STAGE III

Well, I cautiously attempted to get the harmonic balancer to move any last week with an adjustable “chain wrench”(?)with the plugs out and cylinders soaked for weeks but either the chain was binding somewhere or she is stuck. I researched rust buster formula’s and found the 50/50 acetone & antifreeze formula so I put all I had with me in the cylinders. Getting about time to break out my big socket set and breaker bar and see if I can carefully rock her loose (anyone know the harmonic balancer bolt size?). I have been watching several videos of straight eights (especially one on a Packard Clipper and Buick RoadMaster) in the event the head needs to come off. Dad had a complete NOS gasket kit in the trunk (ONLY thing back there other than the spare tire) so I hope that isn’t a clue I bit off more than I can chew. I had told the girls who wanted me to “just sell it!” that if the motor was stuck I would probably do that but REALLY want to see her back on the road again so still up in the air on that decision. Just praying it doesn’t have a bad head gasket. Did notice the water pump is locked down HARD and the 90 degree water neck (for the upper radiator hose) interior has heavy rust inside it, but also heard somewhere about the tendency for the flatheads cooling systems to rust if not properly cared for. Worrying because my brother (R.I.P.) drove the Chrysler for several years in the 1970’s and God bless him he had zero mechanical knowledge but he always kept the cars super clean cosmetically which is a huge plus. Anyhow, time will tell the rest of the story. A Happy New Year to anyone reading all this rambling,I really appreciate everyone’s input. Kindest Regards, Fritz

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Found these IBM punchcard provided by an interested party back in 1976 he acquired from Chryslers Historical Collection. I am use to build sheets from later cars but maybe someone in the know can id a few things? Thank you!

Love her C49er! I hope we can get our ole girl that shiney with some clay barring & that fancy new ceramic “wax”(?). Anyhow beautiful car and color!

Old pictures of Josephine & our kids as my wife fought and Thank God got through an aggressive cancer and when the kids got down Josephine took us to happy places,top down,purple people eater playing,Ahab the Arab,Beep beep, Son you gonna drive me to drinkin,ittsy bittsy teanie weenie, SpeedBall the wild motorcyclist,Big John,Battle of New Orleans(spoiler alert the alligator lost his mind!) good times but haven’t touched her since Dad died (he hated my 455 powered Buick GS’s “No need for a little car like that to have a 4 hundred & 55 cubic inch engine in it!!!” then my friends would report back seeing him fly by our hangout laying rubber and chirping gears ha ha i got my lead foot honest! The yellow car more of an art project. Trying to make it look consistently bad and fresh pulled out of the field looking BUT with Concourse judges assistance identifying the proper equipment. I figured since I cannot afford my dream car as a teenager I will build it,drive it hard and not worry about hurting the exterior at least ha ha It’s an original 72 GS converted into a 1970 QQ Saturn Yellow 455,non air 3:64 posi AND a man pedal (4 speed for any L7’s heh heh). okay bed time from a lil case of food poisoning. Night gents. Fritz out

Thank you Jack, and I apologize for the delay. I have ordered parts as well as purchased parts while the cylinder soaks so when I am working on it next time I will pop some engine compartment pictures. I can spot most custom work from a mile away but as I was born in 63 this ole girl has a few years on me so not as familiar as I am with my later Buicks (60 225 convert “Josephine “). Unsure whether that type of extra personalization could be ordered back in the day (especially by someone working there). I know Buick nailheads had and engine upgrade package (may have been dealer ordered but not my strongest topic either ha ha). Anyhow I am here to provide what y’all ask for and hopefully I will listen and learn something new. I do know even though dusty she was very special to the previous owner and my Dad. Shes a time capsule too. Even found 2 unopened Budweiser pull tab beers in a sack stashed under the passenger seat my brother (who just passed in October this year R.I.P.) and my brother in laws from some nice evening cruise. Just my brother-in-law and I left to keep her from needing to leave the family so praying for the motor not being seized and reading and studying the transmissions and other procedures. December is going to be busy but I will try and remember to keep updating here or I will be coming back totally confused asking questions,possibly both. If not before then I hope all on here have a Merry Christmas,maybe next year she will be running and showing off the cleaned up Gulf Green paint job,the convertible trim and allllllllllllllllllllllll that chrome. Hope the wire wheels don’t have any weak spots but very hard to see in there. Talk with you later I hope. Kindest Regards, John Fritz North Carolina

