1971 Buick Electra 225 Limited -freshening up

I haven't posted in a while so I thought I should share some progress. I got the forged pistons almost 4 weeks after I ordered them! I immediately dropped the bare block, pistons and old pistons/rods off at the machine shop. The only work the shop is doing is transferring the rods to the new pistons and fitting the pistons to the block. They will NOT be assembling anything!

I received most of the parts. But there was a couple things I missed. I drilled the block to 5/8 so I needed a 5/8 pickup and gasket. I decided against using the Mickey Thompson Super Scavengers because of the cost, instead I'm running stock manifolds.

I am pretty disappointed with TA's service. They did not have several different camshafts, cam bearings, oil pan, oil pickups or pistons in stock. The first batch of parts were shipped to the wrong address too. I would have thought being in business as long as they have that they would stock parts. For buying as much as I did with them, I am disappointed. In the future I will buy my parts elsewhere.

I have stripped the intake, timing cover, oil pump, water pump, valve covers and thermostat housing. I needed the correct high temp paint, Duplicolor DH1608, so i went to Napa where I had gotten it previously. They didnt have it in stock, so they ordered it. A couple days later they received a VHT red. They assured me it cross referenced to DH1608, I brought it home and it was orange. I managed to return all the paint. I spent less than 2 minutes online with Jegs and they will be at my door soon.

Ordered my camshaft from Comp Cams, it took less than 5 minutes and was at my door within 3 days and it was a custom grind!

I repainted my master cylinder last week. I had installed a brand new one but with the car sitting over the winter it immediately had surface rust. Its much nicer now. The engine bay is also degreased. I am not going to paint the engine compartment, its very presentable as it is.

Should have the motor assembled and running next weekend.

 

Rob:

Pics, we need pics! Sounds great, keep going...

Paul

 

Please tell me they are also balancing it.

 

No balancing. Got the paint from Jegs today!

 

Hope it isn't to off balance for you.

 

Just got the block and pistons with rods back from the machine shop. Still need to strip the block of the old paint but I can save that for tomorrow. Picked up 3 of the 4 new exhaust studs and the plugs for my heads.

Tomorrow I will be partially assembling the motor. I'll paint it with the final coat of paint once I have the long block assembled. I got my exhaust manifolds yesterday, going to remove the studs tomorrow. However I need to find part of the butterfly that is in the driver's side exhaust manifold. Otherwise I won't have the correct mounting surface.

Still need to decide on what exhaust I will be running after the manifolds.

 

I think they are off a '69 big block but I have not gotten the casting number off of them to confirm. I just need the blank. Otherwise I was going to use the old one and gut it. I didn't know what it was called.

 

Found it HERE

Hectic sells them. Running exhaust manifolds is getting expensive. :laugh: for manifolds that is. Too funny.

 

Rob,

Great thread. We are neighbors....Elmhurst, IL. What machine shop are you using? Are you satisfied with there work? I will be doing my engine soon...a 1970 SF 455.

Dan.

 

Dan,
Didn't know there was another Buick bud in town! I had the engine work done at: Built-Rite Engine Rebuilders in Lombard, IL. 958 N Du Page Ave
Lombard, IL 60148-1243 (630) 629-4021‎

I did not have them assemble the motor for fears that they would be able to hide any mistakes they may have made. I'm more confident in my own ability. They did everything I told them to and nothing more. I have a friend that knows the owner well and got everything in and out the back door. I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping with your motor.

 

Rob,

I sent you a pm.

Dan.

 

Got the cam bearings in yesterday. More assembly this next few days.

 

No updates on the engine. Time is quickly running down the drain, just like my bank account. Just bought a new set of tires for her. They should be at my door by the 15th/16th. Once I get the engine in I will feel much better, there are just a lot of little ends I will need to tie up before BPG and I do not want to be rushed.

 

Picked up a fresh front seal for the transmission, easier to replace it now with the engine out. Also got the gear selector shaft seal. That was seeping. For reference the National brand part # is 6712NA and 8792S.

Short block is assembled. Hoping to have the heads and intake on tomorrow, then its ready to come home.

 

Looking good!:TU:

 

Adam, you can wait a couple days........:Brow:

Thanks Dan!

Got a few little things done today. Was interrupted by a house showing. ou:

I started off in back. I removed the rubber section of fuel lines over the rear axle that connect the hard fuel lines from the fuel tank to the hard lines that run along the frame. I do this with all of my cars, these lines were by far the worst. I would have had a major issue had I not replaced the lines. Everyone out there needs to do this. Again for reference: The 3/8 Fuel line is approximately 22 1/4 inches long. The other line is 5/16 Fuel line and is approximately 23 inches long. Below is a picture of how rotted the fuel line was after 38+ years! It fell apart as I removed it.



I worked my way to the transmission. I removed the shift linkage and in the process discovered that it was not seated in the bracket along the frame. This is part of the reason why I had difficulty staying in park or getting the car in park at all. I was going to replace the seal but I received the wrong one. I'll run to a transmission shop on monday to get the appropriate one. Next I took off the cover to the governor (passenger side) and found I need a new gasket, the remains of the original gasket were not doing an adequate job. Removed the modulator, cleaned it and checked to make sure the o-ring was in good shape. All seemed good so I reinstalled that. Lastly was the speedometer cable. The speedometer didn't work when I removed the car from storage and when I dropped the transmission pan I had a few bits of debris that looked like plastic teeth, I figured the speedo gear broke. I took it apart, cleaned everything and all was in good order. The cable spins freely but I have not checked if there is a break in the cable. Still need to replace the front input shaft seal, governor gasket and the gear shifter shaft seal.

Cam is degreed in. Intake and heads should go on soon.

 

Retorque all the bottom end bolts just to make sure. Double and tripple check everything before you button her up.

when I dropped the transmission pan I had a few bits of debris that looked like plastic teeth..... so, you were never able to pin down where the debris came from???

Can't wait to see it.

Looks like another boat I can set in my crosshairs. Think you can beat an .000 light??????????

 

Yardley, couldn't find a source. There were three pieces, and they looked like corn kernels.

I think I can cut a .500 light. :laugh:

Got the driver's side exhaust manifold back from sandblasting. Painting it now. The passenger side exhaust manifold is getting sent out to have the studs blown apart with a laser! :shock: The Driver's side will need to be planed down a bit. Almost had a weak moment and thought about going back to headers....

Tore apart the front brakes and hubs. Will bring the hubs and bearings to work tomorrow to degrease. Hope to have them back on with fresh seals tomorrow or Wednesday.

Ordered the seal removal and installation tool for the transmission gear shifter seal. Got the proper gasket for the governor too.