Various Winter Project Questions

[dewbers]

Hey guys, getting ready to take on some minor winter projects with my ride. Need some advice, if at all possible!

#1 - Parade Boot - I bought one from someone on this board. Thought I had the hardware to install it. However, I found that I don't. I have the "male" pins, but not the "female" receivers. This will require drilling to install, which is a scary thing for me! Anyone have pics or diagrams they can share to help me?? I can get the parts on-line at www.paradeboot.com, unless someone else has ideas on this.

#2 - right side mirror - Rick and I worked out a swap. Problem is, I need a gasket. Can't seem to find one in my searches. (talking about the rubber gasket that sits between the car and the mirror to avoid scratching it). Any thoughts, other than evil bay? Also, does anyone have a diagram to install?

#3 - Review mirror - I have one on the car and got another one as part of a purchase I made from eBay. I have no clue if the one I have on the car is stock or not. The one on the car is black, the I bought is chrome. Anyone offer any guideance?

#4 - Trunk lock - I bought a remote release from Kimson. I want to install, however the cylinder on the lock itself is VERY "sticky". It takes some working to get it to release when I insert the key. Before I install the remote, I want to insure the lock it going to release. Do I need to replace or is there an adjustment I can make? (way out of my league on this one!)

#5 - Tune up - rebuilding the carb as I have shared before. I want to do a tune up while I am at it and looking for a little extra "zip" from her! Some guys around here have suggested I put "hotter" spark plugs and wires on her and while I am at it, to replace the distributor cap and points with electronic ignition. Thoughts on this? I'd like to "pep" her up a bit, so if this will help, that's great! (What color plug wires came on these babies back in the day??? Going to make a change, though I don't know what color.)

Ok, I think that will do it for now! There may be more... :beers:

[centurion 455 ragtop]

Also Steve I have to get off my arss and pack up that litter basket and get that out to you. You would just have to dye it black. So add that to your list too;)

[Smartin]

The GM in-cap HEI will do nothing but eliminate the current points system (IMO).

[Robroy]

Steve, regarding #5, you’ll find a lot of good stuff in this thread
http://www.buickcenturion.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455

I’m in the process of doing my ignition upgrade soon, think I missed the part about the "hotter" spark plugs though, I just ordered AC stock type…hm..

[The German]

... ... #2 - right side mirror - ... ... Also, does anyone have a diagram to install? ... ...

Steve, I posted what I have : http://www.buickcenturion.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2359#post2359

But I don´t have it in better condition. Hope it helps (?)!
___________
Rolf

[dewbers]

The heading was supposed to say Various Winter Projects. Sorry.
Thanks to those that have replied with advice. (Adam/Rolf/Per/Rick?)
I was hoping with 47 looks I would have heard from more of you! Come on guys, this is what the site is about and for sure what this thread is about. It's under the Help and Advice section.... that's what I am seeking!
Perhaps I am a bit impatient. :spank: Sorry. I'll behave now... :user:
See, I am happy again! :Brow:

[The German]

... ...I was hoping with 47 looks I would have heard from more of you! Come on guys, this is what the site is about and for sure what this thread is about. It's under the Help and Advice section.... that's what I am seeking! ... ...

Good thing needs some time, Steve; I´m sure you will get more help soon !

Regarding >>#1 - Parade Boot - I bought one from someone on this board. Thought I had the hardware to install it. However, I found that I don't. I have the "male" pins, but not the "female" receivers. This will require drilling to install, which is a scary thing for me! Anyone have pics or diagrams they can share to help me?? << :
I have to do the same in spring and I plan doing it this way :
bring the boot into its correct position, then marking the place where the hole has to be drilled through the hole of the parade boot (both sides), then take away the boot and drill the 2 holes, next take the female part that has to be installed, bring it to the holes position and mark the next 2 holes (2 smaller ones) on each side and drill them; now the female parts could be installed. I guess a diagram is not necessary to do this but a picture of the parts installed in a car could help a little. ==> Is there anyone who could post such a pic. ???

Regarding >>#4 - Trunk lock - I bought a remote release from Kimson. I want to install, however the cylinder on the lock itself is VERY "sticky". It takes some working to get it to release when I insert the key. Before I install the remote, I want to insure the lock it going to release. Do I need to replace or is there an adjustment I can make? (way out of my league on this one!)<< :
I guess that the remote release has nothing to do with the cylinder because it is installed seperately. Wait some minutes - I´ll go and take a picture of mine ... and post it here !
____________
Rolf

Added : Hereafter you can see both parts of the remote release system. The pin of the lower part presses into the upper one and so the trunk will open. You only have to ensure that both parts are working easy. Again I hope this will be of help for you !

