MikeCS1

'68 GS400 Convert If there are'nt any NOS Coolant Recovery Resevoirs, then yes perhaps that does narrow it down to "Used" or "Reproduction"...And in those photos comparing "Used" to "Reproduction" (at buickperformance), evidently the "Used" invariabley end-up looking...well, "old & yellow" to put it kindly, so that leaves "Reproduction". Thank you.

Looking for availability and price of a Coolant Recovery Reservoir (With Fasteners) for a 1971 Buick Skylark Custom (444 Series) with a 350c.i.d. engine, Automatic, and A/C. 1st Preference: NOS (New Old Stock); 2nd Preference: Used, in Excellent condition; 3rd Preference: Reproduction (if there is such a thing). Car is in North Carolina

NTX5467 Thank you very much for your answers.

Adam, thank you for your response.

I appreciate "The Old Guy" responding, but my question actually remains unanswered. "What is the Proper Operating Temperature Range (in Degrees) for a Buick 350c.i.d. engine (With Automatic, and A/C) made from 1971 to 1978? I've already checked my "1971 Buick Chassis Service Manual, All Series", but the only things I've found where it even mentions any numbers are as follows: "The thermostat valve opens at 190 degrees F." (Which still applies to mine), and "Engine water temperature above 246 degrees causes the set of contacts to close and light a red signal on the instrument panel.", and "If engine temperature should go above 265 degrees plus or minus 10 degrees'...[Everybody notice that means anywhere between 255 and 275 degrees]...'a set of contacts are closed and lights a red "stop engine" signal on the instrument panel." (Those last two entries in the manual may not apply to mine, since it has guages installed). Of course we could therefor assume that the Proper Operating Temperature Range is anything below 246 degrees, but it's like the wise man once said "Man who assume wrong will wish he had'nt". So again: What is the Proper Operating Temperature Range (In Degrees) for a Buick 350c.i.d engine (With Automatic, and A/C) made from 1971 to 1978?

Question: What is the proper Operating Temperature Range (In Degrees) for a Buick 350 c.i.d. engine (With automatic, and A/C) made from 1971 to 1978? I was told by a mechanic that 200f is ideal, "but the more you see the temperature guage progress above that, it means something is wrong and it is getting too hot"...However, he's also told me things that I already know are wrong, such as: "In 1971, these cars did not use Multi-viscosity oil, so use only 30W."

JohnD Just to be sure, I checked again and can confirm that there are 3 "snaps" in the interior of my Skylark (1 is sure enough missing with no sign of ever having been there) for the top boot; but while there is a chrome strip which goes across the back at the base of the top & wraps around the left and right sides there, there is no chrome strip surrounding the trunk. Therefore, as much as this may sound like a silly question, and for the benefit of those uninitiated, that must be the chrome strip to which you are referring, correct? MikeCS1

I have a "top boot" for my 1971 Buick Skylark Custom convertible, and while the mounting "snap" for it is missing on one side of the interior of the car (not even a hole for it where it may have been), the "boot" not only seems too small anyway, but I see no other means of securing it across the front and back edges of it (with the top down)...no series of "snaps", nothing. In my recent copy of the "1964 - 1972 Buick Skylark, GS & GSX Parts Catalog" from "Original Parts Group" I found a "1964 - 1972 Convertible Top Boot Slide Rail". The text for it claims "The convertible top boot rail screws directly to the top of the back seat or the divider to anchor the top boot"; and also states that "the rail is 43 inches long and is held in place by eight screws". I have some doubt as to whether or not it is "correct" for the car because it does not appear to me that there may have ever been eight screws mounted anywhere for it. So the questions are: When mounting the top boot (which seems too small anyway), how should I correctly secure the front & back edges of it all the way across, and is that convertible top boot rail "correct" for the 1971 Buick Skylark Custom convertible? [color:\\"red\\"]

Hey Dave, I have the 1971 Buick Chassis Service Manual, which illustrates & identifies three different grilles for that year: A "GS Series", a "444 Series" (which is what my Skylark is), and a "433 Series & Model 43436" (Which my Skylark is not). From the photo of the grille you have, does'nt yours match the third one of the three grilles as illustrated in the manual ("433 Series & Model 43436")? But my Skyark, being the 444 Series, needs the second one of the three grilles (the "444 Series"), and those two grilles differ as illustrated in the manual. So if possible, I'd like to get the correct (444 series) show quality grille. As it is? Well, the previous owner did replace the original grille with another grille, and I've been lucky at car shows with it thusfar. However, unless I'm missing something, it still is'nt & does'nt look correct...for example, it's leaving too much of a gap all the way across between it & the hood yet the bottom of the grille lines-up ok (and no nothing's happened to the car or its hood); plus there is no provision on the current grille for mounting the "Skylark by Buick" grille emblem, [which even the emblem mounting instructions illustrate & call for])...So the incorrect grille, on the car now, is bound to end the lucky streak of awards & trophies when I try to enter it in an AACA show...if not before then. So I'm still looking, though I know I may eventually have to give-up, let it have any show quality 71 Skylark grille, and let it go at that.

WANTED: Correct, show quality grill for 1971 Buick Skylark Custom, in Western North Carolina [color:\\"red\\"]

Thank you, Dave I've sent my email address to you Mike

WANTED: Correct, Show Quality grill for 1971 Buick Skylark Custom in Western North Carolina (60 miles NW of Charlotte) Update 18/9/05: Still looking for a grill

WANTED: Correct, show quality grill for 1971 Buick Skylark Custom [color:\\"red\\"]

Where is the car, and...any photo(s)?

I noticed he said "Will not ship", so that knocks that out since I'm in NC and I don't have the option of going there & brining it back here if I bought it. Anyway, the mechanic (who has my Skylark and found the 77 LeSabre for an engine to rebuild & install) says he has'nt kept cars for more than 2 weeks, needs the space to work on a backlog of other projects, and mine's been there 2 weeks now. Translation: Time's up. So looks like the 77 engine is it. Note: Mechanic was recommended by a member of the local chapter of a nation-wide car club, but, well, unless I'm the problem, the thing about "2 weeks" has soured the tea...especially when it comes to classic/collectible car work which is no stranger to taking longer than "2 weeks".