The Old Guy

The heads and intake are from different years. The heads are 71 up and the holes are<BR> for the AIR system. The 71 up manifold has ports that cover them. The early intake has no provision for that set up. You will either have to replace the intake with a later unit ,or plug the holes in the heads. I had the same problem years ago, and solved the problem by tapping the holes and screwing in brass screws and cutting them <BR>off flush with the head surface<BR>

I have a 40 Buick Super convertible that I have driven 97,000 miles in the thirty years I have owned it. It has NEVER left me on the road!! I carry a water pump (replaced it in NY) fuel pump(never needed YET) a voltage regulator( replaced in TN) generator (replaced in FL) and also points ,a condenser and a distributor cap. I did change the rear axle to a taller( 3.4)gear which makes it easier to run on the <BR>expressways.

The Chryslers had hydraulic brakes all through the 30s ,but most other makes had mechanical binders unti at least 36 and in Fords case 40 .This should be a malor consieration on todays roads.most makes had wooden frames into the mid 30s, so this is alsoa consideration. I personnaly like Buicks from 36 up because they wil run with the traffic and still stop if you have to. The straight 8 is almost bullet proof and will run at highway speeds effortlessly

Dean, if you had put a Buick in it ,the times would have been quicker!

It is a simple switch. Get the motor mounts for a GS from TA Performance ,and if you are using the TH350 trans,bolt it to the engine,drop it in the hole and have an exhaust system made. You will have to move the cross member,but the holes are already there ,so it is easy. All the wiring will interchange ,but you will need different radiator hoses.You should also get a bigger( 3 or 4 core) radiator and you will nee a different drive shaft<p>[ 04-18-2002: Message edited by: The Old Guy ]

TA Performance in Scottsdale AZ has new repops,but they are pricey at around $425 .Used ones are going for $ 125-$150

I usually stay out of things like this,but i have to present my feelings on the subject. I started in hot rods back in the 50s and played with drag cars umtil my boys were old enough to drive. I then switched to antique cars so we could still enjoy the automobile hobby without one of them getting hurt in my Hot Rod ( it was quite fast,and hard to handle) I have since had restored cars that have been to some prestigious meets ,and still (now that the kids are grown) I like the street Rods . I have built a 37 Buick coupe that has all the toys and have a 57 Buick on a late chassis that I drive as an every day car . In my area ,there are many talented street Rodders that have become avid restorers and the work they do in a two car garage will astound you. There is room in the hobby for both ,and it is becoming easier to combine the groups. <P>Joe Taubitz<p>[ 04-17-2002: Message edited by: The Old Guy ]

John,the major problem is getting a chapter to host the meet! You may be right about the number of members in California,but they do not seem to want a national strongly enough to bid for one. the Arizona group will be bidding on a national for 2004-2005, I hope and I would love to go to California for another national. The one in LA was decent ,and the Sacramento meet was excellent.

The price rollercoaster is not a local phenomenon. It is happening across the country. the price in Michigan varies .10-.20 cents over the weekend and goes down monday

I believe you will get a lot more answers from a street rod site than this one. This is a Buick group and for the most part, prefer stock ,original cars. I think that putting independet suspension under your Fleetline will be quite pricey. The Chevy V8 will fit ,but it is far from a bolt in,and will require new mounts <p>[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: The Old Guy ]

If he is looking for the alignment shaft to align the clutch plate, tell him it has the same spline as the chevy.

The person that rebuilt your pump was not careful when he installed the flange on your shaft. You might talk to the vendor that sold it to you, as he should know that his supplier is not doing a good job. As a rule the rebuilds are as good as the new ones,if the rebuilder takes care.

