1997 LeSabre project L67

[MattStrike]

I'll end up welding the piece I cut out back in.

[MattStrike]

Got some more parts in the mail:



De-rustified in Evaporust:



Trans is ready to go!

[nos4blood70]

Trans drain plug FTW.

[MattStrike]

So it looks like now that I have a '98 wire harness with the correct trans connector, all I have to do is add the wires and connector for the BBV and convert the map sensor connector to the one that fits the L67 (and load the NIC tune on the PCM). I couldn't find an L67 harness, so I grabbed a 4t65 L36 harness. There is a kit available for $30 that has both, so not sure if I will end up with one of those or make my own.

[MattStrike]

And I decided to get the harness kit. Less hassle.

[Zeik75]

I like how you end up answering most of your questions lol

[MattStrike]

Got some things done this weekend, but not as much as I'd like. Engine and trans are bolted together, got most of the engine mounts and everything ready to drop the motor back in.

Having some "fun" with the front subframe center bushings that don't fit. I find this very frustrating, because years ago when I changed the '86 to the big sway bar I ordered the same brand bushings which fit just fine, but these don't fit? Same brackets, same subframe... Not sure why but look like I'll be making some custom parts again.

Also found a poly rear bar center bushing that is close enough to fit with minor trimming. So polyurethane bushings all the way around!


At this point the car is almost like new with everything that's gone into it..

[BonnieBoy08]

I've been MIA for quite some time now but it looks like project car #2 has come along nicely since the last time I seen it just sitting in the shed! My dad just bought a '98 LeSabre Limited in need of some love so I might have to pick your brain for a few things in the near future here. As always, great work!

[MattStrike]

Here are some pictures!

Getting the front suspension put back together:

If you look closely you can see how much the new front center links are oversized. Very annoying.

And the rear poly center link:


I am really considering getting some blue plastidip to change all the red bushing to blue to match the Moog parts. It really bugs me that some are red and some are blue.

[MattStrike]

Got some more work done. Tearing out the rear suspension to replace the springs and struts. Then I found another hole in the wheel well. And the rear wheel bearing speed sensors are attached to nothing but rust on the back side of the wheel bearing, which promptly broke off in my hand, so new wheel bearings are in order unless anybody knows where I can get a replacement cover.

[MattStrike]

This, well, just look at all that nasty rust!


Getting them stuck bolts out sometimes takes some thinking outside the box:


New springs all set to go, these are a lot heavier than stock:


One down!


The motor is in!


Getting a preview of some wheel options:

[1oldman]

White Bonneville crosslace doesn't look too bad on the Buick. - BC

[dadofone2011]

Paint them the same color as the motor.

[nos4blood70]

If you get them silver again, I think it looks quite classy.

[RJolly87]

Ugh, more rust.

I think you should buy your next car out here. No rust, coupled with your magic hands, means a car that will last a very long time, until an idiot pulls out in front of you at least...

[1oldman]

Ugh, more rust.

I think you should buy your next car out here. No rust, coupled with your magic hands, means a car that will last a very long time, until an idiot pulls out in front of you at least...

I tried to get him to buy my old '92, but it didn't have enough rust for him. LOL! - BC

[MattStrike]

This is as far as I've been able to get before I take some time off for Christmas:




No rear discs for this build, yet.

[PRD2BDF]

So all rust has been removed from the car or some rust are left?

[MattStrike]

There is some rust left. The rocker panels need to be replaced, along with the weld flange on the underbody that they are spot welded to, and the passenger rear wheel well has a rust hole that will need the whole (rear) interior removed to properly fix. There is surface rust on the front fenders by the doors. And there are still several 'little old lady' dents to fix.

Unless any surprises come up though I'm in the home stretch now. There are going to be a few more mods done after it's on the road again.

[MattStrike]

I couldn't get the massive resonator to fit without cutting into the floor pan. So I've managed to find something else:


The next challenge was fitting the headers and the front trans mount. I could have used any non-shock mount like I did on the '86, but it didn't seem to hold up very well. So I ended up modifying the shock mount:






And Headers on!


Nothing to see here, just a pile of rust..


And it's almost done! I have to get new proportioning valves as they are leaking brake fluid, needs the vacuum lines installed, and the exhaust hangar in the rear finished. And a few other miscellaneous things.