1985 Buick Electra - Phase 1: Repairs

Discussion in 'Station Wagon Projects' started by Darcane, Jan 11, 2019.

  1. Darcane

    Darcane Well-Known Member

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  2. Darcane

    Darcane Well-Known Member

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    First thing: remove the deflector!

    Buick_NoDeflector.png

    Battery doesn't hold it's charge, and it idles rough and tries to die on me. I'm confident that is due to one of many vacuum lines that are visibly cracked/torn, so I'll start there. Air pistons holding up the hood have been replaced so the hood actually stays open now.

    The power seat won't move, and is so close to the steering wheel that it is nearly undriveable:
    BrokenSeat.png

    Pulled the seat and found this. There is an electric motor behind this steel bracket, you can just see the shaft coming out. That shaft fits into an adapter that connects to a plastic transmission. That adapter is clear broken and nothing rotates when the electric motor is powered up.

    Any ideas where I can find that part? I've struck out so far.
     
  3. OrthmannJ

    OrthmannJ Always looking for old ford crew cabs

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    Progress!
    I'd say that's a good start. :thumbs2:
     
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  4. Darcane

    Darcane Well-Known Member

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    Found it!

    eBay to the rescue. It's GM part # 20614175:
    https://www.ebay.com/i/112433824803
    Should be here next week.
     
  5. Silvertwinkiehobo

    Silvertwinkiehobo "Everything that breaks starts with 'F.'"

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    Soooo...you also have a Mustang and a...Chevy/GMC pickup?
     
  6. 60Mercman

    60Mercman Well-Known Member

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    I was gonna suggest EBay, you already beat me to the punch and found it. I also think one of the things you’re gonna enjoy about this forum is that there will be folks that have or know of parts and parts cars that will have overlapping parts. I’m quite sure like that power seat mechanism is used on Caprice and Olds. Etc. good luck with her, and you’re right. It looks much better without the bug catcher up front.
     
  7. Darcane

    Darcane Well-Known Member

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    Heh... snooping around my crowded garage?

    '68 C10. My first vehicle, 400SBC/700r4, bagged.
    '68 Mustang. My aunt bought it new. 289/C4.
     
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  8. 60Mercman

    60Mercman Well-Known Member

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    Get used to it Darcane. Some of these eagle eyes around here will be able to tell you your tire pressure. I did notice those two cars however, figured the Mustang was a ‘68, but I didn’t want to appear forward. Thought I’d leave that to the bold ones on here. Lol
     
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  9. Silvertwinkiehobo

    Silvertwinkiehobo "Everything that breaks starts with 'F.'"

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    What's the first thing all military recruits learn when they arrive in boot camp?

    TO PAY ATTENTION TO SIMPLE DETAIL, and in my defense, that's all I did.

    Anyway, very cool stable you have going, I did also know about the Panther at the left, but that's because you already mentioned it. If it's '79-'87 and you need parts, I have a thread for selling them on here. It needs serious updating, as I've helped a few other members, but I also have a few sedan-only parts, I think. PM me if you have anything you're looking for.
     
  10. Darcane

    Darcane Well-Known Member

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    No worries. If I post a picture for the world to see, it's fair game.

    Panther? The only Panther I know of are Crown Vics, and I don't have one.
     
  11. OrthmannJ

    OrthmannJ Always looking for old ford crew cabs

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    Might as well post full photos of the C10 and the Mustang.
     
  12. Darcane

    Darcane Well-Known Member

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    Sure, here's my pickup:
    68 C10.jpg

    And the Mustang:
    2018_05_03_Mustang_012.png
     
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  13. jlcolvin

    jlcolvin New Member

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    Beautiful truck! I have wanted a C-10 since I was a teenager. Just haven't fulfilled that dream...yet. :D
     
  14. OrthmannJ

    OrthmannJ Always looking for old ford crew cabs

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    Very nice. I have to say, 68 is probly my most favorite of the first gen Mustangs.
    They both look like they are in excellent condition. Did you restore them?
     
  15. Darcane

    Darcane Well-Known Member

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    The C10 was a father-son project. I bought it when I was 14, (I'm 41 now) we swapped in the engine and a 5-speed, rebuilt the suspension and lowered it, rebuilt the differential, put fuel injection on it and had a friend paint it. I later bagged it, switched to a 700R4 after fragging the tranny, and upgraded the wheels. It was a nice driver, now the paint is showing it's age again, the EFI is toast, and needs some other repairs before driving it. It's at least in the garage now, so it won't deteriorate any further. That was priority #1 after the divorce.

    The Mustang was my aunt's, she bought it new. Drove it daily until the early '80s when:
    1999_03_22_OneNuke_Crop.jpg
    one nuke ruined her day...

    No, she got rearended. She parked it in her L.A. garage... for nearly 20 years.

    My dad, brothers, and I got the car, brought it home, repaired the body, when through the fuel system, brakes, and fixed any major issues with it and returned it.

    Recently my Aunt decided to retire and I arranged a deal with her to keep the car in the family. I picked it up Feb 2018 and drove it home (L.A. to Washington). While it did fine, the suspension and brakes need some serious attention before I drive it much more. Otherwise, it doesn't really need much.
     
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