avgwarhawk

All, I have been communicating via email with the owner of 1960 Electra. She looks to be a very solid car located in the Altoon PA area. I would love to see this Buick go to a BCA member and enjoyed at car shows. Below is a 3rd party assessment of the Electra. If you would like to email the owner for more information and pictures PM me. Summary This looks to be a solid car with numerous small paint chips and scratches. The front bumper has a dent on the right front end and minor scuffing. The brake lights and right back up light are not working. There is a minor hesitation from the transmission when starting out. A slight slip/ This will need further diagnosis. There are leaks from the transmission from the pan gasket, seals and line connections. There is a minor oil leak from the valve covers. During the test drive a minor lane movement is felt that is possibly the steering gear that needs to be adjusted. All rubber bushings show signs of cracking. The left front rubber door seal has a small tear. All glass is good. There is surface rust on the frame. The tires starting to dry rot and crack. There are some small dents in the door chrome on the front doors. There is a dent on the front edge of the left fender. There are various places where there has been paint repair has been done by brush touch up. Poor. The interior is decent with 2 minor places above the heater controls on the dash where the pad is slightly lifted. The left vent window crank will not stay on; clip is present. Some of the wiring and heater controls show signs of wear. Vacuum lines starting to wear and crack. Right front headlight bezel is scratched and dented. Left side of the front seat has 2 small holes; 1 with the spring sticking out. The radio and clock work. There is no Air Conditioning. The radiator has small amount of damage to the core fins ; but, does not leak. This car would make a good driver but needs paint work and repairs to be anything special. See below and pics for more info. Vehicle Info Year 1960 Make buick Model Electra 225 Mileage 30621 Transmission Automatic VIN Number 7G5013667 Interior Cloth Interior Color Green Body Color Green Engine V8 Drive Type Rear Wheel Drive Fuel Type Gas Exterior Wiper Blades Winshield Washer Body Alignment Scratches ↳There are small scratches that have been brush touched-up. Dings ↳The front door trim has small dings. Dents ↳The front of left fender and right end of the front bumper has dents. Paint Condition ↳Numerous paint chips and minor scratches; but, overall fair condition. Body Seals ↳The left front upper door seal has a small tear. Rust ↳Surface rust on the undercarriage; no, rust through evident. Exterior Lights ↳The brake lights and right back up light are not working. Door Mirrors Bumpers ↳The front has a dent on the right end and both have scuffs. Side Moldings ↳There are small dents on the front door trims. Frame Damage ↳Minor miscellaneous areas of surface rust to the underside. Glass Body Filler? Hood Doors Floors Rockers Quarter Panels Chrome Interior Steering Wheel Horn Seat Condition ↳2 small holes in the left side of the front seat. Clock Radio/Navigation Inner Door Panels Window Function Dash ↳The pad lifting slightly above the heater controls. Dash Lights Dash Gauges Heater Carpet Floor Mats Cigarette Use Headliner Blower Motor Interior Trim ↳Interior trim shows normal wear consistent with age and mileage. Inner Trunk Mechanical Air Filter Battery Condition Charging System Cooling Fan Condition Radiator Cap Sealing Properly Hoses ↳The hoses are starting to crack. Radiator ↳Minor fin damage with no leaks evident. Engine Coolant Coolant Leaks Belts Power Steering Steering Fluid Engine Oil Engine Fluid Leaks ↳There is a minor valve cover leak. Transmission Fluid Transmission Leaks ↳There is a slight leak from the line connectors, pan gasket and seals. Brake System Brake Fluid Leaks Differential leaks Muffler System Shocks and bushings ↳Bushings starting to dry rot and crack. Ball Joints and Tie Rods ↳There was some play felt in the steering wheel due to worn steering components. More diagnosis necessary. Road Test Engine Starting Engine Performance Transmission performance ↳There is a slight hesitation when starting to move. This will need further diagnosis. Differential Performance Wheel Bearing Performance Braking Performance Suspension Performance Steering Performance ↳Vehicle wanders due to loose steering. Tires/Wheels Tire Manufacturer US Royal Tire Size 8/00/15 Tire Tread Driver Front 6/32 6/32 Passenger Front Driver Rear 6/32 6/32 Passenger Rear Tire Condition Driver Front Dry Rot, Flat Spots Dry Rot, Flat Spots Passenger Front Driver Rear Dry Rot, Flat Spots Dry Rot, Flat Spots Passenger Rear Wheel Condition Driver Front No Issues No Issues Passenger Front Driver Rear No Issues No Issues Passenger Rear Spare Tire Spare tire Yes

That is really something! Post pics or video if you can.

Sounds like a failing lifter to me. I would pull the valve cover you hear the noise and run the motor at speed. Hopefully the noise will be found in the lifter and or push rod to a lifter. EDIT: Took a second listen. It does sound like a lifter losing oil pressure.

I installed a set of Detroit Eatons on my 54. Ride height is in keeping with factor photos I have seen.

Points and condenser replacement. Careful with the starter fluid spray. Over use can cause problems.

The spacers are a quick fix to the inevitable. Replacing the coils.

As Benjamin said, it is just a coil that runs through the radiator. Pump line in and return line out. Works ok but not like a independent unit. And I concur, heat will kill a transmission. If I remember correctly the early Dyna Flo has a small cooler off the pan.

I would go with old-talk on this as well. The seals over the years lose pliability and crack. NOS rubber products I have purchased crack easily.

This makes perfect sense. I would image then two pieces of rubber could be placed on top and bottom of the current shim as shown in the picture.

Just one question, why was this metal used instead of rubber insulation? Was this an attempt at shimming a body panel to align with the surrounding panels? This looks like a fender that is possibly shimmed up?

Hahaha. But it was a good bid.

That Buick is cool. The Chevy boat is awesome!

Possible the cruise control is losing data vehicle speed sensor thus shutting down?

Check valves in the vacuum lines are functioning?

Driving with confidence on the last video!

Check the vacuum ball is not leaking or lost a line. Note this ball services the cruise control servo. Could be the reason for losing cruise as vacuum is exhausted over a short period of time. It appears to me a vacuum loss is your problem. The question is where. I suspect the vacuum storage ball. See diagram:

Instead of the MAF sensor, take a look at the MAP sensor. Also, inside these transmission are shift solenoids. These cause issues and are replaceable. Also, as much as we think the dealer knows it all some just don't when it comes to transmissions. Have you take it to a good transmission shop? There are several GM bulletins regarding two common problems. #06-07-30-023C...Shudder on Acceleration #PIP4188 Delayed Shifts Harsh Engagement In either case with those two bulletins, the transmission must be disassembled for repair. FP# 24225825 (valve sol 4.265)

I'm posting this since my family did own 3 of these Buick(Japan) Opels. These were great cars with exception of bad rusting issues. All 3 made 100K and beyond. Sometimes I think this is the Buick that Buick does not like talking about.