Anderson Pearson, My 1941-76C Buick Roadmaster

[41Roadmaster]

Here are a few "before" photos for the archives...a faithful driver in need of some much needed TLC! (HELP'S ON THE WAY OL' FRIEND!)

[Buicknutty]

Anderson, et all;
Here is a picture of my '41 McLaughlin Buick Roadmaster coupe, taken on Sunday. As you can see, it is not yet complete, but it's starting to look like a real car again!
Keith

[41Roadmaster]

I posted this under PreWar General but thought to list it here too.

1941 Tires & White Wall Question

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I'm about to buy new tires from my 1941-76C. I'm looking to purchase as close to original as possible. I thought I had this nailed down, but have recently heard differing opinions on what is correct for my make/model.

According to Bill Anderson's Restoration Facts;
-Series 60 & 70 have 15 X 700; 4 ply bias
-And the 15" tires have 4 1/8" wide white walls (versus 3 3/4"-4" for 16")

I've double-checked with Bill and he feels this is correct. Any other 1941 Roadmaster/Century authorities care to weigh in before I spend the dough?

Thanks!

[41Roadmaster]

Regarding tires:
I seem to have stumbled onto an area of contention. Opinions are in 2 camps. The 4 1/8" white-wallers, and the 3 1/4" white-wallers.

After looking at what's available, and talking to a few of you I've ordered the US Royal, 4-ply bias, 710X15, 3 1/4" white walls. I've also ordered tubes for these for a more authentic look.

Thanks for all the feedback!

[old-tank]

Regarding tires:
I seem to have stumbled onto an area of contention. Opinions are in 2 camps. The 4 1/8" white-wallers, and the 3 1/2" white-wallers.

After looking at what's available, and talking to a few of you I've ordered the US Royal, 4-ply bias, 710X15, 3 1/2" white walls. I've also ordered tubes for these for a more authentic look.

Thanks for all the feedback!

I hope you meant 700X15 instead of 710X15 since the latter is a 2" smaller diameter tire and will not look good on that Roadmaster (that size is used 55 Specials, etc). The whitewall proportions will visually be about the same (one inch bigger whitewall on a 1" larger radius)

[41Roadmaster]

I hope you meant 700X15 instead of 710X15 since the latter is a 2" smaller diameter tire and will not look good on that Roadmaster (that size is used 55 Specials, etc). The whitewall proportions will visually be about the same (one inch bigger whitewall on a 1" larger radius)

Thanks old-tank. Yep, in a perfect world I'd put on US Royal, 4 ply bias, tube type 700x15's with a 3 1/4" WW (I miswrote 3 1/2"). Unfortunately...I haven't been able to find them in the 700X15 size. The closest I found are the 710X15's.

Let me know if you know of someone making the right combination. I'd jump at them!

[old-tank]

Tire Catalog | Diamond Back Classic White Wall Tires - Vintage Tires - Redline & Redline Radial Tires for Antique and Classic Cars
Has a 700-15 radial and they will make the white wall any size you want. They may even do a 700-15 bias...just call and ask. This is one of those rare places where I have never heard them say: can't, don't, won't.
Willie

[Buicknutty]

Diamond Back wide whites radials are what I have on my '41, though the size is modern, 215-15-75, and they do look a bit different from the originals, I'm happy with them.
Keith

[41Roadmaster]

Here are some photos taken a couple months ago showing disassembly of the car. It's pretty clear a previous owner had done some DIY body work (pop-rivits, liberal amounts of bondo...) to the rocker panels, rear fenders, and trunk.

I will be handling the restoration of the dash gauges, chrome, stainless body molding, steering wheel, etc. and Jenkins shop will handle the body work, interior, top and reassembly.

[Buicknutty]

Wow, it sure is apart! Unfortunately, poor past repairs are common on these old girls, and a nice coat of paint afterwards can hide a multitude of sins.
In addition to my '41 Roadmaster coupe, I'm also doing a car for my wife, a 1968 Wildcat convert, and the left rear quarter panel has been hit once, and fixed twice, filled with about an inch or more (no kidding) of bondo.
I'm sure that your '41 will look great when done!
Keith

[41Roadmaster]

Keith, I know exactly what you mean...here's a piece of bondo from the lower trunk lip.

The strange thing is, once all the bondo in that area was removed, the panel looked great with the exception of one small dent which was easily removed. Heck, the trunk molding fits like a glove now.

[414TATA]

Thanks Anderson for the post and pictures. Beautiful Buick.
Gotta love those '41s

Enjoy!

