Any suggestions on how to handle the rust in the trunk are very welcome. It's also over a body mount on each side. I've never seen anything like it before.
Surprising for an AZ car. I'd get it running and drive it until it dies. Fixing all the rust is expensive, time consuming, frustrating, and beyond what the car is worth. As a beater it will be lots of fun!
I actually worked to replace the rear filler panel on my GS CA so that doesn't intimidate me. Would really like to get the rust in the trunk handled after I get it running. This car will be my guinea pig for things I later do on my GS like seat refurbishing etc. Value is not a concern.
TBD. They are trying to get the title. I can't imagine they would sell a car they don't have a title to or can't get the title for. Maybe I'm being naive, but this would be the 4th one I bought from them and the other 3 were painless. I have to admit that I've never seen rust like that in a trunk before and that it really threw me. So I am trying to have a plan in advance.
I know this is old news for the gurus here, but here is why these LeSabres rust like this in the trunks. There are 4 boxed areas related to body mounts (circled). Over time they collect mud, water, and debris that cause rust and eventually rust out. No one makes sheet metal to replace it, but Impala repro trunk metal is close if you don't want to cut up a Buick. EDIT: This thread has the info I failed to find. Helps when you use the correct search word. https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?t...8-wildcat-conv-trunk-pan.320579/#post-2691895
I’m definitely no guru, not by a long shot. It took a few months after I got my ‘70 Electra 225 before I found the two rear, trunk body mount pockets. They were completely filled/packed with very fine, white/grey dust. Like one might find on a gravel or dirt road. There were three holes in each pocket from the factory. One of which was used for the body mounts. The dust was packed in so tight, it was missed several times when I was checking under the car for rust. From all outward appearances, the car looked rust free. One day while poking around in the trunk, I finally got around to pulling completely, the trunk mat. The top of each pocket was rusted around the perimeter of each of the two pockets. Was able to dig and vacuum out the dirt. Found some pitting, not much in the bottom of each pocket. Mostly surface rust. Cleaned it up, treated and painted inside each pocket. Was able to do some research and located the first owner’s home on the internet. On the Google Earth, found the home in a few pictures. Lo and behold, a long gravel/dirt driveway to the house. The gravel or dirt was the same color as what I dug out from those pockets. To keep mice out of the car, laid in some 3/16” wire mesh in each pocket until I get the holes sealed up. The whole undercarriage of the car had this fine white/grey powdery dust packed in everywhere. Where it mixed with oil, grease and/or transmission fluid, I had to chisel the stuff out! It was almost as hard as concrete in some areas. The inside of the trunk also had this dusty grit everywhere. The more I worked on the car, the more I was convinced it spent many years driving up and down a gravel or dirt road. When I found the first owner’s house on the dirt road via the interwebs, I smiled! Enjoy your new rig. Sounds like you should be able to turn her around with your “experimenting” various rust repair, sheet metal replacement methods. When it comes to passions or hobbies, the value and worth are typically found in the experience and what was learned as you go. Enjoy! RustyFuryIII
Thanks. Those 70's are beautiful. Didn't realize they had the same problem too. Good thing he seemed to live in a dry area. So is it a 455 or 350? My first car ever was a 1980 Buick LeSabre and this will technically be my 6th Buick. I'm excited to get it and get to work on it. Where I live they don't do emissions so I only have to get it road worthy. Then I can test my upholstery, bodywork, and other skills. While I'm not ASE certified, I helped my dad work on cars for 13+ years and have worked on my own for 30+.
i thought you might be in your 20s with all that ambition and excitement! i lost most of my super energy i had for big projects in my early 40s. keep up the good attitude! charlie,,,
Thanks. I plan to drive this one a lot more than my GS which makes me happy. I won't lie, when I lifted the hood and was reminded of how simple these engines are, I smiled. No ridiculous number of sensors, things mounted longitudinally, and a single camshaft that is chain driven. Dirt simple.
AZ-69 Skylark, Sorry took so long to reply to your question. Been busy as of late. The only engine offered for the ‘70 Electra 225 was the 455. I’ve had the car for 11 months now. Only had it on the road a few times. Maybe racked up 50 miles or so since I got her. While the car was claimed to be “ready to drive anywhere”. After I got her, I determined that statement not to be true. Lots of things I was told were new, were replaced 15yrs ago. Were, well, 15yrs old when I received the car, despite only 5000 miles driven since those parts were replaced. So, turned front drums, new wheel cylinders, pads, brake lines, bearings, shocks, springs, vacuum lines. I installed all new rocker arm assy and pushrods from TA Performance. The carb is off and in pieces. Have rebuild kit from Cliff. Need some metering rods and jets yet. Have a new water pump, oil pump and timing cover from TA Performance I still need to install. Just going over her with a fine tooth comb before putting her back on the road. Going to try and have it all or most of it done by June as I’d like to attend the Hot Rod Power Tour this year. Thinking that may be a fun time. I rode in the back seat a couple of times in a ‘73 Electra 225 while in BE&E school in Great Lakes in ‘81. Knew then I’d like an Electra 225 someday. Then in ‘82, friend drove me around in a ‘67 Skylark while in Radioman A school in San Diego, CA. Loved the Skylark too, but I fancy the land yachts. My first Buick ownership was a ‘96 Roadmaster Estate Limited wagon in ‘04 or ‘05 until I totaled it in ‘11. Had to have another Buick, so here I am today. Great cars! I seem to have gotten carried away. Didn’t mean to hijack the thread. Take care and enjoy your new project. Looks like it will be a lot of fun. Paul
Better late than never. I'm learning about the big Buicks thanks to everyone's posts. The interior will need lots of TLC, but the body is pretty solid. Just need to see what state the engine is in. Someone started a water pump replacement and then quit. The broken bolt I spotted may have played a role in that. Thanks for all the info and well wishes everyone.
Most are MIA. one or two guys are making replacements at 500$ a pop. Couple years ago I bought a 70 Duce and it was missing. last owner made a plate of polished stainless to cover the holes
Bit of a mess. The main guy handling things for my car was out quite ill for a while and no one else was working on the title. They have also been unable to reach the prior owner in regards to the title. They offered to do a bill of sale or keep trying for the title, which they believe can be obtained. I said get the title as I am in no hurry. If it's the bill of sale then I have to go thru Vermont for a title (aka VT title loophole). It gives me time to pick up more parts in the meantime.
