65 Skylark Down Under Restoration

[cwmcobra]

Feels great doesn't it?  And the quality of restoration is top notch.  Well done!

[elagache]

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

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

Congratulations Marcus!  Another important milestone!   

Cheers, Edouard

[Aussie Skylark]

Hi Fellas,
Hope you are all well, Im stuck inside with a head cold.....things could be worse.
So I'm doing some on line shopping for the next stage in the rebuild. Yesterday I completed my wiring order with M&H so that's underway.
 
Today I'm looking a buying a new gas tank and sender unit. Like most things, there seems to be plenty of vendors with a variety of materials and tank sizes. So here I am again reaching out to you guys for a direction on where to buy a gas tank?, to ensure when it makes its way over here its correct.
 
Last week my new body mounts arrived and the front end sheet metal kit. The body mount kit didn't come with the "biscuits" that go over the rear wheels, I dont think that will be a problem I can bolt a mount in place. Also the two smaller size mounts under the front seats didn't come in the kit , they are all the same size . I'm not overly worried, I haven't had a good look yet but I know I will come up with a work around.

Marcus



 

[Jimbo]

Just did my mounts 2 weeks ago. Under the seats were the same size mounts for me, only the bolts were shorter. My kit came with the "biscuits" for over the rear wheels.
 Purchased my kit from Ames Pontiac Parts

The fuel tank and sending unit, I've read good reviews about Spectra.

[cwmcobra]

Today I'm looking a buying a new gas tank and sender unit. Like most things, there seems to be plenty of vendors with a variety of materials and tank sizes. So here I am again reaching out to you guys for a direction on where to buy a gas tank?, to ensure when it makes its way over here its correct.
 

Hi Marcus,

I installed a Spectra Premium tank PN GM37J.  It fit under the body perfectly.  And I'm sure the 300 CID V8 uses the same fuel tank as the GS.  For the fuel sender, I believe you'd want Spectra Premium PN FG88A, which has 5/16" hose bib and no return line, so not for use with an air conditioned car.  I don't recall that your car has A/C.  Mine does, so i needed a different sender with a return line, but the tank is the same either way. 

 

Chuck

[Rollaround]

Ditto, ditto. 
I’ve used Spectra on two recent restorations, nice fit, looks original.
Amazon has the best price.   

[WkillGS]

....
 
The body mount kit didn't come with the "biscuits" that go over the rear wheels, I don't think that will be a problem I can bolt a mount in place. Also the two smaller size mounts under the front seats didn't come in the kit , they are all the same size .
....

The ones over the rear wheels aren't bolted in. They are usually referred to as 'pucks'. You can use the donut ones that came in the kit, they will fit.
Under the doors, I believe, are like the others but the frame hole is a smaller diameter. Just trim the mount to fit.
Buicks use two extra mounts at the cowl, 4 vs 2 for say, a Chevelle. Therefore a mount kit for a convertible should be purchased, they include the 2 extras. Some venders sell an add-on kit with the 2 mounts.

[Aussie Skylark]

Hi Fellas ,
Thanks for your help.
I had a better look at my mounts yesterday, a puck sounds so much better than a biscuit. I've attached a photo of my puck compared to the donut that is part of the new kit, and can see they are the same thickness. I've noticed on my shell where the pucks go there are cage nuts to take a mount bolt. I assumed it was one of the differences between a GS and a Skylark, either way I'm happy there. I can also see the mounts under the seats are smaller and can be trimmed down to fit.
As for the gas tank, now I have a place to shop ( Spectra ) I can get the ball rolling, my car has AC and a return fuel line, so I'm sure with these details I can order the correct tank for my build.
Thanks again Jim Walt and Chuck, you have made things much easier for me.

Regards

Marcus

[cwmcobra]

Hi Marcus,

I didn't recall that your Skylark has A/C.  The sending unit I installed on the GS was Spectra PN FG88E.  It's not the same as stock as it has a 3/8" output instead of the 5/16" on the original car.  I couldn't find a sender with the return line setup with 5/16" output, so went with the larger size.  That additional fuel volume capability isn't needed, but won't hurt either.