Wayne
Fresno, Ca.
1941 Super 51
original with 24,900 miles.

[41Roadmaster]

Prior to the engine being pulled, the compression was checked and all is good (thanks above!) But clearly I've had some leaky gaskets. Time for some detailing.

I heard somewhere (maybe on the forum?) that the manifolds didn't originally have gaskets at the block...just a thin coating of graphite or such. Hard to believe, but does anyone have information on this?

[41Roadmaster]

While Jenkins has been working on the "heavy lifting", I've been working on getting some of the interior items restored.

The steering wheel was re-cast by Dennis Crooks at Quality Restoration in Poway CA (858-271-7374.) He also included the resin work for the horn ring, gear shift knob and turn signal. He perfectly matched to a color sample I sent him. Great guy, great work.

The chrome refinishing was done by Rick Smith of R&D Finishing in Elizabethton TN (423-543-1722.) They are a shop that focuses on smaller chroming and polishing. Anyone that has had this kind of work done knows it isn't cheap to have it done right, and Rick does it right. Send him your stuff, he'll look at it and call you with a price. If you decide not to do it, he will pay the return shipping.

[Buicknutty]

Looking good Anderson! That piece of bondo is quite interesting. One thing when the metal needs it, another when it doesn't!
Keith

[First Born]

Prior to the engine being pulled, the compression was checked and all is good (thanks above!) But clearly I've had some leaky gaskets. Time for some detailing.

I heard somewhere (maybe on the forum?) that the manifolds didn't originally have gaskets at the block...just a thin coating of graphite or such. Hard to believe, but does anyone have information on this?

That is what the '50 shop manual says. I tried it but it leaked badly.

Ben

[Buicknutty]

When these were new, they would seal without gaskets, but after so many years, most won't. The point is since there is so much expansion of the exhaust manifolds due to heat, they will break. I have used gaskets on my '41, and it seals, with only about 15 ftlbs of torque, and so far no cracks.
Some are recommending an anti-seize compound on the sealing surface, to allow them to slide back and forth easily.
The manifolds on the dual carb engines are different, more like a V-8, and I'm thinking that they are less prone to this problem, although there are those that have much more experience with these than I.
Keith

[Smartin]

To get the surfaces to seal, both sides must be milled flat. I've done this on several Buick 401, 350, and 455 exhaust manifolds. I only had one problem with a set not wanting to seal, because the manifolds were ground out to flow better, and they were very thin, and prone to warping. All of the others sealed well. I don't know about those big straight 8's though.

[41Roadmaster]

Once the paint & bondo start to come off, old sins are revealed. The wheel wells are an example. As you can see in the before shot, very little metal held the fenders in place (left.) The rust was cut out and new steel was welded into place for a permanent fix (right.) The fenders had to be regularly checked for fit.

[41Roadmaster]

Both rear fenders were pretty much toast and needed to be replaced. With some searching correct donor fenders, pictured here, were located (well, they weren't exactly "donated"...)

[41Roadmaster]

I've posted this in Pre-War, but thought I'd post it here too. I'm curious to know if anyone has information on this:

I've noticed my bumper guards are marked "Guide, Made in USA" but I've seen others marked simply "Made in USA." Is one considered aftermarket? Any input would be appreciated.

[41Roadmaster]

I've posted this in Pre-War, but thought I'd post it here too. I'm curious to know if anyone has information on this:

I've noticed my bumper guards are marked "Guide, Made in USA" but I've seen others marked simply "Made in USA." Is one considered aftermarket? Any input would be appreciated.

Not sure what happened to the several helpful replies folks posted. Looks like the website has been updated, so maybe they were lost. Anyway, got my answer. Sounds like these were made by Guide, BLC for GM. Thanks for the help!

[41Roadmaster]

While I'm thinking about it...and have my camera,

Pictured left are the two door lock knobs that came on my car when I bought it (yeah, they're different.) To the right is a knob with envelope I picked up at a swap meet (perhaps NOS) that was listed as being correct for my car.

The repro knobs that Bob's sells looks like the 1st knob (I bought a set a few years back.) Anyone have any info on which would be correct? Just curious, thanks.

[41Roadmaster]

I've been restoring as many bits and pieces as time, energy and talent allow. An example, is the underdash heater/defroster. Luckily, the unit worked well (a little squeaky...), so it just needed to be cleaned and oiled. The fins needed to be staightened then each part needed to be primed/painted. I re-sheathed the wiring with heat shrink tubing.

[jackofalltrades70]

Looking good Anderson! Nice attention to detail. Matt