Newbie in Atlanta needs help - '65 GS Convert

All,

New to the board (newbie) and new to the nailhead world (well...sort of). My father just handed over his 1965 Skylark GS convertible (401 nailhead...445 Wildcat), 3sp manual...and even though its in damn good shape for being 100% original...it still needs some work. So...I've actually been around that car since I was born...but it wasn't until now in my mid-30's that I actually get to drive it.

While driving the car from Virginia to Atlanta three weeks ago, my dad definitely drove it like he stole it. Although he'd had the engine & drive train overhauled about three years ago - I'm not positive the guy who did the work really knew what he was doing. The car was running like s(*& by the time we pulled it into the garage and started troubleshooting it. Wasn't the points...wasn't the distributor...then I put my hand on the valve cover and could literally feel something slapping it. Sure enough...pulled the valve cover and one of the rocker arm shaft bolts had been sheered off. I pulled the rocker arm assembly and as soon as I did could see that the shaft was actually in three pieces...and one of the rocker arm shaft towers was broken in two as well.

I extracted the broken bolt and put in a new rocker arm shaft (thank god for ebay). It's running OK now...but if something was off enough to force that push rod to break that rocker arm shaft, I'm thinking maybe a bad lifter or something.

Anyway - I'm not a nailhead guy...in fact my real project car is a supercharged AMG. I'd like to find someone relatively near me who can get the Skylark back in better shape - electronic ignition...rebuild the carter or maybe put on an edelbrock carb and manifold...and perhaps some headers. Oh...and get rid of that crappy rope rear main seal that is leaking like hell too.

If anyone could help me out with getting me pointed in the right direction, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks!

-John

 

If I had a nailhead question, I would send Doc a message.

Nice car you have there.
Hard to beat a 65 GS convertible!

 

So new...I have to ask...who's doc?

I'm guessing if I start reading the FAQ's and readmes...I'll figure that out.



Thanks for the response!

-John

 

Welcome. In the long run the 65 GS ragtop is your coolest car. :TU:

 

Welcome to Atlanta. Check out the Dixie Chapter of BCA website. They can probably point you in the right direction for good Buick people in town. I know a few guys there who have '65s.

Danny

 

Hi John, welcome!:beer

Then and Now is located in Atlanta. They did a full resto on a '65 GS a few years ago. I'm unsure if they do much in the way of general repair work.

There is another site dedicated to the 1965 GS. LOTS of info in the gallery and the forum is populated by some of thee most knowledgeable 65 GS guys.
www.65gs.com
:TU:

 

Welcome!
Yes,
Doc, TelRiv (Tom Telesco) and, John Codman are the folks to ask. And, where to ask, is here;
http://www.v8buick.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9

Post your questions there. They'll be along,...............

 

Welcome from Mn. Great story about the 65 gs

 

John is not going to be online for a few days. And, Doc has not been on the board this week.

 

Welcome from Washington State!

 

Thanks for all the responses!!! This board is more alive than I thought it would be! I'm psyched!

Looks like I've got some good leads here.

As soon as I've got 10 posts I'll start posting some pics of the girl.

This is gonna be great!

Happy 4th all!

-John

 

You can post pictures now. The 10 post minimum is for links.

 

John,,,, you say that you wish someone was near you to work out the nailhead but you dont say where you live....I live in Lawrenceburg ,Tn. Is that close????
I read about your mechanical problems and imho the rocker arm shaft was not properly tightened down .... on any engine that has a rocker shaft,,, the shaft has to be tightened from the middle going both ways... and torqued with a tork wrench....from the middle to both ends.... if that is not done the shaft will flex enough to break it, given time, and that creates havoc with the valve train.....look very closely at the breaks, if the breaks look somewhat grey and very grainey then metal fatigue from flexing is the culprit.....
I have several sets of rocker arm shafts laying around ,,,, let me know if you need any.... I would sell them for $500 each....:laugh: :laugh:

 

Doc - I'm in Smyrna, GA (title of thread says Atlanta because everyone knows where Atlanta is...).

A rocker arm shaft tower bolt had sheared off - so it's kind of like the chicken or the egg situation not know which had happened first. Luckily, those shafts are all over ebay...had one in two days for $37. Hunting down that bolt was the tough part. I looked up the torque specs in the shop manuals my dad left me so hopefully I eliminated that issue this time around.

I sent a message to the Then and Now guys Saturday so we'll see if I hear back from them. Otherwise...Lawrenceburg really isn't too far away!

Thanks for the response!

 

Welcome,

The suggestion of Then and Now up in Woodstock Ga is a good one. Don McIntosh, who works there is a guru on GS's. I'm sure they can help you.
Look forward to meeting you and seeing your car. I am a short distance away from you in Powder Springs, GA.

JB

 

Well...I spoke with Mark at Then and Now just a few minutes ago.

I'm off to NYC for a few days...back on Friday...and then gonna drop the car off with him.

 

I know, where; Smyrna, is. But, I've never, heard of; Atlanta. :laugh:

 

I thought they called it Hotlanta!!:Smarty:

 

Maybe, that's; why!:grin:

 

Anyone know what happened to Then and Now? I'd talked to Mark about bringing the car in...that was two weeks ago...and when I called him the morning I was going to bring it up, I never heard from him. And now it appears their website is down.