smithbrother

Do you ID the wires, or did Ron F do such? What do you plan on using as a wrap? Thanks, Dale in Indy

Bringing the windows flush would aid in wind noises, IMO, and give it a smooth look. I won't tackle that this winter, I have the dash apart, windshield out, making bumper gravel shields, and little things like hooking up the horns. I will post a picture of engine compartment soon, I made a dual fresh air package that runs out to the grill with two rectangle shaped K&N filters. I also had made the inter fender side panels, and covered the fire wall with aluminum. I used my power bead roller to roll in some beads hoping to prevent oil canning, and add to the look. Thanks for your comments, Dale in Indy P.S. The rear fenders were new, so took my time stitch welding, slow but sure process. I have a grand less than 30K in the car, and have driven it 30k + miles, NOT A SINGLE ISSUE. Well, the windshield leaked.

I'm TRADE, my brother was MARK. Just saw some SMITH BROTHER' COUGH DROPS AT MENARD'S YESTERDAY. All through High School we were called SMITH BROTHER'S, many did call us TRADE and MARK. Thanks for you post, Dale

Hello, Born in 1937, father was Buick employed for 60 + years. He did it all with a dealership, GREASE MAN, to GENERAL MANAGER, and later went back into Buick sales while retired in Austin. Tx. He said if you, "DON'T DRIVE A BUICK, YOU ARE THE SCUM OF THE EARTH". Kidding of course. I have owned several Buicks, 36, 52, 54 Century HT,54 Skylark, 55 Century HT, 74 4-door,and now have this 41 Limted, and just purchased a 46 Road Master. In 1973 while on vacation in Saginaw, Mi. I spotted an ad for a 41 Century, brother and I drove to see it. A young man greeted us in the drive of his home, he took us to the side of the house to see the car, and to my surprise it was a Limited. $200.00 was the price. I knew the difference, didn't want to jump on it so stood and talked. 30 minutes went by and I said, I WILL TAKE IT, well, about that time his father came home, and the 25 year old son introduced us to him. When the son told him I was buying the Limited, the father spoke up in a LOUD tone, "NO, IT'S THE CENTURY IN THE BARN THAT'S FOR SALE". Having not exchanged any cash I wasn't going to put up a fight. I wanted the Limited though, so we changed the subject and small talk, soon we learned that his best friend was my brother's BOSS. Well, that seemed to be what broke the ice, and the father said, "IF MY SON SAID YOU COULD HAVE THE LIMITED, THEN YOU CAN HAVE IT". I went to U-haul, rented a tow bar, and towed it to Indy where it sat in our garage for 20+ years. When Dad heard I had purchased it, he looked around in his past things and found a 41 shop manual, so I had that to read up on. In approx. 1994 I built two rotisserie's, one for body, and one for the frame. Both made my life so much easier, FOR SURE... I stripped the body, and all drive line parts. I sold the engine and tranny. I'm a tad arty, and a very much hands on guy, so I jump right in to make it a custom, or street rod. I won't detail such, but did all the work myself with the exception of the interior and stainless 304 dual exhaust. The car now rides on 1988, & 89 Corvette front and rear aluminum suspensions. Handles great, firm ride, engine installed was a new crate 1996 Vette LT-1 unit, 700R tranny, computer, steering column, master cylinder, brake and gas pedal assemblies. I had purchased two Corvette clips, front and rear, both from different cars. $500.00 ea. Install it all was a TON OF FUN, I love the challenge of something new to me. I get my kicks out of fabricating. I lower the car about an inch, removed the door, trunk handles, some side trim, and also front fender lights. At present I am just finishing installing the original bumpers, and making a stainless steel side sweep spear. Brunn Coach builders out of NY in 1940 offered to Buick some custom possibilities in the form of drawings. One was a Limited with the Sweep Spear, non were ever built, and from the drawings I am producing one. I have the pieces cut, and ready to install. Pictures are to be posted in the next day or so. A member of this site is posting these for me. THANK YOU MY FRIEND. I have this wild thought of pulling the side windows out flush with the body, I have a spare door that I am working with. The big issue is HOW TO MAKE THEM MOVE, it's easy for fixed windows, but couldn't live with that. I will keep you posted. When you see the pictures you will note that the hood ornament is one of the original 46 BOMB SITE pieces. Originally that was to be the 41 ornament, but the war effort made Buick thing different. Once we had won the war, the BOMB SITE was a national hero. IMO. I am well aware of those that don't agree with my work, and that's ok. Comments are welcome, I can't be offended... Dale In Indy

