BUILD THREAD 81 Buick/Olds Turbo Wagon 02/15/2024 More Parts!

[liquidh8]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon build-up 56K beware! update 7/31/13

Jack, that is so true. If it is there, on the outside or if I see it on the back side, I am cutting it out! I don't want it rearing its head later! The paint base and clear are over 1K! :shock: I have expensive taste in colors.

At least you did it the right way and cut out what you can find. I have had 4 wagons, and they ALL had rot here. Some worst than others.

 

[Longroof79]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon build-up 56K beware! update 7/31/13

You're right about that, Jim.
I think almost every G-body wagon that I've ever seen had rust issues in those sills. Water and crap always seem to lay in behind the trim. On the earlier wagons with the metal trim, there was also a beaded strip that fit in under the lower trim piece.
That was the first piece that I eliminated, and that was years back. Over the years I've done quick fixes using epoxy to fill the pits and holes coming thru. It looks good for a while until it starts bubbling up again to remind you of the half-assed repair job.
I didn't want to weld in those areas with the glass still in. Besides, with the glass removed, it makes it easier to do it right.
With the interior panels removed, you can get under the sills to treat and paint them. Hopefully that keeps them solid for years to come.

You don't want any rust to come thru, especially after spending $1000.+ worth of paint and supplies. Nowadays, that's so easy to do. :?

 

[Kansas Bu Wagon]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon build-up 56K beware! update 7/31/13

Man, my wagons' got rust on the rear window sill also. And rust on the drivers side dog leg. And a few other places lol.

 

[Longroof79]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon build-up 56K beware! update 7/31/13

Join the club... :lol:

 

[liquidh8]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon build-up 56K beware! update 7/31/13

Heck yeah :grin:

My 79 Malibu wagon, the c pillars and dog legs were rotted thru.

 

[Kansas Bu Wagon]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon build-up 56K beware! update 7/31/13

Hmm... The Rusty Wagon Club. Has a nice ring to it.

 

[liquidh8]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon build-up 56K beware! update 7/31/13

:lol: I know right.

So I have been searching around on the web, trying to get the part numbers and options for any and all weatherstripping available for the wagon. Lock gaskets, door weatherstip, etc. I hope to get a list populated. Then it would be a matter of which manufacturer has the better stuff.

 

[Longroof79]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon build-up 56K beware! update 7/31/13

Jim,
I recently purchased the door seals from Rock Auto. They are Metro brand which I heard all good things about. They're based out of Minneapolis, and seem to have a state of the art manufacturing facility. The products appear to be well made and are soft and pliable.

The window sweeps are made by, I believe, Fairchild Industries and are distributed by Repops or Montco Manufacturing.
They're sold under the part # CH313A (or just 313A) for just the outer sweeps, and CH314A for inner and outer.
They can be found on Ebay or sold by Danno Enterprises.

The window run channel.?.. Well, the jury is still out on those. I will get to the bottom of it if it kills me... :lol:
Once I get the sizes figured out, I may consider offering kits.

 

[liquidh8]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon build-up 56K beware! update 7/31/13

Jacks, thanks for that info. I was JUST looking at the Metro pieces from Rock Auto for these. Curious as to the quality. The door sweeps, I do need both inner and outer. I was looking for that 4th gen Camaro one I modified, I think it may be in the attic of the garage, which I can't get to since the stairs drop down right where the wagon is I think I may buy the new ones, and pull, or plasti dip, the bright work on them. I have stripped the bright work off old ones to make them all black. Not sure I would try that with brand new pieces though for fear of damaging them.

The window run channel, well, I know there was a thread or two going on here with part numbers and the like. I have to find it and revisit it here soon.

 

[Longroof79]

Re: 81 Century/GN Wagon build-up 56K beware! update 7/31/13

Jim,
It looked like Rock Auto had the best price on the weatherstrip, so naturally I bought it from them . They were drop shipped from Metro anyway. They came pretty quickly and look like a good quality item.
I had considered Soff-Seal, and could have been gotten cheaper, but I've heard too much negative feedback about them.
My friend bought a trunk seal for his '77 Cutlass Salon from Soff-Seal. He ended up throwing it out. He said it was too hard and the trunk never closed properly.

I may end up buying the sweeps off of Ebay. They seem priced somewhat reasonably.
I also wondered how I'd prepare the bright strips, or beads on the sweeps. I'd probably just mask off the rubber, scuff the bright work with a rubber scuff pad, etch prime it, and paint it with SEM black trim paint. .
I hate like hell doing that to new parts, but what the hey...I want them blacked out.
I like the thought of using Plasti-dip. Maybe I'll try it on one of my old strips.

The Camaro pieces would be nice, but I'm sure they sure to be pricey from the dealer. I think Brian (Griff442) mentioned something like $50.00 a piece.. I'm not surprised.

I'm still working on the run channel. I may end up becoming a dealer, or distributor for them once I find the right sizes that I would find satisfactory. I'm getting to sound like Scott :arrow: :lol: