critterpainter

Yep. that mercedes had champions in it too <BR> Bill

I gotta second that vote for new plugs. i was working on a 53 Mercedes one time and put new plugs in it...fired right up. The next day the owner flooded it and I had get it started for him. the new plugs were gas fowled and ruined. put another new set of plugs in it and it fired right up. A gas fouled spark plug can cause lots of problems and look good.<BR> my 2 cents<BR> Bill

If indeed the car has been sitting for 25 years, it would be a VERY good idea to pull the oil pan and clean he grunge out. <BR> 25 years of sitting is long enough to allow all the dirt held in suspension in the oil to settle out...into the bottom of the pan where the oil pickup is. right where it can be pumped to the dry bearings...causing all kinds of problems<BR> Oil pan gaskets are cheap, oil pans on early Buicks are not too hard to pull, and a heck of a lot easier than rebuilding an engine.<BR> Bill<BR> ( Who has learned the hard way)

Willbilly<BR> A factory shop manual (or reprint) would also be of help to you.<BR> Bill

Unregistered....then don't read it. I find it ineresting as one can see tht some collectors have had a lot of desirable cars in their past.<BR> Just be happy that I didn't list the cars i have owned and DIDN'T drive at least once to work....

Fathr Ron:<BR> I am not known for may ability to speak, or in this case type, clearly. Sorry about that.<BR> I would have liked to attend the Sunnyvale meet, however my wife is undergong chemotheropy, and this puts me into a position of not being able to plan future events. (the treatment type and reactions vary). I didn't bother to request an application form from the national as I did not have the ability to see into the distant future. I also did not realize that one could use the application to register for the meet and leave the car area blank...dumb me.. As of two weeks ago I thought that I would have to stay home as my wife was not doing well. That changed last Thursday....but I had no idea where the meet was in sunnyvale and didn;t feel like driveing 3.5 hours just to hope to find it.. so I stayed home.<BR> I attended a meet in sunnyvale about 6 years ago (with my car) and did find it pleasant and educational although it was the first (and so far only) meet of this type I had ever attended.<BR> The only disappointing thing that I had was that I had purchased a mid 20's packard 6 a few weeks prior to that meet, and when I tryed to ask a few questions of the owner of a 28ish packard 8 there he made me feel like I owned the bastard child of the packard corp. oh well.<BR> I do know that members of the local aaca chapter don't attend the nationally sponsered meets because none of the local members own "show" cars and when they did attend, 6 years or so ago, the other participants did rather look down their noses at some of our cars. (if I recall correctly the president of my local chapter was asked to park his car "out back"...it was a 59 rolls royce that needed [and still does] a full restoration. any way he has NO desire to attend another meet).<BR> Bill who still can't type clearly

a partial list:<BR>1946 ford pu (pre-drivers license)<BR>1956 olds super 88<BR>1959 t-bird<BR>1944 ford jeep (wish I still had)<BR>1966 ranchero<BR>1966 t-bird convert (wish I still had-needed money for college)<BR>1969 mgb roadster<BR>1964 jaguar e-type coupe<BR>1969 jaguar xj6<BR>1971? mgb-gt<BR>1974 mazda pu Hated it--but it was free<BR>1965 mustang gt (still have)<BR>1971 ford pu rustmobile<BR>1971 datsun 240z<BR>1971 cougar<BR>1969 triumph tr6 P.O.S.<BR>1982 datsun pu <BR>1983 maxda rx7<BR>1971 datsun 240z<BR>1972 datsun 240z nice car stepson totaled<BR>1974 jaguar xj6<BR>1975 jaguar xj6<BR>1975 mgb roadster (still have)<BR>1986 mazda pu<BR>1986 mustang gt<BR>the one's below are current<BR>1988 ford pu<BR>1997 ford ranger (wifes car)made her sell her %&^%&^&*^ chevy<BR>1989 mustang gt convt<BR>Playtoys<BR>1928 A coupe<BR>1929 A roadster pu ranch truck<BR>1930 dodge da<BR>1923 packard<BR>1941 plymouth<BR>1928 willys-knight

AACA is the only car club that I belong to that you HAVE TO submit an application to the NATIONAL to go to a regonal event.<BR> Furthermore, you have to know 3-4 months in advance that you can arrange time off, and that your sister isn't geting married, your wife's sister isn't ecpecting her 1st kid.etc.<BR> I do belong to MAFCA and try to participate in events. With them I can sign up to be a participant 5 weeks before the event, and if I am unable to attend, I at least know exactly where the event is being held, and can "drop by" to say hello.<BR> I can , with MAFCA, register as a participant even if I don't bring or show a car. Its not smart to imply that you "must have a car" to participate. If you have an interest in antique cars the meets are an open-air educational forum to help you decide in what era and type your interest may lie. I have gone to several events sponsered by the Model A clubs that had REGISTERED participants that did NOT own an A as of yet. They were gaining knowledge before purchasing their "dream car"....we were glad to hae them. Why does the AACA not go after this type of person??? A person that does not yet own an antique car but wants to particapate is an instant pair of hands ready to help....after all they have no car to get ready for judging.<BR> Bill (who can't type worth a darm)

