The Old Guy

The valves lash at .015 ,both intake and exhaust.

I found that the concave back put pressure on the stud, and would eventually pull the stud. I made some washers that were also concave and went up against the head of the stud, This has kept the logos on my Buicks very nicely. I also found out about this by having one come apart, but was fortunate ebough to have it happen in the garage, so I didn't lose the emblem. That one I made another back for , and epoxied it together. I put 2 studs in that one , and it is still holding

The ratio can be calculated from the numbers stamped on the ring gear. Divide the small one into the big one and you will have the ratio. Any center section from 1940-1955 will fit in your housing. The V8 Dynaflow cars have 3.3-3.6 gears

Ther are almost no parts that interchange. The 320 engine is longer and higher. They have different starters, carburetors ,water pumps, fuel pumps, manifolds and sheet metal

Junkflyboy The tooth numbers are stamped on the rime of the ring gear. Just divide the small number into the big one and you will have the ratio.

Paul The splines in all standard axles is the same. Your car is a one of a kind, but I would almost bet that GM used the same splines or they would not have been able to put your unit together.( They may also have made side gears with different splines that you can interchange into the higher ratio unit.) Your little jig sounds like the way to go for removal.

Paul They did not make a 90 series in 48, so if it is a 48 rear end, you can use any center section from 1940-1955. The rear ends were all the same in all the series I don't know anything about 14" brakes as I did not know that Buick offered them at ant time. The complete center section will fit , which means you don't have to worry about relashing the gears for tooth contact and spacing. The biggest problem I had in the conversion was getting the drive shaft to run true when changing it from one pinion shaft to another. They are also sometimes VERY difficult to remove from the pinion shaft.

The complete center section from the 55 is a bolt in to your 40. You will need to put your 40 drive shaft and torque tube on the 55 unit ,and put it in the hole. Make sure the drive shaft is running true. I have a 3.42 from a 55 in my 40, and it makes a real cruiser out of it.

Pete , as usual , you did a GREAT job.You certainly deserve the accolades and awards you received

The air going to the valves will be warmed by the headers and by the time it reaches the valves will be hot enough not to cause a problem. By the time the pipes are cool ,the valves will be cool enough also.

Joe I am not sure whether the 48 has the same heater valve that the 40 does, but the brass faucet like control is the one use on the 40 .i agree that if you have a ranco vale you should not meed the brass valve

When you get the radiator out , remove the heater control and disassemble it. It is mostly brass, and should come apart easily. The packing under the nut is probably the culprit. If it is old, it is stuck to the shaft. Replace the packing and you should be good to go

The 54-55 dynaflow Buicks have 3.3-3.6 ratios. I have a 3.42 in my 40 and LOVE it

This wagon has 73K and new tires ,battery, and exhaust. There is a little rust on the bottom of the doors,but the rest is good. 307 Olds runs greta and the car drives as new. The headliner in sagging, but the rest of the interior is VERY good. It is a 3 seater (9 passenger) $1800 I live just outside Flint Michigan

I just got this wagon . It has 73K on the clock, new tires, battery and exhaust system. 307 Olds runs like new,The body has no rust but the bottome of the doors have a little. I bought it to replace my winter car, and then ran on a 96 Roadmaster wagon which is what I was looking for. The price is $1800 and I live in southeastern Michigan by Flint It runs and drives out like new. The headliner is falling ( like they all do) but the rest of the interor is VERY good.

I think that by and large the public enjoys being up close and personal. It is relatively simple to stop the disrespectful ones by telling them to stay away with their bkies. I don't have any cars with perfect paint, so I don't worry like many that have just dumped ongodly amounts into a perfect car. On tours we will sometimes take the grand kids, and leting them ride in an odl car is the ultimate thrill.

You might try tapping the hydraulic stop light switch lightly and see if it is sticking.

John I am not sure where you got the idea that there would be a national meet in Flint every five years. It was discussed, but never confirmed!

The 71 boat tail had a bucket seat option. Look around and see if you can find the original set up. They had bucket seats and a console with the shifter in it.

1937HD I must be the exception then and I am 74 years old. I still drag race my 72 GS, go to street rod meets with my 37 coupe, and am currently planning a tour for the local Buick club which will go down the back roads and will be led at 35-40 MPH. There is room for everyone in the hobby, and I challenge the street rodders to restore a car! I tell tham that anyone can build a car, but doing one right is a REAL challlenge.

I have been involved in the car hobby since I was 14 years old. In the first years, I wanted to go fast and had a 37 Buick Century while in high school. In 1950 I went fast at the wrong time and my Dad traded it for a 39 Pontiac 6. I have played with cars for 60 years, and believe that the hobby will change, but never die! 6 of my Grand sons live next door, and they like my 37 Buick street rod ,but I honestly believe they like my 40 Buick convertible more. Ther is still hope for the young ones ,so don't sell them short. The oldest grand son is 16 ,and he is already working on his Dad to let him have the 72 Skylark 4 door that is out back.

My workshop is 20X30 and has the usual things. The east wall has work benches and a tool box.The air compressor is under one of the benches. The south wall has another tool box, the furnace and the torches and welders. It also has a spiral staircase that leads to the second floor where my Buick memorabilia is displayed. This room is air conditioned and has a pool table and "fridge "in it . When I get too frustrated working on Buicks, I go and shoot a game of pool , and that frustrates me even more, so I can go back to the cars. The west wall has shelving containing the "stuff" you need to clean and maintain Buicks. The north wall is the door. I have a second building 32X48 where I store the cars and parts. It has a mezzanine for the special pieces, and a hoist for extra storage.

Aaron I have some good used units that can be had for a very reasonable price. The next time you are in the area contact me.

Brock If you are going to use the car, save the engine. If you have it ,you will never need it, but if you sell it , you will need it (this is the way things go with me anyway) The first thing I would do if you are going to drive the car is, get the center pig from a V8 dynaflow Buick from 53-55 (they have 3.3-3.6 ratios and are MUCH more user friendly on the highway.) I have a 3.4 in my 40 and it runs 70 all day long.

If the car has a hydraulic stop light switch, carry a spare as it has been my experience that silicone fluid will make them inoperable after awhile. Some last indefinitely, and some only make it a year.