My progress thread

I have a blog where I post everything I do on my car but I know far from all of you read that so consider this thread the Readers Digest of my blog; I'll post the more noteworthy blurbs here and all the details on the blog.

The short version of this post is that I've got the heater fan, vacuum and wiper/washer up and running as of yesterday.

For a more comprehensive post I'm going to direct you to <a href="http://letmetellyouaboutmycars.blogspot.com/2007/02/almost-all-dash-electronics-done.html">to this post on the blog</a> as I'm to lazy to retype it all. :grin:

Worth mentioning is also that there's a small chance that the noise from my engine isn't the main/rod bearings after all. Stay tuned for more news on that. :TU:

 

Just a short update as I haven't got that much done recently.

This Saturday <a href="http://letmetellyouaboutmycars.blogspot.com/2007/03/putting-dash-back-together.html">I started getting the dash back together</a> but due to me being lazy when taking things apart I had a hard time figuring out what goes where so not that much got done.

Sunday <a href="http://letmetellyouaboutmycars.blogspot.com/2007/03/removing-engine-part-1.html">I started preparing for the engine removal</a> and that was as easy as getting the dash back in was frustrating. Not a lot to report in other words as it all went smooth as silk.

Next weekend the real work begins though as I get down and dirty with the disassembly of the engine.

 

Getting the engine out

This past weekend <a href="http://letmetellyouaboutmycars.blogspot.com/2007/03/removing-engine-part-2.html">I got the engine out</a>.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5043306608877659426"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rf1so-OIZSI/AAAAAAAAAaE/KxYAO9qwqpI/s288/PICT0022.JPG" /></a>

No major hassles besides getting to all the bolts and nuts. The only things I broke were <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5043186530181997586">a spark plug</a> and <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5043306093481583730">the lead from the temp giver</a>.

It would seem as if my AC compressor is mounted a bit backwards though:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5043186452872586226"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rfz_W-OIY_I/AAAAAAAAAXw/bRX4HACr664/s288/PICT0033.JPG" /></a>

No, I'm not talking about it hanging by wire - I'm talking about the small tank being located under the compressor instead of <a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_qIfzkfjR_Nw/RgE1iBOyMoI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/WVdOzqkUoww/s1600-h/getting_started002.jpg">the other way around</a>.

So here's the result after last weekend:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5043306651827332402"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rf1sreOIZTI/AAAAAAAAAaM/EE7uzxQUD8U/s288/PICT0024.JPG" /></a>

I'm on my way out this afternoon to keep removing stuff from the engine bay. The engine goes on the stand during this coming weekend.

Then the fun begins. :TU:

 

I wish you luck in the future with the assembly
I wish I had that kind of space and garage to be able to do that too.
Changing a sparkplug is a hazzle in my garage hehe

 

Thanks Chrille.

Yeah, the garage is nice in the way that it has tons of tools and plenty of space (and knowledge) to go around.

The guys I'm sharing it with are slobs though and the place can be real messy at times - something I really hate.

Still, the pro's outweigh the con's so I'll be staying here for the forseeable future.

 

Engine being cleaned

This weekend <a href="http://letmetellyouaboutmycars.blogspot.com/2007/03/engine-is-out-and-is-being-cleaned.html">I got the engine on a stand and started cleaning it</a>.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5045523225127302066"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RgVMpBOyM7I/AAAAAAAAAg4/Ck46Zs9Hg6w/s288/PICT0031.JPG" /></a>

Most of the gaskets were pretty worn out:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5045970631870526466"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RgbjjhOyNAI/AAAAAAAAAhc/ZvEnUzuU01s/s288/PICT0012.JPG" /></a>

Still, the innnards of the engine looks really nice and clean:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5045971078547125362"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rgbj9hOyNHI/AAAAAAAAAiU/kP3jTNyybeg/s288/PICT0025.JPG" /></a>

