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Try swapping the key from the old unit into the new unit. The grove in the shaft is most likely the same depth. Steve

Drove the mighty Buick this weekend easier to get around than my Ram pickup with a long box. Xmas shopping at JC Penny then to a Grocery story then a hardware store. I would get something done on my other projects if I stopped running around. I should have noted the miles before I started driving the Buick this summer. Not a lot of miles but more than I thought I would accumulate. If my math is correct about 2K since July this year. Steve

John I used rope caulk it works great easy to apply. Wiper Transmission soaked in ATF and they work as good as new thanks Em Tee . Once I clean them up I can install them. I have new gaskets for the wiper transmission Steele Part # 70-1604-53. Working on the rear quaters inner splash panels. Taking them out to dip tomorrow they are covered in under coating and road tar. I removed the fender welt on the sides Buick factory used staples to hold this on. I am looking for the rubber seal. Steele has a running board- gravel shield that looks very close. Restoration specialties has a seal that looks like a better fit but dimensions on the restoration specialty part. I will send them a message and see if they can provide the information. I will try and figure a way to install a staple once I have the seal. I have seen a few cars that the rubber seal is just left off the inner splash panels. I hope to have mine with the seal installed. Steve the picture is from Steele I cannot down load Restoration's image.

Berl79 I want to welcome you to the forum. The knowledge from the members will help you accomplish so many things on your project. The advice you have received already will help move this project along. Cool car I would focus on getting it running and the safety items brakes lights and steering I am glad to see new tires. When it is safe and reliable drive the car and start having fun! Make repairs as items come up the old car hobby needs to see these cars on the road. I know of a young lad that has a 55 Chev car that is as rough as they get holes in the floor and plenty of patina. His daily driver he has fun and everyone smiles when he drives by. You brought up the wiring many folks install a battery switch. Easy to do and they are cheap and good insurance. I never leave an old car unattended with the battery hooked up. I also carry a fire extinguisher in the car. Keep posting on the forum it helps me get motivated on my projects. Steve

John Rare this time of year that the rain stopped and the sun came out. It has been raining cats and dogs. I wish I was on my game With the Women at the post office when they asked if it was a Cadillac. I should have said B is before C so Buick will always trump a Caddy. Steve

Stopped raining for a few hours today the sun was even out. Ran a few errands in the Buick while in town went to the post office a couple of ladies in the parking lot asked if this was a Cadillac. l had to explain it’s a Buick. They were amazed it is 70 years old and it was still running and driving. Headed home at dusk the 53 at road speed all gauges reporting normal. l need to install a dyna light so I can see the shifter in the dark Steve

I contacted the vender Friday I asked for Tech support. I had the pleasure of talking with one of the staff members that is building cars at home. He asked for a few pictures and a few other questions about the car. He also asked about sharp items in the spring mounting. I sent him pictures This weekend. He will work on the project and see what they have that can fit my needs. He was sick Friday I was his last call for the week. I will see what they come up with. I will add a few pictures that show a sharp object for everyone. They are from my other project same chassis. My RM is not this clean down under. Steve

Working on wiper parts this weekend. The wiper shafts are free and work OK will clean them up and hit them with paint. They look to have a GM clutch bolt holding the back cover on the pivots. Is it worth tracking down a socket and pulling them apart and cleaning the parts and adding lube. I have never had anything like this apart. Any advice will be appreciated. The wiper motor mount had a rubber bushing at the body to mount area is this just a body seal. I am thinking of using a small O ring in its place. It also looked like the Mount had no gasket just body sealer and bolted on. Any thoughts on a gasket. I have not seen a gasket or seal for this in my search. Wiper motor is worn out go figure. Are the Exchange units working out or is someone repairing the mighty vacuum motors. Thanks Steve

Thanks everyone looks like the universal kit is in order. Will price this out 1000 pound capacity is a pretty good bump in capacity. Spare parts luggage and a passenger or two in the back seat. This should avoid the overloaded look. Now research cruise control Steve

The cars that have surrendered parts for my projects had these in the rear springs. I have never seen an air bag inside a coil spring in action. Looks to me they would help when you have a load in the trunk without lifting the rear. Can you still purchase these if so who is the vendor. Another option is replacing rear springs this might be the best choice. I am trying to keep the ride and trying to avoid tail dragging when loaded with spare parts and luggage. Thanks for any tips Steve

Powers must be out no problem. I have a mower in the back and belt on the wall after a bit of fabrication back in business Steve

I would look into your cooler lines to the heat exchanger possibly leaking. Not sure of the routings on a 55. On my 53 they are on the RH side toward the back about 3 o’clock. If they are similar it could spray on the top. Check the service manual for quantities of fluid needed sounds like it’s leaking out as fast as you can put it in. If l remember correctly on my 53 l added 6 quarts engine not running. I had fluid on stick it was over full. Started engine and adjusted levels as it filled torque converter. If the service manual states fluid amount in pan drain fluid. Then add appropriate amount and check dipstick should be full. This will help you confirm you have the correct dipstick. Some of the forum threads might have some views showing the lines on a 55 Steve

Keep up the great work! I enjoy watching the progress, another soft top on the road before long thats when fun starts. Steve