Wet behind the ears hardly even cover it for me so I appreciate any suggestions even if it is considered common knowledge. Dad is gone and just lost my only brother in October 2021. Our 1950 Chrysler New Yorker,Newport Club Coupe has always been stored inside since new. All the factory “OK” marks look like they were done today. Still has its factory U.S. Royal wide spare on it’s Motowheel(?) Chrysler wire wheel,wearing the same type with 1950’s Vogue tires (mustard on mayonnaise, whitewalls with thin gold outer stripe). The Chrysler plant worker who ordered it new rented garage space during the work week (unless raining etc) and every Friday drove it onto the plant grounds to spray any dust off the underside. The man was crying when my Dad & brother drove away in it. The car appears to have an optional chrome package under the hood or just never seen one in my hit or miss searches over the years. Chrome factory air cleaner,radiator cover plate,fan blades,oil cover,Spitfire wire cover etc. Also has factory dual spotlights I loved to play with when young. I was the last one to back the car out of the garage temporarily back in 1978 to wash and wax it and take a poloroid picture of it to take it to the hospital to cheer up my Dad (recovering from open heart surgery). Mom is going to be 98 in a few days and my sister is pushing to move her and sell the family home so I am working as fast & smart (hopefully!) as possible to see if I can get the ole girl running again. I have pulled all the plus and I am soaking the cylinders in Kroioil(spelling?) ordered NOS plugs,a new water pump,shop manual and moved the hoard of NOS parts from the mass in the attic above the 3rd floor (ever haul NOS 1950 bumpers out of an attic? Reeeeal fun but got them and tons of wrapped trim on the racks in the garage with the car in case I have to find storage fast. My brother in law is going to help me install the radiator removed & rebuilt decades ago before our family business took all priority and Dad let NO ONE touch the car without him,much less on their own. Now it is up to me to take up the torch or find her a very special new home. Can anyone tell me the crank bolt size to rock the motor loose hopefully? I also will probably need to rebuild the carb again if the motor isn’t locked down,install the new water pump & radiator and of course all hoses & belts no matter how good they look. The manual said a special tool was required in the water pump install, can I improvise on that or do I need to hunt or borrow one of those. sorry for the long ramble just a long 2 owner story that started in 1950. Car has 80k miles,seats were covered in plastic form fitting covers and are beautiful. Even the steering wheel is perfect (seen pictures of those crumbled down to the hoop in outdoor cars). All original factory green paint and no rust. Thanks in advance for any and all help as I am a babe in the woods on our car & would love to get her running like my Dad always intended to before his untimely death. Kindest Regards, John North Carolina

Time to pass that along to the Fritzinator,WildBill! Heh heh Peace & Smokin Tires my Buick brother!✌🏼😎💨💨💨💨😼

Been awhile but you never know. Did this ever sell? Interested. Thanks, John

Sorry, I do not know who could repair it but if you would ever decide to let it go I would be interested in it “as is”. Thanks, John Fritz Matthews, NC

Buick Electra 225 1960 Wonderbar Delco 980052. I could use just the white buttons pictured if there are loose spares also. Thank you in advance. Regards, John

Since this post I have located many parts but if you have any 1970 GSX (no reproductions please)parts regardless of damage please contact me, still looking for 70 GSX grill emblem, GSX dash emblem,5335 Hurst stick,or correct shifter ball for consolette style(ie non shift pattern) and a rough front air dam and any leftover front spoiler clips,rusted or not because “rusty barn find” is the theme of this car. Few more WG stamped wheels also (see previous post on how to id them). So if you have anything to rough to repair from a 70 X I am yer Huckleberry heh heh I have a large parts collection if you just want to swap for 70-72 parts, or cash is fine too. Thanks in advance for any help. Regards, Fritz

Due to disability I will not be in a position to do a full cosmetic tribute to the 1970 GSX as far as the exterior is concerned so I am going with the barn find look this car has going that mother nature has been creating for probably 30 plus years. With that in mind I am looking for poor condition/rough non repop original 1970 parts for the exterior of the car to carry the exterior theme on. I have acquired many correct date coded parts but (car is a 1972 GS orig) interested in any others incase I may need multiples to make 1. The interior will be loaded with nearly every option available in 1970 and be far nicer than the exterior. I would like another orig. GSX dash plate as mine was primed and never completed by the previous owner. I am also looking for additional WG or 7.0 15x7 wheels for spares in the event mine have damage and need one more for the trunk please. I have a 71 GSX front air damn but I am still holding out for a heavily damaged to decent 70 front air dam as well as any associated fasteners,baffle,or center brace.Weathered or damaged GSX exterior stickers,grill emblems and not just specific to the GSX but original Saturn yellow parts such as mirror shells,headlight bezels,quarter panel extensions,trunk lid etc. Also looking for a 4 speed consolette base or any other associated consolette parts regardless of condition and nice #5335 Hurst shifter stick. In addition any typical 1960 or 1970's after market speed equipment for period or "day 2" look. Thank you in advance for any assistance, I am located in North Carolina and have been an owner of Gran Sports since 15 years old so I have a pretty good stock pile of parts and enjoy bartering if you prefer or cash sales. I have had a great deal of assistance with this project from many kind Buick owners who were initially hesitant but in the end knew their parts were too far gone to restore and were ultimately going to become useless even as wall hangers. I have over 35 years experience manufacturing and reconditioning Quality Control laboratory equipment so with extreme patience I can cobble something back into use or at least halt it degrading further and get it back out on the road : ) Also I would like all who help in any way to sign the underside of the trunklid as a testament of what a great group of folks we have under the Buick moniker. I will post a picture of the style of 15x7 wheels (WG or 7.0) I am looking for. If a .25 cent piece will rest on the inner shoulder thst is the one so no need to wire brush for codes. There will also be a picture of the 1970 spoiler with the shallower middle section where it attaches to the core support. I can pay via certified funds or Pay Pal if you prefer. Thank you in advance for any and all assistance, I need to stay OUT of "the recliner of death" and keep busy disabled or not and get back shifting gears : )

Yes, have to fully agree on the rust after owning a 59 Saratoga many years ago. Wife insisted on seatbelts of course for the kids so one Saturday after amassing the parts I am kneeling down on the drivers side to drill a hole through the beautiful red carpet installed by the PO. The drill bit literally made ONE turn before the whole drill fell through only stopped by the drill chuck body lol The PO was a very close friend so took him at his word on how "solid" the car was, my first and last venture into 50's or early 60's Chryslers. If that seat swivels its probably because all but one mount has rusted loose lol Love those body styles though! : )