JohnD1956
-
Posts
15,797 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
109
Content Type
Forums
Gallery
Events
Posts posted by JohnD1956
-
-
I knwo this is going to sound stupid, but what the heck. did you pull the dipstick and check to see if it really lost the oil? That funny sound, may have been a bad bearing on a water pump, where upon the coolant will pour out, but the only way for the oil to pour out is with major engine damage.
Check the dip stick. A water pump may only cost around $100.00 to have installed.
-
That dealer is just taking you for a ride! Period!
Here's what you might want to do. You will never recoup your investment unless the car is running. So , spend the $380 on the timing chain, PROVIDED the price includes the timing chain, and BOTH gears. Make sure the job will include all three parts. If you want to save additional money on labor, have him throw on a new water pump at the same time. This is another traditionally weak part, and a lot of the labor required for the timing chain is also required for the water pump.
Then make friends with someone who is, or knows a classic car mechanic. Ask at work if someone has an interest in old cars and see if you can get their mechanic. If no luck, take the car to the busiest local non- chain auto parts store. Ask the counter man in the store for new wheel cylinders and a new Master cylinder. THEN ask for the name of a reliable local mechanic. You may not find the cheapest mechanic, but you will probably find a competent one.
I say new wheel cylinders, because chances are your low pedal is caused by a leak there, where you really can't see it. The brake dust inside the brake drums is sopping up the leakage since it is slow, and the brake fluid evaporates. This happened to me once on my 56 Buick. It took me several months to finally pull all the brake drums where upon the problem was readily evident.
You may not need the master cylinder, so have the mechanic install the wheel cylinders first and maybe you can return the unused master cylinder. But if not, you will save the mechanics time, and thereby your money by having the parts on hand. Do not buy rotors ( drums) unless the mechanic says yours cannot be "turned" or salvaged.
One thing more. Even though you have the parts, offer to pay the mechanic's markup on the parts. This may cost you a small premium, however everytime I did this, the mechanic didn't charge me the markup. I figure by doing this, they realize that I know a bit more than average about their business, and I think I get better quality work. Of course, when I find a good mechanic I try to stick with them. Untill they estimate an exorbitant price for a job I know costs less.
Really, get the timing chain done. I have done many, so it's really no big deal but it is always a pain in the butt, and you do need a fair assortment of tools.
Then attack the brakes with a good mechanic.
Good luck
-
For whom it may concern, I always felt that these cars just semed to lack something. I could never put my finger on what it was. Then this summer, at the Centenial meet, there was a sweet blue one, which I think had the 14" factory road wheels. And that was it. Those wheels seemd to push the tires out towards the fender more, giving the car a real muscular stance. It really seemd to be the missing link.
John d
-
Lets see! 89K? Probably sat for several years awaiting a buyer. Runs for a little while then one day starts and drops dead...I bet it's the timing chain. I've had multiple Buicks. Once GM started with the nylon coated gears, and until GM started putting tensioners on the timing chain (in the 88-92 range I believe) every single Buick I owned need a timing chain and gears at this point.
I would guess at a $400.00 estimate, which is kind of a shame since the parts are most likely well under $50.00.
The good news is that if you have new timing gears installed at the same time , they should be the metal ones, and this will most likely outlast you and several generations of grandkids. 
Go for it, because it's probably worth it, and you'll need these sooner than later I fear.
John d
-
Here are a few things to check, to try and find that rattle from under the car.
Look underneath the front of the car. Lay right down on the ground in front, and look towards the rear bumper. About 12 inches from the front, is a thick metal bar which runs perpendicular to the length of the car. This bar may go through a bracket on each side of the car, right where the frame of the car is. There should be rubber bushings in the brackets which the bar runs through. Sometimes these bushings dry out and fall out, leaving the bar to bang against the frame every time the car goes over a bump. Also, this bar is connected to the lower suspension by a "link". There should be a link on each end of the bar, connected to the lower A frame of the suspension on each side. Make sure these are in place and push the bar around to see if this is the cause of your rattle.
