Fr. Buick

You will need to use the aftermarket ones on your 64, as the center hub has a slight difference that would accommodate your brake drums without the need for an adaptor.

50 shipped in the US. I have two pairs in similar condition.

That was a lot of money for 1976, but considering how each pane is stained with design, an intricate piece. Few do that kind of work anymore... Nice bit of decor! I have some old Bugles on behalf of the Orange County chapter that I hope to have organized this summer. I will report back if I find anything.

Newport Beach, in SoCal? Any notes on the back of the picture?

Oh, yes, excellent! Nice to hear from you...

Sounds like engine and trans mounts, plus the thrust pad all need to be replaced. You will be amazed at how it will smooth things out going into reverse.

So a friend is having fits trying to remove the wiper base - escutcheon? - off his car for rechroming and paint. All the other wiper pieces are removed, but he can't figure this one out. Is there a trick I can pass on to him, please?

Heat and an impact wrench, but don't overdo it. I had one develop cracks in the housing from my efforts.

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

Thanks, Scott, I just sent you a text to your phone.

Greetings all! Does anyone make an accurate hood pad for the 50/70 Buick hoods? The books say larger and smaller cars are different, and all I see online is for the smaller cars. Any help is appreciated.

The picture above shows the Right Rear brake assembly, since the parking brake cable enters from the front of the plate and pulls forward.

Got them. Do you need right side or left? Message me and we'll work out a deal.

I should have your parts. Let me confirm tomorrow...

John put this in the Buick Club section, and you will get a better response...

With all the grease obscuring things, I would only hazard a guess - They look like spinner retainers for the Buick KH wire wheels. I'll send you my address so you can mail me my prize...

I wonder if your 55 didn't have the switch-pitch working properly, where it would go from high to low stall depending on where your foot is in the gas pedal. A 53 will be a bit slower than a properly running 55 because it has no switch-pitch feature. I have driven 54s all my life, a Super and a Special, with very similar trans to the 53, and they get up and move with the traffic, though with a little more patience. Beware of using the low range too much. It was not designed for regular use like in a TH350. I only use it on a hill, or on rare occasion to jump ahead at a light, or slow stop-and-go on the freeway, or maneuvering in a parking lot. And when shifting up into Drive, do so with your foot off the gas. Your torque converter will thank you.

I don't know about aluminum drums on the rear, but you will get bigger brakes if you swap stock assemblies from a Century, Super or Roadmaster. I did do aluminum 45-fin drums on the front of my 54 Super. I used stock Roadmaster backing plate and shoes, and my stock hubs and bearings easily worked with the newer drums. I only had to widen the holes slightly for wheel bolts. Also I had to grind about 1/8th off the backing plate outer edges, and shimmed the plates to the suspension a bit to move them into the drum tighter. Otherwise the shoes developed a ridge showing abnormal wear. You will also need longer wheel bolts to compensate for the thickness of the aluminum drums. It was a fun project, and better brakes are always a plus.

I see you are in south Orange County, so two ideas: One, join the local OC chapter of the Buick Club, we are a fun bunch, and sometimes some good knowledge and parts in the group. The other is Desert Valley Auto Parts in Phoenix area. Last I was there, they had a 53 Special, freshly arrived. They are not cheap for prices, but you can be there and back in a day - a long one, granted - and bring it home safely yourself... Oh, and one more, Lamar Wilkins has a small private yard in Lancaster area. Private message me if you would like his number. And as said before, it may be simpler to match your engine - a standard versus Dynaflow. I don't think they can easily interchange...

Amazing, Lamar!

I did similar when driving my 54 from SoCal to Portland for that show. But I left the Starter in abox with a friend, ready to be mailed just in case. Oh, and I included a can of R-12 in case the AC needed it, and a small test light and fuses. I needed one fuse for failed turn signals at a gas station stop...

Hey, Fred, if nobody has spoken up, I'll take it! Bring it to the Holiday Party at my place on the 29th, and I can pay you there...

Be sure the trans is from a Century, or you will have a longer rear housing on the trans that won't fit in your car. A Super or Roadmaster will be too long.

Chriss is right. Don't worry about the sliding from side to side. Try twisting the two halves against each other. If there is no play, you should be good.

Welcome, and a very cool car! Don't dive in too deep. Get her mechanically sound so you can enjoy her as she sits. Start collecting parts you need. Take some auto-body, paint and welding classes, get to know the locals in this great hobby. Do some sections of body, and try not to disable the car for a long time - which leads to frustration and an abandoned project. Have you joined the Buick Club? There should be some local chapter in your area. This site has a LOT of 55 guys willing to help.