autodeco57

Looking for the chrome trim ring for the domed original headlight lens on a 36 Dodge car (not converted to sealed beams.) It's a narrow band, about 3/8" wide. Measures (roughly) 7 3/4" i.d. by about 8 1/4" o.d.

I'm trying to get the lock cylinder out of my 31 Model 67 and I think I've got everything covered except how to nudge or withdraw the cylinder once the retaining pin is drilled out. I have an extra column to test procedures on. It's drilled out but I see no way to pull the cylinder. Any clues out there for this step? Steve Gorthy BCA #44510

Have you seen eBay item number: 222808247330? eBay item numbe222808247330

Superbuick, I left out of my reply that I am indeed still looking...

4Crawler Offroad was a dead end as was RuffStuff Specialties. RuffStuff came close but would raise the stance of the front end by half an inch.

Thanks for the input, but the shackles seem to be one of the things that are different between the '31 60's and 80's. I have an 80 also from '31, and it has bigger shackles and pins. If what you measure has 9/16" bolts, though, on 3 1/2" centers and a quarter inch offset on each shackle half, they should fit. Steve G.

FYI for anyone facing a similar dilemma, I discovered a custom shackle fabricator called 4Crawler Offroad that offers shackles by dimension with the capability of bending the side plates into a pretty convincing version of the original forging. I'll post how it comes out...

Thanks, 31Buick80, I may take you up on it in the spring. Meanwhile, I'll try and build or adapt something to get me by. The four wheel drive world of suspension goodies looks promising....

Pete, I think the '32's are smaller, though they look the same. The 60, 80, and 90's from '31 measure just under 9" diameter for a fit in an 8 1/2" opening. I believe the '32's are about 8" across for a correspondingly smaller wheel opening. I'd love to find out I'm wrong and that the two years are interchangeable, though.

Anyone have a spare shackle for the front spring rearward end for a '31 series 60? I'm about to start the process of getting a replacement made, but it would sure be nice to find an original. Also, I need one good wire wheel hubcap for the same car. Steve Gorthy BCA 44510

Thanks guys. Mark, your suggestion made me go look at a '32 50 series front end in my junk pile (little hoping that I'd find something interchangeable) and found a usable cable that appears to be identical. Also, there's a Canadian eBay vendor, The Cable Guy, that lists these cables Buy It Now on his site. Thanks for the input.

Does anyone have a spare actuator flex cable for the front brake on a '31 60/80/90 series Buick? (Or know of a source?)

Michael, thanks a lot. There must be a stud with shoulder and slot that these slide down over and latch to, which explains the function of those threaded holes in the bases. Not what I pictured. Given the interchange between thirties and thirty-ones, I'm sure these are the same. I appreciate you taking the time! jSteve G

Does anyone have a picture of this lock item? Don't know what to look for...

Can anyone enlighten me as to the purpose of the horseshoe-shaped socket behind the side mounts of my 31 model 67? There's a similar slot on my 87's front fenders but no bracket. Inside on the bottom there's a threaded hole for a bolt or stud or??? Something to do with a center hub mounting arm or lock?

Thanks Bob, I'll give him a try. Steve Gorthy

Looking for one or both front springs and rear shackle(s) for same for a '31 Model 67. Have '32 Fifty and Sixty parts to trade or will buy outright. Steve Gorthy BCA #44510

A pushrod supplier told me that a lot of owners eliminate the spring down at the bottom of the pushrod that bears directly on the roller tappet keeping it hard against the cam. Has anyone heard of this or done it? Is the advantage to reduce wear on the cam lobes? Any gain or loss in performance? Any downside to doing it? An advisable mod or not? Steve Gorthy BCA #44510

Yes, 31 and 32 Buick 8's are the same three engines. The 60's are shorter than the 80/90 345's, and the 50's are shorter still. The 50's are the only ones without the distinctive external water manifold atop the head beside the valve cover. Attached are one or more pictures of the "32 50 series engine I have. I think the last picture is of the 60 as I don't remember taking off the exhaust manifold from the other one. Bear with me, Safari isn't taking my pictures...I'll try four. Steve Gorthy autodeco57 BCA 44510

I have two '32 engines, different from each other but both smaller than my '31 series 80. I conclude that one is a 50 series and the other a 60. They're quite a bit different in condition ( believe the 50 series is close to a runner.,..the one that appears to be the 60, in my recollection, was outdoors on the coast for years, so the accessories are useless, but I've got the pan off and the innards look pretty good. And of course I have no idea whether they're cracked or not. One or both are certainly available, but each weighs approximately was much as a midsize bulldozer so shipping would be a challenge. Anyway, if this might help, let me know if you're anywhere near the west coast (southern Oregon). By the way, I have front and rear ends from both running gears along with one of the transmissions. autodeco57 BCA #44510

Evan, I do have that oil pump off the '32 60 series and I may have stuff off the oil cooler side as well. I can't look at it until Monday but I'll let you know what I have then. Steve Gorthy BCA #44510

Egge Machine has a rebuild kit for an 80 series pump or they offer rebuild services. The one thing they don't have is the drive gear off the camshaft (for an 80). Check with their sales desk and they can tell you what they have for a 60.(They're different). If you get in a jam, let me know...I have a 60 series '32 engine that I took the oil pump out of, trying to find the drive gear for mine. Steve Gorthy BCA #44510 31 Model 87

Thanks very much for the advice. The Rockwell number you quoted reminds me of what the gear machinist said; he was looking through a scope with a light at the old gear and pronounced it a "35", roughly. I thought that equated to the other index of numbers in the thousands range, but he actually said 35. The pump gear is about 3 times as worn as the cam gear. I went back and looked at the notes I wrote down and the specific numbers he gave me for the raw material were 4140 or 4340. It sounds like you recommend the 4340...then treated to 45 Rockwell? I take it that's a separate step after machining?

Bob, thanks very much. This helps.

Any thoughts on this? '31 344 ci cam gear and meshing oil pump gear; the gear on the cam is integral with the cam, non-renewable. The oil pump gear is replaceable. The relative wear indicates that the pump drive gear is softer, sacrificial, to protect the cam gear. I have to get a pump gear made. Question; what hardness should the pump gear be? Is there tech information out there that addresses the issue? The gear tech is recommending 4130 or 4350 material on the hardness scale if I remember the numbers right. He read a hardness of 3500 plus or minus on the old pump gear. Steve Gorthy BCA #44510 1931 Model 87 five passenger