cobravii

The check engine light on does not really mean there is a problem with the engine. It is more for en vironmental concerns and the only way the light will come on when you take the cat off is is you have an upstream AND a downstream o2 sensor. If you only have one O2 sensor (or one for each side on a v-6 or v-8 it will never turn on the CEL light. Usually what the problem is stems from a leak in the evaporative system. it is sensing that raw fuel fumes may be escaping into the atmosphere and it measures this by measuring the vacum level in the system. The system consists of a charcoal cannister, EGR, vacum lines, and of course your gas tank. If your gas cap is not sealing it can turn the light on. If a vacum light comes loose it will turn on the light. HTH's

And some more....

Like the title says, I got to try out my new soda blaster yesterday and boy does it work good!! My plans are to strip down the body before starting the bodywork but thought i'd try it out on something smaller first. Here's some before and after pics....

Incredible information! thank you for laying it out so clearly, I really appreciate it.

I am refreshing the heads on my 425 and I am noticing some differences between the right and left head.... The left head has the the guides machined for valves seals and the right doesn't but the most perplexing is that the left head has spacers between the valve spring and the head. What are they for? The other head doesn't have them and my Buick service manual doesn't mention them.

As in the thread below, I am converting my point iginition in my '64 Electra 425 cid Dual quad engine to Pertronix module and Pertronix 40 000 volt coil. What do I now do for spark plugs? Can I use the same ones and just gap them to about .045?

It's a 1964 Buick Electra convertible

I will be soon removing the body to sand blast/soda blast before starting on the body work. I am concerned about the VIN tags getting damaged during the process and I am considering removing them (along with everything else that's bolted down) but before I do that I want to make sure of what kind of rivits I can use to re-attach as well where can I buy them? I would of course photo document the wole process just in case there is ever any question down the road.

So with the wealth of kowledge on this forum I went ahead with the 1181 Pertronix kit and a 40 000 volt pertronix coil. I am in the process of reassembling my 425 and have just finished overhauling the dual quads. My question is: with the new module and coil.... what do I do for sparkplugs?

where in Sask are you?

Here's one on e bay right now... Buick : Electra on eBay.ca (item 180492320793 end time 20-Apr-10 15:00:00 EDT)

Thanks for the input guys. I guess I have some desicions to make. Scarebird can get me the brackets I need to convert all four wheels to disc brakes for a reasonable price. of course once that is done then I still need to buy calipers, rotors, master cyllinder, park brake cables etc. I am looking at two things. The first is that I can certainly find the parts to bring it back to stock form....... now. But what about 5 years down the road? Secondly, I can't help but think that if drums were so good, why are all (not even just high performance) vehicles going with disc? I am not to worried about a subsequent owner, my dad bought this new and (or nearly new) and gave it to me when his health prohibited him from completing a restoration on it. I have always loved this car. I grew up in it. It is one year older than me! So, I am bringing it to a state that it is comfortable and safe to drive and look good. Then I am giving it back to my dad. It won't be leaving the family. This car was almost trashed twice because of carbs flooding and the car catching fire. My dad brought it back to life both times. The only reason he parked it about 30 years ago is because it was starting to get a little rough around the edges. Over the years of sitting it got worse. He did manage to renew the engine and transmission with a good start on redoing the body. But, in the meantime it got pushed out of the shop, a dog tried to jump up on the roof and went through, then it snowed and rained for about 10 years. I think you get the idea of what kind of shape it was in when I got it. Even the motor with only 20 miles on it, was stuck. I tore it down. replaced gaskets, cleaned rust and gunk from all the cylinders and unstuck the valves. My next step is replacing sheet metal, upholstery and a top and finally new paint. And then give it back to him for his 65th birthday in september. After all my story I guess I just wanted to give the car some extra safety and bling factor...... kind of a Foose thing ;-) Thanks for reading,

You have to run your vacum line directly to the intake manifold. There are usually ports on the back of the intake that just have a pipe fitting blocking them off. remove the fitting and plumb in your line from the booster. If it is already being used, simply install a tee fitting and plumb into that. Where do you have it going now? pics would be a big help in sorting it out. Cheers,

OK..... things are progressing nicely on my '64 Electra convertible. The dual 4 barrel 425 is purring nicely and now I would like to tackle the braking system. I am NOT a fan of drum brakes and I am wondering if anyone has converted one of these beasts to discs brakes. I would like to go discs front and rear but will settle for fronts if I have to. I had no problem doing it with my '65 Shelby Cobra but this is a little different. What do I have to do and what parts are required? Any info will be appreciated. Cheers,

Thanks for the info guys. I found an upholsterer who is supposed to be quite good and he was scourcing the materials. I will suggest this site to him.

Check out this site, it might have exactly what you ae looking for... Antique Old Buick Parts CARS, Inc.

Youe need GUNK.... It is what is used to properly clean carbs but will also work really well on the alluminium corrosion that you have.

Good point. After I install the guide I am going to use Prussian Blue and see where I am at. If I can use lapping compound to get to where I need to be I will leave it at that but if it needs more I will take it to a machine shop. Thanks for all the tips Much appreciated.

I think I am going to name mine JESUS....... because it is going to rise from the dead!!!

Ahhh but I DO know someone who does Riv seat covers :-) Clark's Corvair Parts - Clark's Corvair - Upholstery

WOW!! I never would have thought it would be so tough to find interior pieces for this car!! That's amazing!

Has anyone here ever changed valve guides in nailhead? When I read the shop manual it seems quite straight forward and am looking for some first hand experience. Anything I should look out for? I am actually only changing one as I broke it trying to remove a stuck intake valve. The rest are fine.

Cool! thanks,

I would like to know if 401 heads from a 1964 Electra are the same as 425 cylinder heads from and Electra? Are the only differences between the two engines the block (bore and stroke) and the cam??

Try this site.... Old Buick Parts - CARS. Inc. HTH's