421-6speed
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Posts posted by 421-6speed
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Merry Christmas!! No luck on the tank. Had one local firm kind of put my idea off and suggest I just use gas tank sealer. I may go back to them yet and ask them to do it with no guarantee. They are a boat repair firm and have the equipment. I'm currently soaking the tank halves in my molasses vat to remove the rust. After the holidays I think I'll make one more effort to find someone locally with a fiberglass chopper gun to spray the tank halves.
Happy Holidays,
Howard Dennis
I wouldn't try the fiberglass. I just sent the tank out of my 57' Buick to these guys. http://www.gastankrenu.com/ The closest dealer to me was California or Utah. I sent it to California. Shipping was 21.00 down, I just used stretch wrap, and they said total would be 375.00 shipped back to my door and it has a lifetime guarantee. You could send the two halves just the way the are and they will put it back together patch any metal work and then seal both inside and out. Looks like there is a dealer in FL & KY
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DAN, Google Maps tells me that Satsop WA is a bit too far down the peninsula for me to pop in during my Wet Coast visit.
My fabricated J-hook worked out well. I did need the gas torch to make the tight bend on top; my first few tries without it caused the rod to snap. I installed my spare sending unit, got the "new" fuel tank anchored in place, and ran a new fuel line up to the engine compartment. That was a little tricky where the tubing runs from the outside of the frame rail and across the rear axle. Two of the hose clamps were still attached to the old line but there is no trace of where they originally attached to the car. I managed to find a place to screw one of them down, so that the new line is now secure and well away from any exhaust pipes.
Rob, Glad it worked out for you.
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Don't try to bend free-hand...take the glass out and bend around the glass, or at least make a pattern of the bend and duplicate on 1/8 +/- board.
old-tank is correct. Follow his advise...
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I think my floor pan "Super" pinch weld to pinch weld at rockers is 68" and the Special Century is 61". I will get some measurements later today.
Okay I have some measurements. The Floor pan on my 57' Super from pinch weld to pinch weld is 64" but from door to door, doors closed, is 68-1/4". I also measured my 57' Special in the same place door to door, doors closed, is 65-1/4". Seat cushions are 24" and 7-1/2" between seats. Also I took a 1" section out of the rear track stands as the floor pan on these mid 50's Buick's are flat further back under the front seat while the early 60's cars the floor pan starts to angle down for the foot well in the back quicker so the rear stand has to be higher in order for the seat to sit level. Also I have 2-1/2 other sets of these seats 1-electric and 1-manual then one single passenger. See pics. I hope this answers your questions.
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I think my floor pan "Super" pinch weld to pinch weld at rockers is 68" and the Special Century is 61". I will get some measurements later today.
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DAN, that's very generous. I'll try the redi-rod solution tomorrow (size is noted, thanks) but if that doesn't work out, I'll take you up on your offer.
On Christmas Day though, I'm flying to Vancouver BC for a week's visit with friends, so we'll see what I can get done in the next two days.
Must remember to keep the camera handy, just in case the Nailhead sings.
If your going to be in Vancouver you could pop down across the border and come get those "J" hooks...
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Thanks for the info.
Your 57 is going to look very cool.
The seats you have used are the style I would eventually like to put in my 55. Is there much clearance between the two seats (in the centre) ?
If you have the time I would appreciate if you could post here some measurements of the seats as well as the width of your floor Sill to Sill so I can compare to my 55........I am assuming that yours will be wider than a 55 Special or Century
would a mid 60's buick console fit between them or would it be too narrow.
I have a choice of 3 consoles which vary from 6 1/2 inches wide to 8 inches wide and I guess you would have to allow an inch or two each side for the seat base to clear when sliding.
Are your Grand Prix seats the same as the larger buckets used in the likes of Wildcats and Rivieras?
I believe the smaller skylarks etc used smaller buckets......anyone got comparison measurements.
Sorry for hijacking your thread a little but the photos you have posted are just what I needed and other may be interested in hearing answers to the above questions.
These seats would work perfect in your 55'. This series of GM seats are actually 62-65. 62-64 fold at a angle and the 65' seats fold straight up. A easy way to tell is the 65' seats have 2-hockey sticks one on either side. You are correct in that my car does have a wider floor pan as it is a Super but the placement of the seat is going to be the same in your 55' Special as the seats in order to look right will hug the hump. If you look at the pictures of my floor pan you can see the hump is wide and flat. I will get some measurements for you tomorrow but if my memory serves me correct I believe that my floor pan pinch weld to pinch weld at the rockers is going to be 7" wider then your 55' Special.
Yes these seats are the same seats that would have been used in any full sized GM vehicle "Wildcat, Riviera. Only Riviera used a different trim in a different finish up the side and did not have the top chrome piece. Also the smaller Skylark, F85, Tempest, Corvair & Nova used a similar seat that is the same dimension but only has a spear on the side with no chrome cap.
I am planning on using a 1/2 console.
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No we cannot deduce that regarding the front fenders. I believe the front fenders are shorter on the Jr Class Series. Always were in the previous years from what I have read. Smartin may just have a grab bag of ]candidates.
I have both Super, Special and Century full sets side trim 2dr ht and all but the pieces Adam need for a complete 4-door small series set. All of the front fender spears are the the same both large and small series. For that matter I think the fenders are the same as well. I have not tried to install a small series fender on my Super to verify but I have taken masking tape and taped off all the edges and mounting points the transferred it the the larger series fender and they all checked out...
