Update: I've decided to revive this thread. I now have access to a garage - topic44783.html - so I can finally start working on and fixing/restoring the LeSabre (and do any necessary work on the Bonneville). This will be the official build thread. Once I get started, I plan to post regular updates.Before I begin, I think I'll post some pics of my cars. These pictures are a few years old, and show off what they were like at the high point of their lives:
The Bonneville: These first two pictures were taken at Ryan's place, during the Michigan Meet of 2009, after we gave it a good buff and shine. The last two were taken a couple weeks after (still retaining that awesome shine) in my hometown.
The LeSabre: These pictures were also taken in 2009, showing the car at its almost best (there's a hole in the driver's side fender, but isn't shown, and that lower air dam, which has always given me problems).
I really miss that car, as I had some great times with it. Oh, it's not wrecked or sold or anything, it just hasn't been running for a very long time. Neither car is the same anymore, and it's time I think I did something about it. This kind of brings me to my next point (this is going to get a little long), which I have posted below.
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The Big One: Project H-BodiesWell, I figured it's time to get started on this. First off, this is probably going to be a pretty long post, as I'm going to keep coming back to it with updates. I want to keep this as a log of my progress, as I have a feeling this will probably go on for a long time (due to money and time constraints). This is a two part project (1 for each car), and I have plans for a third later on (which I will link from here once I get to it). I will try and get pictures when I can, but some stuff won't have them (like if it is something I fixed a long while ago and have no pics of).
Basically, both of my H-bodies (LeSabre & Bonneville) are in some serious need of TLC. I keep both of them on a routine maintenance schedule, but it's getting to the point where both cars need some major work. My Bonneville, for the most part, is running well (which is good since less than a year after I bought it, it sat for 8 months due to a few blown gaskets). It does have some issues, which I will list here later in the post. My LeSabre is a different story - it has sat in my Aunt's driveway for over 12 months, hardly moved. I'd say in the last year I put maybe less than 180 miles on it. It has a huge list of major issues that I want to start getting too soon. Below is a break-down of the vehicles and current maintenance list.
Part One: The BonnevilleAs I mentioned, the Bonneville is running pretty well. It gets me too and from work, and around town when needed. It has quite a bit of issues, but the only ones that concern me at the moment are the lack of cold air in my A/C system, above average misfires (around 12-16 times per cycle; I've even seen as high as 60+ on WOT), and KR (I've seen up to 8*, and that's not even at WOT). Once I get those figured out, I'll be able to ignore the other stuff for a while.
Aside from the major issues already listed, here's the list of stuff that also needs taken care of on the Bonneville (all that I can remember right now). Most of this stuff I plan to eventually get too, but is not priority:
Under the hood:- Misfires (#2, #5, and #6 are the problem areas; need to double check my wires and plugs, and I hope that it's nothing internal)
-- 99% fixed, but now have idle misfire on #3- Knock (I don't even know where to start on this one, going to try and resolve the misfires first, in hopes that it either reduces or eliminates the knock)
-- have seen up to 8*, and still have no clue why- No cold air in A/C (compressor still works, most likely a leak somewhere)
- Change any fluids/filters under regular maintenance intervals
Suspension:- Tie rods, end links, sway bar bushings, and alignment
-- FIXED (tie rods and alignment)- Engine mount (hockey pucks – I hope this also might hope to ease the knock)
-- FIXED (solid mount)- Struts (although I think I'm still good for a while)
- Machine front rotors (very minor warping, but enough that I notice)
-- FIXED (replaced brakes)- Replace corroded wire for front passenger wheel bearing (it’s keeping my ABS and Traction Control systems off)
Exterior:- Buff and polish headlights (getting real bad)
-- FIXED- Replace wiper motor assembly
- Will someday need to fix the rust under the gas door
- Fix rust on side window frames and sills
-- Sills have been taken care of- Replace (what I believe to be) fuel vent sensor
- Replace fuel sender
-- FIXED- Fix taillight de-lamination (not sure how yet) - also need to clear the tails (not really repair issue, but a bonus since the tail will have to come off anyway)
-- FIXED (sort of, just tinted the tails)- Prevent the paint peel found in the water channels on the roof (my brother believes the roof may have been repainted, off the record, and it was done poorly)
- New paint job (a project for WAY down the road, as I plan to actually use the metallic black found on the G8's)
Interior:- Fix door leaks (major priority this summer)
-- IN PROGRESS - rears done, but fronts need redone- Replace sunroof frame (another major priority this summer) and check for clogged drains
-- FIXED- Have headliner replaced (sunroof shade already done)
-- FIXED- Find out why driver door lock switch isn't working (it's not the actual switch, but possibly wiring)
-- FIXED (it was actually a faulty window/mirror switch)- Remove carpet and de-mold, and bleach the floor boards (might be another summer project)
-- DONE (also cleaned up all rust)- Replace fog light and instrument panel dimmer switch (lights went bad, might just replace the burnt out light)
-- FIXED (replaced with GXP unit)- Replace steering wheel radio control buttons (paint bubbling and peeling)
-- FIXED (replaced with GXP wheel)- Fix hole on the floor by the battery (my guess is an old battery leaked and ate away at the metal)
- Find and fix trunk leak (possibly coming from the taillights)
-- IN PROGRESS- Finish installation of AeroForce gauge (still need to get a Dremel)
-- DONE- Resolve cutting out problems of front driver door speaker (which I am mad about as I paid good money for those speakers, and it's already going bad)
-- SOLVED - was a different issue altogetherSome of the problems I have fixed recently are: ignition control module and level control sensor and passenger window motor (thanks go to Andrew for those parts, saved me hundreds of dollars), oil pressure switch, supercharger nose coupler, fuel pump, rear shocks (AC Delco's, done about two years ago), both front wheel bearings (GM replacements, done over two years ago), an amp for my Basslink (the built-in amp fried, so I replaced it), and probably a few more things that I can't remember right now.
