Secret experimental 1964 GX 455

[gs spoken here]

I have used a 68 Skylark hub and turned it down to the 64/6 column size. the hub is for the 3 spoke 68 wheel, used on Buick and Olds and is reproduced. The 69 up hubs do not work if turned down to size, they leave a wide gap between the hub and column. I am thinking other people have used early 2 spoke wheel hubs and cut the third spoke slot, but I have not done this.

[yachtsmanbill]

Excellent info... Im guessing the 69 and up is for the column lock type? My mom had a 68 skylark with the two skinny side to side bars and a big flat vertical "paddle" style horn button in the middle?  Any chance you can get a wheel diameter on that? I dont HAVE TO GET a GS style wheel, but do have the blue one on my 72.  Im good at turning stuff on my lathe and JB welding it all together (spacer wise). More facts please when ya have the chance. 'Appreciate it!   Bill

The black looks stock for 68 but the blue looks like a big car wheel ... notice the gap between the wheel and stalk?? 

[TrunkMonkey]

Bill.

On the '64 'lark, you loosen the clamp in the engine bay under the brake booster on the steering mast (shaft), and then the clamps under the dash and the mast tube will slide fore and aft to change that gap.

The clamp is about a 1/2 band with a single screw, it is also the lower mast bearing retainer.

I rebuilt my mast, and have swapped steering wheels, so I have had to adjust that a couple of times.

If the firewall seal the mast tube goes through is new or tight, squirt a little silicone lube on it so the tube will be easier to move.

The cup will move with the mast tube, as it is secured/anchored relative to the mast tube.

If you need pics, I will try to remember to take some this evening.

[yachtsmanbill]

Thanks Mike! I played with that exact clamp before getting the rag joint re-set. That one is pretty straight forward. I was thinking the later cup may be a different diameter that the 64. Ultimately, next winter Ill pull the mast out and pull the 64 3 speed bowl off and spin the shifter knob off in the lathe and then patch it for the factory look LOL... Gotta fool the judges!

Just finished the rear brake shoes. With all the master cylinders Ive had problems with, one had really nice power brakes but dribbled juice from the rear seal, the rest were a hard pedal. This is a new Cardone unit (this one has a bolt on cap), and still has a hard pedal. Think this may be a pedal to booster rod adjustment? The brakes are good, but you really gotta mash on 'em.

Getting a little braver; that ol' pecker sure does peel out! Probably need to shop around for a Sun Super Tach !  Still waiting for the new horn relay.     Bill

[elagache]

Dear Bill and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

. . . . Gotta fool the judges! . . .

No wonder the judges end up so fussy - everybody is trying to fool them! 

Just finished the rear brake shoes. With all the master cylinders Ive had problems with, one had really nice power brakes but dribbled juice from the rear seal, the rest were a hard pedal. This is a new Cardone unit (this one has a bolt on cap), and still has a hard pedal. Think this may be a pedal to booster rod adjustment? The brakes are good, but you really gotta mash on 'em.

I'm confused at this point.  Does Cardone cylinder include its own power brake booster or did the car come with one?  Biquette has had problems from time to time with the booster being slow to kick in.  That does make the pedal hard.

Getting a little braver; that ol' pecker sure does peel out! Probably need to shop around for a Sun Super Tach ! 

You wouldn't want Bertha to be any other way would ya'? . . .    Yes, I think you'll want a tach.  Even with an automatic transmission it is useful to know precisely what the engine RPM is.

Thanks for the update!

Cheers, Edouard 

[yachtsmanbill]

Yeah Ed... the antique has factory power drums and factory PS. Maybe today I try Mikes method of testing the booster, if for no other reason, just to take it outa the equation. I am also gonna check numbers with carquest to make sure this is a power MC; piston size matters.

On the tach deal, the blaster is so quiet that you can listen to Brahms Lullaby and doze off, but once that gal spreads her, um, wings, things get hairy and loud real fast. You cant drive by gut feeling at warp factor 7 Mr. Sulu !  Being so well balanced also leads to climbing rpm, and you cant tell when to say when.  I know Im outa practice, but hate to spin a rod or tear up something out back as well. Right now it IS fun to drive tho...

Couple of big shows coming up and wanna have both the BAD LAD and the BADLASS there! Gramas car sure gets attention for a beater!  Bill

[elagache]

Dear Bill and mid-60s Buick caregivers

Yeah Ed... the antique has factory power drums and factory PS. Maybe today I try Mikes method of testing the booster, if for no other reason, just to take it outa the equation. I am also gonna check numbers with carquest to make sure this is a power MC; piston size matters.

Okay that explains things.  Biquette didn't come with power brakes, only power steering.  We eventually tried to back fit power brakes but didn't have great success.  Since you have the original Buick part - by all means try to get it working and use it!

On the tach deal, the blaster is so quiet that you can listen to Brahms Lullaby and doze off, but once that gal spreads her, um, wings, things get hairy and loud real fast. You cant drive by gut feeling at warp factor 7 Mr. Sulu !  Being so well balanced also leads to climbing rpm, and you cant tell when to say when.  I know Im outa practice, but hate to spin a rod or tear up something out back as well. Right now it IS fun to drive tho...

