BuickNut

Thanks gents.....all very logical possibilities as to the root cause, I'll give the car a check over in those areas.

Thanks for the info Old Guy......I'll keep them in mind.

My suggestion differs from the other gentlemen's. I would suggest removing it, getting rid of whatever rust you might have, painting the inside of the panels, then applying new undercoating. If you have a '53, I doubt its going to see service in the winter/salt/rain/muck. Removing the old stuff might guarantee that you assure no rust formed under the old stuff that is seemingly intact.

Didn't mean to offend you by questioning who, or what you give to. Helping somebody is a good thing. Rewarding irresponsibility is not....it breeds more irresponsibility. Give the guy advice, lend him some tools, etc...but giving him money - I don't view as helping him. I have 3 cars to restore..either I don't and sell them, hold on to them, or get another job to fund them. I have no right asking anybody for money to fund my luxury. Restoring a car is a luxury...it doesn't rank with food, keeping up the house, or money for a kids college. I would be incensed if I found somebody who bought a Porsche and couldn't afford it, and was out begging on the street or posting sites, asking money to fund THAT luxury. No difference between my situation, the example I describe, or his. They are all wrong, shameful, and unscrupulous methods....and bringing his kids and the fact he's a fireman makes it worse. If you can't afford it, don't buy it ! It SHOULD be a no brainer (in reference to the fireman, nobody else...)

Restoring Buicks is a hobby - for others a business. However, given that this person's tack is that of a hobby - it's therefore a PERSONAL endeavor. When one solicits money in this fashion - at MOST I would consider it a sponsership......and I didn't see that he was going to plaster anybody's name on the vehicle as a sponser. Bringing up the fact he was a fireman and a paramedic didn't have a darn thing to do with his restoration.....yet he brought it up in his site. I'm sure there are others in worse financial shape than him that also restore vehicles as best they can......so why bring up his occupation ? Mmmm - why to try to play on the country's sympathy. No..... I don't accept in any way shape or form that he was being novel in his approach to restore his car. Anybody that does solicite money for restoration "owes something" to that sponser.....either part ownership of the car, the "fame" that goes with that car, or in the case of race cars...probably prize money or advertising value. He was betting on the stupidity and pity of folk to help himself up. This was pure and simple a SHAMEFUL thing to do.....and I'm very sorry to see that he has dragged Buick restorers, hobbyists, and his "fellow brother and sister fireman and paramedics" through the mud and down the poop chute by what he did. To try and rationalize what he did because restoring Buicks is a good endeavor ? I think not. There are more noble things to do than to restore Buicks. Restoration (unless you're involved with a Museum and ARE truely working to preserve history as your goal) is purely a personal endeavor - it fun, does preseve cars, is a form of recycling, etc. Preserving history and the past is a BYPRODUCT of what we are doing, and that is a good thing. I didn't notice in his site that this was being restored and donated to a museum.....THAT might be a legitimate reason to solicite money for a restoration......but NOT to save HIM money for HIS project (definately selfish on his part !!!) If you were stupid enough to give him money - it would simply take money from your own project..and who has the more right to their restoration ? Do you then go out and solicite because you gave to HIS "cause" ? If you want to be noble about or with your car - take it to a school, to a nursing home.....take an underprivlidged kid and teach him what you know about mechanics ; give it to charity......but don't help some selfish idiot who puts his own wants and needs above that of his own family's. If he can't afford to fix the car up....he had no right to take the project on, thus taking money out of the mouth of his family or education away from his kids. That restoration is HIS responsibiliy.....and if you don't like welfare - well, his is a blatent case worse than welfare. Do you like seeing food stamp reciepients using them for goodies or cigarettes instead of food for THEIR families (?).....same thing here in principle . Sorry for the long note.....but this maddens me to no end given that I do have friends that are firemen and don't desicrate the profession the way this guy did ! There is NO credit I give him...and the only SUPPORT I would give him would be to tell him to learn to support his family, and to go to church and learn about giving and not taking !!! This guy needs to learn about values and how not to try and ripe off his fellow man. I do plenty of boneheaded things that have also affected my family - its hard not to...and I can accept that he has, in a way - said just that....but please don't go back and try and find justice in what he did....I agree just let it drop with his exit - but not with the caveat that it was reasonable or justifiable....<P>[ 05-15-2002: Message edited by: BuickNut ]<P>[ 05-15-2002: Message edited by: BuickNut ]<p>[ 05-15-2002: Message edited by: BuickNut ]