If this is not the problem, lay down on the ground on the drivers side of the car. Looking underneath towards the passenger side there should be the parking brake cable. Usually these are held very taught even when the parking brake is not set. There may be three separate cables to this system, and if one is broken, then there could be some rattling from one or more of the parts. Also, these cables are usually held up close to the floor pans of the car by heavy duty c style hooks. There is usually one on each side of the car generally attached to the heavy piece of frame that goes across the car under the back of the transmission. If either is missing, more opportunities for rattles.
If neither of these check out, take the car back to YOUR mechanic and ask about the universal joints on the drive shaft.
By the way, be sure to put some blocks in front of and behind at least one tire before laying under or in front of the car. Make certain that the car cannot roll, or be started while you're down there. You need the parking brake off to check those cables.
Let us know if you find any of these to be the problem.
-
Unless the gas pedal sticks on your 69 GS 400 Convertible, with standard drum brakes no less.
-
I would like to add my story and agreement with the others. Buy Buy Buy.
I always wanted a 69 GS 400 Convertible since college in 1970. Never thought I could have such a toy however. The price of these things just keeps going and going and going, worse than the eveready bunny. Then 10 years ago my sister calls me and says you have to see my neighbors Buick Convertible. She didn't know anything else about it but it's old and red.
So I made a trip and there it was, a Red 69 GS 400 Convertible. Joe had just bought it with his friend from Connecticut. They were partners and no they were not interested in selling. 10 years later, the only thing I remembered about the car was it was red, and the dumb ass Jaguar hood ornament that was mounted in the hood right between the two ram air scoops.
Then last summer, I was speaking to my sister and asked if Joe still had the car. She didn't know and couldn't remember the last time she had seen it. But she agreed to ask and later that month, she tells me that the car is in Conn, and Joe hadn't seen the car himself in six years. He wanted to get out of the partnership with his friend since he really didn't have much to do with the car anyway. A short conversation with Joe points me to his partner George. Armed with Georges E mail address, I asked if he still had the car and wanted to sell.
45 days go by. At this point, my wife was pretty much against the purchase, and I couldn't even remember if the car was a Skylark or a GS anymore, so I figured it wasn't for sale and talked myself out of following up. Then I get an e mail from George. I wasn't even going to open it. Except, it was labled GS 400. So I did, and lo and behold, George was interested in selling. He wanted to know if I wanted to come and see the car, about a 3 hour trip from where I live. His price was VERY reasonable for such a car. My wife made it obvious that it was not going to be easy, convincing her that the car was a good purchase, So I figured, Forget about it.
But it was gnawing at me. So on an unrelated trip, I called George and made arrangements to see the car. One look and I was hooked. A 27,000 mile original car. Bought new in the Bronx, NY, by Georges Uncle, the car never left the northeast. Uncle #1 used to pull the car in and when he hit the concrete abutment in the front of the garage, he knew it was in far enough to get the door closed. Needless to say, the bumper was slightly squished. The only options were power steering, and Air Conditioning along with the tinted glass. Uncle was a bit ecentric, thus the Jag hood ornament, and a police spotlight drilled right through the windshield frame, both of which George had removed a long time ago, but the holes were never patched. Then Uncle#1 passes and Uncle # 2 takes it over. He manages to get some sort of dent or scratch in just about every corner of the car, and he only things replaced on the car was the battery, the tires, the starter and one set of single exhaust. Just before going into a nursing home, he calls George and offers it to him and Joe. They have had the car for 13 years or so and never did anything to it.
I called my wife on the way home so she would hopefully get over it before I got there. And she was downright mad. After all, I already had three toys. By the time I got there she had cooled off, and then starts telling me to make a counter offer. But I said no, I really didn't think I could afford it, and I didn't want it if it was going to make her pissed off all the time. For her part she just kept saying you know you want that car. Go ahead and buy it!
So another 30 days goes by and I'm at my sisters house for a gathering when in walks Joe. I apologized to him for leading him on but told him if he would sell the car for 2/3rds of their asking price, I'd put up with my wifes complaints.