Of course that's true.  If you want a manual transmission, you want all the info you need to make the best use of it!

Couple of big shows coming up and wanna have both the BAD LAD and the BADLASS there! Gramas car sure gets attention for a beater!

'Tis the season for car shows!  Best of luck in getting ready in time!

Cheers, Edouard 

[yachtsmanbill]

Re: Option load...

Hey Ed... dont forget the BADLASS is a Special Deluxe; its got PS, PB, heater AND carpeting and a tinted windshield. Gonna hit her with the power washer tomorrow LOL. Hope theres something left haha...   Bill

[elagache]

Dear Bill and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

Hey Ed... dont forget the BADLASS is a Special Deluxe; its got PS, PB, heater AND carpeting and a tinted windshield.

My bad, I forgot Bertha was a Special instead of a Skylark.    So is the personalized license plate BADLASS taken?  If not, what are you waiting for? 

Gonna hit her with the power washer tomorrow LOL. Hope theres something left haha...   

That's a bit rougher than I prefer to treat any car.  However, Bertha might need it after all the years in storage.

Cheers, Edouard 

[yachtsmanbill]

This just in, well going out tomorrow to the DMV...  Bill

BADLASS  (meaning of choice)

outstanding young lady, to go with my other car plate BAD LAD

[yachtsmanbill]

So yesterday came and went with no new horn relay. It was due in the mail. The seller swears it went out but no record with USPS other than being issued a tracking number. So the seller says to open a dispute, he'll refund the $$$ and if it does show up I can keep it. Thats swell, but still no relay. Oh well

So Pat and I took both cars to our little ad-hoc Culvers Burger car show. Usually 20-30 in attendance. Last night was Muskrats and Gougers as featured cars. A few goodies, but most were chinabillet specials with coffee can mufflers. Swell.

I spent 3 hours washing the BADLASS down with a nice brush and some Dawn, then progressed to a soft scrubbing pad  just to know down some of the decades old grunge. It helped a little. Took the D/A with some #80 sandpaper to cut the other crud (still dont know what it was but it resisted the 80 grit too!) off the roof and doors, and another hour at least on the windows. Whew! just a primary cleaning; the first since 1980.

So Pat gets a second place prize. Dinner for 2 at Culvers etc.... Didnt even wash the darn car! She just smiled at the judges LOL...   Bill

[elagache]

Dear Bill and mid-60s Buick owners who like making a "statement."

This just in, well going out tomorrow to the DMV...  Bill

BADLASS  (meaning of choice)

Congrats!    Amazing that it had not been taken earlier!

So yesterday came and went with no new horn relay. It was due in the mail. . . . .

Bummer dude!  I hope the relay simply shows up late.

I spent 3 hours washing the BADLASS down with a nice brush and some Dawn, then progressed to a soft scrubbing pad  just to know down some of the decades old grunge. It helped a little. Took the D/A with some #80 sandpaper to cut the other crud (still dont know what it was but it resisted the 80 grit too!) off the roof and doors, and another hour at least on the windows. Whew! just a primary cleaning; the first since 1980.

WOW!  I never thought it would be that much of a struggle.  What kind of a barn was this poor car stored in!

So Pat and I took both cars to our little ad-hoc Culvers Burger car show. Usually 20-30 in attendance. Last night was Muskrats and Gougers as featured cars. A few goodies, but most were chinabillet specials with coffee can mufflers. Swell.

. . . . .

So Pat gets a second place prize. Dinner for 2 at Culvers etc.... Didnt even wash the darn car! She just smiled at the judges LOL... 

That's not so bad - I think I know who she will invite for dinner! 

Cheers, Edouard 

[yachtsmanbill]

Heck, she just called and invited me out for Mexican, YUMMM.  Lookie what I got for 20.00 today! That and a complete set if window sweeps. FYI, they are from a 64 chevelle hard top and IDENTICAL to the BADLASS's plus 5/16" in length. They are still supple too! The guy is doing a balls out restoration.   Bill

[elagache]

Dear Bill and mid-60s caregivers with a refined palette,

Heck, she just called and invited me out for Mexican, YUMMM. 

Which car did you take to go to dinner and how was it?

Lookie what I got for 20.00 today!

Very nice tach from a company with a good reputation!  So how do you plan to mount it?

That and a complete set if window sweeps. FYI, they are from a 64 chevelle hard top and IDENTICAL to the BADLASS's plus 5/16" in length. They are still supple too!

Another great deal!  I'll need to renew the weather-stripping replacement program on Biquette.  I had the door seals replaced when she was repainted in 2012, but the window sweeps are indeed getting a little "weary."

Thanks for the update! 

Cheers, Edouard 

[yachtsmanbill]

The Mexi place is about 2 blocks away; the car moving deal takes longer than the drive in the truck. We made up for it today... About a 50 mile garage sale-ing odyssey. Home for camerones  a la Guillermo, then a spin in the BADLASS around town with a nice sunset photo op overlooking Lake Michigan...   Bill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkd_jJydyFg&feature=youtu.be