65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
Projects & Restorations => Projects & Restorations => Topic started by: EZ Cool on August 31, 2016, 10:37:43 AM
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I picked up two 65 Skylarks a while back, a 2 dr post and a hardtop. Hard top needs the least body work :icon_biggrin: so I am going to build it and use the post car for parts. I got all of the bonded title work done yesterday and title will be here in a few weeks so it's time to get to work on it now. I have already stripped both cars to the floor pans to see which one is the best and now that I am sure I will have a clean title I can start spending some money with no fear of loosing it.
Plan is to build a GS clone since I have a 401 with 2 fours that I have recently rebuilt along with a few nailhead TH 400 trans.
Here's a pic of the coupe. Body will come off the frame soon for blasting.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a616/EZ-Cool/1965%20Buicks/IMG_0001_zpsqy7t6lwy.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/EZ-Cool/media/1965%20Buicks/IMG_0001_zpsqy7t6lwy.jpg.html)
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a616/EZ-Cool/1965%20Buicks/WP_20160819_002_zpswizfliaa.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/EZ-Cool/media/1965%20Buicks/WP_20160819_002_zpswizfliaa.jpg.html)
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Dear EZ Cool and mid-60s Buick resurrectors . . .
I picked up two 65 Skylarks a while back, a 2 dr post and a hardtop. Hard top needs the least body work :icon_biggrin:
Gulp! You do like to give yourself a challenge don't ya'! (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/eek2.gif)
Plan is to build a GS clone since I have a 401 with 2 fours that I have recently rebuilt along with a few nailhead TH 400 trans.
Sounds like a neat project! :glasses9:
Title work is done so it's time to go to work.
Your title says it all! Don't forget to have fun!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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What is life without challanges :cheers2:
I keep repeating......This is Fun, This is Fun.... :blob7:
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Since I didnt have enough room to blow the car apart I took a break from it and added another bay onto my shop. The body is now pretty much stripped and off the frame. As soon as I recover financially from the shop add on it will be off to get blasted.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a616/EZ-Cool/1965%20Buicks/frame_zpsz5kxqq4j.jpeg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/EZ-Cool/media/1965%20Buicks/frame_zpsz5kxqq4j.jpeg.html)
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a616/EZ-Cool/1965%20Buicks/frame1_zpsw0gfncbd.jpeg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/EZ-Cool/media/1965%20Buicks/frame1_zpsw0gfncbd.jpeg.html)
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I think that makes at least three of us with the body's separated from the frame. We'll be able to compare notes as we move along. I'm doing my first frame off so I'm sucking in every bit of information I can.
Very nice shop I think you need to show us more of it.
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Dear EZ Cool, Kevin, and mid-60s Buick owners who get down and dirty in their restorations . . .
Since I didnt have enough room to blow the car apart I took a break from it and added another bay onto my shop. The body is now pretty much stripped and off the frame. As soon as I recover financially from the shop add on it will be off to get blasted.
Definitely a nice addition to your shop! :angel4:
Now that you are starting to recover from the edition best of luck on the restoration! :icon_thumright:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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EZ Cool , I know the feeling . We just did some major additions here also . ( some of which are still underway ) I,ll definitely be following along on your project .
Like Kevin said , it looks like theres at least 3 of us ( possibly more ) doing frame off restorations right now .
Good luck and keep us posted .
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Looks like a real solid project,and you definitely were thinking ahead on the paperwork. My stepson just inherited a mid 70's vette project and no one can find the title. I told him that he better be able to get one before going nuts on buying parts. That could be a tough lesson in most states.
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A place to work on your car is worth it's weight in gold! Probably my biggest issue trying to get a car on the road all these years!
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I got the frame stripped and built a rotisserie for it from two engine stands. Sand blasted and painted all the parts small enough to fit in my blasting cabinet and plan on using por 15 on the frame.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a616/EZ-Cool/1965%20Buicks/IMG_0412_zpsy6qmdrwb.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/EZ-Cool/media/1965%20Buicks/IMG_0412_zpsy6qmdrwb.jpg.html)
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Nice looking shop! Smart idea using the engine stands.