Update: I had the car looked at a few hours ago, and was told I had 4 bad spark plug wires (2, 3, 5, & 6). The ICM could have been the culprit, as those were the same wires that went bad before. I have new wires on, and the car runs great (still has some knock, will work on that later). Hopefully that was it, and nothing major (will find out over time).Quite a list, huh? I haven't even gotten started yet. The LeSabre is in need of much more work. Yes, I could probably just get rid of the car and save me a ton of money and headaches, but this was the first car that I bought myself, with my own money, and for some reason, I just can't let it go. It's been with me on my travels up and down the Eastern US, and it has saved my life twice, so I want to return the favors.
Part Two: The LeSabreAs I mentioned, this car has sat for over a year because, frankly, it just isn't road worthy at the moment. The two biggest problems are the fuel lines and electrical. Right around the fuel filter, the lines have almost completely rotted away and anytime the car is running, fuel just spews out from the line. The other problem is something electrical, as I have something parasitic in my system - if the car sits for 3 days or more, the battery is completely dead (and this is the 3rd battery in 2 years).
The plan is to get my LeSabre running enough that I can use it when I need to, but my ultimate plan is to try and get a garage (can't use the one at home as that's where my brother keeps our late father's '69 Stingray, which is in need of a complete rebuild), tear the Buick down, and completely rebuild it from the body up. I know that is a major undertaking, but I've committed myself to doing it - I just need the garage and a backlog of enough cash (some help wouldn't be bad either), and I can get started. Anyway, here's the list (and this is probably only partial at the moment):
Under the Hood:- Engine rebuild (it still runs great, but at 312K, and probably 85% original parts, it's time; it will be a factory rebuild, except I might add roller rockers for just a little more pep)
- Replace A/C compressor (the clutch is rusted and making a horrific noise, plus I don't think the compressor even works anymore as I haven't had A/C in the car in over 6 years)
- Transmission rebuild? At least a flush and filter replacement (last time I took it out, it would hesitate in the 1-2 shift, and then slam into gear, doesn't sound good to me, even though this transmission should have between 85-90K on it; probably from sitting too long)
- Replace cam sensor (this will obviously happen before the rebuild, just because that will take some time)
- Fix/replace battery mount (a previous leaky battery made a mess of the metal in that area)
- Redo terminals and wires that connect to the battery (same issue from a leaky battery as above)
- Fluids and filters, per maintenance schedule
Suspension:- Front brakes need machined, BAD (it was parked for 3 weeks in the grass, what was I to expect?)
- CV joints, boots, tie rods, end links, bushings, struts, and springs - yeah, it needs it all (planning an FE2 sway bar and spring upgrade, with polyurethane bushings)
- ABS not functioning - either wheel bearings, wire corrosion, or the ABS system itself
- Alignment
Exterior:- Hood, grill, driver fender, and windshield need replaced (have all but the windshield - I just need time to swap, and they will need painted)
- Replace rocker panels and fix any rust spots behind the bumpers, in the wheel wells, and under the body (I need to get the car up so I can examine the underside, as I'm kind of worried, based on some of what I've seen)
- Redo the exhaust setup and add a resonator (I've had my fun, and I want that deep growl back, the 'rice' sound is starting to get annoying)
- Replace all fuel lines from the tank to the engine
- Check condition of sub-frame to body mounts (engine mounts have already been replaced)
- Replace fuel tank
- Repair headlight and fog light wiring (corrosion)
- Upgrade current LED's to more powerful/brighter LED's
- Properly run amp and fog light wiring through the firewall instead of the doors
- PAINT!!! (this car is in need of a new coat, but it is much further down on the to-do list)
Interior:- New weather-stripping on all four doors (leaks have started)
- Find and fix trunk leak
- Fix (actually it's putting one back in) high beam switch
- Reposition headliner (it's not fitting quite right)
- Find out why interior lights no longer work (not a fuse and not the switch, maybe a short - my mind is currently boggled on that one)
- Rewire and clean up add on (from aftermarket electrical devices and lighting) wiring under the dash
- Replace dead tweeter speakers (planning on getting Concert Sound II panels that have the mounts and grills for tweeters already in them)
- Find parasitic electrical device (might actually be caused from the corroded battery terminals)
- Make housings for the rear floor lights (not a major concern, but the way they are now, I'm afraid they might get caught in the rear doors)
- Do something about the steering wheel (most of the paint has worn off)
The LeSabre has had so much replaced or fixed on it that I really can't remember what anymore. The only thing that I remember that has recently been replaced is the water pump (around 2 years ago). Not much has been done recently, as the car runs that well, before the fuel leak that is. If I remember anything major, I'll add it here.
Well, this is my list for now. Again, sorry for the huge post, but I want to be as detailed as possible. Man, I've got a lot of work to do, and while I can do interior work and some electrical, I have almost no knowledge and experience of working on engines, transmissions, suspensions, or braking and fuel systems, so I'm going to have to take my time with some of these projects. And, this doesn't even include my third project (will link to that when I get to it). I'll add some new full body pictures and some pictures of the issues/things I’ve fixed here soon - right now I feel out of breath after ranting on about this.
By the way, any input, praise, criticism, or help is welcome. You guys are the reason I joined this forum!!
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