Thanks for the reply. American Cam did a 28 Buick master cam for me a few years ago that looked like it had been ground with a grinding wheel...came back beutiful...But I didn't think to improve the grind...I am trying to be smarter now<BR>Bill

Talk about hitting a nerve! I just sold a car that I'd had for close to 30 yrs because I finally figured out that i was never going to get to it......and the money will go a long way towards the other garage queens.<BR> I sold another long term project a year and a half ago when someone offered me way way more money than it was worth. Now if I could just work on the remaining 7 cars.....instead of working, finishing the yard , hauling hay, maintainance on the daily drivers, tending the livestock etc etc.....<BR>Bill

Is the overheating dependant on your speed? ie, will it not overheat at 35 mph but act like old faithfull at 50mph? If so it could be a worn out radiator. Yes they do wear out and loose the ability to transfer heat.<BR> Have you checked for combution gases in the cooling system? You may a leaky head gasket.<BR> Bill

My weekend project (a 1928 Packard 6 engine) is ready to have its cam sent out for a regrind. I am planning to send it to American Cam in Los Angeles. What info do they need and where can I find this info if necessary?<BR> Should I tell them the bore and stroke, and ask if they could "improve" the grind to give me more "top end power" I could pull stumps all day at the moment but at higher rpm this power fades away.<BR> <BR>Bill

Bobs Automobilia (805 434 2963) has reprint 1953 shop manuals for about $59.00 and yes the hyd system is covered.<BR> Bill

Back to the Buick questions. I believe that the ring and pinion gears out of a later year buick will interchange to produce a more advantagous ratio. (do double-check the parts books as I may be wrong)<BR> Also the connecting rods out of a later 320 engine with inserts should interchange. This was such a reliable engine that it was used though 1952. <BR> Bill

I have never worked on an flathead v8, however I do own a Model A.<BR> On the A engine, many things can help it to leak. 1. excessive bearing clearance.<BR> 2. excessive end play on the crank (back and forth motion pumps out oil 3. rear main return tube loose or missing 4. return tube not submerged in oil. 5. running at high rpm. (installing a pcv system can reduce this ) and last but not least 6. they can leak out of spite Bill

Put a voltmeter on the "bat" terminal of the volt regulater with the engine off...it should read 6 V ...if not..you have an open between the battery and the voltage regulater...It could be the guage or a dirty connection somewhere....Happy hunting <BR> bill

Vern Barker romar@mail.usachoice.net <BR>rebuilds vacuum tanks. He is located in PA I suggest e-mailing him as the best contact method.<BR> Bill

RE the Romer...of course it is not the the Duesenberg powered one...then it would be worth something It has the continental engine in it But its still cute in an ugly way <BR>Bill

Buick had an optional sunroof in 39 or 40, but I've never seen one...did Pontiac offer a similer option??<BR> bill

Thanks for all the input and Tom...John said he would give you a call tonight or tomorrow night<BR> Bill

Yes, the Pierce does have 4 valves per cyl and most of the cracks are in exhaust seats.<BR> The car was in the hands of a collector that passed away several years ago, and had been sitting for YEARS. The owners family does not know much of the history, and we are just trying to get it back on the road saftley.<BR>Bill

Had a chance to buy a Stout Scarob in the mid 70's but I was too dumb.<BR> Worked on an Invicata Black Prince (1948 I think) about 10 years ago It was a beutiful car but a royal pain to work on.<BR> Bill

OK can someone recomend a good welding shop on the left coast??? If we are going to go ahead and fix it we want to use a shop that is known for their quality. <BR>By the way, is the block symetrical? Sittiing in the car it looks like it could be bolted on the crankcase either way <BR> Oh well, I guess we will "tackle " the Romer while waiting on the Fierce Sparrow....Bill

I was over at a friends house sun aft helping him on his 22 6cyl fierce sparrow, and counted at least 6 cracked valve seats some with cracks extending to the cylinder. Are Pierce Arrows known for this habit, or is my friend just "lucky"? Also if they do crack, do the cracks "grow" under normal driving conditions to the point they leak water (or combustion)? Bill

Sounds the same as homeowers insurance If a pipe breaks and floods things in a house (or a similar problem) the ins company will pay for the damage but not the failed part I guess they think the part that broke/ failed should have been replaced as normal maintanance...<BR> Bill