[57 Century (66R)]

15 hours ago, Kosage Chavis said:

Man!  The engine is looking nice.  Are those new or reused pistons that I see?

Thanks.

Yes it is. As the engine was bored from 0.030" over to 0.040" I needed to get new pistons.

They are from egge.

[57 Century (66R)]

21 hours ago, Smartin said:

Did you have the wiper motor connected to the oil/vacuum pump when the smoking started?

Yes, it was connected.

When I did the complete engine rebuild around 1998 it also got rebuild oilpump.

Please elaborate?

[57 Century (66R)]

On 2/15/2020 at 12:10 AM, 1956322 said:

So what ended up being the cause for the smoking?? Looks great!!

Thanks.

I pulled the left cylinder head and to me it looked like a crack in bore #2. So I took it to a machineshop / engine shop. They were convinced it was not cracked.

To be sure they bored the block again, so now it is 0.040" over.

To my mind the only thing that could have caused the issue is a leaking head gasket.

I use the original thin metal head gaskets.

Now the engine is all back together and the dynaflow has also been completely rebuild. Before the engine was painted I had it all assembled in the frame and started.

It ran smoothly so it should be all good now.

I attached a photo of the engine and trans during rebuild.

 

[1958 Caballero]

Congratulations.

Fanstastic restoration. Looks so good. 

[57 Century (66R)]

Thanks. That looks awesome 😀

Yes, I like blue. Some I'm trying choose between the 5 blue colors that was available in 57.

[57 Century (66R)]

Since last update I have been preparing smaller items that need to be rechromed. Many parts and all the large parts like bumpers are done.

I have also worked on exhaust manifolds and exhaust system. I have a set of NOS mufflers, really looking forward to hear how it would have sounded from new.

Today I got the main mufflers hanging in the rights hangers and position.

 

I have also been at the body shop. The repairs that was needed are done. Front fenders and hood are primed and ready for test assembly.

A deck lid is on its way from Idaho. The media blaster company ruined the original one.

 

Samples of the 5 available 57 colors are in progress. Here are Biscay blue and Starlight blue.

[57 Century (66R)]

[57 Century (66R)]

[57 Century (66R)]

Got some more work done. Factory correct Carter 2507S and throttle linkage. The linkage will be refurbished when I'm sure the adjust is working correctly.

Exhaust hanger over rear axle and lower shock absorber bolt, washer etc. installed.

 

[57 Century (66R)]

6 minutes ago, lancemb said:

Very nice!  I assume you'll apply the correct two-tone scheme when you repaint it?

Thanks. Yes, all in all I try to make it as factory correct as possible.

From the factory it is single color Dresden blue. But it will definitely be two-tone.

However, the big question is what combination 🤔

Wife and I can't agree and it is very difficult to decide. Have looked at so many pictures of diff. two-tone blue combinations.

Have ordered a sample of each of the 5 blue colors you could get in 57 and Dover white. So hopefully that will help us decide.

 

 

[57 Century (66R)]

On 1/9/2020 at 2:49 AM, dei said:

Love your work shop!

Thanks dei. It's not huge (22ft x 22ft) but just enough room to hold 2 cars. My '70 GS is at friend's place now, while I'm trying get ready for body to come back from the paint shop. 

[57 Century (66R)]

Thanks for all the support and positive feedback. Much appreciated 🙂

 

On 1/10/2020 at 7:49 PM, lancemb said:

Awesome car!  Do you have some "before" pictures?

Yes, I have some pictures when it was for sale in UK in early nineties.

The panels and lower part of the doors had some rust, so they "fixed" that and painted it. Also did dome upholstry work. It was a nice driver and I had good fun with it.

 

 

[57 Century (66R)]

[57 Century (66R)]

[57 Century (66R)]

In 1995 I had just sold my ’65 Mustang and wanted a late fifties Olds, Buick or Caddy. A friend of mine who had a small business selling cars and parts had a 58 Olds 2 dr HT and this wonderfull 57 Buick 2 dr HT. I took both cars for a short drive. The Olds went first, but as soon as I was behind the wheel of the Buick I was sold. It was my first ride in a Buick, but what a ride.

 

It was built in South Gate. It is single color GG, Dresden Blue and trim 621, Medium Blue interior. It was in decent shape. Most importantly only had minor rust. I knew at some point I wanted to do a complete frame off resto so I immediately started looking for NOS parts. I clearly remember that the first thing I bought was NOS hubcaps.