Was wondering if there were any folks knowing of some good swap meets to get real restoration stuff (not the "candy" of models, pictures, license plates, etc...) for Buicks back to the 40's up to the 70's ? Shame on me for missing the one in Chicago a short while ago, but thats on my radar for next year.... Thanks.

Hi, my dad's '52 Buick Super 4 door shimmies around 55 mph or faster. You really feel it through the steering wheel as well as the entire car. It has newer bias ply tires (less than 100 miles on them - balanced when put on the rims), my buddy did a check on the front end before the tires were mounted 4 years ago, so supposedly the front suspension is ok. I did the 'ol basic "bounce test" to see all 4 shocks were ok, and it stops before the 2nd bounce after I stop bouncing it. The car sits in his garage during that time, and is not on jack stands to keep it off the tires. Might this just be flat spots on the tires, and if so - what might be the number of miles needed to get the flats out ? I know already though - shame on my pop for not putting more miles on it........ Thanks for your advice.

I replied to his ad as follows.... "Dear Sir,<BR>I think you have some nerve asking for donations to restore your car. I too have a family, and I am restoring several cars - but I am putting money into it that I earned, and not putting my family at risk. If you are soooo concerned about your family - I suggest you give up the restorations until YOU can afford the restoration yourself. I think asking for donations, and adding the fact that you are a firefighter and a paramedic - in the wake of 9/11 - is an abboration to your "brothers and sisters" in public service. This is shameful." This is totally shameful what he is doing. I have a friend who is a firefighter - as has been the rest of his family as volunteer firefighters.....they do their own restorations and have never asking for such a thing. I REALLY take offense to what this "gentleman" is doing. <BR>

I drove my '67 wagon as a daily driver from May through early November for 2 years (before the snow flew here in Michigan....) and had some problems, but mostly due to my own ignorance or worse yet - stupidity. I also have an '86 Ford Ranger (YIIKES ) with mucho miles on it. I wanted to use another older wagon as a daily driver to get the Ranger off the road - was spending more time on it repairing and fixing than on my restoration vehicles... Though the truck had damn near everything replaced or rebuilt over the years - there was ALWAYS something that was breaking (even taking into account it's a FORD...). I bought another wagon, used it for a while as a daily driver - then realized that through winter I probably couldn't protect it from the salt no matter how much I painted inside, outside, around, etc. and am planning on splitting daily driver duties between Michigan winters and the rest of the time. No matter how old the vehicle - I have found that milage will eventually get you. Unless you go through a vehilce COMPLETELY and replace almost everything, whether it needs it or not - you may be asking for trouble. Fatigue is hard to see starting.....but once they propagate...wham, the thing breaks. I grant you there are a huge number of cars that can make it as "fix it as it breaks" with plenty of times between breaks - but a word of caution and a BIG toolbox and LOTS of spare parts in the back might be the only ticket for an older car or a resurrected high milage car being put to daily driver use..plus a spare car just in case the driver goes out... I guess here in the Great White North, the cold and salt do a lot of damage to cars that maybe in the South or West don't see. I die everytime I see a "daily driver" that actually driven every day over huge miles in Hot Rod Mag.....then I look at where the owner lives, and see its out in CA, or GA, NE, AZ...then I say "oh, THAT'S why....). Just make sure you have brakes so you can stop the thing if it does !!! Good luck to you<p>[ 05-08-2002: Message edited by: BuickNut ]

The latest Issue I received has a pretty good story on a '67 Riv. Love the '65 with the hidden verticle quad lights, as well as the '66-'67 models with the hidden horizontal quad lights.....pretty good stuff !.................OOPS, my bad, this article about the Riv was in Cars and Parts.......sorry.<p>[ 05-07-2002: Message edited by: BuickNut ]

Guys, guys.......but its ART that she does ! She's SOOOOO misunderstood Didn't you know that her original video WASN'T trying to use her in that little school-girl outfit not as a hook, but as a statement typifying the.....yada yada yada ! ..sorry, couldn't help poking fun too !

Anybody have experience painting with the new urethane paints and what precautions you have to take as to air breathers/masks ? Do you need one of those auxulary remote air supplies, or can you use just a very high quality mask ?

I know both are contributors to the workmanship of the cars and the notorious apathy of the American Autoworker...and yet as pointed out, the Japanese and German transplants here in the states (as well as Saturn..so I've heard.....) make quality cars when considering workmanship. They work together and don't knife each other when the other's not looking....that's why they can do without the unions in the southern transplants. <P> The UAW shoots itself in the foot when the pull all the baloney they do in the plants in the name of "job security". I've had first hand experience with that from an Engineers point of view. However, the car companies/auto supppliers also shoot themselves in the foot when they pull all the baloney with trying to cut costs at the expense of the workers, contract shennanigans......etc. If they would both work together, the resultant customer being shot in the foot wouldn't occur ! There are definate problems on both sides of the fence that need to be addressed if the US company's are to finally get rid of the old bugaboo about "American Built" being inferior.

Well, I guess after reading that article in the Detroit News the other day - it sparked some hope. The world can't be changed overnight, and things are slower in the auto industry. But that being said, I find this a glimmer of hope with Buick. I know that the "also ran" Bravada/Trailblazer is to cover their hineys, and will just be a more expensive version of them - and a little late too. But again, I can't speak enough that Lutz is getting his nose where it belongs and isn't giving up on Buick. I'm anxious to see what the new designs are...hopefully up to our expectations !

Glad that you like your Buicks . Seeing what is happening within GM with their styling, the demise of Oldsmobile, etc. - I hope the discussions have not been in vain, and that Buick DOES look at what its loyal followers have to say. I'm glad you took the attitude you have, and have listened to why Buick was being "trashed". From the perspective of reliability and rust prevention - the newer cars definately have it over the older ones. However, I still am in the process of working on some of my older cars to make them as reliable as the new ones - with the caveat that some of the "reliability" will be that if it does go out/break - its much easier and cheaper to repair than the newer cars, and thus worth that bit of "unreliability" factored in to driving the older car all the time. Only problem with my area (Detroit Michigan) is all the salt and icy roads during the winter precludes me from driving it all 4 seasons. Keep on keepin on with them Buicks !

I saw an article in the Detroit New yesterday in which the UAW is starting (to what degree totally, I'm not sure...) to put on a campaign to "buy American that's Built American". They had put a number of leaflets on the Volvo's, Jags, and certain Focus models, that Ford employees were driving - and putting forth the idea that despite these cars being "Ford", they weren't built in the US. I think the Rendevous fits in this catagory too. Its built by an American company, but in Mexico. An idea that Buick needs to follow with the additon of the design ideas that need freshening up. I've been tempted to go to a Buick dealer, get him interested that I'm interested in a Rend - then bail because its made in Mexico. Maybe he might mention that to GM that it turns off buyers ?

Thanks alot folks for your help. While the Holley does work well (before the car was put in storage that is...), I am seriously thinking about changing back to the old Q-Jet. I know (think ??) that due to the smaller primaries, I will get better gas milage, and with the "beer can" secondaries, won't sacrafice performance and still get that "kick in the butt" when I throw her down a gear and put my foot to the floor. I'm going to rebuilt the carb per the recommendations brought up here.......can't thank you enough

The part number that I found on the carb (which I hope is the correct one...) is as "7043240 LA 3292" if that makes any sense. I found it on the middle section of the carb, vertically stamped. <P>I'll also check out the size of the bores as well......