I haven't checked, but I read where some after market harness builders are offering their kits WRAPPED with retro sheathing. They of course would need to build the harness per original blue prints. I am going to rewire my 46 Road Master, and will check into this. Oh, I agree, I was looking at the wires to my horns that are under the hood, and behind the grill, and they too are crumbling. Dale in Indy

Just wondering, did you price out a harness like the original, and if so how did it compare price wise to the Ron F unit? I have used the Painless harness and found it to be very good, I haven't use a Ron F. though. I am sure it is a good harness too. Thanks, Dale in Indhy

I am sure NO ONE is telling you NOT to post pictures of your Buick. I for one hope you post in the future. Dale in Indy

I am a very POSITIVE person, just ask my bride of 51 years. I fear that sometimes my comments will be mistaken, the reader can't hear the tone of my voice, or see my body movements, so please understand I have NO GRIPES with anyone's comments. Being somewhat arty I have a hard time NOT modifying stuff, LOL. My just purchased 46 Road Master WILL be as much stock as I can make it. I may install a louder muffler, ALWAYS LOVED THE SOUND OF A STRAIGHT EIGHT. hehehe I am working on my 41 Limited in my shop as I write, I am adding a SWEEP SPEAR, like the Brunn coach builders drew up in the late 40's, and was never produced. Maybe I can send a picture to someone to post for me. Happy New Year, Dale in Indy 1941 Buick Limited custom Corvette LY-1 crate engine 1946 Road Master 4-door, just purchased. 1979 Corvette custom, purchased new 1995 Ford work truck 2003 Matrix, wife's car 1947 Whizzer motor bike 1952 German scooter 1940 Rexner rail or tether car, 20" long

America is the land of free speech. I have learned to accept ALL comments, each to his own likes and dislikes. That's what makes our country GREAT.... Years ago I took my custom 41 Buick Limited to a Buick show, I was treated like I was the WORST guy on the planet. The same month I took my custom Corvette to the Super Chevy show, parked next to a purist, and he treated me so nice, and was even interested in my car. I understand that Buick shows have changed and customs/modified Buick's are now more accepted, and that's good. I have always wondered ,WHY is it that the Buick Motor Company has for years built custom/concepts and THAT'S ok??? I have attended auto shows and seen Buick engineers looking over a Buick custom, and I didn't hear them complaining, they ENJOY the creativity other contribute. There are enough 55 Buick's around for the purist to see/own, so it isn't like spooner has DESTROYED the last 55 on earth. I have been a Buick guy since I was 9 years old, that was nearly 66 years ago, so it's not like I'm new in the hobby. NOTHING is going take away my interest in ALL Buick's, customs, and originals. Dale in Indy

Being an arty guy, I can relate to your making YOUR car fit your taste. Been there, done that, and learned to take the NEGATIVE comments in stride. I say, " It's YOUR car, the ONLY one that needs to like it is, YOU, the owner. Have fun, FUN IS GOOD! Dale in Indy

Great picture.................THANKS for sharing. I have always thought that the two-door/convert rear fender is a stylish as they get. I have one, been looking for the other side so as to make a cool small trailer out of such. Trunk lid and bumper toooooo. Dale in Indy 1941 Limited 1946 Road Master 1954 New Skylark, SOLD MANY YEARS AGO. 1954 Century HT, sold

I was always under the impression that the key to preventing contamination is to NOT put tape, or anti-seize on the first couple threads. Any thoughts on that? Thanks for the good info, BOTH of you. Dale in Indy

I was told by the seller that WATER was in the cooling system, so today I drained the radiator, and opened the block valve. The radiator drained fine, but nothing came out the block valve. I suspected CRUD blocking the flow, so probed with a thin short pointed wire, and still NOTHING. The valve seems to open and close, but NOTHING. I decided to go ahead and add anti-freeze, the radiator took 2 gallons or 8 quarts, and after running the engine to bring to temp, and open the thermostat I was able to add another 2 quarts of water. From what I can tell the system holds approx. 18 quarts, so I feel I am probably ok. Any thoughts on the block valve would be welcome. Also did these engines have a replaceable fuel filter? Thank You, Dale in Indy 1941 Limited 1946 Road Master 4-door 1979 Corvette 2003 Matrix 1995 Ford work truck 1947 Whizzer motor bike 1940 Rexner rail tether car