There was no metal to be found in the oil pickup filter:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5045970962583008338"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rgbj2xOyNFI/AAAAAAAAAiE/xyT2-XfEt2Q/s288/PICT0021.JPG" /></a>

And the only thing to be founs in the oil sump was some fairy dust: p

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5045971018417583202"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rgbj6BOyNGI/AAAAAAAAAiM/n3kymxBHvnM/s288/PICT0023.JPG" /></a>

I'm not qualified to judge the status of the oil pump but I ordered new parts from TA last week anyhow. Here's the gears:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5045971203101176978"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RgbkExOyNJI/AAAAAAAAAik/QlA0WrYhBBY/s288/PICT0030.JPG" /></a>

And here's the cover plate:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5045971267525686434"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RgbkIhOyNKI/AAAAAAAAAis/j5WxtyKAPJ0/s288/PICT0033.JPG" /></a>

The only thing that looked real nasty is the gear to the distrbutor billet (I think it's called in english):

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5045971310475359410"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RgbkLBOyNLI/AAAAAAAAAi0/nmJ3hPT_udg/s288/PICT0039.JPG" /></a>

The gear on the cam wasn't as bad but not great either:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5045971353425032386"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RgbkNhOyNMI/AAAAAAAAAi8/8xnwO0pyMdI/s288/PICT0041.JPG" /></a>

The timig chain seems to have been replaced pretty recently as it looked to be in great shape:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5045971413554574546"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RgbkRBOyNNI/AAAAAAAAAjE/IgUGOCJbaOQ/s288/PICT0043.JPG" /></a>

And here's a close up of the cam:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5045971593943201026"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RgbkbhOyNQI/AAAAAAAAAjc/jxjBBF0tKMw/s288/PICT0049.JPG" /></a>

For the rest of the pictures you need to visit <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5045522576587240194">my gallery</a>.

 

Cleaning

<a href="http://letmetellyouaboutmycars.blogspot.com/2007/04/cleaning.html">I've gotten most of the cleaning done</a>.

I finished off the intake, water pump and timing cover yesterday:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5048492883114976050"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rg_Zh3Un4zI/AAAAAAAAAn0/jpLDYHBC7Zw/s288/PICT0019.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5048492999079093074"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rg_ZonUn41I/AAAAAAAAAoE/MZalB41Li8M/s288/PICT0024.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5048493106453275506"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rg_Zu3Un43I/AAAAAAAAAoU/1d93cyX-ES8/s288/PICT0027.JPG" /></a>

Here's a shot of the engine being cleaned:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5046690013122803010"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rglx1BOyNUI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/HEvCyc1o6_o/s288/PICT0010.JPG" /></a>

I also got quite a bit cleaned up in the engine compartment:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5048493218122425234"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rg_Z1XUn45I/AAAAAAAAAok/KfZsg3o5cTY/s288/PICT0031.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5048493273957000098"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rg_Z4nUn46I/AAAAAAAAAos/hAJLuy8lJHY/s288/PICT0033.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5048493445755691986"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rg_aCnUn49I/AAAAAAAAApE/IZtfAhqkQAo/s288/PICT0038.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5048493514475168738"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rg_aGnUn4-I/AAAAAAAAApM/tRhho-E4vh4/s288/PICT0041.JPG" /></a>

I'll go over the engine compartment once more though.

 

Looks good so far:TU: Ouch on the distributor gearou: Over reving when the engine is cold can cause this. Good luck!!!
PS Great pix.
Don

 

Yeah, that gear is my biggest headache right now as I can't afford to replace it (nor the cam for that matter). I'll just have to live with it for a while (not sure how much worse the ignition gets due to it being worn).

 

Paint!

<a href="http://letmetellyouaboutmycars.blogspot.com/2007/04/time-for-paint.html">I finally started painting the engine room yesterday</a>.