I'll check out the part numbers when I get home tonight and get back to you......

I see the same theme here as in the other thread that was alleged to bashing Buick. It seems mostly, the writers without exception REALLY want to buy the new cars, want to get excieted about them, and want Buick (all true US makes for that matter...) to succeed. I also note that it would seem largely across the board constructive criticisms about the other car companies as well - and disgust that "our" companies know better - but don't DO better. Hopefully, there are enough "car guys" in the industry that genuinly have passion about the automobile to help push things along in the right direction. I'm not naieve though......I think we have all spent enough time under, in, around, etc our cars and have cussed out the engineers/designers for their lack of forthrough (how's THAT statement for being politically correct and kinder and gentler...)even on the old ones. That being said, at least the older stuff was easier to fix and cheaper to even do the parts swapping style of being a mechanic. Guess I really want to see the styling do better, and the mechanics and gizmo's become less complicated. I still hate to think that I can't keep a newer car for more than 7-8 years for fear that the "modules/assemblies" will have the simple $25 stuff break that will require the entire $500 assembly to be replaced - if I can figure out what acutally needs replacing !..but I guess I digress again...

I have a '73 Century GS Stage 1 with a 455 engine and 4 bbl (curently has a Holly 850 double pumper with mechanical secondaries, that was "built down" as it was too much for the stock engine to handle), and bought an 850 cfm Rochester QuadraJet 4 bbl carb from a non-GS Stage 1 vehicle (probably a 455 engine equiped full size cruiser is where it came from ).....what reubild kit would it take to bring it up to being what the stock engine needs ? Or would there even be any difference between the carbs between a stock GS Stage 1 QuadraJet and one from a 455 luxo-cruiser ? Thanks.

I guess I'm going to stick to my guns...my comments were meant to be constructive criticism as we were asked what we wanted in light of why Buicks weren't selling all to well - and from where I'm at in wanting cars, I don't want to pretty up the picture for Buick. I will be the one to say the "Emperor has not clothes" if he doesn't. I'm "semi" in the market for a new vehicle...in going to the Buick lot there was NOTHING that excited me. The Rend, while it fits my purposes from a utilitarian point of view - still wish it were up to par with the BMW'S and Mercedes and Lexus as to styling, and not being made in Mexico (...so, why buy American if its not buying AMERICAN ???) ...no reason in the world why it shouldn't given the price. As a Buick lover and Nut, I WANT things to change at Buick....as a potential customer, I NEED it to change if they want my business. I'm more than willing to be patient with them as a customer if they're moving in the right direction - but telling them everything is rosy and bright ain't going to keep Buick around for much longer. There's nothing wrong giving Buick cudos for what they do right (Rend is a good FIRST step, keeping the GS also...), but in my book, in order to fix something, I need to know whats wrong with it and what's broken.

Nice site.......very good work !

I have to admit, I answered to the other thread, but thought mine, and the others, while they were negative - were notheless constructive criticism in telling what they, and I, found fault and what Buick was doing wrong. Ya have to know what's wrong before ya can fix it <P>I agree that there needs to be a revamping of the line in order to sell something worthwhile that personifies a Buick as a Buick. Return to old Buick of being not only a luxo-cruiser - but sporty/big engine/handling as well. Buick did that successfully in the 60's and 70's between the G.S's, the Wildcats, the Riv (quintissential Buick format the embodied luxury, speed, muscle, handling, and new technology), as well as the Electra's and LeSabers...hey, ya CAN have your cake and eat it too !!!<P>I whole heartily agree about putting the head of Buick in the ad kinda like what Ford is doing, and what Ioccoca did. I think though that since this gentleman heading Buick doesn't have the background and rep of actually being a car guy - that Lutz would actually be the best guy to head the charge.<P>I can't emphasize enough though, that they need something worthwhile to advertise, and not the current line of boring stuff. The Rendevous is s good first step though. Despite all the bantering about what Tiger actually drives - its still appealing to those others than the older set...but on the luxo end, still needs to keep the older buyers in their sights.....<P>Shows (once they have something to sell to the appropriate age group...) might be anything from "Friends" (...I don't watch, but it could catch the lower target of what their market demographic should be..) to "Frasier" to "Everybody Loves Raymond", to ball games......<p>[ 04-05-2002: Message edited by: BuickNut ]