Years ago the carb pump in a car of mine was in need of repair, and I found that I could tap the pedal and it would respond, just anther way to learn what the issue is. IMO. I wish you well, Dale in Indy

Thank You...... I have inside my enclosed steel building, no heat in it, so will wait for a warm day and pull drums off front first. I bought the car on Ebay, owner passed away in last month, son was selling. Dad had been preparing for paint, so most body work completed. I am going to put new two part primer on and drive for a year. I will keep it original, but will probably change the color from Black to TWO-TONE. $1,750.00 I felt fair price, and now that I have looked it over real close, I am VERY HAPPY. Owner called me, said he would deliver from the Cleveland, Oh area for gas money, and if after I saw it, I didn't like it, well he would take it back. Very nice man, he showed up right on time with his daughter, and we had a nice visit. I then paid him and home he went. Need a manual, and from what I have learned so far maybe I should consider a manual that includes the 1942 Buick, and even some later years. COMMENTS.... Dale in Indy

I need to drain the block, and radiator of this 320 straight eight. I don't want to trust the fluid and COLD weather is due this weekend. Any suggestions for proper block draining is most welcome. Thank You, Dale in Indy

If you TAP a couple times or FLUTTER the gas pedal what happens? I too feel carb internal pump may be the issue. Dale in Indy

Hello, I just purchased a 46 Road Master sedan. It is very decent shape, runs and shifts nice. The first issue I need to address is that it seems to LOCK up the right front wheel when working the brakes. Any suggestions to start with, I don't have a manual as yet, need to buy one, HINT......... I noticed it DOESN'T have the external oil filter, was this standard in 46?. I also noticed the heater hose fittings at the water pump have brass plugs in place of hose fittings, I am guessing the under dash heater core LEAKS. Comments WELCOME. I have a 41 Limited too, Dad was general manager for a Buick dealer when he went into the Marines in 41, and came home in 45 just when the 46's were released, so this in in his honor. We had a 46 Road Master, we had 5 kids, so needed big four-door. I have named it, ' MYERS ROADY'. His name was Myers Marshall Smith. Oh how he LOVE Buick's, me toooooooo! Dale in Indy

I have a near perfect complete 1946 Buick grill. Only one tooth has a small dent, easy fix. I want $500.00 prepaid. I can email pictures, but will need a E-mail address. Thanks, Dale

I just received word from the Ebayer that has 3 grill top bars listed as 1946, and after pointing out that his could be 1942 pieces, he checked, and agrees that he made a mistake and they are indeed 1942 pieces. Finally the confusion has been cleared. Thank You Dave, and 48Super for your input. Case closed, LOL. Dale in Indy

There are at least 3 grill top bars listed on Ebay that are SMOOTH, no ribs, and each claim it to be for a 1946 Buick. Makes me wonder if Buick carried over lots of the 42 parts, and early production used the SMOOTH version? I would love to know why these folks feel their SMOOTH version is a 46 part. Doesn't make sense that all of them would be wrong in their listing. I have written a couple of the sellers, and they stick to the statement, THAT THEIR PIECE IS A 46 TOP BAR. Thanks, Dale in Indy

I am still checking. Dale in Indy

On Ebay there are several 1946 Buick grill TOP BARS listed. One is just like mine, it has RIBS, or PEAKS that match up with the teeth of the actual grill bars. The OTHER listings show the TOP BAR WITHOUT these RIBS, and I am trying to learn why the difference. See Ebay listing #370416471414 for picture of the RIBBED STYLE See Ebay listing #400123757776 for picture of SMOOTH not ribbed sytle. Thank you, Dale in Indy

Why not give repairing it a try. This would also keep the original part with the car too. Finding another manifold may not be an easy task, but maybe you know different. I wish you well, Dale in Indy

Thank You. As I stated, NOT MAD, just surprised. I have PLENTY of time. Dale in Indy