing,guide tool and spline grease for 98.00 in 3 days.

Brian you were correcto! I cut the "A" hole out and the dang hump almost laid in there perfect. The edge needed to get trimmed for the Hurst shifter. Probably wouldve fit on a Muncie. Had to also trim for the pivot bolt; the boot and soundproofing will cover that. The boot holes didnt match the ring quite, so it was another chapter in Mein Kampf. When the MU comes apart I will enlarge those holes in a better position so theres less "kampf".

Had to trim the funny business off the stalk and drill it to fit the shifter. Installed the boot and ring, moved the seat back for a temporary feel and grabbed gears for an hour. The stick is almost perfect! Playing make believe is good for the spirits! Right now its one day at a time. 

Tomorrow it all comes apart for the engine assembly, and then we are off to the races.   Bill

[elagache]

Dear Bill and 65GS.com automotive jigsaw puzzle assemblers,

. . . .

Brian you were correcto! I cut the "A" hole out and the dang hump almost laid in there perfect.
. . . .

I'm glad Brian was able to steer you in the right direction and you got it all to fit without the need of either peanuts or elephants! 

Tomorrow it all comes apart for the engine assembly, and then we are off to the races.   Bill

Looking forward to those pictures!  Keep up da' good work!

Cheers, Edouard