Author Topic: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto  (Read 2535 times)

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Offline WkillGS

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Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Reply #30 on: May 18, 2024, 04:13:28 PM »
....
I keep looking at this:
https://www.nailheadbuick.com/26-most-common-mistakes
....

I wouldn't worry toooo much. If your heads aren't leaking water into the cylinders (from valve seat inserts)  and you have decent oil pressure (35-40), you should be ok. If you have valve stem seals on the exhausts, consider taking those off. If cam timing is way off, valves are going to hit pistons.... that will be.... obvious.  Do check the tightness of your balancer bolt. Looks like your balancer was replaced (as it's red). Sometimes the outer ring slips if the rubber goes bad. Or if it was loose, it can wobble and wear the crank snout. I do wonder if that red balancer was used if/when they balanced it.

A good engine builder will get most items right. But sometimes they do work on a Nailhead like they do other engines which could be an issue, like installing hardened valve seats, exhaust seals, and too long oil threaded galley plugs in the front (make sure you have oil to your rockers).

You do want to check ignition timing, especially total timing. Originally, there was a rubber 'advance limit bushing' that is likely long gone. You only want 30-32* total advance (initial + mechanical). If the bushing is gone, you may have too much timing, leading to detonation.

A rebuild can lower compression ratio. Replacement pistons sit lower in the bores by 0.010" or more, and thicker composition head gaskets lower compression even more. Could be under 9:1 by now. If they shave the piston tops to 'run on today's gas', they're making a lazy 8:1 motor.
I've had Felpro head gaskets on my engine since 1992..... they still don't leak.
Walt K
Eastern Pa

66 GS Astro Blue/blue 425 auto
66 GS Silver Mist/black 401 4 spd
66 GS Flame Red/black 401 5 spd
66 GS Saddle Mist/black 401 L76 auto
66 Special Flame Red/black 300 5 spd
65 GS vert Verde Green/ Saddle buckets 401 4 spd
79 Turbo Regal

Offline schlepcar

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Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Reply #31 on: May 18, 2024, 08:39:51 PM »
 Yep?.mine was rebuilt several years before I bought the car. I had receipts from builder and the car had already been ran a few thousand miles when I started restoration. I know lots of guys that would tear it all down and start over?.common sense says you are silly to fix it if it is not broke. Carb should probably be a 3921 Carter which is pretty easy to rebuild. Good oil pressure,compression,and coolant pressure test should be enough to give it a try. I have used Gardner exhaust on my original restorations and it simply fits without issue with correct manifolds. The fuel line clips go on the front two bolts of the oil pan for correct routing and I think that flywheel has to be clocked correctly. If you have any vibration it can be bolted on wrong. I also think your car may  be a California build because the vented cap on the driver side valve cover goes to the air cleaner on Fremont cars. The air cleaner and vent is unique compared to other factories.

Offline Clatter

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Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Reply #32 on: May 19, 2024, 11:39:54 AM »
Great stuff guys - any/all info very much appreciated.   :sunny:

I keep thinking if the balancer has slipped,
Did they set the installed height of the valve springs,
And those threaded oil galley plugs..
On and on..

While i have some of you guys attention-
 :icon_biggrin:

Did the 401 have french locks on the exhaust manifold bolts?

What is the correct finish for exhaust manifolds?

Were all the engine fasteners installed, then painted,
Or should some be still in their finishes?
Things like head bolts or valley pan bolts or intake manifold.

Then that makes me wonder what those finishes are.
Say, zinc, cad, black oxide?

Same with what to paint which color.
Timing cover and crossover tube are all green, right?
Balancer and pulleys black.
PS pump bracket green, alt bracket black..?

Anyplace here where these details have been discussed?
Been looking i promise.

Im obviously going to have to be painting some stuff,
Might as well do it right.

Been looking at motor compartments here,
its usually hard to see details,
And i have no way of knowing if what I?m looking at is correct or not.  :tongue3:

Which one of you guys has a right proper restored or original car?


« Last Edit: May 19, 2024, 07:40:32 PM by Clatter »

Offline schlepcar

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Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Reply #33 on: May 19, 2024, 09:44:04 PM »
Lol?.cwmcobra,dsags,Loren,Brian Stone car can be googled?.a lot of very nice cars that are legit on details. These guys and others have spent a lot of time putting out info to show the correctness for a judged car. I have ran into a few snags on what is and is not available as far as correct parts under the hood. If you look at the projects and restorations section there are plenty of pics and info that is likely not found anywhere else on the web. Quite simply put most 1965 Buick GS cars in the real world are not really 65 GS cars. I?m trying to remember the last legit project that was started?.John E. was  doing a total restoration and there are a few others going that are looking good. These cars were getting difficult to find twenty years ago so we see very few in the condition of the one you are working on.

Offline Clatter

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Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Reply #34 on: May 20, 2024, 11:51:03 AM »
Excellent...
Figured that would get a response.
"Anybody around here have a nice car?" LOL   :icon_biggrin:

Thanks for pointing me to the ones who got them correct.
Often, you have restomods or cars that aren't complete enough for a true resto.
They will be nice and fixed up, but what's truly correct isn't given a ton of consideration.

This one we got here the pressure is on.
I feel it.
There's a responsibility to something bigger than just me.
The history.
If that makes any sense...

