Rusty Heaps

And..painted trunk, and got all windows functional again! Wohoo!

And more

I guess I need to start a new thread for my project. Some of you may have taken a look at my start over in the intro section. So here we go. I purchased this car as a basket case approximately 9 years ago. I’ve been playing with other projects ahead of it. Well, time starts to tell on untouched projects, so I decided that I better pay attention before it’s too late. Recently I pulled the mouse nest interior and stripped the seats, pulled the windshield gasket and trim, no windshield in the car, and have sanded and painted the inside of the shell of the car, the floors, under side of roof, and quarters. Also repainted the dashboard and sanded,repaired, and repainted the trunk compartment. I’m using old election signs for door, quarter, kick panels, and parcel tray panels , they work great for cardboards, just buy the metal tack strips. This isn’t going to be a show car, just a driver. Also purchased some light gray vinyl and medium gray fabric for the panels and hopefully the seats I recently purchased the windshield and gasket, and am busy buying parts. I’m looking for a new gas tank and have to get measurements for the filler neck offset. Here are some pics. I hope you’ve had your tetanus shot!

Your choice, ‘51-‘52 big Buick gauge oil and temp clipped, ‘53 Special clock or “Buick Eight” filler . Free, you pay for the travel.

I’m in search of a good used shop manual for my ‘52 Special.

Am I correct in the belief that there are differences in the Dynaflow and manual transmission engines at the rear of the crankshaft? And if so, can I use an engine from a Dynaflow car for my manual transmission project car? What are the differences and what to look for? I may have a local lead on a 263 and need to know what to spot so as not to buy an engine that I can not use.

Boy, it’s getting deep over here! And I just tuned in for a little know how on brakes before I purchase shoes for my ‘52 Special. PS not my first rodeo on brakes. I’m a firm believer in installing a completely new system from master cylinder back on any older car that hasn’t been serviced in decades. What’s your life worth.

Nice work Lancemb, if you feel the need to freshen up another rear end/ torque tube assembly, come on down Tennessee and I can let you tackle the one under my ‘52 Special! Just kidding. That is nice work, along with the under body work. Best of luck on the dash. That will be one sharp car when you finish.

No one ID or need this part? Free plus postage. Don’t make me throw it in the scrap pile

Now if they’d do the early ‘50s, non- generic.

It measures 26” x 8” with the pivot arms measuring 8”.

Rivnut, the dimensions are the same for ‘51-‘53 Specials. There should be ample room. The Chevrolet of the same vintage can easily accommodate a V8 to replace the six, so I can assume the Special can too. I’m guessing that it may be feasible to bolt an early Nailhead up to the existing three speed tranny. Sound reasonable to you?

No takers on this subject?

Thanks JBP! The 1951-1953 Specials are pretty much all the same as for dimensions and most parts. Got any pics of your car?

Can anyone identify this ? Is it even for an automobile? And does anyone need it? It was in a small body shop that was being cleaned out, the shop was closed in the early ‘70s. I’d hate to toss it in the scrap heap if someone can put it to use.

Is it a difficult swap to install a nailhead in place of the straight eight. I know motor mounts and possibly an adapter plate for the three speed tranny, but outside of that? I have a ‘52 Special 45R with a boat anchor of an engine in it. Apparently it sat for years in a junkyard without a head or hood. TOAST! Just looking for a reasonable solution without swapping trans or torque tube rear end.

Does anyone know if door and quarter panel cardboards are the same or close enough to work from the 1952 Chevrolet Bel Air coupe hardtop for the 1952 Buick Special Riviera 45R coupe hardtop. I see that National Chevy Parts carries them and the metal edges for a reasonable price. The bodies seem similar enough that they should interchange, maybe with a little tweaking here and there, possibly for the door and window handles. Anyone else tried this route? Also, the trunk cardboards?

JohnD, I’ve yet to purchase a manual for the ‘52, instead I have relied upon the Chevrolet manuals for most work as much is similar with the exception of engine work, which is not an issue for the time being.

JBP, what model is your car? Special, Super, Roadmaster? As many of you are aware, the Special is a smaller vehicle, and tank neck location may be different for it compared to the large bodied car. Also, my ‘50 Chevrolet gas tank has the rubber hose connector for the filler neck as factory and I’ve had no problems with it.

My ‘52 Special is in need of a gas tank, there is no old one under the car. I have looked at replacement tanks from such suppliers as Tanks Inc. They have a few listed as essentially replacement type. They have a few different neck offset measurements from the front of the tank I believe between 10 1/2” to 13”. Has anyone else purchased one, and if so, which neck offset is appropriate for the ‘52 Special 45R. Or are there other more correct options? Help!

I’m curious as to whether the door and quarter cardboards from a Chevrolet hardtop coupe from the same era might work in the Special. Anyone ever try? NAtional Chevy carries them for a reasonable price

I’ve done a few back glasses on mid fifties Gm products with the stainless going in after the job, but never a windshield, and never with the trim attached. This will be a new experience. For the record, the back glass can be done by one person if help can’t be found.