old-tank

The new paint may be interfering with the ground connection.

Very interesting discussion! Out of curiosity I looked at a NOS 1955 grill in my closet (it is NOS and never installed, but has casting defects in the poor chrome on the front face---I always found better used ones) and it too is painted with a dull silver paint on the backside and in the mesh. That will maybe save a re-plating cost on a grill that has a decent front face, but some pits/bubbles in the mesh...just smooth them out and paint. I wonder if there is powder coat that will duplicate that finish since rattle can silver will not hold up to bug juice. Willie

That's exactly what I want to do. That way I can easily take the carpet out if needed. I found THIS but there is no picture---just of the package. Anyone dabble in Ford parts? Willie

I am in the process of adding seat belts and/or new carpet to my 55's. To make a neat installation I would like for the belts to pass through a grommet (?right term?). I have seen where the belts were bolted on top of the carpet or pass through a slit in the carpet that soon becomes ragged. Any ideas? Willie

NOS=new old s**t! These parts were probably made when the car was new, but were not good enough to put on a new car. Four years later when the car was wearing some road rash these pieces were acceptable for replacement. 15 years ago when I was doing my 55 CVT I bought NOS front and rear bumpers (base only) and a grill. I have some bent used bumpers that have been in the weather for 50 years that had a better finish than those things. And the grill has casting defects. The bumpers were excellent cores for re-plating...the grill is still in a closet, passed over in favor of better but used grills. Willie

Well it looks like I led you astray again. Just checked my original car and that piece is unpainted...only the center of the bolt/stud in the head is painted. You should immediately remove that thing (ignoring scratches on the surrounding parts) and make it correct. In addition I will surrender the senior awards on the cars that are just like your project--->NOT! Look at the big picture and consider not painting on a future project...that is not something that any current judge will notice. Willie

I looked at the pictures before reading the post (habit from younger days) and thought that was a little-bitty assembly compared to a 55...glad it worked out. Willie

Good choice, but keep the original photo for the 'before' picture...

Koala Check the pressures as outlined in the service manual, read the troubleshooting procedures and study the hydraulic circuits. The valve body can be removed, but other than the mounting gasket and two servos not much can go wrong there. Willie

Mark Usually the only thing that goes wrong with those motors is the commutator gets tarnished from disuse and the brushes will not make contact. That is easily fixed after removal---which is the problem. I have no specific pointers for your model, but if applying direct power to the motor (tapping and wiggling) does not work, try this: On most of the cars I have worked on with an inoperable motor I removed the fasteners from the inner panel and let the whole assembly drop into the door or quarter panel. While you probably can''t get everything out through the access opening, you may be able to gain access to the fasteners to remove the glass from the rest of the assembly. Only on one car did I have to cut out the inner panel...repairing was not that hard since you don't have to worry about cosmetics. Willie

PROJECT Another one that got disassembled and neglected and is now a parts car worth $500 at most. Original engine gone, replacement(?) will not fit. Only someone with a car like this could use this. I should stay away from the ads since I am not going to buy... Willie

Try THIS for your existing photos. Also your new camera should have settings to take lower resolution photos.

Partly true---Mike helped me change the unit on one of my 55's. It is extremely hard to handle that heavy mutha on an assembled car. Willie

Barney My understanding is that currently there are two classes that can use "year of manufacture" plates: antique and classic, where only the classic still had to have yearly safety inspections and no reduction in license fees and could be driven like a normal everyday car. Instead of eliminating the 'classic' category they just eliminated the YOM plates. Also the state is recycling old plate numbers and even if you found a YOM plate it might not be approved if the number is currently in use. The only advantage to the state issued antique plates is that only one is issued to be put on the rear---cleans up the look of the front in many cases. Willie

Most of the items listed we use for fish bait....

Try this:

Can Buicks Fly? Certainly! (I think that 2 of mine were used like that too)

Possibly ran over something (Prius?) and captured this piece. There may evidence of other damage to the underside. The sway bar looks like it is bent(?).

Bob I have never seen anything like that and don't know what it is for. Looks to be associated with the right side lower control arm---what is it made of and where is it attached. Willie

Get mounts made by Steele. After ordering samples from them and many of the others, theirs were the closest in dimension and durometer to the original. Your favorite supplier is probably a reseller...makes the shipping more tolerable. Willie

Using a thick flat washer weld the remaining stub to the 'hole' in the washer, then weld a nut to the washer. Willie

Dimmer switch then light switch.

I thought I smelled pie, but I guess it is something else...

Why not post or link to the article so we can all benefit?

When buying from mid 50's chevy suppliers never mention that the part will be used on a Buick or any other car. I have had them refuse to sell to me, any part is not returnable for refund or replacement, and instant price increases will happen. 25 years ago ready made carpet with Daytona was not available for 55 Buick. I talked one of the chevy suppliers into sending yardage to be constructed by my uphosterer; price was double a ready made set for a chevy.