buick looks fine for 39

The folks who have responded to your inquiry have given very good advise. 1939 40 series exhaust manifold will work on a 1940 special, but the heat stove for the automatic choke is different between 1939 and 1940 or later requiring a minor change. Try Dave Tachney for an exhaust manifold. To repeat what other people have written, it's important to use the proper washers, make sure the exhaust manifold is not warped, consider honing the manifold face making it dead flat, torque it no more than 20-30 lbs, and loosen the exhaust manifold valve body from the exhaust manifold and intake manifold. When the engines were originally built the exhaust valve body was intentionaly left loose. The exhaust manifold and intake manifold was then torqued to the head and finally the exhaust manifold body was torqued to the exhaust and intake manifold. Thanks Leif

Thanks Gary, that sounds better.

I bought my first 39 business coupe the year of Woodstock and I still have it. There are many idiosyncrasies between late and early models and quite a few items are 39 only. I'd be glad to help anyway I can. Thanks Leif

Thanks for the input. A change in cone angle between 38-39 and 40-47 was the main concern regarding interchangeability. In my car it dosen't seem to be a problem.

A while back I wrote a post regarding the use of 40-47 synchros in a 39 Buick Special transmission. There are 2 different part numbers for 38-39 synchros and 40-47 synchros. Many people believed the two different synchro types were not interchangeable. I posted the different part numbers were due to a synchro design change. 38-39 synchros were spin poured in a steel shell like a babbitt connecting rod and the brass friction surface was machined into the synchro. 40-47 synchros had the brass friction surface press fitted into the steel shell. Years ago I found a Muncie (?) interchange manual and it listed 38-47 as having the same part number. I believed 40-47 synchros were superior to 38-39s because the earlier synchros had a tendency to delaminate and shed brass fragments into the gear box. Today I made my maiden voyage in my 39 Buick 46c with 40-47 synchros and the transmission performed flawlessly. Finding 40-47 synchros are still like hen's teeth but It might give folks more flexibility who own 38s and 39s if 40-47s will work as well. Thanks Leif

Try Vern Bethel in Vancouver BC. He has a fair amount of series 80-90 parts he's collected over the years. He once owned the 1939 McLaughlin Royal Limited convertible used by the king and queen of England during their tour of Canada in 1939. Thanks Leif

Thank you for the suggestion

Thank you so much for your reply. All I know is that the coupe express is one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time. Leif

A family member is looking for a bullet nosed 1950-1951 Studebaker. I'm a GM guy and don't know what a reasonable price is for a good driver. So far we've looked at 3 or 4 and they turned out to be junk. As we were looking for a bullet nose I stumbled across a barn fresh 1939 coupe express truck. The body was in amazing condition with next to no rust. There was a 2 inch square soft spot in the passenger side cab corner, the transmission cover edge was a bit lacey, and the sidemount well had a 50 cent piece soft spot. All for fenders were dented but not even pitted on the inside. The rear end and front suspension had been competently rebuilt by a mechanic, and the engine plus transmission were supposedly rebuilt but out of the truck. The grill and center nose stainless had seen better days. All I know is that it's a rare and desirable rig. Any suggestions about determining price rangs would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I took a while but I solved the problem with my steering box by adding an Ace Hardware neoprene washer in addition to a thicker O ring. The original felt seals had lost their compressibility and no longer provided a satisfactory seal. Thanks Leif

G code at least for 1939 is for an accessory oil filter. Thanks Leif

For crying out loud Ben, couldn't you come up with a more exotic answer? Probably right though Thanks Leif

I have a factory template for placing 39 Buick parking lights correctly on the fenders. Unfortunately I've spent 45 frustrating minutes trying to post a photo on line. I hate technology that is more smart than I am, but for me it happens all the time. If someone is interested maybe a Vulcan mind meld will work. Thanks Duh Leif

Also, the base plates are different between 38 and 39 and be careful of the lenses. 1940 Packard fender lights are very close to 39 Buicks, but the parts don't interchange.

I have the guts, but no extra lenses. Thanks leif

For what it's worth, there are special vintage tools needed to safely install vent glass. Not every glass shop has the tools or knowledge install them. I used Sanders Reproauto glass in Vancouver Wa and was very pleased with the results. They have original patterns for 39 Buicks and they're also capable of engraving bug proofs which orginally came on the glass. Thanks Leif

What a loss, his work was top cabin.

I think I talked to you last summer and if I remember correctly your 66c was from Denmark. 1939-Buick did a great job explaining the codes that remain on your data plate. The good news is reproduction data plates are available and the plates from the company Back East are excellent. Myself or other members on this website can provide you with additional codes missing on your plate. Hada Leif

I just saw your post. The accessory code is hand stamped as it should be and it looks like it was stamped during factory assembly. My information came from the 1941 Buick Distribution Book which was used at the dealerships for filling out new car order forms. It was not unusual for Buick to introduce new available features later in the model year. I have an Interorganizational Field Memo introducing a new upholstery option for 39 Centuries at mid production complete with an upholstery sample. It has an upholstery code that is not in my 1939 Buick Distribution Book. I'll check my stuff to see if I can find a G code. Thanks Leif

It's an after market muffler, but they work just fine as well. The originials were not ribbed, and they were galvanized plus they had a part number on them and an embossed GM. Thanks Leif

I posted all the accessory codes for 1941 a few months ago under "Buick looks fine for 39". Thanks Leif

The data plate inside the engine compartment should give you a clue as to what the interior color was originally. Also the interior code on the data plate should identify what type of fabric/leather combination was used. Most open cars had leather on the high wear seat surfaces and leatherette on the door panels etc. A complete leather interior was highly unusual and probably special order. There was a leather fabric combination at least in coupes but I've only seen one example. Also pictures in the sales brochures are an artist's conseption. My 39 41c has the original leather/leatherette interior and there is a seam running down the middle of the front and rear seats. I haven't seen a prewar war Buick with leather seats where a seam wasn't made. Thanks Leif

I had to think about it but the car looks like the McLaughlin Buick Don Warren restored over 40 years ago. At that time I was told it was the only McLaughlin Buick 96c in existance. I believe Don passed away a few years ago. He had a restoration shop in Maple Ridge BC. I should be able to find out additional information if you're interested. Beautiful car! Thanks Leif

I'd be dancing in the streets if my restored steering box only leaked once every 2 weeks. I think I created a new GM option.....The new and not improved self-draining steering box.

Thanks guys for your imput. I believe it's a common problem for all Saginaw steering boxes of this design. Probably the steering boxes stopped leaking when; A they became empty , B when they accumulated so much road gritt they sealed themselves or C the owner put in road tar. I don't like either way and I'll do my best to fix or minimize the problem. The Corn Head grease does sound interesting. Whatever I find out I'll make sure to post it. Leif