Hey everyone, I just joined the group mainly to get some advice about my new purchase, a '61 LeSabre which is currently not running, but ran about 5 years ago. The engine is not locked up and I need some advice on the best way to proceed. I believe the engine is a 364 low compression (regular gas Wildcat 375E). Also curious about the transmission, some say it's a three speed, but I've also been told it's Buick's version of the powerglide 2 speed. Less important, but curious, is the radio which came in this year transistor (instant on) or still a tube model? TIA for any help and advice.
Trans is a one speed Dynaflow. You can look under the dash to see if it uses vacuum tubes. I would change the oil, filter and prime the valve train. If it were me I would drop the oil pan and clean it. I would drain the fuel system and maybe rebuild the carb. Finally change the points, plugs, condensor and mabe the plug wires. The you are going to need to set the dwell, gap the plugs, etc.
Like Jim said, it uses a Dynaflow transmission. No gears, basically it's continually variable and has a 1:1 final drive. I believe the radio should be a transistor model. Follow Jim's advice regarding getting it running. I bet it fires right up - these 'Nails are tough!
Thanks Jim, that is what I originally thought about the transmission but then some others said it was a powerglide. Good to know for sure. I haven't got the car yet, supposed to pick it up Sunday, can't wait to look it over from top to bottom. I see a lot of folks recommend squirting some Marvel Mystery oil in each cylinder as well, that can't hurt I'm sure. The motor is not locked up so it should not be too difficult to get running again as long as nothing is wrong. The car has about 60 K miles on it I'm told.
Wow, nice to talk to some knowledgeable people for a change. Thanks! I'll post the link to it when I am able to so everyone can have a look at it. I've been looking for a '61 for a long time and each time I either got outbid or someone clicked the BIN and beat me to it. This time I was first!
Congrats :beer ! You came to the right place, V8Buick is by far the best buncha car guys around :TU: .
Cool, nice Invicta BTW. Here is the Ebay item number if you want to have a look: 140458139917 Just put it in a search and it should come up. Did for me anyway.
I just thought of something else, the guy who sold the car said the hood hinges were weak and one was broken. Anyone know of a good source for these or are they easy to fix?
Here is a link to 1955 Owners manual for the Dynaflow. Although, yours is a 1961, this will give you an idea of the operation. Despite, popular myth, Dynaflow is very good transmission. http://www.55buick.com/OwnersManual/om6.htm Welcome to V8BUICK !
Thanks! It's been a lot of hard work. It gets a lot of attention at cruise in's - not many souped up full size Buicks. Good looking '61! Very similar to my car. Both yellow, both from ND, and both had rust in the same areas!
congrats on your purchase and welcome aboard! Here is a link to the auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...l1313&_nkw=140458139917&_sacat=&_fvi=1&_rdc=1
You might try this guy, he has 60 parts for sale and a lot of them probably interchange http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/pts/1989810911.html
Thanks for posting the link Chris, we are leaving early Sunday morning from SE Indiana to go get it. Hope to get there early enough to get it loaded on the dolly and headed back a ways before stopping for the night. Haven't had an adventure like this for a long, long time. Kind of looking forward to it.
Anyone know if the hood hinges from a '60 will fit a '61? I was under the impression that '61-'64 were pretty much the same.
Try this guy in NH 1961 buick lesabre/electra parts (manchester, n.h.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 2010-09-28, 9:52AM EDT Reply to: see below -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- nos drivers side fender, rear axle assembly, complete front end with frame, steering box/gear, lenses, stainless trim, door parts for four door, driveshaft, power seat assemblies, front bumpers, trailing arms, dash parts, and more. also nos drivers side fender for 61 electra. will ship when possible. phone calls only. call skip at 603 622 5292 for prices and details. thanks.
Welcome to the board! The hood hinges off of a 60 should work. The transmission was called a "Twin Turbine", aka Dynaflow. It has absolutely nothing in common with the Powerglide, it isn't even the same design philosophy. There is absolutely nothing that will fit from a Powerglide. The major problem with the Dynaflows with age is gummed up acumulators, and in some cases the reverse band goes on them, otherwise they're pretty bullet-proof. To top it up use Dextron tranny fluid, it should work. The radio in that car will be a partial tube type; - most GM cars used tubes until 1962. Full Transistor radios didn't really come into use until 1963. So when you start the radio up, it'll take a minute or two to heat up before it makes noise.