Here's a "before" shot:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050216411538716290"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhX5EbCc9oI/AAAAAAAAAqw/xdmslVZfSek/s288/PICT0007.JPG" /></a>

And here's the "after" shot:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050217742978578178"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhX6R7Cc9wI/AAAAAAAAArc/T_k-OgRAS7w/s288/PICT0017.JPG" /></a>

This is with the paint still wet. I'm using matte paint so I imagine it'll be a lot less shiny when it dries.

Here's the rest of what I got painted yesterday:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050216587632375474"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhX5OrCc9rI/AAAAAAAAAqo/s0FtY3TrYuk/s288/PICT0013.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050216523207866018"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhX5K7Cc9qI/AAAAAAAAAq4/2eorNcvnu40/s288/PICT0011.JPG" /></a>

I'll go up and add a second coat where needed later today as well as paint the rest of the engine room.

The gaskets and color for the engine haven't arrived yet - which is a real bummer as due to Easter it'll take until Tuesday before thay arrive. I still have things to do but it'd be nice to get started on the engine as well.

 

More paint

<a href="http://letmetellyouaboutmycars.blogspot.com/2007/04/more-paint.html">I got more painted today</a>.

First off though - here's the result after the paint has dried:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050599733074917154"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhdVsrCc9yI/AAAAAAAAAr4/b1gemg_2KfU/s288/PICT0003.JPG" /></a>

Too matte? Maybe, we'll see with the engine in place.

Here's the engine room after the second coating:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050600046607529842"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhdV-7Cc93I/AAAAAAAAAsg/Td6Sk__6afM/s288/PICT0017.JPG" /></a>

My old headers (just so they won't look too much like crap while I wait for my new ones):

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050600304305567682"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhdWN7Cc98I/AAAAAAAAAtI/H0IDLGYYk60/s288/PICT0032.JPG" /></a>

And a couple of the accessories:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050600798226806834"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhdWqrCc-DI/AAAAAAAAAuA/AsDciP6Lk7E/s288/PICT0057.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050600862651316290"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhdWubCc-EI/AAAAAAAAAuI/Xhd1m--54Ns/s288/PICT0060.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050600944255694930"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhdWzLCc-FI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/42Ai0c__z2A/s288/PICT0061.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050601021565106274"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhdW3rCc-GI/AAAAAAAAAuY/uq9JeF6hSkY/s288/PICT0064.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050601098874517618"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhdW8LCc-HI/AAAAAAAAAug/nz6jlvUedB0/s288/PICT0065.JPG" /></a>

If you want the "before" shots you'll have to look through <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050599801794393906">my album</a>.

My next car will probably not have AC though - it's just too much hassle with it. Here's how I had to string it up in order to be able to paint at all:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050599857628968770"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhdVz7Cc90I/AAAAAAAAAsI/j6RE9ERw5kk/s288/PICT0011.JPG" /></a>

 

I would reconsider not replacing the disitributor gear and cam. This will require a new set of lifters and cam bearings too. Not doing this now could lead to a revolting deveopment later.

 

I agree with Jim. New parts are needed. If the dist. gear strips. you may pay big $ for the mishap. Changing a cam in the car is a pain anyway.
Ray

 

I'm fully aware of the fact that I should replace them but I don't have the finances to do it now. If I wait until I can afford it I won't be driving the car at all this summer and that is not an option.

So I'll drive it as it is and replace it as soon as possible. Stupid? Yeah, probably.

 

More paint and removing rust

I got the firewall painted yesterday.

Before:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050600046607529842"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhdV-7Cc93I/AAAAAAAAAsg/Td6Sk__6afM/s288/PICT0017.JPG" /></a>

After (paint still wet though):

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050961420860848434"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhieprCc-TI/AAAAAAAAAwA/XnpopCbOb8E/s288/PICT0017.JPG" /></a>

I'll add one more coat and try to get into the hard to reach areas as well.

