Secret experimental 1964 GX 455

[yachtsmanbill]

Can I borrow yer tank LOL ???  If yer pump is gawn or a gawner, just get a little inline job. You can even modernize it further with a clip onto the arm nozzle with a hose off of the OEM nozzle on the cowl for some down and dirty(?) cleaning!  I know youre out in more weather than me, so that may be a point for you to ponder...   Bill

[yachtsmanbill]

Hey everybody... we are LIVE from the garage !!! On line all the time!  Bill

[elagache]

Dear Bill and mid-60s Buick caregivers who like a clean windshield,

Can I borrow yer tank LOL ??? 

Uh, no! . . . .    Actually I decided to put the tank in while the engine was out in 2015.  Obviously, it was a lot easier to install without the clutter of the engine.  It is even worse now with the EFI components on the port side of the engine.

If yer pump is gawn or a gawner, just get a little inline job. You can even modernize it further with a clip onto the arm nozzle with a hose off of the OEM nozzle on the cowl for some down and dirty(?) cleaning! 

Actually the problem is more complicated because Biquette only had a 1-speed wiper.  Instead of upgrading to the stock 2-speed, I opted for the Detroit Speed interval wipers.  I had to make the "mods" described on this V-8 Buick thread of many moons ago:

http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/modifications-to-a-detroit-speed-selecta-speed-interval-wiper-system-for-a-65-special.270488/

Since then, Detroit Speed has come up with an improved version of this system that includes the washer that is operated just like the 2-speed wipers back in the day:

https://www.detroitspeed.com/1964-1972-a-body-electrical/detroit-speed-inc-selecta-speed-wiper-kit-1964-72-chevelle-malibu-el-camino-121601-group

I do have the nozzles and all other other OEM parts I need to make this upgrade, but I just don't have the time to make another attempt to back-fit an aftermarket system into Biquette.  Even if Biquette does get out year around, her windshield rarely gets dirty.  Even our 2000 Buick Century doesn't really need her washer - I'm not sure even how to turn it on!  So this is a project that is relatively low on my  "to-do" list.

Such are da' conditions that prevail!

Cheers, Edouard 

[yachtsmanbill]

It doesnt get much bigger than a 455 UNLESS it weighs a million pounds. Yep... thats me in 1964.  Bill

https://youtu.be/c-YOoB2D3AU

[elagache]

Dear Bill and 65GS.com fans of external combustion locomotion,

Thanks for sharing!     This video has a nice close up of the valve gear and driving wheels of the Big Boy.  I've always thought that the driving mechanisms Big Boys and Challengers were especially handsome.  The parts really come together aesthetically.  This is an example where function does drive aesthetics!

Cheers, Edouard   

[yachtsmanbill]

Yessir Ed... Form follows function. Mies Van der Rhoe... Heres a few pics of the workins'...  Bill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cNaN2ZY79s&feature=youtu.be

[elagache]

Dear Bill and 65GS.com fans of external combustion locomotion,

Yessir Ed... Form follows function. Mies Van der Rhoe... Heres a few pics of the workins'...

Thanks for the extra helpings of steam locomotive goodness! 

The "Big Boy" in chalk on the smokebox is a very thoughtful extra touch since legend firmly states that these locomotives got their name because some workman wrote Big Boy" in chalk on the first locomotive in production.  It definitely says: "I'm baack!"

Cheer, Edouard 

[yachtsmanbill]

Thought youd appreciate that Ed! Nobody else got it yet!  Heres an interesting bit from an engineering standpoint and from a trivia point of view as well. You rank a "1000" on steam loco trivia BTW!   Bill

https://trn.trains.com/locomotives/2013/08/big-boy-story-began-in-1940

https://trainfanatics.com/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-union-pacifics-big-boy/

[TrunkMonkey]

https://youtu.be/2rTEv6EzOGI

[yachtsmanbill]

Thanks Mike.. the fireman has one of the  most "consuming" jobs onboard a steam loco... water levels, steam pressure, firebox efficiency, wet steam blow downs... the works! The engineer merely drives the unit...

On another note, a guy on V8 was looking for throttle linkage parts so I linked him to the Pegasus website. What a great little outfit!

Picked up another master cylinder LOL... The one I had hasnt leaked yet (I went with new finally!) but still has a hard pedal. Sitting on an incline and stopped, the car would roll backwards unless really pushing on the pedal. Didnt care for that!

So this week hopefully, I am swapping an old ponch Q-jet for a 455 Buick unit from Cliff R. I think theres some funny business with the edelhoser vacuum port. Im painting inside the house right now, but when I get the new MC installed, Im gonna pull the hose off the booster to assess the real vacuum pull of the e-brock. The vacuum is tapped off the back of the base plate. Had one or two MC's that had nice PB, but they leaked! Typical aint it?  I refuse to give in!!   Bill

[yachtsmanbill]

So today I finished up painting the clown cave. WHEW !! That some yeller stuff in there! So then the dogs start raissing hell... The Mails in! Much to my chagrin...

Only in Wisconsin!     Bill

[elagache]

Dear Bill, Michael, and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

Glad to see that you already have BADLASS's plates.  That sure was quick!  Biquette's plates took over 6 months.  Sadly that's now things go in California these days.

So when are you going to post pics of the plates installed on the "Secret experimental 1964 GX 455"?

Cheers, Edouard 

[yachtsmanbill]

Gonna be pulling a Michaelangelo for the next few days. I used to cut the edge at the ceiling with a brush, but now have a super whamadyne roller with a flip up edger that make short work outa it. Did a PERFECT edge in the kitchen (2nd coat) in 15 minutes whereas it took an hour + with a brush for mediocre results. Still have the 12x22 LR and 10x12 office to go. Moving all the junk is the work part!

BADLASS is having stopping problems still (very hard pedal) so the master cylinder is off and a new one needs clear coating, bleeding and installing. Theres a car show tomorrow evening and sure would like to sport that new tag right next to the BAD LAD. We'll see how the meth holds out LOL.. (That IS a friggin' joke!).   Bill

[GS66]

Great plates!

[yachtsmanbill]

So the tags are on whippe!! I also changed out the NEW master cylinder (now on #6 or 7) due to a rock hard pedal. Booster checks out good. Had decent brakes before but as I said a hard pedal. Now it feels like no front brakes. I bench bled the MC and installed. Im now gonna bleed the fronts with the sucker thang. I dont get why the pedals are so hard. I had that was perfect but the bastard leaked. IDEAS PLEASE???   Bill