dmfconsult

Nice looking car! I always get a kick out of folks who use the internet sites to advertise a car, then refuse any kind of electronic communication and insist you call them.

With that new paint, you're going to have to search out that elusive "corner space" to keep the chance of door dings and other mishaps low! Best car of the bunch

I guess I would need to change the brackets out if I went with the R4 type but I like the fact there are AC Delco variants available. I don’t know if it’s related to the 403/350 difference, manufacturing plant, or a switch over in compressor type from 78 to 79 but it’s good to have options!

Lamar, yours appears to be the newer version. Mine is the old style Frigidaire A6 compressor, see attached photo. It would be interesting to know if yours is original to the car. If it is, that gives me some additional options to remain correct looking. Although you have the 403 so maybe there is not enough room for the A6.

I think that's still the big question for me, metric or standard threads. There seems to be quite a bit of choice for new and reman A6 compressors and I agree with the advice that new is the way to go. I checked my existing compressor and lines and at least every bolt requires is a standard fitment, so I'm still at a loss.

That is definitely plan B! Barney, I think I know what your are referring to. I'll have to do the initial testing first though as you suggest as I don't have direct knowledge on why the previous owner had already removed the belt for the compressor. I think it has been non operational for a very long time.

Not in Canada my friend, you can’t bring it across border and none of the shops will deal with it.

Thanks Ben. The key is finding someone I can trust that can give me the correct information. You can't get R12 in Canada so will have to change over to R134A anyway, just hope a couple of shops I have dealt with before (and trust) can do it. I have a good lead on a shop in Washington State thanks to Mr. Laurance here on the board, but I'll see if I can get the wagon done here, and perhaps get the Electra recharged with R12 down there.

Was planning on replacing Evaporator, Compressor and Condensor as well as a few other minor things. I was going to stick with the same "type" to keep the look and just move over the old Frigidaire sticker to the newer compressor and paint it black like the old one if need be. There is a kit available at Napa that includes the Condensor and the evaporator, but not the Condensor. The kit actually doesn't look too expensive: https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ACBTEM60910R You'll note though that the compressor in this kit has "metric threads". I'll be at the wagon tonight, so I'll take some wrenches and see if I can figure out this metric thing. I agree with JD, the mix of metric and standard on these cars is so frustrating! I figure I'll be in for about $500 in parts to make the full repair based on what I think I know. If only the clutch has to be replaced, then I'll be a happy camper!

Mine is a NW car.. I guess the a/c just doesn't get used enough around here! The clutch is seized for sure (the screeching fan belt noise is forever etched in my memory), but the a/c was non operational when I got the car, so can't tell if anything else is wrong. I did put the fan belt on after I owned it to test the system, but was quickly spurned by the aforementioned screeching! The system looks pretty complete otherwise, so I suspect it ran itself out of refrigerant at some point. I was aware the clutch was replaceable (with special tools) but I recall being told once they seized replacement of the compressor and a few other parts was necessary as contaminants may be spread through the system. I'll do a bit more investigative work on what's required and see if I can find someone trustworthy to take the car to get some advice. Last a/c specialist I took the Electra too told me I needed $2000 in repairs to that system, and it was still working! I'll keep this thread updated on what I find out.

Old trestle type railway bridge across the north arm of the Fraser River. The swingspan in the river is left open as I don't believe this rail line is used much anymore

With what John confirmed on the judging and deductions, depending on what else was done you probably could put it in Archive and see what happens. I have never thought about putting my Electra in Archive as it's had a respray and I've restored the engine bay. Even though it's dead stock, I know it would receive too many deductions as too many things have been "freshened up". You might be pleasantly surprised with your results in Archive. Nice car by the way, I don't see too many of those around any more!

My A/C on the Estate Wagon has been non-op since I bought the car (seized compressor clutch). Looking at finally getting that repaired and it seems there are two types of correct replacement compressors, the only difference between the two are metric threads or standard threads. How do I tell the difference for my car? Is it a simple matter of checking the nuts on the compressor/line fittings to see if they are metric or standard? Thanks in advance.

I don't think you would qualify for archival if the car has been resprayed. Even the engine bay has to bear original paint... it can be cleaned, but not repainted.

Was finally able to get some seat time in the Estate Wagon today. Once I cleaned the dust off, was able to get around to some side roads on the outskirts of the City. Added 90 miles to my combined total.

I haven’t looked at the car yet, it’s about 45 min from me and I’m trying to manage the temptation. I will be in that neighborhood tomorrow so I might see if I can take a look. Cars around here don’t rust too badly but I would certainly check those areas out if I do. ? i figure the AC will cost about $1000 to repair based on the limited info I have so we’ll see. It is really cheap so I can’t really go wrong... we will see

Thanks for the reply Ben. This one is pretty cheap and only 110K kms (69K miles), but that trim is missing and the A/C needs some repair (likely new compressor) so I'm on the fence. I'm don't really need a car right now, but I'd love to use this as a daily driver. Overall the car is in great shape minus the trim issue and the intake and valve cover gaskets have been done recently. If it was closer to when the lease was up on my company car, it would be in my driveway by now. Might have to contact a local body shop to see if they could get the trim as I've searched online and nothing seems to come up for the upper trim pieces.

Just wondering if anyone has a part number for the passenger side door trim that is missing from this 1994 Park Ave Ultra? Thanks for the help!

Yes, that gas was from last November but it’s non-ethanol 94 octane. I originally thought I was out of gas, but when I filled the tank on the way home yesterday there was about 8 gallons left. The same thing happened to me last November on a much cooler day. Both times I had less than half a tank, so it could be a result of old fuel.

Way behind in this challenge as work and family have been busy. Took my father on a cruise yesterday so just round 178 miles in the challenge so far, most of them fun. Have been battling vapor lock on this car, not sure why it’s become a problem now as it’s never been the past 15 years I’ve owned the car. Stranded me and my father yesterday, but luckily I was on a quiet road and had room to pull over to a safe location (only a short push as it stalled at a red light). After 45 min it fired up and got me home. It wasn’t a long drive and the car wasn’t being pushed and the temps were around 84 degrees, so not super warm.

Congrats Tom! Only a bit jealous ?

I think this is a fantastic deal and if it was closer, I would definitely go for this (like I need another 19-foot long Buick!). I see a great upside on this, and in the meantime you get to enjoy a low mileage 2 dr Buick! I think this will be gone very soon...

The canyon? That’s an awfully long way around and you still wouldn’t avoid some mountain passes and high roads. Beautiful drive in the summer but I’m not sure it’s better than what you have in the winter! The drive from Vancouver to Castlegar/Trail area (north of the border from Spokane) is 7 hours going the southern route in the winter depending on conditions. Probably at least 11 hours going the canyon just to Vancouver with another 2.5 to Seattle

I prefer the term "Rolling Restoration"! You are going to cringe with that new paint job going over those mountain passes in the winter when those trucks shower you with the sand/gravel mix they drop on the road that time of year!

Got down to a cars and coffee this morning with the Electra. More of a sports car event so the Electra stood out a bit from the Lamborghini’s, Ferrari’s, McLaren’s, Jaguar’s and Porsche’s. I did manage to find some friendly American iron. As I was coming back to my car, a 68 Deville convertible had parked next to me and so I had a good chat while we compared lines, both cars are almost identical in length! Only added a little over 20 miles to the total but the weather at the beach was worth it!