1987 Buick Regal Build

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Thanks for the answers on the body bushings. I will probably do them eventually, sometime after paint. Mine aren't crumbling to pieces, but they are a little ripped up. Anyways, i went to get a quote from Meineke for my exhaust yesterday, which is a very simple setup, (stock until it gets to the muffler, then uses dual GN tailpipes) and i already supplied the muffler and I only wanted it new from the intermediate pipe, back, and a new crossover pipe. The guy at Meineke(who was difficult to deal with and acted like exhaust work was rocket science) comes back with a quote for over $600. :shock: i said "uh-huh", and walked out the door. then i went over to NAPA, and they were able to get both tailpipes for $45 a piece, the intermediate pipe for $30, and the crossover pipe for $45. So, all in all, $160 in parts, so that means he was charging me $440 in labor and shop charges for a bolt-together exhaust system? I wont be returning to Meineke anytime soon. :x

A little ripped means they are no longer doing their job and the body is flopping around. Longer you wait the more likely there will be rust damage that will need welding. It's like pulling a band aid off, just get it over with. I highly suggest going with aftermarket poly body mounts. The design of the factory body mount bushings tend to rust the frame out.

 

[joesregalproject]

Thanks for the answers on the body bushings. I will probably do them eventually, sometime after paint. Mine aren't crumbling to pieces, but they are a little ripped up. Anyways, i went to get a quote from Meineke for my exhaust yesterday, which is a very simple setup, (stock until it gets to the muffler, then uses dual GN tailpipes) and i already supplied the muffler and I only wanted it new from the intermediate pipe, back, and a new crossover pipe. The guy at Meineke(who was difficult to deal with and acted like exhaust work was rocket science) comes back with a quote for over $600. :shock: i said "uh-huh", and walked out the door. then i went over to NAPA, and they were able to get both tailpipes for $45 a piece, the intermediate pipe for $30, and the crossover pipe for $45. So, all in all, $160 in parts, so that means he was charging me $440 in labor and shop charges for a bolt-together exhaust system? I wont be returning to Meineke anytime soon. :x

A little ripped means they are no longer doing their job and the body is flopping around. Longer you wait the more likely there will be rust damage that will need welding. It's like pulling a band aid off, just get it over with. I highly suggest going with aftermarket poly body mounts. The design of the factory body mount bushings tend to rust the frame out.

I worded that poorly. "Ripped-up" is sort of a local phrase meaning- not in great shape, but could be much worse. They are not ripped, but rather they are dry rotted, although they are still intact. Also the car does not and will not see any form of precipitation, and the A/C has not worked in over 6 years according to the previous owner, so I'm not going to worry too much about the #2 being rusted out. On top of that, I've put less that 50 miles on the car since I've owned it, and it probably won't see another 50 miles for a least a year, or until it gets painted.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Re: 1987 Buick Regal Build- Meineke Sucks

Dry rot also means they are failing, any cracking or signs of deterioration means they need replacing. Some of mine still looked okay from the outside, but once I took the bushings out I found the metal inserts were completely rusted out leaving the bushings hollow and no longer working but looking fine. It's best to replace them before any painting, if you find any rust problems then it's best you find out and have it fixed before you invest alot into the car. I though my car didn't have rust problems, the body itself is rust free, sadly that doesn't include the frame. Bad bushings will hammer down on the frame, eroding the body mount holes larger.

Keeping the car out of the weather is a good idea but the car may already have some damage at the number 2s if the PO ever ran the A/C or ever left the car parked outside during rain or snow. In short, the longer you wait the worse it could be.

 

[billyjack]

Thanks for the answers on the body bushings. I will probably do them eventually, sometime after paint. Mine aren't crumbling to pieces, but they are a little ripped up. Anyways, i went to get a quote from Meineke for my exhaust yesterday, which is a very simple setup, (stock until it gets to the muffler, then uses dual GN tailpipes) and i already supplied the muffler and I only wanted it new from the intermediate pipe, back, and a new crossover pipe. The guy at Meineke(who was difficult to deal with and acted like exhaust work was rocket science) comes back with a quote for over $600. :shock: i said "uh-huh", and walked out the door. then i went over to NAPA, and they were able to get both tailpipes for $45 a piece, the intermediate pipe for $30, and the crossover pipe for $45. So, all in all, $160 in parts, so that means he was charging me $440 in labor and shop charges for a bolt-together exhaust system? I wont be returning to Meineke anytime soon. :x

Joe, you just live on the wrong side of town. We have a Meineke in the South Hills that's been owned and operated by the same guy for 30 years. They're very reasonable and welcome custom work, so they're the shop of choice for the local gearheads. If you ever have the desire to go for headers or a full dual system, it would be worth the trip.

Bill

 

[joesregalproject]

Thanks for the answers on the body bushings. I will probably do them eventually, sometime after paint. Mine aren't crumbling to pieces, but they are a little ripped up. Anyways, i went to get a quote from Meineke for my exhaust yesterday, which is a very simple setup, (stock until it gets to the muffler, then uses dual GN tailpipes) and i already supplied the muffler and I only wanted it new from the intermediate pipe, back, and a new crossover pipe. The guy at Meineke(who was difficult to deal with and acted like exhaust work was rocket science) comes back with a quote for over $600. :shock: i said "uh-huh", and walked out the door. then i went over to NAPA, and they were able to get both tailpipes for $45 a piece, the intermediate pipe for $30, and the crossover pipe for $45. So, all in all, $160 in parts, so that means he was charging me $440 in labor and shop charges for a bolt-together exhaust system? I wont be returning to Meineke anytime soon. :x

Joe, you just live on the wrong side of town. We have a Meineke in the South Hills that's been owned and operated by the same guy for 30 years. They're very reasonable and welcome custom work, so they're the shop of choice for the local gearheads. If you ever have the desire to go for headers or a full dual system, it would be worth the trip.

Bill

What do you think he'd charge for the system I'm describing? I might be willing to trailer it over there for the right price.

 

[billyjack]

[/quote]
What do you think he'd charge for the system I'm describing? I might be willing to trailer it over there for the right price.[/quote]

Why don't you just give them a call? http://www.meineke.com/Brake-Repair/CASTLE SHANNON/PA/15234-2230/765.aspx

Bill

 

[joesregalproject]

Well I finally got a photos account back. I put the POR-15 on the majority of the underside. I got a battery hold down. I got a chrome differential cover, I got a new crossover pipe, I got chrome Edelbrock valve covers, I got the transmission inspection cover. I also had that heater core changed-

 

[307 Regal]

Good stuff. How's the paint coming along?

 

[joesregalproject]

It's not. I've got some primer down, just over bare metal spots, but I have to get the exhaust finished so I can take my rear quarter windows out and do the seam work at the roof. I ordered an intermediate pipe from RockAuto on Saturday, I'm hoping to have it by week's end so I can at least get the muffler on maybe Saturday.

 

[joesregalproject]

Quick UTD picture of the body- not much different, but figured I'd post it. Also my intermediate pipe came in the mail today from RockAuto, so as soon as I get a 2 in ID to 2.5 inch OD, I can bolt the muffler up. Also I need the flange for the pipe that goes to the cat. I also got my Autometer tach fully functional thanks to a littelfuse "add a circuit" and a pico pigtail. I will get a picture up, maybe a video soon.