Saving a 65 GS 3 speed

[red65gs]

Thanks for the info Walt. I did buy exactly that seam splitter, supposed to arrive today.

I've been disassembling the parts car this week. I'm trying to get to just the shell so I can start drill and removing body panels. Once all those parts are catalogued, then I'll go back to tearing down the GS and getting those bad panels removed.

[gssizzler]

Another method I used is to drill a hole in the center of the spot weld and drill trough the pieces you are trying to separate! I then took a stepper bit and drilled through the panels! This doesn’t work for all areas but is another tool that can be used! Take your time the less distortion and ripping of panels that you have is less work to repair and prep that is needed to attach the panels!Good luck with your project and keep the updates and questions coming!

[red65gs]

Thanks, I did see a you tube video of that method. There is really a wealth of knowledge here from everyone. My heartfelt thanks to all.

After some help for everyone here and some research, I'm planning to have 2 drills ready. One with a small center drill and the other with my Blair spot weld cutter. I'll start a small hole to keep the spot weld bit from walking. This is more time consuming but that should keep the hole and distortion to a minimum. I may change my mind after beginning this task and see how it plays out.

This began because I looked at the cost of replacing all the flooring, inner and outer rockers, rear quarter, inner and outer wheel wells, rear trunk channel, and lower fender panels. I found a nearly rust free skylark for much less money than buying all the panels. Plus it's the original type sheet metal not thinner reproduction metal. Not to mention, all the things that aren't reproduced.

[red65gs]

I haven't made much progress on the 3 speed, as my convertible's transmission went out. I had to focus on that car for a bit. Anyway, I was able to remove all the manual transmission brackets and linkages. Here is a photo of the frame brackets with etching primer. I'm near the point where I can remove the body from the rusted frame and start R&R the panels. I thought I might record dimensions of these brackets for posterity if nothing else. That compound radius would be hard to duplicate but probably not needed to be perfect for mounting since it is welded to the frame.

[elagache]

Thanks Don for the update!

Sorry that you have been busy with other car projects.  However, the driving season is drawing to a close.  Perhaps you'll have more time to work on the 3 speed this autumn.

Cheers, Edouard 

[red65gs]

Made a little progress on the parts car. I'll use the floors, rear wheel wells and trunk floor as well as any other patches I need. I had forgotten how nice the trunk and wheel wells were.

[cwmcobra]

Good work, Don. Keep us posted on progress!

 

Chuck

[35chevcoupe]

looks like a nice solid trunk . Ya don't find those everyday .

[Jim]

Now that snow is approaching  iits time to dust off the tools and have a different  type of fun.Jim

[elagache]

Thanks for the update Don!

Edouard

[GS66]

Should be really nice when done!

[option B9]

  Don, please post some photos of the restoration.

            Tony

[red65gs]

Sorry for not posting in a while. I have made some progress this summer on my project. I have pulled out the drivetrain so I can seperate the body from the rotted frame. I've have carefully disassembled the number matching engine without damaging anything. That was a miracle since the engine would not turnover when I began. Over several weeks I kept oiling all the components with Kroil and just tried to move the flywheel back and forth a bit at a time. After three weeks i was able to turn the engine enough to remove all the pistons and rods. the bearings and crank look good with not much wear. I'm so happy about being able to save the number matching engine and not have to use sleeves. My next task will be to seperate the body and put on the rotisserie. I was able to buy a crane with the 20% off coupon so I can remove by myself. The new body bushings arrived (from ground-up SS396.com) so I can populate in the new frame and make it ready to recieve the repaired body, whenever it is done. The photo is after I took out the first 2 pistons.

[elagache]

Hi Don and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

Congratulations on saving so much of the engine!  You certainly had a difficult task so it is great that finally the engine responded to your "gentle persuasion."

Keep up the good work!

Edouard 

[option B9]

  Great job Don, The best asset anyone can have when working on these vintage Buicks is patience ! You took your time and used the right chemical. I picked up a coded 65 GS motor back in 2010 from a western PA junkyard It was also stuck, every couple of days I poured kerosene on the pistons. after about a month it broke loose and I  was able to turn the crank.
                                 Keep up the great work and post plenty of photos.

     Tony