I also started cutting out rotten sheet metal under the battery tray:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050961554004834642"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RhiexbCc-VI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/nzWWKtybSEs/s288/PICT0023.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050961618429344098"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rhie1LCc-WI/AAAAAAAAAwY/7LPUM4LNDSo/s288/PICT0025.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5050961755868297602"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Rhie9LCc-YI/AAAAAAAAAwo/PRZMbYuNfis/s288/PICT0037.JPG" /></a>

I'm not entirely sure which is the best way to do this it as the fenders overlap but I'll take it one step at a time and figure things out as I go.

 

Engine painted (almost), replacing battery tray

<a href="http://letmetellyouaboutmycars.blogspot.com/2007/04/painting-engine.html">The engine is almost painted</a>!

Before:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5054114060472742482"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RiPR9czI8lI/AAAAAAAAAzE/at0Jf7e3KHI/s288/IMG_0264.JPG" /></a>

After one can of paint:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5054114227976467090"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RiPSHMzI8pI/AAAAAAAAAzk/VWzoT8zH9nw/s288/IMG_0291.JPG" /></a>

I know it's not Buick red - the guys I ordered the paint from failed to register that I wanted Buick red, despite me telling them three times. :rant: I don't have the time to wait for the correct color - if they can get it - so I painted with "Universal Red #209" for now.

Since the intake gasket haven't arrived yet I painted the intake separately:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5056192256290326194"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Ris0EXhEBrI/AAAAAAAAA2E/RMagteSTmHg/s288/IMG_0355.JPG" /></a>

I ran out of paint though so it needs another couple of coats.

As I had the intake off I decided to paint the bolts to the intake black:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5056192565527971570"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Ris0WXhEBvI/AAAAAAAAA2k/Xmfwu8u4UJA/s288/IMG_0380.JPG" /></a>

These also need another couple of coats of paint though.

Reijo and I also continued with replacing the battery tray. There was quite a bit of rust in there:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5055793060554999298"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RinJAHhEBgI/AAAAAAAAA0c/3QzC52x13v0/s288/IMG_0323.JPG" /></a>

We decided to reuse the plate that connect the fender to the frame so I attacked it with power tool wire brushes:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5055793348317808194"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RinJQ3hEBkI/AAAAAAAAA08/h5QS-4kCm6c/s288/IMG_0327.JPG" /></a>

Not the best piece of metal I've seen but we'll reinforce it with new sheet metal where needed so it should do the trick.

Also, we moved around some old stuff outside of the garage and in the process I found these:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5056192440973919954"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/martin.edelius/Ris0PHhEBtI/AAAAAAAAA2U/ZZ0R4hfKxLY/s288/IMG_0374.JPG" /></a>

They've been outside for years though so they're no good. Too bad, they look like they have quite a few miles left in them. :3gears:

 

Looking good :TU:

I would like to have those tires on my car hehe

 

Thanks!

Yeah, they're pretty fat indeed. :grin:

 

Just a quick heads up before I'm off to the garage again.

The engine is in the process of being re-assembled:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5060758820356079298"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RjttVYU_vsI/AAAAAAAAA9c/oJyy8qVYQUs/s288/IMG_0665.JPG" /></a>

There are a couple of items I'm not entirely sure about and I'm missing a bolt or two, despite me storing them in labeled jars, but on the whole it's coming along nicely.

We've also replaced the rusted out sheet metal below the battery tray:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5060758936320196322"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/martin.edelius/RjttcIU_vuI/AAAAAAAAA9s/FvIMdZJLe3o/s288/IMG_0675.JPG" /></a>

Yeah, not in any way a perfect job but with the time and monay constraints I have to respect this is as good as it gets. I promise to do it properly when I do the frame-off restoration.

I've also gotten a few more parts painted and "chromed". Click on <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5059612278836411938">this link</a> for the first image and then click on through for the rest of the parts.

Today there will be more painting done as well as installation of brake and trans cooler lines.

For the full monty, have a look at my blog (link in my sig). :TU:

 

I bet someone might be able to hook you up with some used parts pretty cheap, ask around on the board, you will be kcking yourself when you try to change it out in the car...