Smartin Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 This is a continuation of this thread in the Classifieds forum:http://forums.aaca.org/f117/heres-your-54-super-jake-390295.htmlI have no idea what I'm going to do with this car yet. It was picked up today and headed here tomorrow afternoon.Initial ideas are to get it mechanically sound, new carpet and front seat repaired, and brakes.Long term - maybe paint titian red with white top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fr. Buick Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 Way to go!! Get it driving and have fun. Do not dig to far. With such an original car, the less the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan at larescorp Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 Can't wait to see this one get the Smartin treatment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 7, 2015 Author Share Posted April 7, 2015 First SNAFU already.I got the car off the trailer and noticed a dead miss. Out came the spark plugs and found #3 soaked with fuel. NO compression. Losing the air through the carb, which meant intake valve.I pulled the rockers off and found this. It moves up and down freely like it's not stuck, and feels like it is seating when I let it go. Any guesses as to what is obstructing the valve? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 Since you already had a look at the sparkplug, it is not a piece of that; too much depression for a piece of carbon; not likely a loose seat...you will find out when the cylinder head is removed (might find a fubar or carb part). Best price on 322 gasket sets is at Summit racing..use the high compression version Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasJohn55 Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Might have stuck and bent when the piston came back up and knocked it back to seat. Hard to tell from that angle but the pushtube may be badly bent also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 Got a part number on that, Willie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Before pulling the head, why not rotate the engine by hand till that piston is almost top center, and then run a diagnostic camera in the spark plug hole. Maybe you can see the culprit and find a way to fish it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 I'm just going to pull the head tomorrow. If I already had a scope handy, I would consider trying to work on it without pulling the head...Less than an hour in the driveway, and the head is coming off Oh well, obligatory photo time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Got a part number on that, Willie?FEL-PRO Part # FS7613SH2 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 10, 2015 Author Share Posted April 10, 2015 We pulled the head this evening and found that the guide had dropped down about 1/8" so the valve was bottoming out on the guide and not seating. Since we have the head off, there will be some minor detailing done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Adam, I think that photo qualifies for the "Girls on Buicks" thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72gs455 Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Nice dagmars... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72gs455 Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Actually, does the engine color paint seem a bit off from original? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 10, 2015 Author Share Posted April 10, 2015 Yeah it's some awful blue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Congratulations on the 50-Fo. It must be very entertaining to be one of your neighbors! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Congratulations Adam, she looks good, even on the trailer. That's a pretty long and heavy duty trailer, bet that dove tail scraped a few driveways with that 4,400 lbs on it.Man, look at that girl wrenchin!!! . And look at that clean original bumper and grill. SHE is definitely a KEEPER. Both of 'em !!!! We pulled the head this evening and found that the guide had dropped down about 1/8" so the valve was bottoming out on the guide and not seating. Got a picture of that? says the DA who can't visualize... So was there any real damage, bent rods? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 (edited) Congratulations on the 50-Fo. It must be very entertaining to be one of your neighbors!he he he, yep, I bet they keep binoculars next to their kitchen sink just like these two ...https://youtu.be/3PINPZr6loYand I can just see Adam waving and smiling at his neighbors every time he pulls up in another Buick, just like the guy in the vid. and uhh Jason, that would be fitty-fo but hey, not bad for a nawtherner Edited April 10, 2015 by MrEarl (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billbuickgs Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 I think cars built out west had blue engines rather then then the green we have on the east coast ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 10, 2015 Author Share Posted April 10, 2015 This blue is definitely respray...I have uncovered the original green in several places while yanking parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Nice to see this 54 going back on the road. Hopefully that pesky valve is the only issue. I see your mechanic has everything under control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 11, 2015 Author Share Posted April 11, 2015 Got a picture of that? says the DA who can't visualize... So was there any real damage, bent rods?I don't have any photos of said issue. I was just happy to be able to get the valve retainers off without a valve spring compressor.No bent pushrods or valves.So the valve is inserted into a guide, which is a sort of sleeve that is pressed into the head. It had slipped down somehow, causing the valve to stick open about 1/8". Matt Martin thought it would be from sitting a while, and when it was finally started for the first time in years, the valve pulled the guide down with it due to sticky varnish, etc. I feel comfortable that it will stay in place now. It took a pretty good amount of force to get it back where it needed to be.Currently, we are doing some disassembly to detail while we have it somewhat apart. I am also going to rebuild the carb and fuel pump. Probably the master cylinder, too. I have no pedal at all, and the lines are all bled 100%. Something is causing it not to pressurize.I am going to take the radiator to my local guru to be boiled out. Also replacing the 700 feet of heater hose while we are digging around.It's not like I have anything else going on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Welcome