Hi all, Glad to join. I just purchased a 1966 Buick LeSabre custom convertible (pictures coming soon). This will be my first restoral. The car is missing the letters on the hood and back. As an extra I would like the LeSabe emblem that is on the 1/4 panel. I have been on line and is finding that it is quite difficult finding them as well as Body panel (what years & car (wildcate, electra, etc.) are interchangeable with the Lesabre). Any insight will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!
OK Lesabre Guy: Several things here. There is a white one that just hit the ebay. It has nice pictures and while not completely original it ain't too bad. A 66 LeSabre came with a 340 which was a bad engine from new. I had one new and have several today that's how I know. Parts are cheep because there are not that many people building them and they are kind of unique to that model. I would check on the ebay and do an internet search engine on a daily basis to get the laundry list you need filled. Good luck, Mitch.
I wouldn't say the 340 is a bad engine, perhaps under powered in a Lesabre. But the 340 is only a two year engine and there isn't too much "aftermarket" support ie intakes, heads, etc.... there are some parts that will cross over from the Buick 350 and 300 as well. But 340s do seem to be fairly cheap when i see them for sale.
OK Bill: I had to replace the lifters on mine with very lo mileage on the car and I was a real baby when it came to changing oil and filter. I also had several 66 Lesabres through the years on my car lot that had bad 340's. I think they had an external oil pump and the timing case cover developed stress cracks causing low oil pressure. I'm currently rebuilding a 350 out of a 68 Buick for my 66 Lesabre convert. It's .30 over. It was previously rebuilt and the machinist found the cause of failure which was the gear on the fuel pump. The pump leaked and the crankcase had lost lubrication from gas in the oil. (that's what he said and correct me if i don't know what I'm talking about because I might not know what I'm talking about. lol) I got a new one from TA and i hope when it's done it will be happy. As faqr as a used 340 goes I do see them once in a while for about $400 but they are usually far away from me. I would want to hear it run before I pulled the trigger on one. I did want to say that the 400 package with the 4 barrel and short tail 400 is really slow. the 2 barrel with that 300 has a lot more zip! Mitch
Mitch, I've only owned one 340 and it's got about 80k on the clock or so. So I will certianly say I don't know what I'm talking about! But your mentioning the 340 as a bad engine was the first time i'd heard someone say that, maybe the extra work they have to do in the full size cars shortens thier lives? o No:
First thanks for all of the insight guys!!! I actualy have a 350 in it. So I'm good to go with that. He's (I think it will be a he...) runs really great right now actually. No problems thus far, but I do plan on tightening the engine up even more... BTW...I am female with a passion for classic cars :grin:.
OK JRS: It's all good. Where y'all from? BTW out of all my heaps we have my wife wants me to fix up that white 66 Lesabre convert so she can knock around town with it. Mitch
oh, yea, Welcome to the site! Its great you love cars, my wife just tolerates the parts in the garage and the car out front
bill, i have both hood and decklid letters.i think i have the lesabre emblems too.i have a 66 lesabre also,which i have since 1978.i have alot of body parts as well as a 340 engine.if you are interested.i will check on the letters for quality but i think they are good. thanks bob
Ok, just personal inbox me contact information and let's see what you have. I actually think I am good on everything else. But you know the more you work on it the more you find out. Thanks!! Berta!!
i have both sides of lesabre in great shape, only have one 400 badge. i do have all the letters. thank bob.
