A question for Dave Corbin, I have a 1922-6-55, frame #856901
I think I have the orig. engine #880327,but that engine is very rough. Would # 834943 (now rest.) from a 22-47 close??? Also have #853514 22-50 in good orig .cond.

JB
in MA

Dera JB:
You are correct that 856901 was issued to a 1922 Model 55. Buick factory records would indicate that the engine # 880327 is most probably the original engine. 834843 is probably a 1922 model 48 engine, which is the same bore & stroke as a 55. According to the factory information, 853514 should be a 4 cylinder engine, but it's right at the break point to a block of 6 cylinder engines, so if it measures correctly, I would think it's ok too.
I would think you should use the highest engine number you can. Buick wasn't real great about inventory rotation then, so quirks happened.
Regards, Dave Corbin

Thanks Dave,
The only problem in using 880327 is that the left engine arm(alum mount) has been broken and repaired some time in the distant past, I did not know alum could be welded that long ago.
John Beatty





22-6-55 Sport Touring

Dear JB:
Our friends at Buick learned how to cast aluminum real early on, certainly by 1908. They had a metals lab by then, courtesy of chief engineer Walter L. Marr. I would think they learned to weld aluminum at Buick by 1910, as I've seen a patch job that was almost certainly factory done on a 1910 Buick.
Depending on the quality of the weld, it shouldn't be a problem. When you dis-assemble the engine, have the crankcase scanned with ultrasonic and you'll be sure. Some hand grinding and a little sandblasting, and the repair will be undetectable.
Regards, Dave Corbin