Fr. Buick

Greetings all! I found this at a swap meet, a Dynaflow clutch drum in a Delco box. Group number 4.169, part number 1388730. Does anyone have a parts book that can cipher this? Grateful for any help...

Please count me in for All Together Parking. And looking forward to attending with a '54 driven from SoCal.

I have a good photocopy of the 53-54 FSM for AC. I would be happy to mail it to you. Address?

Congratulations, very impressive detailing!

There is a freeze plug behind the starter, and is likely your problem. Yes, you have to remove the starter... Get a leak-tester tool for this job. It runs off a compressor to fill the coolant system with pressure - a modified cap goes on the radiator and gets a squirt of air to build up pressure without having to start the engine and heat things up. That way, you can be sure a new freeze plug in holding water before you put the starter back on.

I believe he is gone - or in the process of being moved - for restoration and service back in the Mid West. There was an article recently in the LA Times...

Hi, Fred! If it is a Special engine, 264, easiest way to tell is to look at the front of the crank. If there is a harmonic balancer there with sheet metal pulleys bolted on, it is a 322. If it has a cast-iron piece that is both balancer and pulleys combined, it is a 264.

Amazing how the computer facilitates this hobby! A mixed blessing for sure, but a very big blessing.

Wow, nice job!!! Are you able to put the column on over the steering shaft with the gear in place? I had to assemble it all together. Amazing job, and thanks for detailing in video. It is one thing to do it all. It is another to stop and record the fact.

I had connections to a foundry and poured hot aluminum into mine...

I have a hard enough time finding room for parts, so I gave up on collecting magazines. I keep old issues in the trunk of my cars in case I see an old Buick on the road. I write a note on the cover ahead of time along the lines of "Wow, a nice car, we have a great club and local chapter that you should join, and to call me for help with parts or advice." When I see a an old Buick, it's ready to go and I don't have to stop and write a note. I leave the Buggle on the car, and trust it to do it's own job. Hopefully it works once in a while for a new member...

I highly recommend this upgrade, it makes a big difference without adding harshness to the ride. I use it on a '54 Super with heavy-as-hell factory AC weighing on the front end. Brad put together a nice product.

So what is a "king grand"? Another Southernism, I suppose. Please explain for the West Coast audience!

If I recall correctly, the back-up lights are the same from 50-52. I would go with originals. They should be easier to find and install. And likely cheaper. '49 is more "collectable." Be patient, they are out there.

WD40. A little bit all along the length, and it will loosen up like a charm.

Nice photos, and congrats. The car looks great, I have been enjoying the reports on your progress.

They are not as well-made, IMHO, as the originals. But a whole lot cheaper than rechroming the originals. I have put about 5K miles on mine, and I have one spoke that has broken twice. To fix it, of course, means pulling the tire. Use flaps and tubes, otherwise they will leak. Willie is right, be prepared to take them off the car to really keep them clean. But the look is amazing. The best looking wire wheels anybody had to offer in the day, I think.

I'm in Orange and may have one for you...

Wow, the difference between that mess and a dry, hot yard in the South-West. Harder to come by as the years go by, but worth the drive when you find one!

I will be interested in what you come up with, as a fall-back option pending how my '54 compressor holds up... Looks impressive thus far, thanks for the hard work!

Welcome to the world of detailing wire wheels!! Now you will find yourself pulling them off twice a year to properly clean front and back. Set one wheel at a time on two saw horses, spray the hell out of it with detailer and run a rag through the spokes form above and below the wheel. And that will get the outer rim. Inner piece is just plain torture on the fingers and hands. But boy, they look good! Congrats! I'll look forward to seeing them next month...

Good for you Lamar, boy they snaz up a Buick! For sure the best looking wires made in the day.

Are you sure it is a day-night? If the glass has a frame around it that covers the front edge of the glass, it is a day-night. And there should me a small slot on the bottom edge where the plastic tab would be to tilt the mirror back and forth. If not there you have a plane mirror and no luck to get it apart and resilvered. Good news is the day-night can be taken apart and resilvered. I have had mine done, an easy job. Look out for the right one, they were a common option. Talk to Mr. Earl in the '54 Forum, as I am almost positive the '54 is the same as yours.

You lucky guy, at least you can find replacement front seals!!! No such luck on the '54 and prior. Congratulations, Willie, I admire how you get your hands dirty and get it figured out.

I found a nice Dynaflow cooler at a swap meet last weekend. My parts book only goes up to 1954, and the number is higher than what's listed for the '54 cooler, so I assume it is later. Group number is 4.128, and the Harrison tag reads 8525952. Can someone give me a year, please?