REGAL 84 Buick regal. Spring updates

[Daca214]

so like ice cube said,
today was a good day!!!
Got the water pump off and picked up the new gasket and turns out the old gasket i had was incorrect. It came with the pump but was cut different than this new one. This new one lined up perfect and no leaks! She started right up!!!

Also, the brake light issue was just the switch got stuck. I guess from sitting too long. Its only a year and a half old but idk. So that was good its working again

I also ran the new headlight harness and hooked up the relays, etc. once i get the buckets i will install and post pics of that entire thing. Super easy upgrade

We took it for a test drive. Put about 3 or 4 miles on it and everything was great. Temp never went over 190 with that high performance tstat. Oil pressure was good And My speedo is working and not leaking. Holy sheeeoootttt!!!

I may play the lottery tonight

The only thing i did notice is its running rich and when i went to give her a little giddy up she stalled. I let it sit for a sec and she started right back up. I can smell the gas so i think the carb needs to be adjusted because we had it adjusted for the 307 and i havent changed anything I think it flooded. I also added an inline fuel filter but the hose it kinking a little bit so i need to find a different way to route ot and get a longer hose to make sure i dont starve it.

Only major thing left to troubleshoot is the fuel gauge now

 

[Daca214]

So in the future, when i go for paint, i plan on purchasing new Chrome Headlight Bezels and rings for the bulbs. but for now, I wanted to freshen them up a bit. they were in bad shape.

first I cleaned them with Dawn and a green scrubby pad.
then, believe it or not, I soaked the rings in Coca Cola and used aluminum foil and cleaned them up.

for the bezels, i did the same, then used a polishing compound I had for my Truck headlights to try and shine em up a bit.
they came out pretty good considering.

before and after

 

[Daca214]

So i recently completed the headlight upgrade to the H4 style. I personally dont like the LED look and wanted to keep it stock looking. They are much better than the old sealed beam for sure

I got them from gbodyparts, but its the same kit mikesmontes sells

Pros: super easy to install. Wiring harness with relays and fuse everything is all there ready to go

Cons: made in china and it shows. I didnt read where they were made before i bought them. Thsts my bad. The fit is not 100%. The wiggle around in the chrome rings. Easy fix. I just wrapped black electrical tape around the bulb a few times and pressed it into the ring. No more wiggle. Also as you can see here the molding is off slightly Its just this one so maybe its the actual bucket and not the bulb

Also. They put out a ton of heat. You csn feel it in front of the bulb. I need to wait until i test drive at night with lights on for a while then check the wires for heat. Hopefully its not an issue

All in all i am happy with how they turned out and feel much safer driving at night

 

[Daca214]

 

[Daca214]

Hello gents. been a while since I have updated anything because it's been so hot the devil is sweating. we have been attempting to do some bodywork. never did it before but oh well first time for everything

Above the doors there was a lot of rot under the bubbling paint. we grinder it down to bare metal and cut out small pieces that had holes. we spot welded in new metal and grinder it smooth then used bond hair as a first coat cuz it's waterproof I then put regular bondo on top and sanded smooth my dad did the welding and although not professional it is better than I can do and got the job done. we also fixed two holes in trunk and the hole in the trunk lid.


Pics soon.

 

[Doug Chahoy]

The metal body filler is even better than fiberglass

 

[1evilregal]

hot and humid as heck up in NC as well, feel your pain!

glad you're still at it! as someone stated on the chief's thread: there are 2 types of vinyl roofs- those that are rusted underneath, and those that will be. chief fell into the first category as well...

 

[Daca214]

hot and humid as heck up in NC as well, feel your pain!

glad you're still at it! as someone stated on the chief's thread: there are 2 types of vinyl roofs- those that are rusted underneath, and those that will be. chief fell into the first category as well...

Yeah. All this bodywork is temporary until I can afford to go to the body shop for paint. my dream is to remove the vinyl and then have the car dust less blasted down to bare metal bring it to the body shop and have them properly repair all the damage and then paint but that will cost a pretty penny. this will work for now

 

[Daca214]

Took the regal for a maiden voyage to town. I live about 15 miles from town so we did a 30 mile round trip

This is what I found. any thoughts?

@55 mph I was at 3800 RPM's seems high

Temp climbed up to 228 (it's like 98 degrees and 80% humidity today)
That's with no AC
Again seems high

Oil pressure at the light dropped to 20 psi but I saw a bunch of air in the line to the gauge so I think that might be a reason


Other than that drove excellent and smooth.

I may upgrade the stock clutch fan to a 7 blade for now.

I still need to get the car vacuum tuned and have the timing checked.

 

[TURNA]

20 psi is ok at idle



The other stuff........OOFA!!!!!!!!!!!!