Another 30 days goes by and I figuring it's a dead issue when I get an e mail from George to come and pick the car up. And now I don't even know how I lived all last summer without it.
Let me see if I can add a picture. I replaced the tires, plugs, and wires, along with the rest of the original ignition parts, and put on new dual exhaust, and tried like crazy to shine up the paint. Otherwise this picture is pretty much how I got it.
-
How badly pited is this grill? And do you also have the top grill bar?
-
If you know the seal is correctly installed, check the bearing. I only did this once in a 65 nailhead engine, so I could be wrong, but I would not think any binding is acceptable. Plus that seal has nothing to bind against. It just sits in place in it's groove, so maybe the bearing is in upside down?
-
"One outcome of this strategy will allow Buick to lower its age demographics. However, Fraleigh admits the most critical buying segment in the auto industry is the older customer, noting the average age of car buyers is 49.
Buick's opportunity is to retain (older) loyal buyers and bring in younger customers, he says. "That's what we're trying to do. We don't want to exclude older buyers."
A friend went to a local Buick/ multi GM dealership, where according to him, the Buicks were lackluster. All the LeSabres were "odd colors, no options, and plastic hubcaps like you could buy at NAPA". He asked the salesman if any of the cars had an xm radio at least? and the sales man told him, no way. Our average customer is 61 years old and they don't want to pay for radio service.
This is the stupidest thing I've heard and seen from the folks at Buick. Show me a 30 year old buyer who does not want performance and I'll show you a 30 year old buyer who has no brand loyalty and could care less about what they drive. If Buick does not put some effort into performance, you might as well buy a Ford focus!
What do you suppose they will put in that Veliete? A smooth 2 cylinder?
-
Brian, Thanks for the research on this. I'm putting my house up for sale. Who will need it when you can ride around in that!
-
I suspect you are right about that noise. I failed to get the car out this past weekend, but am going to try for Saturday. If get the noise while rolling and the engine off, then I guess it's rear axle rebuilding time. It may be tough to work on, but I think I'll try to keep it stock.
Thanks for your help.
-
Thanks for the suggestions. It can't be the hubcaps, they are not on the car.
How do you check the side gears? Is this something that could be done while in the car? Or only upon pulling the rear axle?
-
I know my rear seal leaks, but I pulled the plug for the rear axel and the fluid level was right. So I don't think I have leakage into the rear axel. I have a set of economy radials on the factory rims. I bought them at an independent Goodyear dealer. I am in Schenectady NY. I am hoping to try what BJR suggested tomorrow. Since I get the noise at slower speeds, after I try slipping it into neutral, I then plan to try and shut the engine down. That should isolate Engine, transmission and exhaust. If I still get the noise, then I am planning to have the rear axel rebuilt and to have the transmission leak fixed at the same time. Just in time for the world to run out of gas I suspect. And gas is already so expensive, it may just be a good year to have this done, and then I won't have to feel bad about not driving it.
-
Thanks These sound like good ideas. It's snowing this week here, so I'll have to give these a try in a few weeks.
-
Nicely done. Bu I just have to ask, What happend to that roof? Looks like they were putting it up or down while moving and hit a bridge or something.
John D
-
Hi all, Looking for some ideas where to search for a noise in my 56. This noise sounds like a tire with a broken tread. A flapping noise if you will, not metallic, but more solid, almost like knocking on a wooden door.
I've had this noise for several years. It is more pronounced when you let off the gas to slow down. However, under power, if you pass a guard rail or something else to shorten the echo range, I can hear the noise.
Here's what I checked and replaced.
Water pump and fuel pump replaced. Tires checked, and all brake linings inspected. Front wheel bearings replaced, Rims replaced, tail pipes replaced and all pipes rehung to ensure no frame contact. The Generator has been rebuilt also, but the power steering pump is still original. Also, the outer rear axle bearings were replaced a decade or longer ago, but I have not put many miles on them, Probably less than 10 K since I've owned it in 1974.I did have my shop put it on a lift and listen to the rear axle while the car was running in drive. We never heard the same noise, but they told me the rear was a bit noisy and probably could use a rebuild.
