CK5
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1969 Buick Wildcat Custom build. Sold it.
- Thread starter ktmoutfront
- Start date
It finally followed me home.
Yes, those are original miles.
Yes, those are original miles. 
Couple of small whiskey dents, but other than that it looks super solid! How are the floors?
The story so far. Nice day out but the wind is howling. My friend Phil wants to help and today he could. So I load up a bunch of tools because we are going to have to take down the old patio cover. We get there and realize the post is temporary. Not attached at the ground. I had Phil go get the churches tractor (also Phil's last name, Church), we lift the patio cover and swing the post back.
We then uncover the car. Pump up the tires. They all hold air. Still no keys have been found. Need to be able to steer the car. Tried the coat hanger on the lock knob with no luck. Got a drill motor and bit and drilled out the driver side lock. Unlock the door and get to really see inside for the first time. 28k miles showing. She said it should be actual. It really was driven from 1969 until 1992 my a lady to the grocery store and back.
Then we realize this is late enough to have a locking steering wheel. I ask if I can look around in the garage to see if her late husband may have hung the keys up somewhere. She hands me the keys to her Dodge Dakota and the garage. I head out to the garage and look down at the key ring. There is are a square and a round GM key on the ring. She does not own any other cars. I ask her what those are for. She has no idea. I slide the square one into the ignition and turn it.
The keys have been on that ring since 1992. She was clueless.
Air the tires up on the dune buggy and rolled it out. Hooked onto the car and pulled it in line with the trailer and winched it on.
Crawled under while it was half way on the trailer. Floor is clean. Frame is clean. Rockers appear to be clean. Only visible rust is under the back window due to the vinyl top.
Less than an hour from start to lunch. I was planning on all afternoon to get it out.
We then uncover the car. Pump up the tires. They all hold air. Still no keys have been found. Need to be able to steer the car. Tried the coat hanger on the lock knob with no luck. Got a drill motor and bit and drilled out the driver side lock. Unlock the door and get to really see inside for the first time. 28k miles showing. She said it should be actual. It really was driven from 1969 until 1992 my a lady to the grocery store and back.
Then we realize this is late enough to have a locking steering wheel. I ask if I can look around in the garage to see if her late husband may have hung the keys up somewhere. She hands me the keys to her Dodge Dakota and the garage. I head out to the garage and look down at the key ring. There is are a square and a round GM key on the ring. She does not own any other cars. I ask her what those are for. She has no idea. I slide the square one into the ignition and turn it.
The keys have been on that ring since 1992. She was clueless.
Air the tires up on the dune buggy and rolled it out. Hooked onto the car and pulled it in line with the trailer and winched it on.
Crawled under while it was half way on the trailer. Floor is clean. Frame is clean. Rockers appear to be clean. Only visible rust is under the back window due to the vinyl top.
Less than an hour from start to lunch. I was planning on all afternoon to get it out.
Kinda bummer on the lock cylinder, eh? 
That center stripe color would be a beautiful matching color for the Buick
Kinda bummer on the lock cylinder, eh?
Just part of the story. I can get keyed alike made.
I'm thinking two tone. The Pearl white and one of the blues. Not sure how. It is a long ways off.
More pictures.
This was in the back seat.
Opened the trunk to check the floor.
This is the floor.
No, the starter does not belong there.
Only rust so far. Both sides are about the same.
This was in the back seat.
Opened the trunk to check the floor.
This is the floor.
No, the starter does not belong there.
Only rust so far. Both sides are about the same.
beags86
Eastbound and Down
Damn, nice shape. How soon til the swap goes down?
Depends on existing engine condition. Plugs have been out for years. Would love to run the 430 with FI and an OD transmission.
But why were the plugs pulled and the starter removed?
Nice story talk about getting lucky.
There has got to be a story about that stuffed furball... 
She said it was her son's. He is in Alaska and does not want it.
beags86
Eastbound and Down
Diesel fuel for a week, put starter on, break with breaker bar, put plugs in and see what happens.
Was just out showing a neighbor that stopped. Transmission is leaking bad. Can't tell where yet.
That will have a TH400 most likely--they started using the "V" shaped bell housing pattern in '67,the earlier 64-66 Nailhead's used a round bell housing and had the switch pitch torque converter...
You can use an adapter plate to put a Chevy tranny in it if you have a hard time finding one for a Buick,or an Olds & Caddy,which will bolt up to the Buick,provided the tail shaft length is correct..
Chances are it is leaking due to a rusted pan or coolant line,or maybe the modulator "can" rusted through..
Those 430's could move out and lay rubber as well as any other engine,most of them died due to oil pump & pressure troubles..
The oil pump built into the timing cover never was a great setup IMO,not just on Buick engines but others too..
You can use an adapter plate to put a Chevy tranny in it if you have a hard time finding one for a Buick,or an Olds & Caddy,which will bolt up to the Buick,provided the tail shaft length is correct..
Chances are it is leaking due to a rusted pan or coolant line,or maybe the modulator "can" rusted through..
Those 430's could move out and lay rubber as well as any other engine,most of them died due to oil pump & pressure troubles..
The oil pump built into the timing cover never was a great setup IMO,not just on Buick engines but others too..
There's not any rust under the car. My guess is the output seal or shift linkage seals. Hasn't moved, then suddenly it gets manhandled.
