GM Forum - Buick, Cadillac, Olds, GMC & Pontiac chat - Hello all. Proud owner of a Buick!

Hello everybody.. I was referred to this site from a member of chevytalk.com
I saw this site had tons of usefull resources, and what sounds like a great board of people!!

Ok, I know its NOT a Pontiac, but essentially, a Buick LeSabre Limited. Bascially the same car, with different styling, and alotta Chrome!

Bought this sweet ride, on December 22, 2004, for 600 Bucks upon the consideration it needed some TLC. Plus, with the 3800, and dependability of GM, how could an investment like this go wrong??

Yeah, it went HORRIBLY wrong!! Let me see, December 28, I decided to go pay my girlfriend a visit 600 kms away, on an island, called PEI. When I was about 200 kms away from her house, I started hearing a very funny clink noise, like a tool beating against metal. I thought it was a faulty alternator, since I noticed it was a bit buggy. Nope, the noise got worse and worse. It went on to the point where you could hear it for miles and miles! When I stopped the car, and then tried to accelerate, it'd attempt to stalll, then throttle up..
FINALLY, the engine just siezed up, and the car rolled to a stop.

Over the course of January, and February, it sat in my girlfriend's driveway.. Everyone told me it was crazy to spend so much on a car which i bought for only 600. They all suggested a, "shudders" toyota! I told em NOPE, you cannot get something else that could compare with this buick, ever! so, I saved up some cash, paid 460 for towing, and another 400 to drop a new engine in, with only 122,000 kms on her. Finally, after much work, she was ready to roll once again! April 6, 2005, was the day it rolled out of my school shop, purring ever so sweet! Since then, its been ULTRA RELIABLE and dependable!!!

I did actually find out what happened to the old engine. As luck would guess, she broke the bolt, that holds the camshaft timing gear in place, so the bolt was stuck in the camshaft. Dropped the oil-pan, and found a broke piston rod. The bearings, and cap, were in PIECES!! Who woulda thought!

The car is in dire need of TLC. The paint on her is ok, but someone already tried to do body work to it, and repaint it. More likely a professional job. The paint has held up well, but there are bubbles, where rust formed under it. Mainly near the rear taillights, door bottoms, rockers, and in the normal areas you 'd expect. It is hardly noticable, and with a wash'n'wax, you'd think it was brand new from a distance. And it does look brand new. lol
Needs a total brake and fuel job, and the entire front end is rusting away in the engine comartment. I plan to be purchasing a heavy duty 800 dollar air compressor, and doing the entire process myself. of course, i do have knowledge of paints, primers, and welding, etc. Basically, i am skilled enough to make the car more than worth its maximum resale value, should i sell it.. (Which will be NEVER!)

Well, enough about my rambling, i am overjoyed to find this site, because I would like to do some slight mods, engine performance wise. As for the exterior, it will remain its stock look, because i like it that way..

Well thanks for letting me ramble.. see ya all later in the forums..
Timothy 8)