Nicholas3

Thanks Bob, upon further cleaning and inspection of the outer cover there are some pin holes. I thought that might have been why after I saw them. And yes I know what you mean by clean the water jacket especially around cylinder #8 all the gunk collected there. What a mess some 80+ years can create in there. Lol. But I now have one more question, I noticed the screw holes for the cover go completely through the side wall, but some had, either by factory or some one in the past, what appeared to be welded nubs at the back of the screw hole. I assume in an attempt to close them from leaking. Should I as well try to close off the back of the screw holes, or will thread sealer work just fine?? Thanks again for your reply, that definitely helped and clarified things for me. Nick

Not sure I'm in the right place for this or not, but I'm gonna ask here and hope I get directed in the right direction. I'm new to the Buick straight 8, first time working on one. I have a 31 Series 50, I have to replace the water jacket cover gasket, so i ordered one online from Bob's Automobilia. Got the new gasket and started the task, when I took the outer steel cover off I found that I had a second thinner copper cover then what appeared to be a tar paper like gasket that covered the entire water jacket opening. The new gasket is a cork gasket that only goes around the perimeter of the opening. Being someone who is knowledgable about engine work to somewhat of a degree, I would assume it's ok to just put the new cork gasket and the steel outer cover on, not using the inner copper cover sandwiched in between. Am I correct in that assumsumption or should I find a full tar paper gasket and put the copper inner cover along with the outer steel cover. Any help in or answer on this topic would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help. Nick

Thank you for the response and reaching out to me. I'll have to give him a look. I will eventually like to get the car back to as original as possible but not to a show car quality point just yet. I just purchased the car last summer but haven't had it running yet. It needed/ needs a few things to get her running. I had to drop the gas tank to have it cleaned, sealed and painted. It needs the radiator and the water outlet from the cylinder head, if you know where I can find one those too that would be great. For now I just machined a water outlet from a block of aluminum. It's very crude but should hopefully get the job done until I can find an original or find a way to make a better, cleaner, more finished one at a later time. But for now I just want to get it running and road worthy enough to drive it while I restore it back to as much as original as possible and my money can afford as I go. Hope you get your Caddy radiator back enough time to get it running for the summer. Thank you again for the info, have a great night

Hello everyone, I have a 31 series 50 and in need of a radiator or tanks that I can have a core mated to. I'm not looking for original as of right now, I'm much more looking to getting the car running and on the road, plus I'm not willing to spend the $3000+ I've been quoted from Brass Works and other custom radiator shops. A simple straight fin or even aluminum radiator or restorable original will do for now. Would also like to have the pines winter shutterstat as well, but will run an inline thermostat for now if have to. I'm in New Jersey, anyone who can help me out or point me to someone who can please reach out and let me know. Thank you in advanced.  Nick

Hello everyone, I have a 31 series 50 and in need of a radiator or tanks that I can have a core mated to. I'm not looking for original as of right now, I'm much more looking to getting the car running and on the road, plus I'm not willing to spend the $3000+ I've been quoted from Brass Works and other custom radiator shops. A simple straight fin or even aluminum radiator or restorable original will do for now. Would also like to have the pines winter shutterstat as well, but will run an inline thermostat for now if have to. I'm in New Jersey, anyone who can help me out or point me to someone who can please reach out and let me know. Thank you in advanced. Nick

Hello, my name is Nick and I'm from New Jersey. I'm very glad I found this forum, last summer I purchased a 31 Buick Series 50 barn find and it's been quite a journey finding some parts and info on this model and year. I even had a classic Buick parts dealer that is about 20 minutes from me laugh and tell me "Good Luck" in finding parts and info. So you can imagine my relief in finding this forum. Hopefully, as I learn to navigate this forum, I will meet some great people and find some willing to help and point me in the right direction; or maybe even have a part or two that will help me put all the pieces together. Hope to talk you some of you all soon.