The Old Guy

I am glad you found the problem! Ignition s can be a pain to trace the trouble.

The easiest fix is to weld it in the open position. Unless you drive your Buick in the winter, it is not necessary.

I used to run out of "Teds' and I cannot in conscience go to see my 5 lane drag strip turned into a parking lot! I'm sure it is fantastic, but I would rather remember it the way it was.

I was typing when Charles sent his message, but we think alike, he is just a better typist

Pete, the first thing I would do is pull the coil wire from the cap and turn the engine over and see if you get spark . If you don't, then you know the problem is not from the cap out. If you do not get any, the next thing to do, is short across the points and see if that does the trick. Sometimes even new points don't work. Have you run anything through the points to get the oxidation off/ I usually use 400 paper and it will help.

Pete, you might also look at the carb. You may have a power valve stuck, or a plugged hig speed jet.

The first thing to find out is if the engine is actually frozen up ,or is it just that the starter is not turning it. If you can turn the engine at the flywheel, you may find that you just have a wiring problem. Let us know what you find.

I installed a 6-12 volt convertor in my 40, and put an AM-FM cassette radio in the glove box.I then installed a splitter on the original antenna,and both the radios work just fine. I also use it to power a CB when we travel with other cars.I used a hidden antenna unit from JC Whitney to hook the CB to the original antenna, and it also does a nice job. The nice thing about the whole thing is when the glove box is closed, noone knows!! I mountd speakers in the kick panels under the dash where they are not noticeable, and they do the job quite nicely.

Check also: www.factoryautomanuals.com

Check the wheel base on the mid 70s Regals and the late 70s Electras. Mine was on a 72 Electra chassis, but it had to be shortened. Fisher body did not change their body mount positions very often as then they would need to redo the line.

There are many questions that arise!! Does it have any identifying insignia? They usually have a name( Special-Super-Roadmaster. ) does it have a Dynaflow trans? ( does it have a clutch pedal) Does it have a V8 engine? When you answer these , we can get closer to the info you need

The sensible thing to do ,if you are determined to change the running gear, is to put the body on another chassis. The 57 ball joint suspension and the brakes will get you killed if you put any real power in the car. I had a 57 Special on a later chassis. and it was really the best way to go! this will give you disc brakes ,a posi rear, and parts that can be bought over the counter. The body mounts for Buicks were not changed for many years , and the body will fit numerous later chassis. Do a little homework, and see what you have available. You will be MUCH happier with the finished product. It will also leave a complete chassis for someone with a 57

It is the oldest documented Buick. It is a 1905 model "C" they also have a Buick stationary engine. This is the only Buick stationary engine I have seen.

It depends on which HEI unit you have. Your 400 needs 34 degrees total, so place a mark on your harmonic balancer 1.76 inches from the original mark (clockwise) this is the 30 degree mark. Set the total timing, and see what you have for initial timing. If it is not at least 8, you need to do some rework on the HEI to get at least these numbers. Ideally you need 10-12 initial, 34 total, and an adjustable vacuum unit to keep the detonation down. The vacuum should give you 10-12 more at cruise.

I honestly believe that in todays world, it is much more cost effective to buy a car already done. By the time you buy the materials to finish a car, if you do all the work , you will make five cents an hour.Unless you need something to fill your time, this is not something most people want to do.

I got my Bugle the 12th, and immediately called. I was able to get a room,but they were filling up fast! The only host hotel I did not get in was the one in Indianapolis . I called at 9AM, and they were already full.

Dan, it is too bad you had to cancel the cruise. I thought it would be a great way to see the city without having to walk. The picnic sounds like a good idea, It will give us "old Guys" an extra chance to kick tires and lie!

Willis, you are exactly right! I have driven a Buick to every national, and it has become a reunion.Every year you see friends that you see once a year,and you have a chance to experience new things in different areas of the country. The host chapter has tours to many things the average person never hears about, and many are fantastic! I can understand not wanting to drive long distances for some people, but I LOVE to drive my old Buick, and can't wait to "Conquer the WEST" again.

If you drill it all the way out, you can install a "heli-coil".They are available at most good hardware or auto stores.

We have a show at the Sloan Museum in Flint Mich every fall that is restricted to cars 50 years old or older. It draws cars that are in every stage ,from rags to riches. The only stipulation is that they must be original and unmodified. Every year the show gets bigger.

I went to both meets in California, and they were GREAT! I think you will find that if you have a national in the San Diego area you will have many cars from the east side of the country. I just returned from the national in Plano ,and I thought we would see many more Buicks from California. I was surprised that there were so few. This has been an on going complaint from the west coast for years. The only solution is to step up and make a bid. The BCA board can't do miracles. They need a chapter to make it happen.

I agree completely with Als philosophy! I was somewhat sutprised to hear from Pat that my 40 Super convertible ( which has been to the Meadowbrook concurs and Eyes on Classic design events) would be ineligible because I installed a dual exhaust system using 41 exhaust manifolds. This car would still probably point high enought o get a bronze or silver award in the 400 point system if I chose to have it judged there. I have driven it 100,000 miles though and would prize the driven award more.

www.factoryautomanuals.com

Thanks Pat, but it is NOT FOR SALE! I think that the driven class is going to bring a lot of interesting Buicks that we would not normally see.

I also received a "driven" award at Plano for my 69 Sportwagon. I think for a first attempt ,the judging went well. I also saw somw Buicks in the driven line up that looked good enough for 400 point judging. I am planning on taking my 40 to Batavia next year, and also have a question. I have the 41 exhaust manifolds on my 40 ,and instead of a "Y" pipe, have installed a dual exhaust system. It utilizes stock mufflers, and really looks "factory. If this will not be allowed ,I would like to know now, so I can either change it or bring another car.