Last summer, I was going to isolate the power steering pump, even though the noise definitely sounds like it is coming from the left rear side. In doing so, I found my harmonic balancer was broken. It could rotate it back and forth to the tune of an inch or so. I got a replacement, had it rebuilt by Damper doc, and then put on a new timing chain and gear since I had it open.
I finally got it out last weekend, and thought I'd be clear sailing figuring that balancer was the problem but not so. Same noise under the same conditions?
It almost sounds like a baffle in the muffler had collapsed, and this may be possible still. The mufflers are over ten years old, but with such little use, they are still solid on the outside with practically no visible rust, so I did not replace them when I had the tail pipes done.
Before I sink another useless dime in this car, I was hoping someone else may have had a similar problem and can share their experience.
-
I would just buy that Riviera. Then I'd sell the van, but I would still use the Lesabre as a daily driver.
I say that with the benefit of experience. I've had my 56 Super since 1974, My 69 electra since 1993, my 95 Riv since 1998. My wife has her 93 Regal since 1993. In 02, I bought a Ranger pickup so I had something to wreck with winter driving, and this summer I just picked up a 69 GS 400 convertible with 27K original miles.
Whoever said you can't have it all needs to take a course in logic.
-
I use JohnD1956 here, so delete the Johnny D on your forum please. I guess I'm not so computer savy, and didn't understand the password was coming in the e mail referenced.
Still, a nice looking bulletin board and site.
-
Hi Budd. I am interested in a forum for 56 owners, but registering for that bulletin board caused me some problems. First it told me that the user name was taken, so I tried three others, and finally got one just to get an error message that my e mails address had already been used.
I never saw a page or area for entering a password, but it said I already had one.
Seems kinda strange operation to me.
John D
-
LOL, at least you didn't get locked in as you said.
My most embarassing time was when I had my 1st 56. A Roadmaster model 72. My brother had bought a set of the Kelsey Hayes wire wheels for his car but gave them to me for the Buick.
They were a bit rusty, but I had good tires, new tubes and off we went to Jones Beach on long Island. The car looked beautiful with those wheels. Two times during the day I went back just to check on it. It was a hot day, and all was right with the world.
Then at 6 pm when we went to leave, I noticed the front tire was flat. Well, okay, I'll have to put on the steel disk spare. Didn't look great, but with an hour's ride to go, I didn't have much choice.
Changed the tire and packed up all the beach stuff. Swung the car out of the spot and figured I'd loop around the circle in front of the main building, to give every one a look see at the wheels on the passenger side when...Thump thump thump. The back tire on the drivers side went flat.
Now I'm sitting in front of the main building and I havent got another spare. It took the service truck drive about an hour to show up, an hour of hell, with many people remarking how nice the car looked and how sad to have two flats at the same time.
I almost wish I had just locked myself in the trunk.
-
The most embarrasing time in your Buick. Now there's a neat topic for the forum. Maybe even a contest for the Regional meet?
-
Can you attach any pictures for us to see?
-
We bought the car in 93. We didn't have a frozen caliper till 1997. At that time, we did the rear brakes only. In 2000, I put new brakes on my 95 Riviera and likes the performance of the brand, so I tried to match the performance by changing all the pads and rotors on the Regal. I still have three of the original calipers and the one replacement. The car has 139K now. And I am still on the set of yr 2000 pads.
By the way, my next door neighbor works at the local independent NAPA. He convinced me to put the softest brake pads on the car that he could get. I did this on my Riviera as well. Thse low cost NAPA pads grip like glue. And apparently wear like cast iron. The advantages have been no rotor warpage, no squealing with brake dust and I think superior braking ability.
But the Riviera's system is really superior. That is one of the few cars where I can actually feel the rear wheels bring the car down. I don't know what they did, but the thing does not nose dive with hard braking, it sort of squats down and stops in no time flat. The Regal did not match this performance, but it still stops okay. Of course this is just my opinion.
Vendors at BCA Nationals June 16-19, 2004 Plano, TX
in Buick - General
Posted
do any of these trade under different business names?