old-tank

Rooster modified his car to use tube type shocks. He did this out of necessity since he lives in Australia. Click HERE for servicing the stock lever shocks. Willie

You will have to get one custom made. The place that did mine is no longer in business, but I have heard of others. Willie

Dang! I'm going to classify that under "Why didn't I think of that?" Stay tuned, I have some extra sway bars and... Willie

Adam I try to look at a restoration as not one big project, but as a bunch of small projects. There is a certain sense of satisfaction when some of the big pieces are coming together...along with the fact that you are finally dealing with CLEAN parts. You never did tell us how much fun it was to paint the frame...I hate painting frames, along with installing headliners (both have to do with abusing a creaky old body). Willie

Good shocks will help some (see my web site for tips). Heavy duty springs will help some more. But the best cure is a thicker front sway bar. I have all three on my long distance driver and it drive great. The only limiting factor for more aggressive driving is the slow ratio steering. Willie

Lamar The shaft part numbers for 55 are different on the manual steering and power box. Willie

Lamar The shaft on the 55 big series is longer and it probably is also on the 54. I don't know about 55/54 interchange. If you find a 54 small series unit, the manual transmission should not be a problem, but you should rebuild it before using. Willie

Sid Take it apart, clean and lubricate and it will last forever. I have never replaced one of these. Willie

I used leather from an old belt since that is what was in there from the factory or last shade tree that worked on it. Also be sure the bottom of the reservoir is not deformed from pulling on it to tighten the belt. Willie

Shaun Test drive with the vacuum advance disconnected, and if it improves check the distributor for loose or shorting wires. Also check the dwell with and without the vacuum advance connected. Willie

It could be a low pressure issue like Skyking suggested. I would look at the engine and trans mounts and thrust pad first. Changing the outer torque ball retainer on jack stands is doable along with mounts and thrust pad if needed. Willie

Sid Remove the front seat to work on the under seat heater. The firewall heater is best worked on with the fender removed, but I have done hoses and heater core by loosening the rear of the fender and working from the top, bottom and through the holes in the fender after removing the port holes. The heater valve should also be replaced to make it dependable...that's another 'fun' job. If you are committed I can look at my literature and parts cars to familiarize myself with the procedure. Doable, but a big PIA. Willie

Ken The gas gauge is an ohmmeter and the sending unit is a variable resistor...anyhow it worked for me with no issues, but that was on a 51 F-1. Willie

I used this adjustable resistor from a trailer brake controller to reduce the voltage to the 6v radio. Your gauges will need no attention and will work fine on 12v. Willie

I use Duplicolor Bumper Coating (FB106 Gray Bumper) for my steel finished parts. It is durable, affordable and locally available. This was one of those accidental discoveries: I was looking for something close in my collection of rattle cans and found that I could not tell the difference between a painted part and one that was media blasted. I addition to the clues on installed suspension parts ( no paint) all of the NOS suspension parts sold by vendors are NOT painted. Willie

Gary I had the same problem HERE. If you have some old shoes, take them to your local brake/clutch re-builder and tell them your problem. They can supply lining that will stop the car. Willie

Mike1953 Jump 6v to the small wire that goes to the solenoid ( and attached to the starter relay ). If it turns then you still have a low voltage condition probably due to resistance in the relay. If it still just clunks then the solenoid or starter are defective or starter drive gear is jammed in the ring gear (rock the car in 3rd). Even if you file the contacts in the relay there can be resistance at the rivets, which may need to be drilled and replaced until you can find a replacement unit. Willie

John He is talking about the starter relay...on your 56 it will be on the drivers side inner fender with the large black wire that goes to the solenoid attached along with others. The points can be filed and it seems that adjustment is not that critical. Willie

Mike1953 Cleaning the contacts inside will sometimes get you going for a long time. Bob's Automobilia sells the 12v version...maybe the 6v also. Willie

Mike1953 Don't condemn that 6v battery until you have charged it at 6 amps for 24 hours or 2amps for 48 hours; a dead 6v battery is very slow to recover. A 2hr charge on a 12v battery is ok, but on a 6v it might get you one or 2 starts before it croaks. Willie

I wish the judging manual would get rid of that "apple green" description of the paint color. All of the examples of apple green that I have seen do not match this era of Buick green engine paint. My description would be a shade of turquoise leaning to the green spectrum with some white and black added to make it 'dirty'. That is how my paint supplier mixed and matched the original color from the spark plug cover of one of my low mileage 55's. In reality there were probably many shades over the years that were 'close' but never and exact match. Like all non external body paint it was low quality and carelessly applied. We are worrying more today than Buick did. Willie

Cloth vs vinyl? Maybe vinyl was ordered for practical reasons like: a family with children or old folks with a 'control problem' :eek:

Another 4 door jelly bean. No character or individuality like Dereks's cars for example.

Rich It's looking real good! One small point: the crank pulley should be engine color. Willie

Good eyes! The rounded tank radiator was used for sure in the factory air Buicks and maybe others. Willie