gungeey

I'd say there's a load of great thoughts here, the only thing about the "Timing on the Wrong Front Cylinder Theory" is the low compression readings. Wrong firing order would be of no consequence.

Fuel is undoubtedly NG unless someone put stablizer in the tank. Even then, i think the shelf life is one year. Removee the plugs and squirt a couple shots of oil in each cylinder. Leave plugs out and hook up a battery and spin the engine. Step 2, fuel it up. You might have a problem on your hands here ie a tankful of no good gas. Spray some starter fluid down the carb and see if she kicks over.If it dies when the curent gas reaches the carb, you'll have to get rid of the old gas. I'd take a couple quarts at a time and add it to my daily driver, till I can get mostly new gas in there.. Might take a little time. As far as the value...well, I'm no Chevy expert, but if it's N I C E (very nice w/ A/C and a 2 door)and someone offered you 2K I would be tickled.Good luck

You're right! ...I remember the same set-up in my '64 Skylark. Chunks of gear at the botom of the oil pan. I remember the symptoms well. The starter could spin like crazy...the valvetrain was far enough out of time that the cylinders couldn't make proper compression. When it did fire up, it coughed , kicked and backfired w/ lurching, no drivability in general. Sounds like I'm knocking the Skylark? I hope not. One of the best cars I ever had. Was a daily driver that gave me No problems except for the chain. Steve

This sounds veery much like a timing chain at the end of it's life. When you are attempting to start the car, does it spin fast and freely, but doesn't fire up ? That would explain your fouled plugs( by the way, Champion plugs will work just fine in a nailhead)The erratic compression readings, backfiring are all symptoms.What happens id the timing chain stretches over time. The rivets holes enlarge, and that develops the slop you are now dealing with.

Try "Udder Balm"( contains lanolin) on the vinyl...makes it soft and pliable...as for the scratches, couldn't you just try a black majic marker/ sharpie?

I believe www.classicbuicks.com has them. Currently they are relocating. I wouldn't be too quick to toss the old one. The replacements are Flimsy.

Must be 2 gauge black with pigtail and correct connections at grounded end (along w/ approx 1" rubber sleeve) and field ground at regulator. Bolt type battery connector. Alternator is 55 amp Part# 1100709 Starter Part# 1107313 Maybe I'm dreaming, but hey, it never hurts to ask!Steve

Start searching for vintage auto salvage yards in your area (Junk Yards)

Oh, the pipe is ¼" copper tubing. Use a compression fitting and a flare at the choke end along with a flare and your all set.Don't forget anti-seize compound so the brass doesn't eat the aluminum

You're right , the threaded (pipe thread) fitting at choke housing botom should lead to passenger side exhaust manifold. Why not hook it up again if the threads are still OK? That'll solve your vacuum leak and get better choke performance. As far as the vacuum readings, i hook up my gauge to the vacuum resivoir canister on my '65...not sure how yours is set up. The vacuum hose leads over to a brass fitting in the intake manifold (drivers side, mid manifold). Also, I set my timing with the vacuum advance still connected to distributor., but my vacuum advance doesn't kick in till 800rpms. I find the biggest culprit with vacuum in these cars is the carb base gasket. The easiest solution is to get a block off steel gasket (looks like a spreadbore)so the hot gas passages are cut off from the carb.Most places that have the rebuild kits can locate them . Steve

looks like a fun car! Keep posting pics as the work progresses. Steve

I bought a '65 riv in Pennsylvania (i in Mass)last January...before that a 64 skylark, and had an 85 Lesabre I bought new. The 64 Skylark was a beautiful car...thew a rod due to neglect on my part. ripped open the lifter valley, even reached up to punch the intake. Shame. The 85 LeSabre lastred 12 years with minimum fuss. The Riv I have now is beautiful (Burgandy Mist/Vinyl roof/white interior . A/C, and Super wildcat(2x4 carbs) engine Buick Road Wheels , too. This cal will never!! be neglected. Hope to park a '64 Wildcat convertible next to it at some point.

Trying out the board...