critterpainter

2 things NOT to do 1 Do NOT try to turn the engine over without first making sure the water pump is not stuck. The water pump is gear driven and the cam gear is fiber. That gear is hard to change and harder to find. 2. Do Not run the engine without adding oil to the radiator fan. Instructions are in the owners manual. There is a change that the prior owner converted it to sealed bearings. That would be a good thing.

Could be a failing front brake hose. I have seen that happen a few times.

I buy from RA on occasion, usually when I get a stupid high quote from another source. When the fuel pump failed on my 02 TBird the prices were stupid high and OEM was scarce. I bought a complete OEM assembly from RA and it came in the original Ford box with the correct part # etched into it. I saved about 50%. Same story on the power window lift mechanism. The stuff I have bought from RA has been good quality for the price I paid.

In regard to the timing, make sure the vacuum advance is actually moving the breaker plate. Buicks have a bad problem of having the 3 bearing the the breaker plate rotates on wearing divots that wont allow the timing to advance with vacuum increase.

Bobs Automobilia MIGHT have these parts. They had a parts car 4 years ago 805-434-2963

I believe those are a "trim to fit" mat so answers may vary.

You NEED to call Bobs Automobilia at 805-434-2963. They speak fluent Buick. Also on this AACA site there is a pre-war Buick chat room that would help you.

I see the Buick spent many years in California! One thing I might mention. Were you warned to not overtighten the front packing nut on the waterpump? It is better to let the waterpump weep a bit of water rather than over tighten the packing nut. The reason is that an over tightened packing nut puts an extra load on the shaft going to the generator and to the shaft driving the generator and the water pump. This then put a heavier load on the cam gear. The cam gear is Fibre and Old. If this old fibre gear strips you have a miserable task ahead of you in both finding a new gear and then changing it.

Wow. I am on this forum about once every 3-4 weeks. I guess I have good timing. About the repair, after you get a new torque ball tapered seal or repair kit (Bobs Automobilia 805-434-2963 has them part TBK-343 I think) then you can go under the car and remove the 4? bolts holding the torque ball retainer to the torque ball assembly. Slide the torque ball retainer as far back as you can. Inside the retainer you will find the remains (cork if original or neoprene if replacement) of the seal. Behind the seal is a tapered bellview washer. Remove the old seal by cutting it so you can spin it out. This is the quick and dirty way to fix it fast. Clean the area up and slice the new tapered seal to place it around the torque tube in the correct orientation. Now super glue it back together and slide it into the retainer against the washer. Apply a thin layer of grease to the tapered edge of the seal and the torque ball that contacts the seal. Re-assemble. Don't forget to top off the trans with 90 Wt oil.

I could not tell if the bosses that the manifold washers seat on are on the same plane or not. That could cause torque issues when bolting the manifolds to the head. I have not seen a stainless water manifold in a few years!

Bobs Automobilia MIGHT have one. 805 434 2963 and cross your fingers

Craig Lead was not added to gasoline until the early 30's. Regular pump gas (not premium) is fine for your car and higher octane than when the car was made.

Depends. Manual trans cars had solid lifter, therefor longer pushrods.

On the thermostat housing, the quick way to install a soft plug is to place a 1 1/2" ? dished plug with a 1/8" or so hole in it into the Short Hose between the water pump and the thermostat housing.

I was moving a just purchased 34 Plymouth many years ago with the help of friend. He was steering and I was towing. Suddenly the door opened and he came flying out. He felt something on his knee and looked down to see a rat looking at him. After a few minutes and after the family was evicted we continued on.

Several years ago there was a run of rotors that had a habit of the center contact shorting to the cam post.

Steele offers 2 channels that are of the correct design but have different dimensions depending on construction of the doors. I assume yours is a wood bodied car. The correct should be either 021A or 021B. You will have to measure the door for the quantity of material you need. I can't offer any help for the top of the door.

I was taught at an early age to use my left hand with the thumb tucked back to crank an engine. I learned on my dads caterpillar 22. Thankfully it started easily on most days. I then became the designated cranker for the neighbors Cat 28? which was a bigger gas engined tractor. I also volunteered at an antique tractor collection and started a Holt 45 by inserting a bar in the flywheel of the engine. NOT FUN My 1914 Ford T is obviously crank start and NO it does not have a battery, it is magneto ignition with the factory flywheel mounted magneto. Ford magneto is nothing like the magneto used on other makes and works quite well hot or cold. Of course add a battery could give me some free starts.

Find another junk yard, that one is either NOT licensed or un educated. A LICENSED dismantler can Junk a car that they have received without paying a penalty. Some will try to scam the car owner by collecting the back fees due when they get the car from the owner.

Is the 3/4 of a tank what the fuel gauge indicates? If the gauge is a china replacement it might be more inaccurate than the original gauge.

All Bobs needs is the 4 pieces of metal from the shot mounts.

I know I am late to the party, but those pits on the outer curved surface on the torque ball don't look pretty. I would have tried some carefully applied Devcon or JB weld. If you have to replace the seal in a hurry, or on the road, a quick trick is to pull the rear retainer off, cut the new seal, slip it around the ball and use a bit of super glue to glue it back together.

St8-8-Dave is right, water jacket cover. Bobs Automobilia often has them

Congratulations Great detective work.

The first Ebay listing has been corrected. It is correct for a 40 and 50 series (Special and Super) It would be wise to have it incase yours breaks again. they are hard to find.