Dennis Hagen

Sorry I am not the guy who makes hinges.

Thanks, The car is in Arizona and I called Donaldson a couple of times and he didn't return my calls. I was in Phoenix and stopped in and did talk to him, he told me it could't be done and offered no other help. I knew his wood could not fit as I said the sedan has a 4" longer wheel base, the rear posts and tail and lift gate are same and as I said he told me I could not do it.I was at Garret-Jackson in Jan. and got a lot of great pictures of a 52 for reference ,that car sold for 100,000 So, I'm up for the challenge, I just reworked the hood to raise straight up 24" with linear actuators. I hate the side opening hoods, I converted my 51 convert to front opening using 53 hinges and latch assembly and that worked well but going straight up was easier. I will post pictures of both when I can.

I have a 52 Super Estate Wagon (beyond salvageable) and a 52 Super 4 door sedan and just starting the process of turning the sedan into an Estate Wagon. I know the sedan frame is 4" longer but I can adjust the top as necessary. I am a cable woodworker and am in the process of mocking up all the wood then will digitize the parts and CNC mill the ash parts. My question is has anyone done this before?

Thanks for the reply, I watched a Muggy Weld video and may give it a try. I think my parts were ground/polished and re-plated as they seem quite thin probably why they are cracked and broken. I restored a 51 Super convert and they seem more substantial, still looking better parts. Thanks, Dennis

I am in need of the three piece cast parts, I know they are hard to find in usable condition. My center piece is broken in the middle and both end pieces are cracked. Has anyone repaired/welded and replaced these? Dennis

I purchased a 56 Century a year ago and not knowing any mechanical history. It had a severe vibration about 50 mph, had trans fluid in rear end. Found torque ball and bushing were bad, appears car was driven with low trans fluid which took out the bushing and ball. Found a nos ball on eBay and bought a seal kit from Bob's, all seems to be good now.

Thanks for the reply. I think I will grind the rubber off of the NOS torque ball and rely on the inner rubber on the new retainer. Going back together with new ball , retainer kit and propeller shaft seal. Will post update after driving. Also looking for power steering setup for this 56.

Newbie here. I recently acquired a 1956 Buick Century. Bushing/bearing was rotating in torque ball and ruined in. Found a NOS ball and purchased a seal kit. My question is since my rear end was full of trans fluid do I need to replace seals on both ends of propeller shaft of just the front end? Also, the NOS ball has rubber bonded to it and should it be removed as the new outer retainer has rubber bonded inside? Thanks for your help. Dennis 763-238-7115

I recently acquired a 56 Century Riviera. Trans fluid in rear end. Torque ball was destroyed on inside maybe from being driven low on trans fluid. Found a new torque ball and bushing on Ebay and repair kit for Old Cars. Ready to put back together but do I need to replace seal at rear end of tube/propeller shaft also? One more question, the NOS torque ball came with rubber on the outside and new retainer has rubber on inside. Does rubber need to be removed from outside of torque ball? Thanks, Dennis