In other car circles, there's what i call the "Antiques Roadshow" phenomena;
"Yeah, this desk was owned by Ben Franklin, but since you refinished it, it's worth a fraction of what it was originally".
Preservation is the new buzzword.
"They're only original once".
That car's been restroyed(!)

Well, this one we got here is rotten - no WAY we're going to be driving it ratty like it is.
Just the smell is a no-go with preservation.
It's also a re-paint.
So, resto it is.
With that comes a responsibility, because the car is so complete and original.
Nobody will ever mistake a restored car for a survivor,
But i want to do as much as possible.


There's a '70 Stage1 that makes our local cars n' coffee that's to die for.
I don't know much,
but the clamps and the printing on the hoses, and the little warning stickers,
Peer into that compartment, and if it ain't all 100% correct/original it sure fools me.
I realize what it takes to do that.
It's a "lifetime achievement" kind of thing.
That guy has a huge portion of his life into that car.

With Buddy's Midnight Aqua '65 here,
The things that are deep in, I'll attend to as best my ability,
And we can leave easily changed details for perfecting over time.

For example,
Want to go right now 100% as best i can with the engine itself.
Fasteners, paint colors, casting numbers,
it's worth it to get that right first time through because we won't do it again.
Things like the alternator - correct hoses and clamps, fan shroud,
We might chase down after the car is back together,
Since we have a brand-new (incorrect) alternator already, for example.

Because this is such a huge project,
I'm trying to get my head around it.
Put together a strategy, prioritize.

I really really want to get the body finishes right.
Get the undercoating spatter pattern correct for a Fremont car,
Red oxide primer in the right places inside,
Stuff like that.
Things we're only doing once we'll try and do correctly.
Everything 'deep in' needs done right.

Whoo... Find and learn to shoot acrylic lacquer?  :notworthy:
Where to draw the line?

Anyhow,
There's another long rambling rant...
If any of you guys have strategy advice for me I'm all ears.

Getting deep for the 'intro' section here.
Will put up a build thread once things really start happening.

Big thanks to all of you fine gentlemen who have taken the time.
I read every word several times and take it all to heart.
Know that i plan to do justice.
We have a very special car here,
And i don't want to be the guy who messed it up forever.












Offline Loren At 65GS

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Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Reply #35 on: May 20, 2024, 05:50:39 PM »
A couple of the most accurate restorations would be Mark Ascher's 4 speed hardtop, Chuck Miller's 4 speed convertible. Both of these have extensive threads here.
Mark's thread: https://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,20.0.html
Chuck's thread: https://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,2075.0.html


  Loren
65 GS hardtop BCA Senior
 65 GS thin pillar coupe
 65 Skylark coupe v-6
 65 GS hardtop restoration project
 65 Sport Wagon
 70 GS 455 htp / original engine
 94 Roadmaster wagon
 96 Roadmaster wagon- parts car
 63 Riviera
 Shuman 65 Gran Sport convertible, current caretaker

 BCA 14371

Offline Loren At 65GS

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Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Reply #36 on: May 21, 2024, 09:47:22 AM »
Here's a good thread covering the engine color detailing.
https://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,269.0.html

 As for the exhaust manifolds, blast them, paint with Calyx manifold dressing as one example. Also, french locks were used on the exhaust manifolds. They have been reproduced.

  Loren
65 GS hardtop BCA Senior
 65 GS thin pillar coupe
 65 Skylark coupe v-6
 65 GS hardtop restoration project
 65 Sport Wagon
 70 GS 455 htp / original engine
 94 Roadmaster wagon
 96 Roadmaster wagon- parts car
 63 Riviera
 Shuman 65 Gran Sport convertible, current caretaker

 BCA 14371

Offline telriv

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Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Reply #37 on: May 21, 2024, 07:19:24 PM »
I have the French locks in stainless, in stock, IF that may be of any help.

Tom T.
Classic & Muscle Automotive
C/O Tom Telesco
12 Cook St.
Norwalk, Ct. 06853-1601
Daytime phone:
203-324-6045
No answer: leave message, will call back
E-Mail: telriv@yahoo.com

Offline Loren At 65GS

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Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Reply #38 on: May 22, 2024, 09:29:05 AM »
I have the French locks in stainless, in stock, IF that may be of any help.

Tom T.

 Thank you, Tom, for reminding me .
  I've added this information to the "65 Skylark & GS Parts Sources" in the Q&A section.

  Loren
« Last Edit: May 22, 2024, 09:33:45 AM by Loren At 65GS »
65 GS hardtop BCA Senior
 65 GS thin pillar coupe
 65 Skylark coupe v-6
 65 GS hardtop restoration project
 65 Sport Wagon
 70 GS 455 htp / original engine
 94 Roadmaster wagon
 96 Roadmaster wagon- parts car
 63 Riviera
 Shuman 65 Gran Sport convertible, current caretaker

 BCA 14371

Offline telriv

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Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Reply #39 on: May 22, 2024, 12:50:44 PM »
Thank you Loren.

Tom T.
Classic & Muscle Automotive
C/O Tom Telesco
12 Cook St.
Norwalk, Ct. 06853-1601
Daytime phone:
203-324-6045
No answer: leave message, will call back
E-Mail: telriv@yahoo.com

Offline Clatter

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Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Reply #40 on: May 24, 2024, 12:02:27 AM »
Excellent info gents.

We'll be in touch for parts for sure.