Did you locate your part I have a 53 part car should be the same part? Steve

I am thinking this is still 6 volt unless you have changed it over. If this is 12 volt you might be able to locate an electric power seat setup and change it over. You said no pump with the car I am thinking you will have a pump that operates the top. If your power seat is complete tee from the pump install a cylinder and you will be done. I would think this is very similar to my 53 power seat. Switch on the seat for forward will start pump open valve in cylinder under seat then it moves forward. When you want to go back the switch is moved valve opens on cylinder fluid returns to tank the spring moves seat back. A manual seat setup from the era is another option other than an option is removed. If the cylinder is removed from the power seat I am not sure how the seat will be locked in place. I have an operating power seat in a 53 RM the only time I move the seat is when I show someone it moves. In almost every case folks are amazed cars had options like power windows and seats back then. Most cars we now drive have a power seat once they are in place most folks rarely move them. Steve

Willy You keep bringing up cam bearings is this a problem area. Do you suspect it flaking out or the bearing rotating in the block. I have seen this on engines in the past block turns black at the problem area if they spin much. Steve

I replaced the shocks on my 53 RM one of the four worked never could get the others to work. Your shocks will most likely need bushings and possibly the shaft will need repair. My shocks came from Apple hydraulics working great so far. The one thing I did not repair is the rear pan-yard bar bushing its on the to do list. If you can replace the shocks and the rear bar bushing you should have a great ride. The biggest issue I have on the RM is the front sway bar is small be nice if it was larger. I drive a country paved road about 12 miles one way each day and it has a few large bumps, road has shifted. Ram pickup gives a darn good bounce, Dodge 2022 mini van is just a bit softer but a good bounce. The 53 RM you hardly notice the issue. Every time my wife rides along she makes note how well a 70 year old car rides. I would like to think you will have the same results Steve

Charlie You could have a seal and a spring for the spline on the driveline. 1946- through 1953 early production had this seal if I recall correctly. I did not see this in you seal kit. Having the needed parts is always a win when you're under a car. I did this job on V8 car 6 months ago few things I ran into. Flexible brake line at control arm was not long enough to pull back without removing clip that holds the line this added the extra flex needed. Once I have it pulled diff back I add an extra strap or chain as a safety just to keep the diff pulled back in case the strap lets loose. I like the extra jack stands you are using, what kind of lock system does the lift have? Update as you go laying under old cars keeps us young. I ended up pulling my assembly out and going after the gasket and seal on the pinion. Steve

Repaired the radio antenna I thought the coax was the issue turned out the antenna connection to coax was it. The coax was not making good contact at the clip at the end of the coax. I cleaned everything up with a scotch brute added tension to the clip that holds the end of the coax. I also cleaned the tube that the rod that moves the antenna goes through. The rubber square plug with the brass clip also had paint on it from a years ago paint job. The rubber plug is old and hard tough to work with. Radio works great now antenna just needs tuned with the adjustment on the radio. This work corrected the issue I had with poor reception and a scratching noise when you hit a bump. Here are pictures of the setup for anyone having the same issue last one out of focus did not see this until it was assambled. Steve

New phone last week Uploading pictures from my phone or tablet they upload but it’s just a black screen in the picture When using my desktop everything works fine. Not sure if this is a settings issue or an apple issue Mac desktop and Apple phone and tablet, everything worked fine until the new phone was installed. Thanks for any help Steve

It’s winter and it rains here in the northwest. I almost always open the hood and unhook the battery when I make a stop that is very long. I use the twist type battery switch. I am trying this remote batt switch, I have a key fob like a new car that will disconnect the battery. Now I will not be in the rain under the hood fumbling with the knob on the battery switch. Be interesting to see how long this works, not heavy duty by any means. It is rated at 500 amp draw. Clean up a few things route the small wires and I will be back on the road. Now new wiper blades and I am set for winter driving. I had a call last night from a gent in Eugene same town I live in. He has a 53 RM 2 door power everything and he wants it gone a load of parts. Just what I needed more 53 Buick’s. I will call my therapists first she is in the house. Steve

The Case dozer is done and back outside.Enough ran last week fire dance is all but gone will be able to use it now. I am ready to get back to other projects that start with a B Did a bit of car things this weekend a long time friend brought his Model A to a lot and gave the grand kids rides. I even gave it a go,I am now a qualified Model A driver good times. I hope the grandkids catch the car bug: I have said good grades good behavior. If and when they go to the prom they could use the same car I used to take their grandmother to the prom. Car club had a special day today big turnout. One member is 100 years wise they brought down a 100 year old Dodge for a spin with him inside, news crew even showed up. He gets around good and is still sharp’ he is a Navy man flew Dauntless dive bombers in WWII. I was told he even went flying today. This is Vince in the drivers seat and by the right headlight with a helping hand. Steve

Tom Give inline a call I have found a few items this way for my 53 not everything is listed on line. Spent sometime at the hose vendors and looks like we were off track using brake line. I am now using a #4 SAE 90 degree fitting on the pump, hose has push lock fittings. These are the fittings that typically have a yellow stop ring. I had these removed and a crimp added rather than a hose clamp the pressure is low enough that a hose clamp would work. I wanted the crimp because it looks better and if a hose clamp ever did come loose it would not be fun with oil running out the door or on the carpet. The line is very flexible and will perform great in the door hinge area. The flow rate will be the same as OEM hose just a small reduction on the 90 degree fittings the SAE fittings are about .015 reduced from OEM a drill could fix this but I can wait that long for the top to operate. Steve

Springfield Oregon Eugene and Springfield are next to each other Dealer closed a few years ago sounds like they are working on a development that will retain the building but who knows Steve

Went to cars and coffee this morning and on the way home stopped In at the closed Buick dealer in Springfeild. Steve