Loren
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Nice looking shop! Smart idea using the engine stands.
Loren
Very clever indeed. I wish I'd seen the picture two months ago.
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Dear EZ Cool, Loren, Kevin, and mid-60s Buick restorers,
I got the frame stripped and built a rotisserie for it from two engine stands. Sand blasted and painted all the parts small enough to fit in my blasting cabinet
That's good progress!
plan on using por 15 on the frame.
POR 15 is definitely a popular choice for this sort of situation. Let us know how the process works out for you!
Cheers, Edouard
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I painted the frame with POR-15 today. It always amazes me how well POR-15 brushes on and flows out and one quart will do an entire frame.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a616/EZ-Cool/1965%20Buicks/Frame%20painted_zpsqcvrtghx.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/EZ-Cool/media/1965%20Buicks/Frame%20painted_zpsqcvrtghx.jpg.html)
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Turned out nice!
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Looks great. I'm a big POR15 fan. As you say, it flows out so niceley and the finish is almost bulletproof.
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Nice work. Almost ready to start reassembly of the chassis?
Chuck
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I've gotten all of the front and rear control arms sandblasted and painted, new bushings and ball joints installed and will be starting assembly of the chassis in a few days. Still need to purchase a disc brake kit but I'll probably put the drum spindles on for now to make it a roller.
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Dear EZ Cool, Jim, Kevin, Chuck, and mid-60s Buick lovers of nice and shiny!
I painted the frame with POR-15 today. It always amazes me how well POR-15 brushes on and flows out and one quart will do an entire frame.
Sorry I never did get back to this post. Thanks for sharing your experiences POR-15. I have a starter kit, but I haven't found a suitable piece to give it a try on.
Cheers, Edouard
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I bought a disc brake conversion kit at the Decatur swap meet, got it installed along with new fuel and brake lines. Installed all new control arm bushings ball joints and steering components. Put all new seals and gaskets in the rear axle and installed it today. Now its time to get started on the body.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a616/EZ-Cool/1965%20Buicks/IMG_0507_zpsqzbkksg5.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/EZ-Cool/media/1965%20Buicks/IMG_0507_zpsqzbkksg5.jpg.html)
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Looking good ,
your gonna beat me , Dan and Kevin to the finish line at this rate . Who knows you might even catch Chuck .
Keep up the good work .
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Dear EZ Cool, John and mid-60s Buick restorers,
I bought a disc brake conversion kit at the Decatur swap meet, got it installed along with new fuel and brake lines. Installed all new control arm bushings ball joints and steering components. Put all new seals and gaskets in the rear axle and installed it today. Now its time to get started on the body.
Definitely good progress - keep it up! :icon_thumright:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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I got the body blasted down to bare metal and a coat of primer on it. No collision damage at all just some dings here and there. Got some rust on the lower rear quarters and some swiss cheese on the floors. Borrowed a rotisserie from a buddy and now the metal work starts.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a616/EZ-Cool/1965%20Buicks/IMG_0661_zpst99chorb.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/EZ-Cool/media/1965%20Buicks/IMG_0661_zpst99chorb.jpg.html)
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a616/EZ-Cool/1965%20Buicks/IMG_0662_zps6jbsgczp.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/EZ-Cool/media/1965%20Buicks/IMG_0662_zps6jbsgczp.jpg.html)
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Looks like it's pretty solid!
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Dear EZ Cool, Jim, and mid-60s Buick caregivers,
I got the body blasted down to bare metal and a coat of primer on it. No collision damage at all just some dings here and there. Got some rust on the lower rear quarters and some swiss cheese on the floors. Borrowed a rotisserie from a buddy and now the metal work starts.
Indeed that's great shape for cars of this age! I don't think there are many cars that haven't been a collision anymore. There is so much more traffic and people depend on cars so much more these days. You've got something of a "barn find."
Cheers, Edouard
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EZ Cool , your moving right along there . Your car looks to be very close to the same shape mine is in . Hows your trunk floor ? They don,t reproduce much as far as body panels for these so I,ll be curious as to how you fix the quarter panels .
I started working on my trunk floor last week and hope to get it installed this week .
