The Old Guy

Lamar, I talked to Roberta last night, and she wasn't sure whether she was bringing the race car or the 68 4speed convert. I will be there with my 37 coupe. You can't miss it ,as it is grape colored, and has a 455 under the hood.

I bought my 1940 Super convert in 1972 just to have something to drive while I did a frame off of my 1932 model 97. I had 6 children and a hefty mortgage, so in 1984 after pulling a 1935 17' trailer to California with the 32, I sold it. The 40 is still in use and I have driven it over 100,000 miles,and it is still going strong. It was just invited to the "Eyes on Classic Design" meet at the Edsel Ford estate in June. I was planning on taking it to Batavia for the BCA National to get a "driven award" ,but I was informed that because I had a 1941 exhaust manifold on it , it would have to go into the "modified" class. That being the case, I am bringing a "modified". My 1937 Special coupe has a 455 Buick engine ,a TH-400 trans and all the toys! ( AC, power windows,steering and brakes, remote door switches,AM-FM cassette radio, a built in 12 volt cooler) It is named " Coup De Grape" which is a play on words, as the Coup De Gras is the killing stroke, and if I do another Buick ,Mama will surely do me in!

In 1949 ( my junior year in high school) I bought a 1937 Buick Century with side mounts. I installed the 41 compound carbs, and ran two Smithy mufflers. It was a great car, but I passed my Dad at 105MPH (and didn't even realize it ) .That car was sold, and my Dad picked out my next car. It was a 1939 Pontiac 6cylinder that would not run 80MPH It probably kept me alive, but it was not as much fun. Joe Taubitz

I used to tow my 1935 Covered Wagon (17' with a kerosene stove and an ice box ) to meets in the 70s,with my 1932 model 97, and when I switched to a 1954 Airstream (17' with a propane stove, a gas fridge, and a bathroom) they would not even let it on the field, even though I was towing it with w 1957 Caballero.

The tires contribute to the discrepancy, but most Buick speedos from that era were a little fast.

The Roadmaster drums will work, and give you much better braking on the Super, but you must also change the backing plates. I have the 2 inch on my 40, and I feel safer with the better brakes.

The BDE toured their facility a few years ago. Ken and Sue were wonderful hosts, and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. I have since purchased numerous parts from them, and they are indeed VERY fair!

They require premium fuel, and they go a lot better than they stop!

It is condensation, and is a common occurence. All cars do it .

Cadillac was upset in 1941 , when Buick came out with the compound carbs,and actually made more HP then the Caddy. The numbers were "adjusted" so Cadillac was still the "Premium" GM marque

Dan, that does sound sensible. I am not too involved with judging of any kind, so I really am not up on what we should do. I always felt that any kind of judging was too limiting. You are caught between the people that know and the ones that THINK they do. I haven't had a car judged in years, and find it gives me much more time to visit. I am bringing my modified Buick to support the class, but i don't think it will be judged.

Buick 1939, My 37 is also a coupe and I plan on taking it to Batavia. It sounds to me like you have found a VERY interesting street rod from the 60s, and I would love to see it

The ambulance belongs to a local police officer, and he also has one of the nicest 65 Rivs in the area.

I do not believe that there is a judge out there that can tell the difference between a 264 and a 322 without tearing it down. they have identical dimensions.

Some of them have a return line to keep cool fuel circulating to prevent vapor lock

For what it is worth, I joined the AACA in 1968 because my boys wanted to drive my "hotrod' to school (1929 Ford roadster pickup) and I wanted to stay in the car hobby. I was accepted with reservations, but when i did a frame off on a 1932 Buick 90 series, the members figured out that a "hotrodder" could also do the other stuff too. My boys are now grown, but I still have restored cars ( my 40 has been to Meadowbrook) and a street rod. The first thing to do is get them in the organization,and then indoctrinate them

Here we have numerous radiator fushes available at the parts store. You may find that your parts stores also have it . I would check with them first. Many of our radiator shops also can flush the system with high pressure air and water. See what you radiator shops have available to you.

The radiator probably needs cleaning, but there may also be blockages in the block itself. If having the radiator cleaned does not cure the problem, you might try flushing the block.

What specifically is the problem, and what year is the car??

And if you get tired of the "gridlock" you can come north to Flint MI and enjoy the "back to the Bricks" tour . This will be the same weekend, and is going to be in conjunction with the A&W cruise in Flushing MI. Many of the Michiganders are tired of the fact that late model vehicles cause massive traffic jams on Woodward, so the Flint downtown Businessmens assoc has arranged for Saginaw St to be closed to all vehicles except antoque, and modified . They will also have the jazz festival and the restautants will be running "specials" .The A&W has traditionally drawn 250+ cars on that weekend, and there will be an "at will "cruise from Flushing to Flint (15 miles)

The part you broke is replaceable. It bolts to the head, and can be removed quite easily.

I have it hanging on a hook ,just waiting for you ! I remembered that someone wanted it ,but couldn't remember who.

Isn't it interesting that the 3800 is being phased out and the inline 6 that can't get 18MPG on it's best day is being touted, along with the 3.6VVT which is an unknown quantity as the "THE LATEST AND GREATEST" . The 3800 has a proven track record, and meets ALL the EPA standards, with the best MPG of just about any engine out there. The powers that be are going to kill it , and then they can't figure out why GM is going down the tube!

This would be an interesting find. I know that GM has buildings full of cars that the average person never sees and I will ask around. PS I checked my barn, and it isn't there

10 PSI at idle is fine. 30 PSI at 40 MPH is OK but you may need the relief spring in the oil pump replaced. It should be 40-45 PSi at 40 MPH. You should experience no problem with the pressure you have.