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old-tank

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Posts posted by old-tank

  1. 9 hours ago, Frank DuVal said:

    Bearing material is green?

    Chunks of silver on my display.

    3 hours ago, EmTee said:

    How many miles (total) on the engine?  When did Buick switch to insert bearings for the camshaft?  Seems odd that they wouldn't have eliminated the poured bearings all at once.  At least you'll have cooler temperatures in the garage for awhile...

    miles...125K

    insert switch...don't know

    Going to put it back together so I can move it around.  Researching options:  rebuild, replacement engine, cam bearing replacement.

    Last time I needed a small job like cam bearing replacement all of the machine shops insisted on complete disassembly and tanking of the block.

    • Thanks 1
  2. IMG_20230929_101140231.jpg.af8557fd2ba0d3f01b516893be848538.jpg

    This is what you get when you have broken springs, seat padding that is turning to powder and a fat ass that sits on the edge of the seat.  This one was previously repaired using fiberglass and even screen wire material.IMG_20230929_091957187.jpg.2a8108224ba88bb5451b492633885d8f.jpg

    Repair was made using plastic from an oil bottle and using panel repair JB weld, some Bondo and plastic paint.  The silver bead was not repaired since this is not a show car anymore and it weakens the seat material when you take it apart and replaced.

    This seat skirt is specific to small body 55 Buicks with four-way power seats and is made of unobtainium and if you do find one it's in just as bad shape.

    • Like 6
    • Thanks 1
  3. So you want to push a brick through the air at 90 mph and get good gas mileage.  Your carburetor will be well into the power circuit and you will get about 5 to 8 miles per gallon with any gear set.

    I've done that many times.

    Sustained driving at 90 mph with any gear set will burn valves and cause valve seat recession.

    I have done that many times.

    The cooling system on that car will not keep up at any speed over 65 mph.

    I've done that and proven that many times.

    Disc brakes and a heavier sway bar is a good start but you still have slow ratio steering and a big steering wheel.

    To accomplish your goal you should set your body on an Art Morrison chassis and go from there.

     

    • Like 4
    • Thanks 2
  4. That 264 engine in your Special will happily spin those 3.9 gears all day long at 70 mph with short bursts up to 90 mph.  Driving faster, you will  drive past the capabilities of the brakes and suspension/steering.  The 264 is a short stroke, small bore engine, unlike the straight eights that had gobs of  low speed torque. Right now it is fun to drive with crisp throttle response...you will lose that.

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 2
  5. Checking bearing clearances is planned unless I find something drastically wrong with the oil pump.  When I had the transmission out for a new seals I checked the rear main bearings.  Plastigauge showed no wear and the thrust was okay too.

    It is still hot here 79 to 99 so the teardown will wait.

    • Like 3
    • Thanks 1
    • Haha 1
  6. 2 hours ago, JohnD1956 said:

    I think you should make sure the hub diameter of the rim will be big enough to fit your hub.

    That should not be a problem since the centers on wire wheels is larger than steel wheels making them lug-centric vs hub-centric on the steel wheels.

    Hint:  cut the heads off a couple of lug nuts and cut slots in the ends to make it easier to line up and mount the wires.

    • Like 3
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