Good luck and keep up the good work . :thumbsup:
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EZ Cool , your moving right along there . Your car looks to be very close to the same shape mine is in . Hows your trunk floor ? They don,t reproduce much as far as body panels for these so I,ll be curious as to how you fix the quarter panels .
I started working on my trunk floor last week and hope to get it installed this week .
Good luck and keep up the good work . :thumbsup:
Trunk floor is swiss cheese. I have found some rear quarter patch panels. Not sure of the quality but it may be all thats available. http://alfaparts.net/sky.htm (http://alfaparts.net/sky.htm)
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Michael,
The panels you have the link to are all that is out there. As has been mentioned in previous threads, they work, but are not totally correct. Primarily the lower curved area. It should have a slight belly to the bottom line. The replacement panel is too straight.
Loren
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EZ Cool , your moving right along there . Your car looks to be very close to the same shape mine is in . Hows your trunk floor ? They don,t reproduce much as far as body panels for these so I,ll be curious as to how you fix the quarter panels .
I started working on my trunk floor last week and hope to get it installed this week .
Good luck and keep up the good work . :thumbsup:
Is it best to get the 7 piece trunk floor kit or just replace the whole trunk floor? What problems are associated with doing the whole floor?
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EZ Cool ,
Theres pros and cons both ways . If you do a one piece the problem is getting it back in there . (1st option) To get it in there you pretty much need to take the rear tail light panel out . once you get into it you'll see in the back the trunk pan is kind of sandwiched between the tail light panel and the trunk pan drop downs and theres just no way to get it up in there without removing the rear panel .
( 2nd option ) Now I can't say for sure this will work because I,m right in the middle of doing mine , but the lower part of my right side wheel well needed repair and so did my right side trunk pan drop down panel . So i removed the drop down and cut about an 1 1/2 of the wheel well ( the rusty part ) off and made a new piece to weld in AFTER I put the trunk pan back in . ( theres photos in my restoration thread ) I,m going to try and slide mine in from the side .
I,ll be putting mine up in there either friday or saturday , I,ll post how it went .
The 7 piece will be way easier to put in but your going have to do a lot of measuring to make sure it will bolt back onto the frame holes .
All this will also depend on who you get the trunk pan from also . I used the one piece from Tamraz and so far ( knock on wood ) it measures up great .
I know Rollaround used the 7 piece from Tamraz . maybe he has some tips .
I know theres a few other guys on here that have done them also .
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I'm taking a break from the body work for a while and have been working on the drive train. I have the engine installed on the frame, coated the exhaust manifolds with POR 15, Mounted a cross flow radiator and built a shroud. Also plumbed new hard lines for the vacuum modulator and choke heater. I hot wired it so I can run it a while and check for leaks.
(http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w127/mharbour/1965%20Skylark/IMG_0781_zpsqu7c5t5j.jpg) (http://s175.photobucket.com/user/mharbour/media/1965%20Skylark/IMG_0781_zpsqu7c5t5j.jpg.html)
(http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w127/mharbour/1965%20Skylark/IMG_0779_zps3t6qigsc.jpg) (http://s175.photobucket.com/user/mharbour/media/1965%20Skylark/IMG_0779_zps3t6qigsc.jpg.html)
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That really looks great, nice work!
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Dear EZ Cool, Jim, and fans of "radiant engines,"
Great job! :icon_thumright:
(http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/wink_smile_triangle.gif) Just one littl' thing wrong with it . . . .
Your engine needs even more chrome!!! . . . . . (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/sunny_happy.png)
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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.....Just one littl' thing wrong with it[/font][/size] . . . .
Your engine needs even more chrome!!! .....
Just the oil breather and plug wire standoffs.
The twist-on breather is repo'd. CARS
As are the plug wire standoffs.... Russ Martin , www.nailheadbuick.com (http://www.nailheadbuick.com)
An upper molded rad hose should fit, either a repo GS one or the Gates 20704.
Great to see the progress!!
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Thanks for the reply. I looked that number up and it looks right. I'll give it a try.
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I’ve made quite a bit of progress in the last few months. Haven’t taken the time to post any pics. Here’s how she looks now.
