Buicknutty Posted February 4 Author Share Posted February 4 7 hours ago, kgreen said: Keith, just read your postings here. Wow, this is an ambitious project. Good luck and hold on to that ambition, I'll check back. Thanks Ken! Yes this was a bit more ambitious than I originally counted on, but that's the way it goes with these old cars. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted February 4 Author Share Posted February 4 7 minutes ago, sebastienbuick said: Thank you so much ! A I'm glad to know that your trunk lid is also in good condition . Good luck for the future, this Buick is going to be very beautiful when it is finished ! Thank you! I certainly hope so! As we getting near to the point where we can actually start to put it back together with the $1,000's worth of new parts I've collecting over the years we are all getting anxious to see it looking like a nice car again. The former owner, whom we got the car from is also keen to see it, and told me a few months ago that when we finally get it out on the road again he will be coming to see as soon as he can. He is now early 80's but still fit and healthy looking. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 On 2/4/2024 at 9:08 PM, Buicknutty said: Thank you! I certainly hope so! As we getting near to the point where we can actually start to put it back together with the $1,000's worth of new parts I've collecting over the years we are all getting anxious to see it looking like a nice car again. The former owner, whom we got the car from is also keen to see it, and told me a few months ago that when we finally get it out on the road again he will be coming to see as soon as he can. He is now early 80's but still fit and healthy looking. It’s good to have kept in touch with the previous owner! And the previous owner must be very happy that you are working on this beautiful Buick ! I too can’t wait to see your finished Buick ! If I'm not mistaken, it was originally red in color ? and now what color are you going to paint it? It seems to me that you are talking about a dark green ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted February 11 Author Share Posted February 11 The previous owner is a long time friend of mine from the late 70's or so. The car has been a bit of a chameleon. Originally it was a triple white car, then it was painted blue, then red which it was when my friend bought it. You memory is correct, we are planning on painting it Sherwood Green, which should look sharp against the white interior and top. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 13 hours ago, Buicknutty said: The previous owner is a long time friend of mine from the late 70's or so. The car has been a bit of a chameleon. Originally it was a triple white car, then it was painted blue, then red which it was when my friend bought it. You memory is correct, we are planning on painting it Sherwood Green, which should look sharp against the white interior and top. Yes indeed this Buick has seen a lot of color ! And the green color will look very good with the white interior 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted February 13 Author Share Posted February 13 We are well into the front steering and suspension now, and it was time to pull the steering box as it was leaking and also to clean and paint everything. Wow, what a job. Never have I had such a time. The retaining nut of the pitman arm came off without as much fuss as I'm used to, but that's where the easy part ended. Removing the pitman arm from the shaft was a tough job. I have a pro grade puller, but it took a huge amount of force, plus hammering, etc etc, then it finally started to move. Then on to the rag joint, which was in pretty poor shape, but the bolts were rusted and took a nice bit of acetylene to per them that it would be in their best interest to undo. Then it was the spline shaft on the rag joint. The bolt was rusted solid, and shrunk with rust so the 12 point socket it's designed to take would not grip it well, heat didn't even help. So a bit of cutting with a small blade, then the torch, finally a chisel broke the bolt. Then we were able to spread it so it would break free from the shaft. I did find a local rebuilder who says he can do these steering boxes, so this afternoon I left it with him. The bushings in the upper control arms were nearly as bad, but they are out now as well. So the work continues a bit at a time, it's slow go though. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 13 hours ago, Buicknutty said: Removing the pitman arm from the shaft was a tough job. After spending the better part of an hour trying similarly to get the pitman arm separated from the shaft on my '38, I gave-up for the evening, leaving the puller in place and under tension. When I looked under the car the next morning, the puller was on the floor and the arm was free and up against the loosened nut. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted February 13 Author Share Posted February 13 1 hour ago, EmTee said: After spending the better part of an hour trying similarly to get the pitman arm separated from the shaft on my '38, I gave-up for the evening, leaving the puller in place and under tension. When I looked under the car the next morning, the puller was on the floor and the arm was free and up against the loosened nut. Yes, I tried that too, only it didn't work as well for us! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 6 hours ago, EmTee said: After spending the better part of an hour trying similarly to get the pitman arm separated from the shaft on my '38, I gave-up for the evening, leaving the puller in place and under tension. When I looked under the car the next morning, the puller was on the floor and the arm was free and up against the loosened nut. You were lucky ! I tried to dismantle it on the Dodge and it was very difficult 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 3 hours ago, sebastienbuick said: You were lucky ! You're probably right, but I'll take it! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted February 26 Author Share Posted February 26 Here are a few pictures of a few pieces we just picked up today, the rechromed bumper, and the reconditioned steering box, which now looks like new. The rebuilder said he could quicken the ratio so I decided to go for it. I hope this isn't mistake though I know some have done this and like the results. I also got the cleaned rad, which wasn't all that old as I'd had a newer high density core put in for the Electra a little while ago, then changed rads again on it, so this became the one for the Wildcat. It had had enough use that it was a bit crusty so I figured I'd get it cleaned so everything is tip top as I can manage. The other thing here are the upper ball joints. The rubber boots were bad, but the joints themselves were still quite tight, but I was able to get replacement ones which fit perfectly! This week I plan to start to put the steering back together, which will be awesome to be putting some of this girl back together after spending so much time taking it apart! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 14 hours ago, Buicknutty said: The rubber boots were bad, but the joints themselves were still quite tight, but I was able to get replacement ones which fit perfectly! That's good - where did you find them? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 9 hours ago, EmTee said: That's good - where did you find them? A seller on d'bay. He was very good to deal with and supplied a lot of sizing info to me. Good service I thought for just a small sale. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted February 29 Author Share Posted February 29 We have been going through some of the boxes of parts I've collected for it over the last 12 years or so and I found this accessory mirror that I'd totally forgot about. In 2015 a friend and I stripped out a '68 Electra 4 door, he wanted some stuff and I took most of the rest, and this came off of this car. I can find out very little about it, except for an ebay listing for the same thing. Right now there is no continuity through it, so it won't work, but it has what appears to be a small light in the bottom along with the switch. So have any of you folks seen this item before, and what do you know about it? Thanks! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 I've never seen a map light on a mirror that old - must be one of the first attempts by GM. It would certainly be cool to get it working and installed in the Wildcat! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 Woww beautiful bumper ! and that steering box is superb ! I am currently working on the steering box for my 1978 Dodge Monaco. This interior mirror is very interesting, I had never seen this option with the integrated light. Did you have the manual with the options available for Buick 1968 ? This option may be there. Is it a light bulb ? it's not a probe? Were there disc brakes (at the front) on this 1968 Electra ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 That map light is just like the others of it's age. Incandescent, low wattage, I think it's powered with the ignition is on, and by sliding the unit to the side completes the ground to light up. It is its own switch, and no others control it. In '69's the wire ran down the "A" pillar to the fuse box. Simple and effective for it's age. But probably real dull for comparison of todays standards. I am surprised your Electra does not have one. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 14 hours ago, JohnD1956 said: I am surprised your Electra does not have one. My Electra 69 does not have this option too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 Wow! I thought it was standard on the Electra. I am surprised. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted March 1 Author Share Posted March 1 Thanks for the info John. None of my info has anything about that mirror light though I found out a bit more online, and my son found a repro one. The car this came off of wasn't a highly optioned car, manual A/C, but AM radio, no power windows either, and I think it was the mid line trim level but it did have cruise control. My Electra is curious for the options it doesn't have, as it's the top trim level with most of the options, auto A/C, AM/FM, power everything, but no cruise, and just a couple of other things missing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted March 1 Author Share Posted March 1 Here is some more progress, I sprayed high build primer on the left quarter panel, hood and the inside of the trunk lid. The topside of the trunk needs a bit more work first, no pics of that right now! After all the messing around it's nice to see everything the same colour! I'm sure the quarter will need some additional block sanding though before a guide coat. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 superb work ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted March 2 Author Share Posted March 2 4 hours ago, sebastienbuick said: superb work ! Thank you very much, soon we will be at the critical point where it's time to lay the colour on it. I'm planning to do base clear, and the base is all now water based which I've never sprayed before. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 Are you the one going to paint the car ? Or is it a garage/body painter who will paint it ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted March 4 Author Share Posted March 4 8 hours ago, sebastienbuick said: Are you the one going to paint the car ? Or is it a garage/body painter who will paint it ? I am going to paint the car myself. I've done a few cars and hopefully it will turn out good. Patience and careful work I've found is the key for me. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
195354 Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 I have been following this project you're getting closer for sure. Rust repair is time consuming but it looks like you have this on the run now. I look forward to the next post. Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted March 5 Author Share Posted March 5 On 3/3/2024 at 11:54 PM, 195354 said: I have been following this project you're getting closer for sure. Rust repair is time consuming but it looks like you have this on the run now. I look forward to the next post. Steve Thanks Steve! I'm getting very anxious to get some colour on it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 On 3/4/2024 at 4:58 AM, Buicknutty said: I am going to paint the car myself. I've done a few cars and hopefully it will turn out good. Patience and careful work I've found is the key for me. Okay , good luck , your Buick will be very beautiful once finished 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted March 6 Author Share Posted March 6 8 minutes ago, sebastienbuick said: Okay , good luck , your Buick will be very beautiful once finished Thank you! I certainly hope so after all this time, money and hard work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted March 7 Author Share Posted March 7 Folks, I'll post this here just in case. Would anyone have a right hand door mirror for this car, the '68 Wildcat, in good condition that they are willing to sell me? Thanks. Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 4 hours ago, Buicknutty said: Folks, I'll post this here just in case. Would anyone have a right hand door mirror for this car, the '68 Wildcat, in good condition that they are willing to sell me? Thanks. Keith I was also looking for two mirrors for my 1969 Electra, and I realized that there were two models available. A non-adjustable model, and another slightly larger model which is adjustable from the inside thanks to a joystick. Are you looking for an adjustable or non-adjustable mirror ? If you are looking for an adjustable one, there is an adjustment joystick on the door panel or on the dashboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 58 minutes ago, sebastienbuick said: I was also looking for two mirrors for my 1969 Electra, and I realized that there were two models available. A non-adjustable model, and another slightly larger model which is adjustable from the inside thanks to a joystick. Are you looking for an adjustable or non-adjustable mirror ? If you are looking for an adjustable one, there is an adjustment joystick on the door panel or on the dashboard Sebastion, I believe in 1969 Buick only had a right side passenger door rear view mirror without the remote control feature. The drivers side did have the remote control feature but may have been an option to be ordered separately. @Buicknutty i dont know what your door skin looks like for the curve where the mirror goes, or what your 68 mirror shape should be, but the 69's are repopped and can be bought separately, or as I did, as a pair because I prefered the two mirrors to match. They weren't that much and look very good, although they are nowheres near as heavy as the factory pair. Its nice to have the new chrome plating right out of the box. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted March 7 Author Share Posted March 7 Folks, Thanks for the responses. The left hand mirror is the remote control type, mechanical of course. To the best of my knowledge the right hand mirror which was adjustable from inside the car did not become available till later on, not sure when. The prices I saw for a '68 right hand mirror alone was close to $150 US, which will nearly be doubled by the time I get it in my paws here. The left hand is remote control and is in good condition too, not perfect, but very nice. Though by the time I get the nice (I hope!) base/clear on it perhaps it will look a bit tired. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted March 8 Author Share Posted March 8 Here's an update on some recent work! It was time to remove the old exhaust system I don't know how old it was, but it's from pre 1985 when my friend bought the car. As you can see I'd patched it and such just to keep it together for the time being. We have a complete dual repro system from Waldron's to go on soon. I just can't believe how restrictive this one must be, anyway the old girl will breathe a little better now! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted March 8 Author Share Posted March 8 This corner was the last part of the trunk lid to repair. I have no idea why this corner rusted out, perhaps water leakage from the "Wildcat" letters which sat towards the outer edge? No idea, but it really doesn't matter as it was rusted way back when then a repair was brazed in. I could not get a decent shape using only a single piece of steel, so I made it in two. An extra weld but it seems to be pretty close. As you can see the upper section also took a wee bit of persuasion from the torch to get it into the right shape. I'm sure some out there could have done a better, smoother job than I. Then ground down, sandblasted to get the indents clean and ready for filler. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
195354 Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 Looking good hope this is this the last of the rust repair for you. I am sure you are ready to see the convertible out and about My father-in-law was a Body man back in the day he used plenty of brass when making repairs. Faster than torch welding he always said. Late in his carrer they started using Mig welders. He worked flat rate and the items that he talked about was the invention of plastic body fillers and mig welders. I wish I would have spent more time with him and leaned some of his trade Steve 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 The Buick will soon be ready for painting ! Rust in the trunk could also be water condensation over time ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted March 10 Author Share Posted March 10 On 3/8/2024 at 12:04 AM, 195354 said: Looking good hope this is this the last of the rust repair for you. I am sure you are ready to see the convertible out and about My father-in-law was a Body man back in the day he used plenty of brass when making repairs. Faster than torch welding he always said. Late in his carrer they started using Mig welders. He worked flat rate and the items that he talked about was the invention of plastic body fillers and mig welders. I wish I would have spent more time with him and leaned some of his trade Steve There always seems to be things we never thought to ask one's parents, and such. I know I have a number of similar regrets. My Dad and I got along great but I do still miss some of his insights and knowledge. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted March 10 Author Share Posted March 10 On 3/8/2024 at 3:45 PM, sebastienbuick said: The Buick will soon be ready for painting ! Rust in the trunk could also be water condensation over time ? Yes, that could be a possibility. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted March 13 Author Share Posted March 13 So of late I'm into a wrong parts dilemma. First off are the axle bearings. I'd ordered them and a few other things recently from "That Big Online Parts Place" which usually has given good service, but this time the rear axle bearings are incorrect. The ones out of the car are 3.25 in outside dia, the one's I received are 3.062 in (3 1/16). In doing some online searching the same Timken number RW508 comes up from multiple sources as the correct bearing for the car, but it's not. Perhaps there was a mistake made then everyone copies everyone else, that I don't know. The inside dia is the same for both, so that's correct but they won't work and I'm not about the make a sleeve to fit the wrong size in there. I've also verified the rear axle is the correct one and matches the build sheet, a 3.07 standard diff. Then after some calls a friend came to the rescue with some old books which state 68-70 Full Buicks take a the 3.25 dia one. Fortunately I was able to find a pair of NORS ones and hope to have them by the weekend. Then the latest issue are the u-joint strap kits. The pinion seal needed changing, no question, though the rear u-joint is still good, but the nuts on the retaining straps were so badly rusted that was no saving them. My local parts place had a listing and even had them in stock, and there's an issue there too. They are correct for dia of cups on the joint, but the bolt spacing is too wide and will not bolt up to the yoke. Once again after a bit of online searching it looks like the same MOOG part is available from multiple sources and says it is correct, which it isn't. So I'm still stuck for a u-joint strap retainer right now. However you folks who have more experience with these cars than I do what are your comments about the axle bearings? Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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