old-tank

Thanks Steve Let me know if you hear anything. I called Steele yesterday and was told that they don't have them and are not going to make them... Not wanting to hold my breath for Steele, I will get some estimates from Metro and Karr rubber. Willie

I am referring to that large triangular piece surrounding the steering column at the floor and firewall. Are theses items being reproduced? I have checked with all known suppliers and no joy. And any used ones in this area are worse than the ones I have. There was one for a Super (different part number) that went for $130 on ebay a few weeks ago. I am thinking about having some custom made...any interest? Thanks Willie

Paul You need an exhaust cutout: JC Whitney I've had them in the past and am smiling right now thinking about it. Go for it! Willie

Bob The lifters were aftermarket made by TRW and probably the VL-3 that Ken is talking about. Using 56 lifters a 55 is OK if you want to solve a problem like Ken, pending a complete rebuild. After all they lasted 20,000 miles and that is years for most of us... Willie

Bob 55 lifters have a deeper recess at the top and require a longer pushrod. 56 lifters can only be used if 56 pushrods are used to obtain the same overall lenght. Most of us use 56 lifters because they are cheaper and easier to find and the best way is to replace the cam with one from a 56. Here is what happens when you use 56 lifters on a 55 cam: (you are looking at the bottom of the lifter...there is a hole that ain't supposed to be there...) This took 20,000 miles but I was 500 miles from home when 3 of them went south. They were all on exhaust valves which would not open with a collapsed lifter so lots of backfireing thru the carb. Just disconnected the sparkplug wire and kept going...not much power running on 5 cylinders... Amended the diagnosis. The 56 lifters on the 55 cam worked fine for 20K miles. That was when one cylinder head was removed and rebuilt because of a burned valve. The reason the cam and lifters on that side were destroyed was because the machine shop installed shims under the outer valve springs that covered the recess for the inner valve springs causing valve bind and extreme pressure at the cam/lifter interface. I then rebuilt the engine with new cam, lifters, pushrods, rocker assemblies and upon startup it ran for 2 minutes and clanked to a stop. Findings: bent pushrods, broken rockers, broken rocker shafts, bent camshaft and cracked block around the cam journals; the same &*%$#@ machinist installed the same shims under the outer valve springs! After a lot of crying I got a good engine out of them. Don't worry about the "theoretical" incompatibility. With light valve springs, and modern lubricants it will outlast you. There are many rebuilt 53-54-55 nails that have possible incompatibility with different metals. Just be sure that the overall length of lifter/pushrod is correct. Willie

These engines were the 322ci and were lower compression than the engines used in Buicks. I have never seen one and have always wondered about what transmissions were used, etc. Willie

The tires were Carlyle brand (made in USA) from Discount Tire. The previous tires were the same tread design but a different brand and they self-destructed at 4 years just like these. The tires we bought in Norman, OK are Nanking(sp) brand made in China. I bought the 'lifetime' warranty for this last set of Carlyle tires and recieved a full refund from Discount Tire (after some 'negotiating'). Willie

This is Bill Talking, I am on Willie's computer cause mine died. Lost another trailer tire yesterday, I think it had something to do with hitting the large piece of furniturein the road last night. Just a glancing blow but broke a light and dented the fender. Traveling at night in Tennessee can be dangerous. Of course traveling during the day in Missouri is too as we heard a bang yesterday afternoon but couldn't figure out what it wa until we saw the bullet hole in the trailer. I dont know who I pissed off with my driving but they shot the trailer. We dropped the car off today outside of Mobile and will head back to Texas tomorrow. 3300 miles so far since Sunday, no rain no bad weather except for the wind and cold. Will post pictures when I get home.

Hi Email me and I will respond by the weekend. I can help with the removal of the tri parts. Willie

It was cold.... TOO COLD

Hey Ken Can you post some pictures to show what you are talking about? I have some used original 55 lifters, some aftermarket 55 lifters and some aftermarket 56 lifters (friends say I never throw anything away...but guess who they go to for some obscure part...). A quick glance at these lifters showed differences in the size and placement of the groove on the lifter body and in the oil hole. Sorry that this did not answer your question on the VL-3 vs VL-5 lifters. Willie

Coker tire sells a 6.50R16 that would be more appropriate

On earlier cars (55) the same key operated the door lock and ignition and the key number is stamped on a tang of the door lock cylinder. I have had dealers and locksmiths make keys from this number. Willie

There is usually not much wrong with the motors....just need cleaning and lubrication. The commutator will need to be dressed with fine sand paper. There is a little trouble getting the brushes back but not that hard. Don't throw it away. Willie

Post now and answer questions later..... Willie

What model is your Special? I may have some good used ones or some new one left over from a previous project. Willie

Thanks Lamar I guess we can let this topic die until I get the tranny out of my 55 and measure precisely like you did. Willie

Back in the 1960's I remember a front wheel bearing replacement on a 58 Buick where a tapered bearing was used...no more information than that. Willie

Thanks Lamar Try to get a measurement of the bellhousing only and then the total length (bellhousing to torque ball flange) Willie

I finally got a chance to get together with fellow local chapter member Don Duddles to look for parts, swap lies and to play with his toys. I am going to encourage him to jump in here to describe this conversion. You get one picture below that loads with this page and link to higher resolution shots. Willie tractor2 tractor3 tractor4 tractor5 tractor6 tractor1

Ken...So it is somewhere around and inch. And all 56 transmissions are supposed to be the same length as the 55 50/70 series (still looking for guidance from the 56 crowd). Willie

Hey Ken Thanks for all the grunt work getting the measurements. Now I am more confused than ever. I always thought that there was at least 2" difference in the 2 transmissions in 1955, but it seems that there is less than an inch. Let's see if some 56 measurements show up. Attached is a scan of the rear bearing retainer and parts. The retainer "L" on my 63 is 9.5 inches and that is the only part on a 55 that is different between the series 40/60 and 50/70. And the overall lenght from the bellhousing to the torque ball flange is ~29". My case and rear bearing retainer is 18.5" and yours was 19.25. Willie

NOS or NORS American made bearings and synthetic grease. Willie

Should the Bugle Go to Bi-Monthly? no

Thanks for the replies. This gives me something to "chew on". Maybe I have it backwards as far as length of 55 trannies. Maybe the 50/70 series is the shorter? I wonder if Ken could and would measure the rear bearing retainer on his Super? Please... Willie