I picked this 61 Buick Special up tonight. It is a 34,400 mile car but has some issues. It sit for many years and locked up. They rebuilt the 215 engine 3000 miles ago but now the transmission is junk. They leaked out the fluid and kept driving till it burned up. The engine runs great but I don't plan to fix the car. Not sure if I will part it or just unload it. I didn't want the car but a girl I graduated with had parents in a pinch and need it gone ASAP. I told them I did not want it but they insisted I make an offer. To help them out I ended up with it. If the rear end parts are the same as my jetfire I will likely part it out. I think they just sank $3500 into the car with the engine rebuild, radiator, exhaust and tires. The front fenders look very solid from what i can see so far.

 

Dude, after you what you just went through with your Olds? (Which looked amazing, btw) You're a helluva guy in my book.
Kind of a cool looking car. Too bad it's a more-door.

 

I have a '61 Buick also, let me do an inventory and see what I might need.

Gene

also you looking?
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5005786130.html

or
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/5044916057.html

 

Yes, the 1961-63 Skylark and F-85 use the same axles, suspension, brakes, etc. All those parts are common. The trans is not, however.

 

It has a dual path transmission. Back in the day when I worked for a Buick dealer, the mechanics didn't even work on the dual path. They just replaced them with factory rebuilt ones.

 

Do you know if the gears will swap out on the carriers? The Jetfire had 3.23 gears I think??? Can't remember for sure but I know Jetfire is the only to get the ratio they have. I need a center section, My spider gears have eaten into the housing.

 

The rear axle codes for the Buick is the same as Olds; A= 3.08 B= 3.23 C =3.36
Buick also had ratios not available for Oldsmobile, code D= 2.78 code F= 3.90 and code G= 4.30, though I haven't found any of those yet... This is according to the 63 Buick service manual for the Y body Special and Special Deluxe. I've been looking for a 3.90 code F since I acquired my 63 Cutlass.
The pinion shim spacers are impossible to get, having worked on these unique differentials, I would advise swapping out the whole differential and housing assembly, that way you don't have to "setup" the ring & pinion. The C code 3.36 ratio seems to be the most common of the ones I have seen.
Harold

 

I have to keep my original axle housing. It has the original dates and Jetfire code.

 

There are at least two Jetfires in my local salvage yard, if it's any interest to you I could check the differentials next time I'm out there since the two I'm talking about are on top of other F85s and it would be easy access......

 

Holly crap! Any of the side trim that is good or even usable should be saved. If it has both hood spiers would also be good to save. As for the rear end I would be interested in the center section and the gears. They offered a posi in the Jetfire. If one would have that I would love to know. Another major thing I would be interested in is any of the turbo system. The "Turbo Rocket Fluid" tank I will want if either one has it still. It mounts on the driver front inner fender.

 

let me look..i have an almost complete turbo set up for one of those...i just moved so im not organized, but i will make an effort to look in the next week

 

Maybe posting in a popular Buick forum will help the parts you don't want find a good home.

Roger.

 

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