65 Skylark Down Under Restoration

[Aussie Skylark]

Might help if I attach the photo....

[dsags]

Very nice progress.

Dan

[cwmcobra]

Looking really good Marcus!  The stainless tips look like an attractive addition.

Is the body coming back off the chassis to prep it for paint?  Going on a rotisserie?

 

Chuck

[GS66]

Coming together very nicely!

[elagache]

Dear Marcus, Dan, Chuck, Jim, and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

While I haven't posted for a while I'm still making progress with my Skylark build.

Thanks for the update!  Nice to see the progress!

Last week I had an exhaust system fitted, I hope I haven't gone too big for the little 300. Its now got a twin 2-1/4" system with some nice shinny 2-1/2" stainless steel tips.
. . . .

It all looks very nice!  I also went with stainless steel exhaust tips on my trusty wagon.  It does take some extra effort to keep them clean and shiny but the look is well worth it!

Let me toss the question to everyone else in 65GS.com.  Is there any harm in an oversized exhaust system?  It will certainly reduce the back-pressure on the engine which will improve performance and efficiency.  The only downside I can think of is potentially excessive noise.  It should be possible to deal with this by changing mufflers and/or adding resonators.

Thanks again for the update!

Cheers, Edouard

[35chevcoupe]

Looking good Marcus . Keep up the good work and thanks for the updates .
Ive been looking at getting exhaust here also  .  Price sure has gone up since i last had a system made . Back in my younger days id a just thrown on some straight pipes and a pair thrush mufflers and called er good . OH and ya can't forget to put the sticker in the quarter glass !
 

[option B9]

  Looks great Marcus, The exhaust with those tips looks really good. Keep posting photos..

          Tony

[Aussie Skylark]

Hi Fellas,

Thank you all for the comments,

Yes Chuck, the body has been removed (again) and I'm hoping will be in the shop early in the New Year for restoration and paint. I have both, a wheeled frame, and a rotisserie. The frame is handy to work on the firewall and tail light section.

Edouard, I spoke with the exhaust installer. He didn't think it would be too noisy, I told him I intend plenty of driving when I'm finished and didn't want an ear deafening drone as I go down the highway. Your correct I can always add additional mufflers if required. 

I like those "Thrush" stickers might have to get some, even though I've got Lucas mufflers on. It cost me $1250 AUD for the exhaust, I restored the hanging brackets before it went in and purchased the SS tips from an engineering shop for $80.

Today I ordered my wheels from Wheels Vintiques, I've attempted to order previously but it didn't happen for some reason... I've ordered the 15 x 7" Buick ralley wheels (Part number 57-573404) and Buick center caps, I don't think the caps I have ordered are correct, (part number 2023) however they are available and no one here will know any different. I don't expect to see them for 12 months, shipping is   v e r y s l o w at the moment, my interior was dispatched in late August and still no sign of it yet, but hey I cannot change that.

Again thanks for comments and I will continue with my unique build here in Australia.

Thanks
Marcus

[Loren At 65GS]

Marcus,
 You are doing a fantastic job with the restoration. It's nice to see that you are moving along on it. I can't imagine having to deal with how much time it takes to get the parts.
 Should you have a leak on the transmission fitting, I have good original parts. I have parted a couple of ST300 transmissions over the years and kept the internals, just in case someone needed parts.

  Loren

[Aussie Skylark]

Hi Loren and other Readers,

I'm quietly confident the cooling line will seal off as required, its the female thread within the aluminum bellhousing I'm suspicious of. If it leaks it might me a helicoil or similar for repair, lets hope we don't have to go there.

However while we are talking spares for the ST300, I am on the hunt for what I believe is a nylon bush on the gear linkage, from memory there are two, I have one that's in good condition and one fell apart in my hands when I dismantled. I will get a photo and post it soon.

If you or someone else has one my next problem will be getting it, as USPS have currently suspended all mail deliveries to AUS. With that said there are freight companies who still transport it just costs more $$$.

Yesterday I sealed the LHS exhaust header to the head and bolted the power steering pump into position, sure feels good to know / hope its not coming off again.

Thanks again,

Marcus   

[gssizzler]

Had not got a chance to read post and look at pictures! Coming along nicely! It is so rewarding to see a car your working on get back together and start looking like a car and not a pile of parts! Keep up the work and keep the questions and pictures coming!

[Aussie Skylark]

Hi Readers,
I am very Happy Little Aussie, My interior arrived from Legendary yesterday.
Dan your parcel also arrived, I haven't had a chance to open the boxes and have a look as driving my kids to after school sports took precedence yesterday, but what a relief to get them here.
Seeing the boxes made me realize I've been a bit lazy ordering addition parts I need, I think its easy to fall into a trap of waiting for a delivery before making the next order. For me it was a 13 month process from placing an order to receiving the goods.
I will put a post up on parts wanted however I will be on the hunt for AC lines for my Skylark. The guy I bought my car off cut them out with a grinder before I got it as he didn't want the AC? every car in Australia needs AC.
My motor is fully assembled, hoping to have it fired up very soon...watch this space.
regards
Marcus

[Loren At 65GS]

Good to hear you are making progress, even if it is getting those long awaited parts. Family always should come first. Those children grow up so quickly. Treasure the time you have now with them.

Loren

[elagache]

Dear Marcus, Loren, and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

. . . .
I will put a post up on parts wanted however I will be on the hunt for AC lines for my Skylark. The guy I bought my car off cut them out with a grinder before I got it as he didn't want the AC? every car in Australia needs AC.

Every now and then there is someone restoring a Buick who insists on removing the air conditioning.  I suppose if you are making a dedicated drag racer and never expect to drive the car beyond getting to the track and back - the extra sweating is "worth it."  However, my trusty wagon didn't have air conditioning.  In the 1970s and 80s Northern California was more temperate and as a young person I guess you can put up with a lot.  However, today I wouldn't dream of living without air conditioning and I'm oh so call I endured the expense and personal effort to install a Vintage Air system as part of Biquette's drive-train upgrade.

If you actually intend to drive the car - not just race it - you need air conditioning!  Only folks in extreme latitudes might not need it and climate change is pushing those locations further and further north!

Thanks for the update Marcus!

Cheers, Edouard 

[Aussie Skylark]

Hi Buick Fans,

The 300 fired up first crank, video attached of second start.

Enjoy,
Marcus.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=be1ekqRjBxk&feature=share