 

I drove the car each summer. Each year I did some improvements, heater core exchange, torque ball replacement and in 1998 I rebuild the engine. It showed that one cam on the camshaft was only half the height it used to have been, however I never felt that the engine was not running well.

 

In the summer of 2002 I had just replaced some pieces in the fuel system and I was just leaving the gas station with a full tank when steam came out of the left side exhaust. To me it looked like the block had a crack in one cylinder. Damn that was annoying. I only had 6000 miles on it. But it was a sign, that now was the time to start the frame off resto.

It took more than 2 years to take car apart. Meticulously taking notes of all nuts, bolts, washers, clips, brackets, etc. As the years passed I was sometimes very productive and sometimes no progress for years. I would never have dreamed that it should take so long time to do the frame off resto, but I guess that is the way life is.

 

 

The last 4 months things are really moving again. The body is at a body and paint shop, it has been stripped with high pressure water to remove all paint, filler, sealer, etc, revealing a few more places that needed some work.

Just got the engine back from the paint shop. It is back in the frame and assembly is progressing.

 

 

I will try to post the progress. The plan is that it shall be finished in 1 to 2 year’s time.

 

[WTB - 57 Century deck lid (Model 66R)]

Hi

 

I'm looking for a 1957 Buick Century 2 Dr. Ht. (model 66R) deck lid.

Of course as good a condition as possible.

Car is just out of the body shop and getting final prep before paint.

I'm doing a complete frame off resto and the sand blaster guy ruined my near perfect deck lid 😡.

[1957 Buick Caballero Estate Wagon, Super 2door, Roadmaster 75, +4 other 57 Buicks]

PM sent for 57 Century parts car.

[1957 Buick Roadmaster 2 door]

Hi,

Is it dual exhaust models? I'm interested in the front exhaust hanger brackets. The one boltet to the frame. Both sides.

Exhaust manifolds if it is dual exhaust model. 

Front license plate bracket. The one that bolts to the front bumber, that holds the license plate.

Bumper horns.

The front emblem in the chrome bar showing the year and the blue, red, white plastic inserts.

 

Is the transmission complete and working?

[Parting Out 1957 Buick Super 4-Dr Ht & 57 Buick Century 2Dr Ht]

Hi,

Is it dual exhaust models? I'm interested in the front exhaust hanger brackets. The one boltet to the frame. Both sides.

Front license plate bracket. The one that bolts to the front bumber, that holds the license plate.

Bumper horns.

The front emblem in the chrome bar showing the year and the blue, red, white plastic inserts.

 

[1947-1978 Buick parts]

Hi Auburncoupe,

1957 Century Model 66R (2 Door Hardtop) I need the front exhaust hangers that bolt to the frame. Both sides?

Would I be so lucky that you have those and maybe even a picture how the front muffler is connected to the hanger.

Thx.

 

 

[1957 1958 1959 buick parts]

Hi,

Is the 57 car a single or dual exhaust system car?

I'm looking for the hangers boltet to the frame?

Front bumper guards -are these on the car and what condition?

Safety buzzer - the cable and chrome adjustment knob?

Thanks

[1957/58 Buick Exhaust hangers or info/pictures]

yes, it is the exhaust system I'm putting together. And it is a NOS front muffler.

The car was original a single exhaust system. So I have the right front bracket that bolts to the frame, miss the left bracket.

I also have the NOS rear muffler, NOS rear hangers and NOS heat deflectors.

When I started to hang the system to the frame, I saw that there wasn't a front rubber/hanger part

So now I'm trying figure out how it looks our better, get the correct parts.

Again, any help is appreciated. So thank you dei for your input.

[1957/58 Buick Exhaust hangers or info/pictures]

I'm installing the exhaust system and need some of the hangers for a dual exhaust system on a 1957 Century 2Dr HT. (Model 66R)

Front left bracket - Item# 3.704 1353395

Spacer - Item# 3.704 1168510 - used at little muffler (connected to main muffler) to create correct distance to frame. both sides.

Clamps over rear axle, both - Item# 3.704 1169488 Same Item# on both clamps.

Pictures/info of how the exhaust system is hung on to the frame is also appriciated.

Any help is highly appreciated.