to the world of early nailheads. Some more 'might as well do it while I have it apart': service the valley cover (detailed on my website under Low tech tips along with a link to a video my Mudbone); clean the pan, especially if there was any sludge in the depressions of the cylinder head; check motor mounts, tranny mount and thrust pad;...more to come if you don't think of it Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Less than an hour in the driveway, and the head is coming off just in case you might be wondering about the deal you got, here is another "comparable" ...askin $5,500.00http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4983854027.htmlFeeling better now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 (edited) Nice! BTW, the pump and fittings came late this past week. Thank you, Mr. Earl!! I'm waiting on CARS for an order with new gaskets and rebuild kits now.I bought a rebuild kit for the master cylinder, too. The brakes are all bled nicely, but the pedal just goes to the floor without any real resistance. I would guess that's an MC issue. Looks like a fun one to remove, too.I bought a new fuel sending unit for it. That came this week. The fuel tank is completely empty, so I will be dropping it to see what's in there. The previous owner said the tank needs cleaned out, but the fuel that I sucked out was clean. Maybe it was the fact that the pump was dead and they couldn't pull anything from it...dunno.We are in the process of cleaning up parts and doing some painting while everything is apart. Last night was the first night since last weekend that I was able to even clean a bolt. I've been out of town for work all week. That kinda takes the wind out of my sails as far as progress on home stuff. Then yesterday, we had yard work. Yaaaaaay! Edited April 19, 2015 by Smartin (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 so has Atena declared her love for the new arrival yet. Looks like she is getting into the heart of the matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 (edited) Some Super pictures for Atenaand in Kodachromethe target class was, I would say upper middle Edited April 19, 2015 by MrEarl (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 We are treating it like this will be a car she can drive along side my car to shows. I did warn her that these cars are subject to sale any any time She hates that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 What is this "sale" you speak of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 And some color schemes for Atena to choose from...This Casino Beige represented here is a couple shades too dark but you get the idea, personally, I love it on the big series. And would negate repainting the firewall. Titian RedCondor YellowArctic White And MrE's favorite, Arctic White over Cavalier Blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Nice! BTW, the pump and fittings came late this past week. Thank you, Mr. Earl!! I'm waiting on CARS for an order with new gaskets and rebuild kits now.I bought a rebuild kit for the master cylinder, too. The brakes are all bled nicely, but the pedal just goes to the floor without any real resistance. I would guess that's an MC issue. Looks like a fun one to remove, too.I bought a new fuel sending unit for it. That came this week. The fuel tank is completely empty, so I will be dropping it to see what's in there. The previous owner said the tank needs cleaned out, but the fuel that I sucked out was clean. Maybe it was the fact that the pump was dead and they couldn't pull anything from it...dunno.We are in the process of cleaning up parts and doing some painting while everything is apart. Last night was the first night since last weekend that I was able to even clean a bolt. I've been out of town for work all week. That kinda takes the wind out of my sails as far as progress on home stuff. Then yesterday, we had yard work. Yaaaaaay!hummm, typing at the same time looks like. Last I looked for those gas lines on line they weren't to be found, but that was probably 10 years ago so have been buying NOS ones anytime the came up. You may want to go for a new rubber one and keep mine in the trunk as a spare. But it looks good to me and the braided rubber flexed without cracking, so just so you know, won't hurt my feelins if you don't use it. The master cylinder isn't that bad to pull and replace, once you're under the car with safety glasses to keep the road dirt from falling into your eyes. I am thinking the brake lines should be OK on that car. Can't remember seeing, was the car undercoated?Definitely while you got the tank dropped, use some Marine Clean with a chain and swish around for 10-15 minutes. May consider sealing it too, just make sure the sealer can handle the new gas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 What is this "sale" you speak of?I think we need to hear Atena's thoughts on this. If she ever names it...it'll never leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 IF I paint the car, it is to be Titian Red with white top.The "sale" pertains to the hypothetical possibility that any car can go at any time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Still not following, Adam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 65gs76limited Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Still not following, Adam.For the right amount of money......... Anything is for sale!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortuna Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 I love the Casino Beige. I think it's really elegant. Adam I tried to get my Dad to by this car when it was on Ebay. If you decide to sell it, I'm going to try to talk him in to buying it again. He had a light green 54 Super coupe, with a dark green top back in the day. We both love the C body 54s!Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 23, 2015 Author Share Posted April 23, 2015 Can't resist the detailingz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhclark Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 Hey! Detail that car in the background! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 23, 2015 Author Share Posted April 23, 2015 I dusted it off this weekend when I got the carburetor back! It runs soooo nice now. Couldn't believe how much difference it made. It was a 5 week turn around time on the rebuild. I had to send it to Texas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 26, 2015 Author Share Posted April 26, 2015 Does anyone have the correct routing for the 6500' of heater hose? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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