(https://i.ibb.co/qYr7bjx/EFC3-EAF3-2-D3-D-4705-BF16-8-DAE5-FC89308.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hFmLp9C)
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Dear EZ Cool and mid-60s Buick caregivers,
I’ve made quite a bit of progress in the last few months. Haven’t taken the time to post any pics. Here’s how she looks now.
Yes indeed that's a lot of great progress!! :hello2:
(http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/wink_smile_triangle.gif) . . . Although before you offer to take anyone on a ride maybe you should replace the passenger door handle!! . . . . (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/big_grin_triangle.gif)
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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EZ cool - did you go with Shell Beige? That was my Skylark's original color.
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That?s really coming together, looks great!
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EZ cool - did you go with Shell Beige? That was my Skylark's original color.
Yes shell beige it is. Letting the wife pick the colors on this one and she saw a cameo Beige 1966 Impala at a car show a while back and liked the color. Luckily it’s the same code as the Shell Beige.
What were the interior colors of your Beige Lark? Carpet seats and headliner?
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That?s really coming together, looks great!
Thanks Jim!
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Wow, car looks great! I like the 15" Buick mags and big tires..... gives an aggressive look.
A saddle interior color would look real nice in that car. Black would too, but black is so, I don't know..... colorless?
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Wow, car looks great! I like the 15" Buick mags and big tires..... gives an aggressive look.
A saddle interior color would look real nice in that car. Black would too, but black is so, I don't know..... colorless?
Saddle is what we’ve been looking at. What color headliner looks good with it?
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My 66 project car has a fawn or dove interior and the headliner and sun visors are white. That or saddle would go well with the beige. My car was Saddle Mist.
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[/quote]
What were the interior colors of your Beige Lark? Carpet seats and headliner?
[/quote]
Well as I found out recently the interior was not gold.
The interior vinyl was 'fawn'. The cloth on the seats was an off-white color. The carpet was brown.
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The more i work on this car the more interest the wife is taking in it. We went to the upholstery shop and picked out some material she likes. We decided to go with a mild custom theme and not stick to the original GS clone plan. I have always been a fan of the '60's styles so we decided to go with some diamond pleats. We are very happy with the outcome. We really like the job he did on the padded dash expecially since I had stripped down to the bare metal and rebuilt it myself using spray foam. Should be a great cruiser for the wife and grandkids.
(https://i.ibb.co/GVDd4hS/DAA15-CF3-6350-41-A7-B1-AD-23914567065-F.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Q6VJ35w)
(https://i.ibb.co/ZhFc6DX/C220-F138-C2-F7-45-EE-B7-D9-53871-D0-F3147.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9q1y95g)
(https://i.ibb.co/CnMWVQv/9-CEB44-E3-428-C-4207-BC41-BD4-C8022821-C.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fCnQrHt)
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At first I wasnt sure about that faux leather seat skin job, but the more I look, the more I like; especially that dash cover! car looks GREAT! Bill
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Lookin good. The dash matching the seat covers is a really nice touch.
Dan
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What you dont see here is the matching brown suede headliner he installed. :blob7:
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I like it, nice job!
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Very nice. That's a classy car!
:cheers2:
Chuck
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Very nice. That's a classy car!
:cheers2:
Chuck
Yeah, I figure if you can’t have originality at least have class. :occasion14:
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Dear EZ Cool, Bill, Dan, and mid-60s Buick restorers,
The more i work on this car the more interest the wife is taking in it. We went to the upholstery shop and picked out some material she likes. We decided to go with a mild custom theme and not stick to the original GS clone plan. I have always been a fan of the '60's styles so we decided to go with some diamond pleats. We are very happy with the outcome. We really like the job he did on the padded dash expecially since I had stripped down to the bare metal and rebuilt it myself using spray foam. Should be a great cruiser for the wife and grandkids.
Yes indeed, the car looks very nice! I have two questions for you.
- So what are your plans for the radio? Are you going to put back some sort of original radio or something else?
- I see that you are having your photos hosted on www.imgbb.com (http://www.imgbb.com). How do you like the service? Is this something you would recommend for other member of 65GS.com?
