Ben Bruce aka First Born

Dave, thank you very much for the "decodeing". Black wheels probably correct. I will go with that anyway. What a fantastic find on the 1948! Hope to see it some time. Thanks again Ben

Sorry about that, Dave. Took that vin from title. Vin on driver front door post 65821956 body data plate mod 50-41d style 50 4469d ?? 6165 trim 43 paint 01 have not looked up the frame# yet. Saw pics of the 48 you helped "rescue". Beautiful!! Ben

Some folks have all the luck!! Congratulations

Outstanding. Or do I mean standing out? Oh well.....

3 speed. I believe all 4speeds from that era were floor shift, with stick mounted on top. May be wrong, but would bet a cup of coffee I am not.

Dave C, I have been meaning to ask if you can tell me what color the wheel were on my 1950. They are pretty yuckky. The "pin stripping" is still visible. vin 60283754. Car is ,or was, black. Too darned cold to walk out to the car this morning to get info from the model plate. Ben

Boy, you two Daves are something else. We Buick fans can be proud to have you associated with us. I am. I learn something daily, it seems. Self shifter?? Tell me more! We had a 1938 Special in 1949. This replaced the 1932, and was followed bt a 1939. You both have collections any old car fan would give his eye tooth to see. I am envious. Ben

Springfield MO is the home of ORileys auto parts. The have a very good shop. The man I am dealing with there is also a restorer. He is in Packards The Dusenburg engine is neat

I am honored! There is no way I ever expected this quality of information. I will try to do it justice. Perhaps when the old Buick is running, each of you will be available to hear it. Thanks for the advice on record keeping. How long will these stay on here? Thanks Ben

Simplyconnected, thanks again. looks like you have done this a time or two. Were you building competition engines or street engines? We may not know the results of my efforts and your advise for awhile as my shop is not heated. I will keep all of you updated as I go. Thanks again Ben Bruce

knob1, sounds like soime body has changed something. As someone else said, 1950 is the ONLY year the portholes are in the hood. And they are oval. Raise the hood and look on the cowel on the passanger side and tell us what is on the little platr there

Simplyconnectid, I agree with you on the smoothness of the inline engine. It has been a long time since I built an engine. In my younger years, eons ago, I did that for a living. But it was as you said, I had to do it on a schedule. Like "HURRY UP". I have overhauled my own back then, but never a complete rebuild such as this. I am excited to get to do this. Where on the pistons, and with what, do you remove material to balance them? When you say c.c. your heads, what exactly are you refering to? I really enjoy talking to you and Dave Corbin. Will continue to pick your brains as long as you will let me. Thanks Ben

Can you handle one more,Faspony? A lot of us know how you feel. That is what this "Old Car" business is all about. We cant go back and BE young again, but our ride can maybe make us feel young. Well, remind us what it felt like anyway!! LET YOUR HEART LEAD.

Dave, you gotta deal. May be a while. The block is still in the machine shop. I agree with you on the quality of these engines. I grew up with them. Owned two 1950s. First one I remember was my Dads 1932. Family had several through the last one in 1953. I couldnt wait for my first v8, now am anxious to drive a straight 8 again.

WOW. Thanks,guys. Some very good information. I knew a lot of this at one time, but after 37 years of driving a truck and letting someone else do all my repairs,most of it is buried back there somewhere.I am looking forward to building this baby.

Simplyconnected,I can probably come up with a way to weigh the pistons/rods. But balancing the crank is another deal. How do I accomplish that?

Dave that is a lot of info. Thanks. In your opinion, can the crank be salvaged with the .008 runout? If i understand this correctly, essently the crank is "bent" this much.

Bill, thanks for the reply. Is this the Bobs in CA? Dave, I hope I didnt give you a heart attack. I did not mean to leave the impression that i thought the crank would be ok.The machine shop is hopefull they can salvage the crank. If not, I will be in the market for another. Thanks to both of you for the help Ben

I am about ready to order parts for my rebuild. Would like to hear from others as to their ideas on the best places to buy. Looks like a rebore of .020. The crank is not worn too bad, but has .008 runout in the center. Looks like the head will be ok with out any thing major.

My kind of man, BJM. Hang in there. Ben s.w. Mo

Hey, guys, regards the passing eye mirror. These were still being sold in the early 1950s. That is when I started working in "filling stations". They were sold as an add on. Clamped to the top of the door. Thanks for the memories. Ben

Thank you, Sean. Boy, do you have a great auto museum at your front door. Talking about the Lemay Museum. I spent an enjoyable weekend there a couple years back. Their auction weekend. I was in hog heaven.

HELP. Need floor pans for my 1950 Buick special tourback 4 door sedan. any ideas??