Chuck

[Aussie Skylark]

Hi Guys,
It's been a while, thanks for your help with the fuel tank Chuck.
We had a cold winter here, I didn't get much physical work done on my Skylark but ready to go again now it's warming up.
As always, I have a few questions....
First one, Wheels Vintiques advised today they are having trouble sourcing material to manufacture the Ralley wheels I have ordered; my order is 12 months old now. They suggested I purchase SS1 Oldsmobile wheels. Apparently, the offset is 3/8" less, and I don't Know if I can get the Buick stickers to place on the center caps. I've had a look at the Olds wheels and can see they are very similar, I do want Buick center caps though, and I'm not sure of the offset. Was wondering if anyone here can offer advice? I still have the option to wait for material supply, however there are no guarantees.
Second one, my wiring harnesses arrived this week from M&H, it all looks nice. I noticed the rear harness has a round wire compared to the original flat harness. I assume it will tuck in under the carpet and never be noticed, just wanted to check if anyone has used a round wire instead of the flat original that sits in the floor recess?
Third one, I received my new windscreen recently, the auto glazier advised I need rubbers for the front and rear glass. Can anyone point me in the right direction where to buy the rubber seals for front and rear glass?

I'm still waiting my turn to get in the paint shop, but it will come around

Until next time Guys

Regards

Marcus 

[WkillGS]

Hi Marcus, good to hear from you again!

As for the windshield install, our cars don't use a rubber gasket or the newer style urethane sealant, they use a butyl tape. It's a tacky square chaulk which comes in a roll. It is rolled out and applied to the windshield channel, and then the glass is laid into place on top of it. Do a search for 'butyl windshield tape' for sources and additional info. The replacement windshield may be thinner than the original, which would require a thicker tape to maintain the correct installed height.
I don't recall if a primer is used on the channel before applying the tape?

Urethane adhesive could be used to install the windshield, I'll bet most shops just do it this way as it's more familiar to them than the older butyl tape method.

[elagache]

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

We had a cold winter here, I didn't get much physical work done on my Skylark but ready to go again now it's warming up.

Glad to hear that you are getting more favorable conditions to resume work!

First one, Wheels Vintiques advised today they are having trouble sourcing material to manufacture the Ralley wheels I have ordered; my order is 12 months old now.

Hmm, that's actually a bit ominous.  I wouldn't expect that these rally wheels are made of particularly exotic materials, so I wonder what they are having difficulty obtaining.  I get the feeling that the new buzz-phrase "supply chain" still hasn't come close to recovering from COVID.

They suggested I purchase SS1 Oldsmobile wheels. Apparently, the offset is 3/8" less, and I don't Know if I can get the Buick stickers to place on the center caps. I've had a look at the Olds wheels and can see they are very similar, I do want Buick center caps though, and I'm not sure of the offset. Was wondering if anyone here can offer advice? I still have the option to wait for material supply, however there are no guarantees.

That's a tough question in a way.  I don't think that Wheel Vintiques make their reproduction rally wheels to be absolute replicas of the original wheels produced by the Detroit Auto Makers back in the day.  So my guess is that the only folks who know for sure if you can swap the Buick center caps onto one of Wheel Vintiques Oldsmobile wheels is the company itself.  You might try contacting them again for a clarification. 

Please do keep us updated on your progress!

Edouard 

[Aussie Skylark]

Hi Walt, Edouard and Readers,

Thanks for your help. I didn't think I needed windscreen rubbers....

I have emailed WV today to try and establish a possible material lead time and if center cap stickers can be swapped. At the end of the day my car is a few years off driving so I have some time to wait.

Regards
Marcus

[Aussie Skylark]

Hi Guys,

It's been a while since my last post, my build has been running a little slow since October. I'm making an effort to get back into gear.

Since my last update, The wheels I ordered have been manufactured (15 X 7 Ralley) and are on a ship to AUS, hoping to have them in the next 4-6 weeks. Unfortunately, it's only the wheels, the centre caps and wheel nuts are still on back order. I have a new gas tank (thanks for the lead Chuck it fits perfect).  I found a company in Australia who supply Spectra parts, I have also bought replacement floor pans.

I started  drilling and plug welding rust spots in the floor, using a block of copper under the welds to help fill holes. This worked OK, after some time I realised the floor is beyond repair, so replacement pans have been purchased. It was a funny feeling placing and order and having parts in the same week (parts were in stock!). I'm used to waiting months for a delivery.

I'm working on getting chrome parts together to be sent away for re-chroming, some parts are badly pitted I have a post in parts wanted chasing mirrors and reverse light surrounds if anyone has any.

As always, I'm in line for body work and paint.......hopefully this year.

Regards

Marcus

Hoping to be posting progress in coming months

[elagache]

Thanks for the update Marcus!

Looking forward to your progress reports as they roll in!

Cheers, Edouard