Thanks for sharing! :hello2:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Dear EZ Cool, Bill, Dan, and mid-60s Buick restorers,
The more i work on this car the more interest the wife is taking in it. We went to the upholstery shop and picked out some material she likes. We decided to go with a mild custom theme and not stick to the original GS clone plan. I have always been a fan of the '60's styles so we decided to go with some diamond pleats. We are very happy with the outcome. We really like the job he did on the padded dash expecially since I had stripped down to the bare metal and rebuilt it myself using spray foam. Should be a great cruiser for the wife and grandkids.
Yes indeed, the car looks very nice! I have two questions for you.
- So what are your plans for the radio? Are you going to put back some sort of original radio or something else?
- I see that you are having your photos hosted on [url=http://www.imgbb.com]www.imgbb.com[/url] ([url]http://www.imgbb.com[/url]). How do you like the service? Is this something you would recommend for other member of 65GS.com?
Thanks for sharing! :hello2:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
Not sure about the radio. The hoses on the vintage air system are really crowding the space where the radio goes. I’m thinking’s my maybe this: https://customautosoundmfg.com/product/universal-radios/hideaway-radio (https://customautosoundmfg.com/product/universal-radios/hideaway-radio) Any suggestions on that situation?
Really happy with imgbb so far. It’s really easy to use. Hopefully it won’t go the way that photosuckit has gone anytime soon.
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Dear EZ Cool and mid-60s Buick owners who want to be cool! :glasses9:
Not sure about the radio. The hoses on the vintage air system are really crowding the space where the radio goes.
Unfortunately, Vintage Air does really clutter the area behind the dash. How are you feeding air into the OEM center vent? Did you make an adapter plenum like somebody else on this board has done? Unfortunately, I've forgotten who did that.
If you are persistent, you could get a stereo (or even OEM radio) into the factory spot and still route your ducting around it. My trusty wagon managed to have it all. If you don't go that route, do you have the radio delete plates? I suppose if you would prefer the hidden radio, you might cannibalize a 1965 Buick radio to keep only the display and use that as effectively a "delete plate."
I’m thinking’s my maybe this: https://customautosoundmfg.com/product/universal-radios/hideaway-radio (https://customautosoundmfg.com/product/universal-radios/hideaway-radio) Any suggestions on that situation?
I've never tried anything but the in dash stereos from Custom Autosound, but I've had one in Biquette since the 1990s. They do make products that are robust and sound as good as they look.
Really happy with imgbb so far. It’s really easy to use. Hopefully it won’t go the way that photosuckit has gone anytime soon.
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll look into it and perhaps come up with another tutorials. So sorry that so many of your photos are no longer accessible from photobucket. That was one of the meanest things I've ever seen web-based company do.
Thanks for the updates!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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I installed some gauges where the radio used to be. With the nailhead playing tunes through 2-1/2" exhaust with flowmasters who needs a radio! Found these on Speedway. I picked these because the temp gauge reads 180 with the needle straight up where most are in the 230 range . They are Speedway's house brand but look to be pretty good quality with steel cases with the exception of the volt gauge which is plastic.
(https://i.ibb.co/84wBXsW/A334-BADA-48-CF-4-E7-B-A7-CD-9-B4-C63-F569-F4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7NDzbCw)
(https://i.ibb.co/F8BwbjP/695-CDA3-E-E1-CD-4634-B63-A-8-F627-D94-B0-AA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WBcyWYT)
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Dear EZ Cool, and mid-60s Buick owners who have different tastes in audiophile,
I installed some gauges where the radio used to be. With the nailhead playing tunes through 2-1/2" exhaust with flowmasters who needs a radio!
(http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/wink_smile_triangle.gif) . . . . Oh! So that's the problem! I was wondering why it was so hard to hear the stereo in my trusty wagon!! . . . . . (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/big_grin_triangle.gif)
Found these on Speedway. I picked these because the temp gauge reads 180 with the needle straight up where most are in the 230 range . They are Speedway's house brand but look to be pretty good quality with steel cases with the exception of the volt gauge which is plastic.
You did a very nice job! Thanks for sharing. We all need to solve the gauges problem one way or another and that's a perfectly reasonable way to do it.
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14: