The Old Guy

The torque tubes and drive shafts are interchangable from 40 to 55, but the lengthes are different. Measure your 40 and if the one you are using to replace it is the same length, put it in !!!

My 40 has shown 5-8 pounds at hot idle since I put the engine in. It hasn;t changed in 30+ years and 100,000+ miles

The rear ends are interchangable in all but the 90 series from 1940 to 1955. The center section will interchange, and the axles have the same spline. You will need to change the drive shaft and torque tube ,unless you find one that has the same length. The 40s Buicks had mostly 4.10 to 4.40 gears. I installed the center section from a 1955 Century wit a 3.42 ratio in my 40, and I LOVE it

Willie Maybe we should see if we can get a "Curmudgeon Division " I would wager there are many members that would join !! It would be almost a "given " that we would have the most fun !!!!

Al' I will try to answer your questions as succintly as possible. 1 When the National meets stop emphasissing the judging ( or get judging to be " factory correct" )they also need to realize that the driven cars are not "second class citizens " I see that in 2013 they are charging $25 to enter your Buick for display only and as always the " Driven awards "will be given out on the field ( it also cost as much as a 400 point judged car ) It has been my observation that the members that use their Buicks are the core members that do things in our chapter. If the "trophy hunters" do any of our tours, they use another Buick.and not their "work of art The 2013 National is only 210 miles from home, so I may drive down ( look for a sequoia cream 40 convert ,in the parking lot) ,as I won't pay $60 to park with the BCA Buicks 2 I have not talked to any BOD member , except through this forum. Brian has always given me answers immediately. 3 The problem with a separate class is that there are many problems getting "competent " judges now, and this would compound the problem . I realize that the BOD feels it has a feeling that they MUST support the members that spend inordinate amounts to make what they believe are PERFECT Buicks, but they have sold the vast majority of members (the ones that actually enjoy their Buicks and do not look on them as "works of art ) down the river !! Willie I have become a certified Curmudgeon , and I have no patience anymore. I am going to drive my Buicks to the store, and when the sun is out so will I be.

I have read , and reread this and all I have to say is " anyone that questions why I am leaving the BCA ,read this forum "" Brian was trying to bring the BCA back to what it was , and I am glad I am old as I can't see too well ,and the club is going down the tubes. The emphasis is all on judging, and they judge Buicks to a quality that NEVER came from the factory. Buicks NEVER came off the assembly line with perfect paint and and door fits, but the judges think so. I DROVE a Buick to every BCA National meet from 1971 until 2009 ,and watched the BCA change from a group of people that enjoyed Buicks , to a club that bowed down to the wealthy members that "BOUGHT" their trailer Queens ,and wanted recognition. Good Luck , and GOOD BYE It is just a thought , but did anyone ever think of the early meets, when the different chapters put them on ??I remember in 1971 whan there wasn't even a "Buicktown " chapter and the Buick owners from the AACA helped do the first "National' Everyone DROVE in from alll over the country and just had a GREAT time . There was no problem finding people that would put on the next meet ,and the Buicks that showed up were enjoyed by all. It seems that now ,a lot of the cars to be judged do not even come out of their trailers until Saturday. Now the BOD has taken over and I really do wish them luck, but you are fighting a stacked deck , as the members that did the work are not the members that own the "Trailer Queens" I hope this doe not kill this , but members need to go back to basics, and just enjoy their Buicks as CARS . I drive my 40 convertible eveyday that the sun shines, as it is just a great way to get around town. I have put over 112,000 miles on it and have enjoyed every one.

I have a 6-12 volt invertor in my 40, and it operates an AM_FM radio and a CB Check at any radio store ,and they should be able to fix you up

I hauled a 1935 travel trailer from Michigan to California ,then up the coast to Washington state, and home with my 1932 Buick 90 series. I have also put 112.000 miles on my 1940 Buick. BUICK ARE MADE TO BE DRIVEN

I tried 3 times to get on the site ,and it will not accept any user name

John You are right !! I think Brian has done a GREAT job trying to bring the BCA back ,and ,I guess my problem is the members that have the mega-buck cars want the glory that goes with a gold-senior award. It used to be that members drove in and hung out on the showfield, and talked about driving their Buicks. Now it seems that the field is not filled until Saturday when the cars come out of their boxes. I know that some of the cars are done by the guys that own them, but most are done by pros, and the owner has to rely on the builder to do them right. Most are over restored ,and if a Buick had been purchased new, put into sealed storage, and brought to the meet, it would be luck to get a silver award. I am sorry that I have caused problems with the BCA and wish everyone good luck and good health. Enjoy your Buicks

I went to every BCA National meet from 1971 in Flint until 2009 in Colorado. I stopped going because the emphasis now is on trailer Queens and 400 point judging over fun. You have heard this from me too many times, so I will shut up.

It sounds to me like your vacuum advance is bad. pull the hose and check how much timing you have , and then attach the hose and see ifthe timing advances. If it doesn't, you have a bad advance. When you block the carb hole and the RPM drops, tells me that the advance has a ruptured diaphragm

NTX 5467 , Everything evolves, and the BCA has evolved into a group that has its main emphasis on judging . I have enjoyed the group since 1969, and because I am not travelling as much as I once did, will not be doing as much as I did. The early meets were fun because , for the most part everyone drove their Buicks to the meet. Now it appears to me that all the emphasis is on the 400 point cars. That would be fine ,except for the fact that the system is flawed, and there really appears to be no way to fix it. There was NEVER a Buick built on the production line that was perfect, but if your car has a run in the paint ,or a part that does not fit perfectly , you lose points. I have maintained for quite some time that if the BCA REALLY wants to judge cars ,they should have members that are familiar with the different years look at the vehicles and tell the owner what they need to make it correct. If I understand the judging rules correctly, you can't judge your own class. Who knows better what is right and wrong than the person that has the car year he is judging. I am cutting back on my car activities severely. I sold my 72 GS that was my drag car, and have my BDE car up for sale ( This is a 69 Sport Wagon with a 200-4R trans and AC ) My 40 convert is also up for grabs, but I don't expect anyone to want it ,as it is made for travelling ( 3.42 rear axle ,roadmaster brakes ,and a 263 engine) I was a "Hot Rodder" before I got involved with Buicks, and will keep my 37 Special coupe ( it is equipped with a 455 Buick engine and has all the comforts of a late model . )As I said everything evolves, but they also run in cycles, and I am reverting to the Hot Rod phase of my life ) To answer your question, I was born in 1933, and hope to live to be 110 and then get shot by some jealous husband

I see in the new Bugle they have added another tier of judging . Even the "archival " Buicks will be judged. Is there any question why you are losing members????

All the 32 Buicks I worked on had "C" plugs in them ,and I removed them with a 7/8 sockrt

Hapy Birthday Roberta !!! Roberta is going to lunch with my brother and I today

NTX is right !! I built a 37 coupe that had no engine or trans and an Olds rear end, no interior and no floor. I have told members of our chapter ( Buicktown ) that I was a "Hot Rodder " before I got into antiques. I primarily got into the hobby when my boys got old enough to drive and I was worried that they would take my 427 Chev powered 29 Ford on the road. When I joined the AACA in 1967 I had a 37 Chev and immediately found that a wife and 6 kids don't really fit. I bought a 32 Buick 90 series and helped start the Buicktown chapter. I was challenged by some of the "purists" to do a Buick right. My 32 was at Meadowbrook numerous times ,and my 40 Super convertible has been there and also to the "Eyes On Classic design " meet twice. I built the 37 in the late 90s and enjoy driving it. Everyone has their own ideas about what a car is for and I want mine to drive. I have put over 109,000 mies on the 40 and it still presents itself well, but I love the 6 way power lumbar seats and AC and power windows,steering and brakes in the 37 . This is what happens when you get old. Everything runs in cycles, and the 37 is probably the last car I will sell

Bill did a great job on this 40. It turned out VERY nice.

I got my first car ( 1931 Buick four door ) in 1948 an have been a car nut ever since. I played with "hot rods" until my kids got old enough to drive. I then switched to antiques so they would not get in trouble with my 29 Ford roadster pickup ,with a 427 Cnev in it. I ended up with Buick as they built big old cars that would haul the family. ( I had 6 kids) With the kids now gone, I have a 37 Buick coupe that is 455 powered and a 40 super convert that has been to Meadowbrook ,so I have all my bases covered.

Roberta Thanks for putting in the pictures. There was a Sport Wagon in the Bugle for $ 17200 so i didn't think my price was off. If you are interested, make me an offer Call me at:810-655-8988

It apppears noone is interested in a great car !!

1969 Sport Wagon Tennessee car ( no rust) White with woodgrain sides. Ac converted to 134A power steering -brakes . 200-4R automatic overdrive. 350 4barrel-- dual exhaust - cruise control. Viinyl interior with 3rd seat, 15 inch road wheels. Drive anywhere $15 ,700 contact Joe Taubitz 810-655-8988 buickjoet@comcast.net

Harold I wish i knew what it was just to justify your faith in me , but I really haven't the faintest idea. Sorry

Sid That is a beautiful ride. I am sure you and Tina will enjoy it

Sid It looks GREAT !!!!