imported_buick5563

Hey Pete, I am just taking a guess here because, like you, I didn't know the 425 was available on the Wildcat in 63. It is my understanding that all big series cars had the green engine. Riv's got silver. Your parts car may have had a silver engine because the 425's were (probably) all assembled and painted together. The convertible's engine could have been done later in the year perhaps, when Buick knew that the 425 could be sold in the Wildcat, thus making it green? Speculation time... I would think someone who special ordered the car could have had two ways of thinking. a) Bring attention to the bigger engine "this ain't stock it's a 425" paint it silver Sleeper time "Naw it's just a regular engine" Reality time... Probably they (Buick) weren't worried about it as long as it was painted. I would personally go for green. Just my thoughts, I've been wrong before. Mike

Personally, I hope it isn't the famous hardtop. I have seen pictures of the Skylark that was built in hardtop form for ( I think) a Buick exec's wife. IF... it is the original, somebody needs to buy it and rip that fake a$$ air conditioning and power brakes. I'm all for altering/ hot rodding ALMOST any car, but not GM handbuilts. Mike

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> That battery is one heavy *&%$#@*&^ and has no cute little handles. </div></div> I just replaced this exact battery in my 55 Special. I got a "repro cased" gel cell battery from the afformentioned antique battery place. Willie is right, though. I am a strong dude ( I helped Willie take his power steering gear out of his car with the fenders still on). I seriously had trouble lifting this battery out of my car when the new pretty one showed up. That truck battery does fit perfectly though. I had to extend my battery bolts about an inch, though. I bought a threaded one inch nut (for lack of a better word) that I think is in the hardware section of a home improvement store, and cut the existing bolts, then rethreaded them with a die. Voila, baby, new longer bolts. BTW, my repro battery cost $275 with shipping. Like Bob, my car is a Senior, but unlike him, I chose to buy the expensive battery AFTER it was judged. Duh. Mike

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Are you going to take out the fourth porthole? I think when he painted it he added the fouth one. Century did not have four holes until 1955. If you are doing mild custom I think its fun to have four. It will give someone something to talk about. </div></div> Especially if you put 'em on backwards (Jordan) <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. Mike

The inner handles are held on with horseshoe shaped clips. You need a special tool that shoves the clip off. They sell them at Napa and other decent auto parts stores. Once you see the first one, you will go "aha!" (It still ain't that easy <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />) You should definitely get a shop manual and body manual from ebay. They are on there all the time. You need both. Usually they go for about $25-$35 for decent originals. Mike

I would say, unfortunately, "too bad". The seller would of course say they had no idea. I have bought three cars on ebay and all of them to a certain extent were, let's say, "under-represented". Now granted, I have never bought a car for more than $4,000 sight unseen, but (and forgive me if you did), I wouldn't pay more than I was "willing to lose"( to borrow a gambling term), without seeing the car first. Certainly, Four Grand is a lot of money, but I was ready for the consequences if it was a total P.O.S. I say enjoy the car, and welcome to the Forum. Mike

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any information about a caravan from the TX Coast??? </div></div> Willis, I can't make the drive this year due to the distance. I just don't get that much vacation time (even though I would probably make it in two or three days <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />). I'm still trying to figure flights, but at this point, even that is looking iffy. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Leadfoot

Jefe, That's a sweet car. It's cool that your son (?) is helping. Way to go on the safety glasses, too. Whenever my 3 1/2 year old son helps me he knows he has to wear 'em. Are you gonna keep it original? Keep us posted. Mike

The spring is what I was missing on my 63, which really confused me. I'm easily confused though. Mike

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> 'Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt. </div></div> I prefer to speak, it's easier than people finding out later that I'm not the genius they thought I was. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Mike

Derek, I don't intend to demean your other cars, but I think this is my favorite, yet. Mike