[73 Centurion]

Have you tried the gasket from the drivers side turned upside down for the passenger side?

If that works your chances of finding a gasket go way up. I've seen them pop up on ebay from time to time.

John

[Smartin]

The 71 remote trunk release is different from a 72.

[73 Centurion]

I have a 73 which is probably different from the 72 but I added a remote trunk release. I love having that tied in with the alarm system so I can pop the trunk from my key fob.

I don't know if I got the wrong actuator, or the wrong year or if it's the way GM designed it, but I had to cut a small opening in the inner skin of the trunk lid because it interfered with the operation.

If your trunk release mounts in the trunk lid (like mine) you might want to check to see if it's running into something.

John

[The German]

Hey, Steve,
regarding your wish to get a picture >>#1 - Parade Boot - I bought one from someone on this board. Thought I had the hardware to install it. However, I found that I don't. I have the "male" pins, but not the "female" receivers. This will require drilling to install, which is a scary thing for me! Anyone have pics or diagrams they can share to help me?? << :

The second offer of a blue ´72 Centurion has a picture where the "female" fastener part for the boot is to be seen (last pic):
http://www.buickcenturion.com/forums/showthread.php?t=569

or directly:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Buick-Centurion-1972-Buick-Centurion-Convertible-w-Big-Block-455-A-C_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6144QQihZ002QQitemZ12 0221079118QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

_________________
Rolf

[gr_speedy]

Hi Steve,
place the boot where it is suppose to be, mark the position of the boot with painter's tape on the car body. Turn the boot around, get a card board piece and mark all the fasteners positions. Trim card board to the outer boarder of the boot. Take card board and place it where the boarder was marked on your car again with tape. Drill. When placing the fasteners add a tiny bit of gasket maker to keep the moisture out. That's what i was doing with moonroofs. As far the mirror gasket i also would try first the driver's side turned around. Hope it helps.

[dewbers]

Thanks GR and Rolf! Appreciate the input. Does anyone have a parade boot installed with pictures of the mounting hardware? Just the pins in question? I'm much better when I can see the finished product. GR's description of the install seems dead on. Hoping to see the finished look to take any questions out of the equation.

Also - on the review mirror - someone's got to know that answer. Keith? You're riding in a 72 drop top... let me know which is stock and which isn't!
Please!

I'll keep you posted on the carb rebuild and the tune up (hot plugs and wires) to see if we can sneak a few more hp's from her! (Any more thought to the color wires to use?)

Lastly on the trunk lock itself... Not the remote. Has anyone had a problem with their lock? I have to literally turn the key against it's "stop" and then pull up on the trunk to get it to release. I am afraid I'll break the key off if I keep going like this. Is this an adjustment or replacement issue?

Thanks guys!

[Smartin]

Steve, try shooting some lithium grease on and around the trunk lock mechanism, and also inside the key hole itself. The onl grease tends to get hard from years of drying out.

Regarding the rear view mirror being block or chrome, I know the 71's are chrome. BUT that doesn't mean 72's were. I remember when I was working with 71-72 Cutlasses, the 72 mirrors had a black backing plate, and the 71's had chrome. Maybe it's the same in this situation.

Spark plug wires should be black.

[dewbers]

John and Rolf - on the trunk release... first, i haven't installed it yet. Still trying to get the regular key lock to release properly. So I am going to try Adam's idea to see if that will work. (thanks Adam!) The entire mechanism for my release is all one unit that attach's to the trunk itself. Then a wire to the release button in the glove box and boom. That's it. Why do I think it's going to be a bigger project than what I think it is?!?! :rolleyes:
Thanks fellas.

Is there anywhere else to order the boot parts other than the guy on eBay? He sells chrome only. I am hopping to get black. I guess I can just paint them, but as we all know, that will just chip with time.

[The German]

... ... Is there anywhere else to order the boot parts other than the guy on eBay? He sells chrome only. I am hopping to get black. I guess I can just paint them, but as we all know, that will just chip with time.

Steve, only cut out a layer of thin black plastic and cover the chrome parts after installing them. That will last longer.
_____________
Rolf

[gr_speedy]

Steve there is a gasket on eBay if you are still looking for one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-72-73-Impala-Centurion-Electra-NOS-mirror-gskt_W0QQitemZ160222044746QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 160222044746