buicknewbee

As some of you know I am somewhat new to the buick crowd and have many questions that go like this. I have noticed that several Buicks have spare tire holders on the front fenders, and have seen other car makes of the past with the same tire holders with the last part of the model name being Phaeton. I have just assumed that the spare tire holders must designate them with that last model name from what I have seen. However just recently I have seen a Buick for sale with the last part of the model saying phaeton, but it does not have the spare tires. Can someone explain this to me please. Thanks!

I was wondering if anyone is aware of a fm radio (factory or aftermarket) that will replace the factory am radio without cutting the dash? I have heard sending out the factory radio to be converted can be expensive. thanks

Also if you look on the service tag third line from the bottom and third number from the right you will see the paint code 54U.

I always thought 8 volt batteries would be the cats meow, but I didn't think about the bulbs not lasting very long. Anyone agree that the bulbs have to be replaced more often?

Just paint the battery black with a cheap spray can. Usually it won't hurt the warranty and makes for a much better presentation.

If you want to see Cushmans you need to make it to Portland Indiana the second week of July. Its the largest scooter meet in the USA!

WOW! Tom, Great looking car! Those wire wheels really set it off with the wide white walls. To the fellow that replied below you, That's something good to know. I wouldn't think Trans fluid isn't good with rear end, and I wouldn't know that if not for this forum. That is I didn't know the trans could leak down into the tube! It sure is different from anything else I'm accustomed to. I know there are some that don't fix till its broke, but fluid is cheap compared to a rear end rebuild. I wondered if it was possible to tap and plug the tube so it could be drained. Is the rear end designed so that the gear lube can move throughout the whole tube and axels, or is the lube seperated between the rear and driveshaft? Anyone?

And above all, remember you are driving a 1957 car, not a 2007. You HAVE to accept an old car's "shortcomings" and quirks if you're going to own and drive one. If you can't deal with them, you probably shouldn't own one. Not trying to be an ass, but old cars drive and perform differently than modern stuff. That's a big part of their charm. GREAT looking Burick BTW. I totally agree! I realize the car is 55 years old and don't expect it to drive like a new one by any means. However I want my wife to enjoy it also and it just takes too much foot pressure to whow the girl down. I expect the car to have quirks,but its ok to make it more comfortible.

Thanks for the good comments! We think she is pretty cool too! The pictures make her look really good, but she needs a good paint job in time. I would say shes a 15 footer. The tourqe ball and all looks intimidating. I think I'll just check the fluid and leave it alone. What is everyone using to top of the rear dierential? Thanks

Ya know, I just picked buicknewbee to start with as a joke because I wasn't getting it to go through. So I thought I'd loose it in that black obiss of technology anyway. Then all of the sudden there it is. I suppose I'll change it before long. Only everyone knows me now as the buicknewbee or buick new beginner. Anyway, I have heard of shaping the brake shoes to match the drum. That might have worked back when linings were oversized, but now when you buy shoes they seem to only have thin linings and the rivets aren't too deep. It is very possible that the shoes aren't ajusted right, and the linings could very well be lifetime replacements (which are harder than steel). Does anyone know of a repitable brake shoe shop with good soft lineings that is recomendable? This is for a 57 buick!

I have opened an album if you would like to see my Buick. Still having trouble attaching to my profile.

Hey thats great Jim! Do you have power or manual brakes? I seem to have to stand on my brakes to get the car slowed. I'm not sure if its me just expecting it to stop like a new one or they really do need replaced.

I just seen your link huptoy. Duh! Thanks

Thanks all for the welcome! Of course I can't reply to everyone, but This seems to be a great forum! Consists of all ages and a diverse group of cars. Good to see that there are others interested in old cars with the same non-curable disease that I have.

Not sure if I should quote so everyone knows what or whom Im refering to, but I have seen others do it. The fellow I bought the car from said the brakes were just done. Now I don't know if he replaced them hiself or had someone do it for him. I'm going to inspect them before long, but going to have some fun with it first. The master is new along with lines and cyclinders. Not sure if the pads are replaced or not. The brakes aren't power either so that could be part of the problem. I know this is an old heavy car, and i haven't driven another without some sort of power assist, but jeez I am about standing on it!!

Hey we could probably do that. We are located close to Lima Ohio. We were just thinking about what to do that weekend. Could you send more info to me without cloging the forum.

As I stated in my introduction I am the new owner of a 1957 special with dynaflow trans. I would like to know what transmission oil has been used by all for the dynaflow transmission. I know todays oils are much different than what was used 55 years ago and I probably should service it and fill with new. Also while I'm at it the service manual doesn't go into much detail about the differential oil. Gear lubes have changed over the years and more than likely the factory oil is still in the differential. I read where there is no drain to change out the lube!!! Is this acceptable to just add to it? I was totally blown away when I seen the rear end and drive shaft as one unit! Are there any known problems with this set-up?

I have thought about it. I wasn't sure if I should join the Buick club or the AACA? I ran across a buick club magazine and it was feturing newer roadmaster station wagons, they are ok but not exactly what I want to join up to. I would appreciate some info on lubricating oils. I think I'll start another post for that though. Buicknewbee

Hello all, Thought maybe I would introduce myself and explain what I'm looking for. I'm 36 and my wife is 34. we have two kids ages 2 and 6. I guess you could say we are unusual in our generation. I haven't been on a forum before and am having a hard time figuring out how to navigate, post questions, and join a thread. I'm not even sure this is going to go through. We just bought a 1957 buick special, and I thought I would join this group to hopefully make some new friends and get some pointers. Not sure if this is the right area for me, but figured it was worth a shot. Lets see if this works! :confused:<!-- google_ad_section_end --> The pharagraph above I discussed in the general forum. After I got the hang of this AACA groups I realized this belongs here more than there. I discussed this in a little more detail under general--younger generation if you would like to get to know me more. __________________ <!-- google_ad_section_start(weight=ignore) -->Buicknewbee<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

Well I must have done somthing right! Yeah, I thought I posted a picture to my signature, but I don't see it. Going to work on that. I belong to a motorcycle yahoogroup and it has been a huge help over the years. Much easier to navigate I think. On the down side there is only about 300 members. So the diversity of answers is small at times. This should have much better reply results I think. We just finished a small Sunday drive in the Buick with the kids. First thing I'm going to look into is maybe installing disc brakes with some booster assist. Wife likes to drive it, but the brakes take a lot of work for her. Other than that she (the car)seems pretty sound! Unfortunately, after I bought the car I discovered the stearing linkage is expensive for that year and mine needs replaced. So the saga begins. I wasn't realy looking for a buick, but the wife pointed the bodystyle out when we were at auburn Indiana a few weeks ago. I seen a 1940 buick 4 door convertible that was an older repaint. May have been afordable, but no price! I liked the lines, and wouldn't mind looking for one of them. I see the two door convertibles are out of sight. Never be able to afford one of them. I would like to join a for sale forum I seen available, but can't seem to find it again. Still looking.

Hello all, Thought maybe I would introduce myself and explain what I'm looking for. I'm 36 and my wife is 34. we have two kids ages 2 and 6. I guess you could say we are unusual in our generation. I haven't been on a forum before and am having a hard time figuring out how to navigate, post questions, and join a thread. I'm not even sure this is going to go through. We just bought a 1957 buick special, and I thought I would join this group to hopefully make some new friends and get some pointers. Not sure if this is the right area for me, but figured it was worth a shot. Lets see if this works! :confused: