old-tank Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 OK, now I get it. What are the odds of finding these?Mud, these are very rare and expensive when found. Looking closely you will see an actual separate bulb inside and they are smooth on the outer surface with no aiming lugs in the glass (T-3 and later had 3 lugs). There were 2 types in 55: early had a metal back and later had a glass back. They say 'sealed beam', but were not sealed well since many have blackening of the silver reflector as is the case of the 2 on my original car. I found 2 more, but the low beam is not working on one...these came from a 55 Pontiac and it is my understanding that all 55 GM cars used those, so your are competing with many and they are not reproduced. For judging just use 2 matching non-halogen sealed beams and you should not use points.Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 BTW, Willie made me buy this pair at some Nationals, after telling me my T-3's weren't correct. I will say that these cost only slightly less than the repro T-3.As far as finding some, pretty slim chance. Like Old Tank said, just use non halogens, or buy mine for $250 after I have the convertible judged... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted December 12, 2014 Author Share Posted December 12, 2014 BTW, Willie made me buy this pair at some Nationals, after telling me my T-3's weren't correct. I will say that these cost only slightly less than the repro T-3.As far as finding some, pretty slim chance. Like Old Tank said, just use non halogens, or buy mine for $250 after I have the convertible judged...Ha, the ones in my car are from before 1982. That was when the original owner parked it. I tested the first one Saturday and it worked fine. I tested the second one tonight and the whole thing filled with white smoke! I will just put new sealed beams in and call it done. Thanks, guys. Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fr. Buick Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 The metal-backed lamps for my '54 have been fun. One piece at a time, as Johnny Cash used to sing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 4 bufords Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 The metal-backed lamps for my '54 have been fun. One piece at a time, as Johnny Cash used to sing...mud,did you have the headlight buckets sand blasted before painting?need to clean mine up and paint,4 bufords from ct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 mud,did you have the headlight buckets sand blasted before painting?need to clean mine up and paint,4 bufords from ctYes, I have a small cabinet blaster in my garage. Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 I’m back working on the body. The trunk lid fit is coming along. Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted January 4, 2015 Author Share Posted January 4, 2015 I think my car was built on a Friday..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick41 Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Very nice work . I like itPaul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 Cool Stuff! I found a product called VersiMold. It is a silicone rubber base product that has the consistency of sticky modeling clay and cures when you add heat. Now I can make small rubber parts for the Buick that I can’t buy. Make a mold, work the product into the mold and heat to 250 degrees, let it cool and you have a new part! I made some trunk stops today. Mine were long gone. Thanks to Willie he had an extra set of the metal cores. (Video coming soon) Mudhttp://versimold.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted January 19, 2015 Author Share Posted January 19, 2015 Cool Stuff! I found a product called VersiMold. It is a silicone rubber base product that has the consistency of sticky modeling clay and cures when you add heat. Now I can make small rubber parts for the Buick that I can’t buy. Make a mold, work the product into the mold and heat to 250 degrees, let it cool and you have a new part! I made some trunk stops today. Mine were long gone. Thanks to Willie he had an extra set of the metal cores. (Video coming soon) Mudhttp://versimold.com/Video Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 (edited) That is some "cool stuff". Love all your videos Mudbone, what a great help you are to others!!! I think my car was built on a Friday..... or a Saturday or Sunday. Demand was so high for the 55's most plants were working 24-7. So I have read.... Edited January 19, 2015 by MrEarl (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Genius! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 That is a great product! Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick840 Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Great work......my trunk stoppers are on there way! Could I please have them back in a month Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Looks great, MudHow hard is that after curing? Years ago I tried some of the available products, but they were too soft and the metal core just went through the rubber and chipped the paint when slammed. It needs to have hardness similar to other bumpers on doors and hood. I finally gave up and just used split vacuum tubing over the metal core...functional but not pretty.Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted January 22, 2015 Author Share Posted January 22, 2015 Looks great, MudHow hard is that after curing? Years ago I tried some of the available products, but they were too soft and the metal core just went through the rubber and chipped the paint when slammed. It needs to have hardness similar to other bumpers on doors and hood. I finally gave up and just used split vacuum tubing over the metal core...functional but not pretty.WillieTime will tell, I will send you some if you want to try it. Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted January 22, 2015 Author Share Posted January 22, 2015 Great work......my trunk stoppers are on there way! Could I please have them back in a month Do you want a sample of the stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick840 Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Do you want a sample of the stuff?Just joking with you Mud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) You can catch all the How Mudbone Did It and other interesting videos of his at this Dyna1955 YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsv3O6dNiselVW-h9pMhPAAmazing, simply amazing!!! Edited January 24, 2015 by MrEarl (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted January 25, 2015 Author Share Posted January 25, 2015 (edited) You can catch all the How Mudbone Did It and other interesting videos of his at this Dyna1955 YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsv3O6dNiselVW-h9pMhPAAmazing, simply amazing!!!Thanks, MrEarlNo, it is not amazing. My videos are not meant to be a “how to” They are documenting the restoration. I try to do as much of the restoration as I possibly can. Not just to say I did it myself but to experience it. Enjoy the videos and comment if you like. Mud Edited January 25, 2015 by Mudbone (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Mud, I will disagree and say it IS amazing. You would be finished with the restoration if you had not taken the time to set up the video camera, position everything just right, do a few dry runs, edit and convert for YouTube, up load to YouTube...over and over again.Thank you.And all that will live on unlike printed publications that are read once, are not searchable and are usually not available to the world.Thank you!Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Hey, anyway YOU wish to do the restore/videos is JUST FINE with me.YOU are the boss of your projects, PLEASE do as YOU ENJOY,Dale in Indy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Thanks, MrEarlNo, it is not amazing. My videos are not meant to be a “how to” They are documenting the restoration. I try to do as much of the restoration as I possibly can. Not just to say I did it myself but to experience it. Enjoy the videos and comment if you like. MudI have to agree with Old Tank. It is amazing. You are trying new things that help the greater good of the community. More importantly, you share what you have found to be a viable answer to some very hard questions. Sure, it is a simple bump stop to some. For others it is golden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted January 28, 2015 Author Share Posted January 28, 2015 Mud, I will disagree and say it IS amazing. You would be finished with the restoration if you had not taken the time to set up the video camera, position everything just right, do a few dry runs, edit and convert for YouTube, up load to YouTube...over and over again.Thank you.And all that will live on unlike printed publications that are read once, are not searchable and are usually not available to the world.Thank you!WillieWell as you can tell by the videos, I don’t rehearse anything and I rarely do a second shot and sometimes I forget to turn the camera on. It really doesn’t take that long to film as I do it as I am working. I only edit it and upload it when I am too tired to do anything else or on Sundays when I am trying to rest my body.My only regret is that I have hours of video of the Dynaflow rebuild but now it would be difficult to put it together in the right sequence. Maybe someday but it will take a lot of time. Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 And FYI Mud....I watched your steering gear rebuild as a guide to my own project.So many of these projects are wicked scary when you read how to do it in the shop manual, but after you see how it is done, it turns out to be easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted February 1, 2015 Author Share Posted February 1, 2015 Today was Buick Saturday! I spent most of the day working on the trunk lid gaps. They are about as good as they are going to get. I had time to scuff the trunk lid and look for low spots. A little glazing putty will do the trick. It is amazing how good a panel looks in primer and then you hit it with the long block. Bam, there they are staring you right in the face! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted June 22, 2015 Author Share Posted June 22, 2015 Every time I am with Willie (Old Tank) I learn something new about 55 Buicks. I did not know that the rear 1/4 panel spear was different lengths depending if your car was solid or two tone below the glass. I was freaking out because my car was a solid color and I am painting it two tone. Of course these two pieces that I have are perfect and I would now have to find the correct ones. But, I looked at the photos of my car before I took it apart and I have the correct ones for the two tone. So now I am wondering why my car is different. Any Ideas? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Possibly it was repainted once already snd switched to a one tone lower? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Willie is smart. BUT, I figu e like everything else, Buick used whatever parts they could pick up. Gotta figure it was less than an inch anyway. Slap it on!!!Upon further review. What if it was an early vs. late thing. 54's couldn't be two tone.Whatcha think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick840 Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Every time I am with Willie (Old Tank) I learn something new about 55 Buicks. I did not know that the rear 1/4 panel spear was different lengths depending if your car was solid or two tone below the glass. I was freaking out because my car was a solid color and I am painting it two tone. Of course these two pieces that I have are perfect and I would now have to find the correct ones. But, I looked at the photos of my car before I took it apart and I have the correct ones for the two tone. So now I am wondering why my car is different. Any Ideas? Hmmm........ Like you Mud I hadn't realised the difference and seeing I am going from a solid color to two tone I will have to look into finding some as mine are the shorter ones.Are 56 century special trims the same? Anyone got a couple they want to sell? Guess I better run an ad in the wanted section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 I might have some longer ones. I will check once I get back home in a few weeks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Left overs from 54?No decision on tutone scheme? Might think early had the pictured scheme, but I have seen later in the year 4 door hardtops (43,63) like the picture. My originally single color convertible had a long and short (factory or later installation?)Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick840 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 I might have some longer ones. I will check once I get back home in a few weeks.Thanks Mike..........hope you have luck in finding some. BTW I have 2 perfect and polished short ones that would be surplus to me if you or anyone need them for a single color car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted January 2, 2016 Author Share Posted January 2, 2016 I finally have a free Saturday to get back to the Project66R. I carried the right front fender out of the basement to the garage and made a patch for the lower bottom corner. It is all welded in place and have a skim coat of filler on it. I am now tackling the headlight rim area as I did on the left. But I just realized I do not have enough material left off of the salvage fender to do the job. Anyone have a scrap fender left or right? I attached the photo of what I need. (This will be posted on the Sale and Wanted also) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttotired Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 I would just fabricate that part, looks pretty simple Might be harder if its tapered Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 My Special had that same rot. I lucked out on my Century. I will have to check if I have any good ones. Is it just the right side? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 My Special had that same rot. I lucked out on my Century. I will have to check if I have any good ones. Is it just the right side?Yep, I did the left a few years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 I would just fabricate that part, looks pretty simple Might be harder if its tapered MickMick, I’m not too good at fabricating. I had such good results when I replaced the section on the left fender I wanted the easy way out. Mr. Earl came to my rescue and has a section on the way. Thanks, Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Glad you found the part, certainly nothing wrong with doing it your way with an original piece. My point was, take some sheet metal the same/approx. thickness, WRAP/FORM it around a welding cylinder until you get the curve you like. then take another flat piece of steel, and make the front bolt section, drill it like the other side, from a pattern. Weld it to the curved part you had already made, grind the welds, weld in place. Wishing you the best, I'm, NOT TRYING TO BE A KNOW IT ALL, Dale in Indy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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