So I'm getting my friends' 36,000 mile 1960 Electra flat top ready to give back to him. I decide to take it to work to: a.) give it some exercise b.) blow the "sitting" out of it c.) make sure it's ready for his fine tooth comb that I know he will go over it with It was pulling slightly left. After getting it home, I check the brakes (fine). Wheel bearings ( VERY slight) looseness in the drivers side. I correct it. Drive it again. Still pulling. Darn. Take it down to the alignment shop that I go to regularly (and have for over ten years). I know the guy who works there and he knows me. Now, the car had been aligned by him in September, so I figure, check it out again. He test drives it and agrees that there is a slight pull. No problem, he says, but the old guy who knows old cars isn't in, so I leave it overnight. I call him the next day, after I know they have checked caster, camber etc......... " Did you think to check the tires air pressure? They're all at around 22 lbs." "D'oh" <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I have rebuilt engines. I have restored cars. I have made Pooh shine. I have a compressor in my garage that when empty would have filled all of the tires on this fine car. What's your biggest embarrassing mechanical moment? Mike

Update. There are four tachs on ebay right now. Check "Buick Tachometer". Mike

My 63 Wildcat has a tach. I've seen 'em on ebay occasionally, the nice ones go for over $200, sometimes closer to three. Check with Ken at Wheatbelt. www.wheatbeltbuick.com Mike

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mike, youre AWESOME! thanks so much! I feel like a lil kid being guided by wise men! </div></div> Don't believe the hype. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Mike

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do not know if you will decide to redo the seat or not but last Saturday I went to the San Gabriel Valley annual show and overheard the owner of a very sharp '55 Century talking to another guy about the upholstery in the car. Seems as though he sent an old original sample to someplace in China where they examined the material and then wove some new cloth to match the original. Been five years since I sold my Century but it looked dead on correct to me. Was a bit pricy but really looked good. Sorry that I don't know the owners name or who to contact but you might be able to contact the SGV chapter and ask them if they can put you in touch with the fellow. In any event enjoy the car. </div></div> Sounds like FireballV8 here on the forum. Steve? Mike

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You will have a much easier time if you get a friend to help. </div></div> ...and since all of my car friends live in Seguin, Athens, Katy, St. Louis, etc., you might want to try the car jack thing <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Mike

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm not sure if anyone really wants to know, but it turns out I hit something with the Wildcat. Since there was no other damage to the car, it must have been hit with the differential and bounced up into the tank. </div></div> That makes much more sense. I have never seen that kind of implosion. I was making a trip home from Wheatbelt ( 8 hours north) about ten years ago in my 55, just to kind of sightsee and pick up some spare parts. I hit a coyote on the way back... didn't stop, just hoped I hadn't messed up anything which I hadn't just gotten a replacement for. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Mike

You will have a much easier time if you get a friend to help. You can also use a hydraulic jack to assist in positioning the new one if you can't find a helper. You may want to wrap the ends of the bumper in towels so you don't scratch your paint. Also, you may want to buy some new bumper bolts ( 6, I think) so you don't have to use the old ones. A lot of 63 and 64's have that bent down center like you describe. Mike

Personally, I have never had any problems with them, and I've ordered alot of things for 3 different Buicks from them. They have more stuff for more of a range of Buicks than Bob's and WAY better customer service (and parts) than Buick World. Even though you are talking about their customer service, it was a third party rebuilder. At least Kanter rebuilds "in house". I do think from an ordering standpoint their order takers are hit and miss. The English dude is good. Mike

Dang, that's a nice car. Well priced, too. Somebody buy this thing. Mike

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds good to me Mike (all except the Dodge part). </div></div> Your choice, sir. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Care to co-sign?</div></div> Uh, er, uh, well... Mike <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mr. Stoneberg? On 55's they were painted. Mike

Time to upgrade, Mr. Earl. Dodge diesel. Dually. Fifth wheel. 60 foot trailer. C'mon, ya know you want to. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Mike

Oh great, Yet another instance of my over restoration revealed. I painted my valve covers separately than my engine block so the gaskets show their natural color. Yes Rebecca, the whole engine was painted at once, they should be engine color. Mike