Buick Hearse reborn by The Stickman

Ok I'm back, sadly now that I know about Silverfox and Dewey. So I have been drafted. My room mate Sarah's hearse done went boom. She killed the 307 engine, although not her fault. She doesn't use it much so I think the bearing got used up everytime she would start it as they were probably bare of oil from sitting. So now I am the one that has to revive it so she has a car for her appointments and trips to her grandmother and mom. It went a few weeks ago and it's taken me this long to get an engine ready to install due to my migraines. Had a beautiful weekend and was in bed most of it. Anyway I had an Olds 350 laying on the floor of the garage that we put on an engine stand and we are doing new gaskets and a new oil pump just to be safe. But while I was in the garage I kept looking around seeing old parts from my car that were sitting unused. That is how Sarah opsconded with my wheels and tires. So we have decided, or maybe more like I convinced her that we should use these parts on her hearse. So her car will get an Edelbrock intake. Lighter than stock by a ton and better performing. Maybe better fuel economy and definitely better power. Then the Mallory Unilite distributor and MSD coil. Again better mileage and power. Open element airfilter. Eh it looks better and should breathe better. Then we figured if we are making the car have some better power with a bigger engine and addons then it would be a shame to use the stock single exhaust. So I cut the duals off my car to go on hers. and if the duals are to be used on her car she would need the dual hump crossmember. SO I stripped it out and since it was holding the trans up that came out too. But that will be stored in the garage incase of a future emergency. Now whenever I go anywhere with Sarah in her car I drive. And I hate how her car handles. Guess I am spoiled from what I had. So guess what. We are going to try and swap my suspension over to hers. Yup big swaybars and all. Also her car has a problem with it where it sits nose high because of it being so tail heavy. So we are gonna cut the front springs to get the nose down. So after we get all this done it should run better with more power and hopefully better fuel economy and will look lower and meaner and actually take a turn without slowing down to funeral car procession speed. Now the engine and associated things she wants done before a hearse show in the beginning of August. Gives me a little over 3 weeks to get it done. If I can get to the other stuff it's gravy. But wait there is more. I am a pack rat. I hoard parts. And I happen to have a Megasquirt FI computer and a 4 barrel type throttle body laying around that can run either dry or as a TBI. So since I also have injectors we are gonna do a TBI fuel injection project on her car in the fall when she is done with any hearse club outings. I figure we can mock up the entire FI setup without taking anything off her car. That way she has a running working car the whole time. And once we are done making the wiring harness and such we can make the transition from carb to FI. Geez I am long winded. The wife says this is from me not getting out because of my migraines. So beware If we ever meet I will probably talk your ear off.

 

Sounds like you are a busy person, Stickman. Don't worry about talk the arm off thing, my wife says I will talk to
a stump! Keep us posted on the hearse project!

 

Hold on now, don't go cutting the coils just yet! The 350 weighs more than that 307 if it's older than, I think, 1973 MY engines, when the Olds engines had weight shaved off by using thinner castings. So I'd mock everything up and determine what the ride height will be front and rear before making any cuts. I would also recommend a pair of air shocks or an air bag setup to give more support to the rear suspension, if she can afford it.

 

You don't know Stick very well, trust me, he KNOWS what he is doing.......I just wish I could get him over here to race ready a wagon of mine:2_thumbs_up_-_anima

Pics of Stick's..........






Did you ever sell this one, Stick?

 

Whoa! Slow down a bit, Stick!

Don't have to get all caught up in one post......

Glad you're back!

Marshall

 

Already has airshocks in the rear hooked to an air pump wired to a switch under the dash. But the shocks only go so high and the nose is maybe level at full height on the airshocks. And the airshocks don't dare go higher as it might pop the rear springs out of their sockets. Front end needs to come down atleast 2 inches.

 

Good memories Tedy. I would hook you right up if I were anywhere near close.

 

Hey Krash don't worry I will keep everyone updated. Probably heading down to do some work here in a bit.

 

So smack me upside the head.... I'm just a n00b on this site, and I apologize for making the assumption that you didn't know what you're doing. That satin Custom Cruiser is very cool-looking.

 

No problem here.

 

BTW, since we're on the subject of things to do to rearends, what about converting the suspension to air bags? A pickup rear bag set holds up about 4K lbs, IIRC. You could even convert the front to air bags (I've seen a mid-'60s Impala run with bags all around and lean much less than when it had springs).

 

Yea this hearse has full airbags. Allows for a very low ride. But can be pricey.

 

home, Stick! We kept your seat warm for you.
Your turn to restock the beer fridge, though.

 

Thanx so much Steve. Unfortunately I no longer drink. Two reasons really. First I went to Germany and after my return I could no longer drink the beer over here. And secondly alcohol triggers my migraines.

 

My sister used to suffer really bad with mirgranes. It had to do with the atmospheric pressure change. When she felt one coming on she'd head right for the hospital, they'd give her a shot and for the most part it would pass like a normal headache. OTC meds wouldn't budge it. She seems to have them under control now. They're awful buggers to deal with.

So whatever happened to your car that your parting it out?