Saw your thread and thought I'd reply as to the new design needs of Buick :<BR>-The SUV/Truck bandwagon is almost over with - note the Japanese are now in those arenas, and they are FOLLOWERS, not leaders. So while the Rendevous is a good vehicle from the INSIDE, and isn't ugly like the Aztek - it still needs to be sportier like the BMW's and Mercedes SUV's - without getting too agressive (aka stupid like the Avalanche or Caddy CTS type designs. Note it was too darn late in the ball game, and too underpowered. Good idea with AWD though...BAD IDEA ABOUT MADE IN MEXICO - that is the main reason I won't buy one.<BR>-Advertising research says cars don't sell - read my lips : poorly designed BORING cars don't sell. I would definately add a stationwagon to my stable if it were AWD optioned and was sporty like some of the Saabs (....or is it Volvo ???). If they had even a car the size and sportyness of the older (say '94/'95) Pontiac Grand Prix's but with more rear legroom - would buy one in an instant. The only reason I'd buy an SUV over a car is the room and the SUV's have options of AWD (suffered through too many MI winters getting stuck.....)<BR>-Also can't forget to address all of the above with better gas milage, lower price, and CUT ALL THE ELECTRONIC GIMMICKY STUFF OUT OF THE CARS. I don't want electric steer or electric brakes, leave all the Audio/Vidio stuff out - just have a killer stereo/CD/Cassette player with hookups to aux speaker systems and aux Video stuff. Let the Bose's design the stereo/speakers and don't put in the GM designed stuff that lags behind, isn't expandable and would be replaced anyway<BR>-Make stuff REPAIRIBLE......seems the car companies are building everything in modules and full assemblies such that if a $25.00 sensor fails, you need to replace the entire $500.00 assembly part and have $500.00 in labor to boot !<BR>-Buick (and everybody else) needs to keep one thing in mind as to their design and mechanicals......KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid. Todays cars are WAYYYYY TOO COMPLICATED. They seem to have foregotten (or was this planned ???) that a NEW car eventually becomes a USED car that SOMEBODY needs to afford to repair without taking out a second mortgage or needing to be a rocket scientest (oh, that was me at one time, and I still couldn't work on 'em.....) to keep 'em on the road !!!!!! <BR>-Hate to say it but the Europeans really have the market cornered as to sporty styling without getting stupid about it. Chrysler is also in there with smart, sporty styling...really like the 300 M, also Lincoln LS and Jag's version of it..<BR>-Small cars don't sell ? I see a lot of Ford Cougars on the road (though I guess not enough to keep the cars from being cancelled), see alot of Grand Am GT's (can't swing a dead cat without hitting one around here.....)though they are really sharp<BR>-If GM would do it right with their designs, they COULD sell cars.....they really don't need to put all their eggs in the SUV/Truck basket like they are. Just wait until the tide suddenly changes "overnite"....can GM afford to wait for a full 4 year design cycle to catch up when that happens ?<BR>-They need a better mixture of older designers and younger designers. Either its too stodgy (...under Buick in the Websters.....), or too damn cutting edge like the CTS. Or the Bean counters take a vehicle that WAS goodlooking in its prototype stage (the Aztek was actually a sharp SUV before they changed its stance, the grill, the rear end, and gave it rollerskate diameter wheels....) and ruin it.<P>-VERY wordy I know......sorry