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I took the rusty fuel tank out of my Buick today. One of the threaded hanger rods broke off but it was otherwise an easy job. I'll have to buy a length of 1/2" redi-rod and bend it to shape, with the help of my MAPP gas torch. All but one of the screws that hold the fuel gauge sending unit were rusted tight and I had to twist them out with ViseGrips. The sending unit was badly rusted and broke as I was fiddling with it. Fortunately, I have a good spare unit.
I checked out the routing of the fuel hose and was amused to find that a considerable length of it is lying on top of the passenger side exhaust pipe. I'll go hunting tomorrow for some ethanol-resistant rubber tubing, even though Pure Gasoline is not hard to find here in Alberta.
Rob,
I just pulled the gas tank in my 57' Century parts car and chased the threads on the "J" bolts, 3/8"-24 prior to removal. The "J" bolts are yours for shipping if you want them.
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Got the seat track mounts all welded in today. They tie into the floor braces.
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Looks Great...
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I like the buckets........what are they out of?
Thanks for the complement, the buckets are 62-64 GM. These came out of a 64 Grand Prix.
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Wheelnut,
That is a beautiful car. Your doing a great job on preserving her...
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Mirko,
Your work is astounding. I am glad your were able to work out the glass refund but what are you going to do to remady the issue. Many of us are confronted with the same issues in this department. I guess the best bet is to use your original glass as paterns and have it custom cut and that only if it is flat glass. The windshield is a whole nether story. Keep up the good work.
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I have a 1957 Buick Century 66R I am parting. It has a lot of good trim both inside and out, Fenders, hood, tinted glass. No motor or trany. PM or call for more information.
Thanks Dan
360-509-8182
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I see you have been busy. The car is looking great! Can't wait to see it all buttoned up.
Thank you. I will be glad to get it buttoned up myself. Hopfully I will be driving it in Dapple Grey this summer to get the bugs worked out then will be taking apart in the fall for paint.
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Dan, your car is really coming together nicely. Great project.
Thanks, How is your project coming?
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Okay got a few more things done. Got the exhaust all fit and tacked in as well as the tailpipes. I ended up just doing a bologna cut on the tailpipes. I think it fits the bumper ends real nice. I used 1957 Oldsmobile hangers just before the exhaust exits the "X" member and had to clearance the floor boards slightly and cut the end of the bracket to fit. I made all the other hangers. Also got the buckets mounted. I made plates with studs similar to what like GM did in the vehicles that used these seats then tacked them to the floor for now. Also picked up another parts car today. 1957 Buick Century 2dr ht.
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Dan, Let me know on the condition of the gas tank on the Century. Barry
PM Sent
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Sometimes a franchise doesn't get you a competent person. An APW affiliate, radiator shop, and "oh we'll do gas tanks, too" is not the place I would look for a fabricator. A patch panel with stiffening beads rolled in can make short work of 20,000 holes. Were they going to smear solder all over to seal it? Take those boys a rusty Bentley tank with about a dozen chambers inside. They'd get a real case of the stutters.
Find a fabricator. They will fix it.
Bernie
I bought another parts car with a good tank today.
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I tried to find a aftermarket tank that would work and after much resurch purchased a 59-60 Impala tank. I had to make a few alterations to get the tank in and in the long run it was just to long at 27-3/4" http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=172/category_id=124/home_id=-1/mode=prod/prd172.htm compared to the 57' Buick tank that is 25-1/2" long and has the drivers side corner cut off at about a 45* angle to fit the exhaust. I just sent my tank out to be reconditioned by Gas Tank Renu. They said it would be a 5-day turnaround once the got the tank and the cost would be 375.00-425.00. I figured for that price and it was right it was a go. The closest Gas Tank Renu to me was Stockton, CA. Gas Tank Renu called after receiving the tank and said not a problem fixing my tank and the cost would be 375.00. I was happy. Well they called yesterday and told me that after sandblasting my tank could be fixed but it would be unethical to do so as it had about 20,000 holes in it. Damn Well I just bought another 57' Century parts car so hopefully that tank will be good enough to recondition. So I guess the gest of my story is I agree with the rest of the folks here, if your original tank can be repaired that is the best bet and there are several places on the East Coast that preform this service. I will say this in case anyone is interested. I did ask Gas Tank Renu if they would cut my 59-60 Impala tank down to 25-1/2" and cut the corner off to match the 57' Buick and they would perform those tasks and then recondition for the same price and I may end up doing that if I can not find a good original to recondition.
Berry, On another note I will be picking up the Century by this weekend at the latest and will let you know.
Thanks Dan
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Dan, I need a pair of front bumper guards, any help or connections that might have a pair? Barry
PM sent
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Do you still have the complete set of sweepspear moldings for this car? (I asked about the 4 door trim as well in the other thread)
Thanks
PM Sent
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Is all of the sweepspear trim gone from this car? If not, I could use some bits.
I have the complete set of trim available for both this car and a 2-dr ht.
1957 Buick Super Build
in Buick - Performance and Modified
Posted
Thanks for the complements.
The back seat is out of a 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire. It does fit nicely but I am only using it for the upholsterer pattern and will have my original 57' seat upholstered in the 62' Starfire pattern as well as the buckets. The same as the bucket seats the back is 61-64 GM the only difference is the pattern used.