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Projects & Restorations => Projects & Restorations => Topic started by: gssizzler on January 17, 2018, 09:48:50 AM

Title: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: gssizzler on January 17, 2018, 09:48:50 AM
Let the games begin! So far restored the driveshaft, A arms, coated exhaust manifolds! Would like to get the frame blasted and painted or powdered and a rolling chassis ready! Will put up pictures soon!
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: wildcat65 on January 17, 2018, 10:06:42 AM
Sweet - they do look good in Black.  TN
Title: Best of luck! (Re: Black GS convertible restoration!)
Post by: elagache on January 17, 2018, 10:51:36 AM
Best of luck on this restoration!!  :thumbsup:

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: GS66 on January 17, 2018, 07:04:51 PM
Good luck, will be following along!
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: cwmcobra on January 17, 2018, 07:29:16 PM
Looks like fun, Jon.  It'll be a beauty when finished!

 :cheers2:

Chuck
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: gssizzler on April 21, 2018, 11:24:53 PM
These are the frame blocks pay close attention to the date codes! More documentation this is a very early car! These help also authenticate that the the date codes are correct and it is a early car! They are some of the earliest GS specific parts I have seen! Once they get painted and go back on the frame the part# and date codes can't be seen!
Title: How early is this car? (Re: Black GS convertible restoration!)
Post by: elagache on April 22, 2018, 09:20:47 AM
Dear Jon and mid-60s Buick restorers of historic cars,

These are the frame blocks pay close attention to the date codes! More documentation this is a very early car! These help also authenticate that the the date codes are correct and it is a early car!

Glad that you are making progress! :thumbsup:  What do you know about when and where this car was built?

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: gssizzler on November 25, 2019, 09:33:41 PM
Worked on the rear end ! No pics as I didn't stop to take them! Ripped it apart, cleaned it, took it to the sand blaster, cleaned and por 15!, Going to the rebuilder tomorrow for new posi unit, bearings and setup! The transmission and torque converter is going to the rebuilder Wednesday too! Hope to get started on nailhead soon too! But might have to wait till after the first of next year!? Got all the bearings bought! Pistons will be a big expense as they will be forged! We did get a set of heads done! New nos vavles, seats,surface, etc
Title: Great to hear the progress! (Re: Black GS convertible restoration!)
Post by: elagache on November 26, 2019, 01:11:19 PM
Dear Jon and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

Great to hear that you are starting on the drivetrain restoration!  Sounds like this Buick is getting plenty of luv'  :love4:

Keep up the good work!  :thumbsup:

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: gssizzler on December 05, 2019, 02:48:48 AM
Rear end is done! Guy who rebuilt it is 83! Been building rear ends for like 60 years! Will try and get pictures up! But not after some problems! The ring and pinion had some rust so no problem thought I had another nos one! But it turns out it wasn't correct!  :icon_scratch: So I had to locate another one! Got lucky and a guy close by had one! The transmission is another story some of the parts inside were trashed! Evidence of it's street racing days! Had to get some Parts from Loren! Should be able to getter back together then! I would start on the 425 asap to but got find the money tree! Lol
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: yachtsmanbill on December 05, 2019, 04:35:28 AM
I harvested that same money tree last fall. The leaves are now gone and its pretty barren LOL.  I hafta count my blessings as most of my job is labor. The BADLASS has a 3:23 open which the gear is marginal with a 455, yet the cost of going up to a 3:64 is not in the cards this year. Sure would like a posi at least. What ratio did you go with?

Might have to plant a money tree grove out back, but our dirt here by the lake is pretty sandy! Get going on some pictures woodya???  Bill
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: gssizzler on December 05, 2019, 08:28:18 AM
Well, started with a 3.23 which was rusty!t then I was going to use what I thought was a NOS 2.93,but ended up with a 3.08 which is what the car had original! Want more of a cruiser plus didn't want to tax the nailhead at 70-75 mph! Will be running a 300 auto setup till I can get the 425 built with a auto 300 or 400! I could also put a stick in as I have most of the GS only parts to do  it! But kind of want to go auto as my other cars are stick and I have not had a non stick GS car! Other than ones I parted out!
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: yachtsmanbill on December 05, 2019, 09:38:10 AM
I wish you wouldve piped up... I have a running take out spare '64 or '65 8.2 with a 2:78 that you couldve had, drum to drum. I took it from a pal before I realized I already had a 3:23 in the car. I was gonna build a nice gear for it but I wouldve had to start from scratch... I'm kind of in limbo with the 3:23 open. My 72 455/auto has a 2:78 and thats plenty!   Bill



Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: gssizzler on December 05, 2019, 10:58:34 AM
Thanks looks like a 64 to me as the bushings look small in the carrier ! The 2.78 gear wouldn't have worked on the posi unit as it is a second series 2.93-3.23 unit! I wanted to keep this rear as it is a very clean housing and tubes! It is all welded up for strength and no more leaking! Hopefully! :headbang:
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: wildcat65 on December 05, 2019, 11:37:14 AM
IMHO 3.23 is great with the 455 or nail.  The Special Wagon has 3.23- key is a torque converter that stalls @ proper rpm.
 (You know this already - just blabbing here)  Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: yachtsmanbill on December 05, 2019, 01:31:23 PM
My stall is about 5800 via the stomper pedal ! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:  Bill
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: gssizzler on December 06, 2019, 12:41:22 PM
Yes ! Great options! I wish the 2.93- 3.23 were available new for these cars! Couple pictures of the rear! Got to finish painting , New seals,axle bearings,fluid,backing plates, brakes and lines!
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: gssizzler on December 27, 2019, 02:33:37 PM
Got the transmission back! Needs a little detail! It's the original one for the car believe it or not! Note the 65 ,nk, and 106 on the tag!
Title: Nice to have the original! (Re: Black GS convertible restoration!)
Post by: elagache on December 27, 2019, 03:49:51 PM
Hi Jon and mid-60s Buick restorers,

Got the transmission back! Needs a little detail! It's the original one for the car believe it or not! Note the 65 ,nk, and 106 on the tag!

I'm glad you managed to hang on to the transmission that came with the car!  Our cars are vulnerable to swaps after 50 years.

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: gssizzler on June 03, 2021, 10:49:06 PM
Got a little time in on the convertible! Drilling out spot welds on what is left of the front floor braces that attach to the inner rocker! Also the lower firewall! New braces and new toe pans going in! Then a new floor from the rear brace to the front seam! I laid the toe boards in for fit!, Not bad but got to keep the weld seam straight and I will have to make a football patch for the tunnel! Lots of fitting, welding and grinding!
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: gssizzler on June 05, 2021, 09:19:12 PM
So got more time in on the convertible! If nothing else it felt good to beat something with a hammer! So removed the rest of the floor that butts up against the kick panel and removed remains of the body mounts! Did a test fit with the boards pressed tight to the firewall and kick panels! Not bad!
Title: Thanks! (Re: Black GS convertible restoration!)
Post by: elagache on June 06, 2021, 02:22:09 PM
Thanks Jon for the update and the pics! 

Glad to see the progress!

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: gssizzler on June 16, 2021, 02:31:16 AM
Finished up with the remains of the body braces that attach to the rear of the rocker! I had to switch the type of spot weld cutter! Went with the solid auger type the metal really flies with this tool! Also started with pounding out larger dents! I will have to use the pull pins for the rest! Going to be a learning experience as I have never used them!
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: Rollaround on June 16, 2021, 09:48:47 AM
Could you post a couple pictures of the spot weld drilling tools your using.
I’m still doing my (now black) GS resto. Cutting out rusty metal and welding in new panels was the most rewarding part of the project, everything else just seemed to drag on.
Your certainly off to a great start, looks great.
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: WkillGS on June 17, 2021, 07:56:24 AM
I will have to use the pull pins for the rest! Going to be a learning experience as I have never used them!

Hey Jon, this is a nice accessory to use with the stud welder pins. The lever gives more control over using the slide hammer, especially for the lighter pulls.
https://www.autobodytoolmart.com/product/steck-stud-lever-20014/car-dent-removal-tools (https://www.autobodytoolmart.com/product/steck-stud-lever-20014/car-dent-removal-tools)

Amazon has it for a great price, presently under $24.
https://www.amazon.com/Steck-Manufacturing-20014-Stud-Lever/dp/B002Y0756Q (https://www.amazon.com/Steck-Manufacturing-20014-Stud-Lever/dp/B002Y0756Q)
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: gssizzler on June 17, 2021, 12:11:54 PM
I will get some shots of the three different ones for ya! Wow I have seen a few similar to that but they were junk! That looks like a very decent tool and very helpful! Lacking experience I probably would over pull with a slide hammer! With that tool I could be more precise and not over pull ! Thanks for sharing that! :occasion14:
Title: Re: Black GS convertible restoration!
Post by: gssizzler on June 21, 2021, 12:46:14 PM
Here are a couple shots! One with the toothed cutter,one with the auger style! Also use the Blair cutters ! Will get a shot of that one also!