My 76/77 Buick regals going to the darkside!

Discussion in 'V-8 Buick Powered Regals' started by Norman Martin, Aug 14, 2020.

  1. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

    I am not getting good brake pressure. I am thinking that it may be the vacuum line to the booster. I also need to get rid if the but clamp on the Hpipe because it is definitely leaking. I will have to lug my tig welder up from the basement and weld the damn thing. Too much spatter for me to feel comfy mig welding stainless near all the new wiring. The wire that I use allows me to use my regular mig gas and still get acceptable stainless welds. The tradeoff is alot of spatter.
     
  2. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

    I think I fixed my vacuum leak now it is 20 in/hg and my exhaust leak. Filled the tranny with a bunch of fluid but I think I need to bleed the brakes. I am thinking that maybe it will soin be time to test drive around the block.

    I had no idea that the 6l90e took 10 plus quarts of Atf VI. This tranny is crazy!
     
  3. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

  4. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

    While I am quite glad that I found the problem, I am almost devastated that it means that I will not be able to test drive the car. I found my brake line leak and I will need new brake lines. No brakes, no drive.


    I am super bummed because I thought I was done crawling under the car for a while.....which is now not the case.

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  5. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

    One thing after the other. Replaced the broken fuel line but could not bleed the rear. Figured out that my proportioning valve was tripped due to the line blowout. Got that reset. Still cant bleed the rear....as I am checking hoses, I grab the hose from the axle to the hard-line. It became crystal clear why I could not bleed the rear brakes. The photo tells the story. I am currently waiting for the heat-penetrant-heat-penetrant cycle so I can remove yet another two brake line fittings to repair the problem.

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  6. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

    Well brakes are fixed. Got the fans wired too. All I need to do is strap the fans to the radiator after an idle test tomorrow. Had them wired correct polarity but they went the wrong direction. Fixed that now were good.

    Today might be the first drive if the tires hold air.
     
  7. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

    Sooo pissed off! No test drive for a while. I fricking hate winter!
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  8. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

    I put the hood back on and was pleased to find that it clears with no issue at all. I put my camera inside with a flashlight in video mode to confirm. Technically the wire loom touches the hood slightly but that will be remedied when I delete the loom. I also got the fans attached to the radiator. I guess now that the snow has ruined my chance for a drive, I will move on to maybe something else. Maybe closure of the tunnel? Maybe moving the bumper brackets in order to tuck the bumper in 3 inches. I dont know.

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    Last edited: Dec 30, 2020
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  9. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

    Well, looks like I am going to be doing a hydro boost brake upgrade. My booster seems bad. Rather than spend $100-ish bucks on a replacement, I might as well double it and get hyrdoboost. My power steering pump already came with a hydro boost reservoir so that is good. I was going to try a loop around the block but the brakes still are not quite right.
     
  10. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    Maybe check again for more leaks before firing the parts cannon?

    I just looked up the Hydroboost thing, and I think I am opposed to the idea. It sounds like an additional significant project that you should NOT need. as you just need to troubleshoot your existing brakes?

    The article I read is here:
    https://www.hotrod.com/articles/hydroboost-brake-system-conversion/

    It talks about making sure to get the Master cylinder from the hydro-boost donor as well as all the plumbing, which I guess you don't have.

    Trouble shooting your Bleed/Vacuum/Booster seems easier and cheaper to me. Of course, that's because I know how to do that. and I have never dealt with Hydro-boost.

    Just my 2c.
     
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2020
  11. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

    I planned to do hydro boost in the future. My booster is definitely making hissing noise on the inside of the car. I just cannot bring myself to buy the old booster replacement then later I would be pulling out a good booster thereby wasting my cash.

    Basically my plan is to upgrade where ever I can. It would definitely be a good upgrade. The lines are easy to make just cost money. I may be able to find a used hydro boost at the junk yard. It is just sooo cold out here to be doing that though.
     
  12. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    Does the engine make insufficient vacuum for the regular old power brake setup? Or do you plan to go to cam that causes that in the future?

    If not, what is the advantage of the Hydro-boost?
     
  13. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

    No, I am getting 20 in/hg for vacuum so that is not a problem. Hydro-boost is just a better way to brake IMO. In all the stories that I have seen of folks changing over to hydro-boost, I do not recall ever seeing that it was any regret. All the stories I am hearing is that hydro-boost gives old tired cars as good or better brakes than modern cars. That and you get to delete that big ole vacuum booster can that is fugly as hell. I do plan to cam the car very soon but that is not the deciding factor.

    I am essentially building a resto-mod with all the features of a modern car but with the soul of a classic. This is an opportunity to upgrade just like the new motor and future disc brake conversion.
    I guess the best justification is because.....Why not! I already have to drop coin on a vacuum booster so might as well future proof the car. I have already come this far so the measly buck fifty additional cash is peanuts compared to the cash spent thus far and considering how much better the braking will be.

    Considering the weight specs, the Buick will weigh about the same as a 2020 camaro ss and after the cam it will have a little more HP and torque. I would prefer to give it similar braking performance as well. Consider that the plan is also to mount a LSA Blower to the Buick and that requirement becomes more important!;):D

    2020 Chevrolet Camaro/Curb weigh 3,351 to 4,120 lbs
    1977 Buick Regal / Weight : 3550 lbs | 1610.253 kg
     
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  14. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

    Yes!

    Went to the junk yard and got a hydroboost with a master cylinder and a return hose for $30. I am very pleased. Gotta order some high pressure line and fittings and install this thing asap.


    Also got my ECM mounted

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  15. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    That’s seems like a terrible location for the ECM since it’s directly below the radiator fill cap!
     
  16. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

    Like new! Just need paint on the rear section.
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  17. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    One of the articles I read about Hydro-boost talked about how crucial proper adjustment of the push rod is(apparently improper stroke can cause overheating of the system and failure)?

    Hopefully you know more about this than I.
     
  18. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

    Well, I guess if I screw it up, it wont be hard to go back and get another $30 unit. That is what is so great about this....Fricking cheap. I will learn one way or another that is for sure.

    I will study up on this subject though while I am waiting on the hoses and fittings so I that am less likely to screw it up.
     
  19. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    I guess that's a cool thing about using newer parts, they are actually still available at the boneyard!

    Maybe you can fab some kind of shield to protect the ECM from coolant or splash? I am pro electronics tech and seeing the brain of your car so exposed to coolant spill or weather makes me nervous. Do you consider that ECM weatherproof? I guess some of the later models are? I think they are in plastic enclosures though...

    Sorry for sharing my paranoia.
     
  20. Norman Martin

    Norman Martin Well-Known Member

    I have the aluminum already in wait to shield the ecm. I have been waiting because I am probably going to weld an aluminum windshield wiper fluid tank if I cannot find one that I like.
    The ecm may also move into the cabin too.
     
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