EmTee

Possibly the same from '68 - '70? Maybe @abandg can help you.

Agreed - the CARS website has been practically useless since they "improved" it a year or so ago... I usually wind-up hunting through the online catalog. I'm guessing the issue with your replacement bushings is that, like the originals, they're ~50 years old. Better to find new ones - understanding that they may not be identical to the originals and may require some 'tweaking' for proper fit. Late '60s/early '70's full-size Fords also used similar reaction rods. If the ones from CARS don't work out you could try looking at any the local NAPA has available for comparison.

Does the Dynaflo need to be from a '55? Are output splines different on a '56 transmission?

I have had good luck with Rislone for freeing sticky valve lifters.

Ask them to also check the armature bushings -- at least the one at the end with the starter drive...

The white top seems out of place with the black interior. I think a black top would make more sense. If the interior was white I'd expect a white top. Although the seat inserts are lighter, the interior still reads 'black' to me... The best option would be to eliminate the vinyl top and avoid the issue altogether!

Hey, nineteen That's 'Retha Franklin She don't remember the Queen of Soul It's hard times befallen The sole survivors She thinks I'm crazy But I'm just growin' old...

If it's really bad, sometimes you can feel the overrunning clutch skip when twisting the pinion by hand.

I had a 1990 Bonneville LE that was a great runner. Unlike the SSEI mentioned above, it wasn't overloaded with electronics and was dead reliable. With well over 100K miles on it at the time I wouldn't have hesitated to get in and drive it cross country. The next car was a '92 LeSabre that was good for almost 30 mpg on the highway. The problem with it was unlike the Bonneville (from TN) it was a local NY car and succumbed to the winter salt.

DF has a beautiful, original coupe! See it over in the 'Unrestored' forum. https://forums.aaca.org/topic/407088-my-1986-buick-lesabre-coupe/#comment-2619727

What happened to the car? Hopefully someone will get it finished...

Asking around through your 'car buddy' network is probably your best bet. You may be able to identify someone who works at a dealership or other repair shop who takes 'side jobs' at home. Has anyone checked the oil level? It's odd that the pinion bearing is shot and yet the seal isn't leaking. Just make sure there's still oil in it before you drive it.

The original compressor on my '67 must have been really good - it has the "OK" stamp in three spots with varying amounts of yellow ink.

Sorting a car is a nonlinear process. The 'sorted' state is approached asymptotically...

That's awesome - I would have done exactly the same! I can almost see the finish line...

Looks "SUPA"!

The solenoids are probably good. I think it's the starter drive that is 'spinning-out'. The overrunning clutch has a pawl that wears and/or gets sticky with age and will sometimes not lock-up to turn the pinion. The classic symptom is turning the key and hearing "zing", then try again - "zing" and the third time it catches and the car starts! Be sure to check (or just change) the armature bushing when changing the starter drive...

It sounds like a bad starter drive. The pinion gear has an overrunning clutch that eventually wears out and will sometimes 'spin-out' or not engage to allow the pinion to turn the flywheel. Old timers used to call this part the "Bendix", probably due to the fact that Bendix was one of the suppliers. You'll need to remove and disassemble the starter to install the new starter drive gear. https://www.stockwiseauto.com/standard-motor-products-sdn2-starter-drive?Year=1963&Make=Oldsmobile&Model=98

Looks like some balls escaped...

Dang - I just love the profile of those '65 Cats! That silver/blue is a nice color and really looks good on it.

Congratulations! Regular seat-time in a classic Buick will ease the transition!

My point was that aside from the engine, the car was no worse than its contemporaries. Personally, I'd opt for the similar Riviera or Toronado with the Olds 307 V8. They were not powerful by any stretch, but they were smooth and reliable. My father bought his knowing the engine was shot, so the purchase price reflected that.

My father had an '84 and drove the wheels off of it AFTER my brother rebuilt the HT4100. Once the engine was done it was generally reliable with only typical age/wear issues.

Does the carburetor have a solenoid throttle-stop? If so, you can check that it functions and is adjusted properly. If not, you're probably correct about combustion chamber carbon build-up. Good news is the fix for that - drive it!

The license plate lamp looks great! I will have to try that trick with Hydrogen Peroxide and UV light.