From the tone of the previous posts, it should be evident that we still love our Buicks. what was being promoted was the idea of building something fresh! Many of the other marques are building rear drive 2 Dr cars that are exciting, and Buick is still under the impression the EVERYBODY wants a front drive 4 DR I am not a youngster(69) and I still hope against hope that Buick will wake up and build, if not the <BR>Blackhawk, at least a 2 Dr with a supercharged 3800. Buick was a leader at one time ,but lately has been content to follow ,and that is costing them market share and the young customers that they can't really afford to lose. <P>Joe Taubitz<p>[ 04-08-2002: Message edited by: The Old Guy ]

http/www.buickclub.org

Howe Racing in Beaverton MI built an aluminum radiator for my 37 Buick coupe ,and it was almost as cheap as a recore.

I graduated in 51 and my first car was a 1931 Buick 4dr ,which I got in sophomore year. You could ge you license at 14 back then. . I bought it with all the engine parts in the back seat and put it together and ran it for a year.I then got a 37 Century 4 dr with sidemounts and drove it until Senior year, I had the misfortune to not recognize my fathers car when I was testing the 41 dual carb set up I installed and blew by him about 105. He picked my next car which was a 39 Pontiac with a 6 cylinder which wouldn't run 80 over a cliff. Iam not sure .but he probably saved my life . <P>Joe Taubitz<P>37 Buick Special Coupe<BR>40 Buick Super Convert<BR>57 Buick Special 2 dr hd top<BR>63 Buick Electra 225 2 dr hd top<BR>67 Chev Corvair 500 2 dr<BR>68 Chev pickup<BR>72 Buick GS 455 convert<p>[ 04-04-2002: Message edited by: The Old Guy ]

My 37 with a455 and a 2.56 axle runs 14flat at 100MPH with a 1.95 60 ft time<BR>my 40 convert runs 19.8 and 68 MPH<BR>My72 GSconvert runs 13.0s at 105 with a 1.8 60 ft<p>[ 04-04-2002: Message edited by: The Old Guy ]

To the best of my knowledge, they stopped building Caddys in february of 42

1 This subject has been covered enough.<P>2 The people buying Buicks are the same ones that have been loyal for years, but they are dying off, and noone is replacing them. <P>3 Tiger and all the touring pros do not drive Buicks. If you check the parking area at the Buick open in Grand Blanc Mich you will find that the only Buicks there belong to Buick. Some driven by executives and some that are free loaners to the pros. <P>4 I have lived in Buicktown all my life and although I did not work for Buick, I have been around the Automobile industry since 1951.Buick was always a part of my life and it pains me to see what it has become. My wife has a park ave. and I drive a 57 Special for my everyday car. I am afraid that unless Mr Lutz can pull a rabbit out of a hat ,it just a matter of time before Buick goes the way of Oldsmobile.

I think you will find that a large segment of the BCA will agree with you ,but the powers that be have decreed that Buick will build stodgy 4 door cars until no one will buy them and they will have a reason to discontinue the marque

If yours are not broken, you can have them machined flat for less than it will cost for differemt manifolds,and the new ones might not be any flatter.

Do not forget that Buick will also be one hundred years old in 2003 <P>The Buick Club of America is planning < along with the Buick Motor Division a BIG blow out in Flint Michigan on July 23-27 2003<p>[ 04-03-2002: Message edited by: The Old Guy ]

It will be more expensive to do than you will find it to be worth. Do not forget that you will also have to hook the new tranny up to the torque tube or change the car to open drive. the dynaflow by 55 was almost bullet proof and not too bad on acceleration and economy <p>[ 04-01-2002: Message edited by: The Old Guy ]

It has been my experience that a switch to a 21/2 inch exhaust system and headers will help a little ,but to realize the most from the change,you will need to jet the carb up two or three sizes. this will make the engine really come alive.

I have a console in my 72GS and a 200-4R trans ,and I made it work by drilling a hole in the shifter arm 3/4 inch closer to the pivot. It worked OK without drilling, but I could not hold it in low as I could not move the lever far enough. This meant that When I aacelerated hard, the tires would come loose ,and when I backed off to hook them up it would shift to second.If you don't plan on racng the car,you can set it up so that D is overdrive ,second is drive and low is second. There is also a kit available from TCI that will allow you to use the lock up convertor