[64R]

Wow, what a pain that must have been, the blown tire would have been bad enough

[JohnD1956]

I'm thinking spark plug wires, unless you already changed them. What a shame to have so much trouble from a Buick.

[simplyconnected]

Originally Posted by 75RivGS

It had a complete tune up before we left...

BINGO!!!
Now you know what happened to your points wire.

[75RivGS]

Almost made it..... it was a spark plug wire that went bad... replaced it this morning Engine ran fine...... Till 100 mls from Colorado Springs (Silverthorne CO) At 1700hrs 1 or more exhaust valve gave up going uphill... Had the car towed away again to a shop (closed already... open on Monday) booked a hotel.... tried to find a rental car to come over to CS in a rental... but or no rentals left or closed already... So here we are: stuck in the middle of nowhere no transportation or whatsoever till at least Tuesday.....
Happy 4th!!

[JohnD1956]

Damn! Exhaust valves. What tells you that happened? Are you sure it's not another plug wire?

[75RivGS]

Sorry, was away for a while...had to walk from hotel to the car to get us our clothes etc

Loosing all power going uphill (in L1 slower than a pedestrian) Was just able to reach a shoulder. Engine starts but very rough..... I don't have the tools to check anything like that nor the ignition.

[JohnD1956]

It's only a guess, but I doubt it's exhaust valves. I had burnt exhaust valves in my 56 and it still had enough power to move at highway speeds. I'm thinking clogged fuel filter, or disintegrating vacuum hoses. If you get the car started, does it still have power brakes? If not, then check your vacuum lines.

Last summer before going to Flint I changed one deteriorating vacuum hose on my GS. Unfortunately I used a hose that was too large in diameter. When the car warmed up the hose began leaking and I had a terrible time with the car. Although I had enough power to travel at highway speeds, the engine ran rough most of the way. The hotter the weather, the worse the problems. Ruined a nice trip.

Anyway, I suspect you may have a bad hose going to the brake booster, which would be a much larger hose than the one I had a problem with. You may be able to find replacement hose first thing in the AM on the 4th, although I would check for a NAPA or Advantage Auto close to where you are. All you'll need is a pair of pliers if this is right.

[75RivGS]

I really hope you're right about the valves.
The vacuum I already checked before (found out about that the hard way last year). Couldn't find any abnormalties though.
But the fuel filter is definately something I will check tomorrow in the morning although yesterday I saw it coming into the carb But was it enough? Will check on the filter and the pump. Thanks!!
Since I can't go anywhere tomorrow I can spent all my time on the car.

Edit: since it is the 4th tomorrow and auto part shops might be closed: what is the best way to clean a dirty fuel filter and re-use it for the time being?

[Dan Cook]

Is there anyone in Colorado Springs that you know that might be willing to pick you up and get you there. 100 miles isn't that far if they knew you were in trouble. You could go back to get the Electra after the weekend and probably with more help than you need.

At the very least, this deserves a story in an upcoming Bugle.

Dan

[Dan Cook]

As an after thought, did you ask at the shop to see if they have a car they might rent to you for the weekend? A lot of times people in these small towns are more than willing to help if they know the circumstances. Maybe you can hire someone to drive you to COS. After all, they can hold your car hostage.

Dan