danlb63

Thanks for the input. I have discovered the new torque ball retainer I purchased is not correct in that the vulcanised rubber is too thick and not tapered properly I'd have to install nearly 1/4 in. shims to make it work. I'm sending it back to Buick World who have graciously agreed to take it back and try to see what they can do to replace it.

I installed the guide pins then a gasket then the inner retainer then all the shims in two packages then the torque ball with the outer retainer then the thrust plate. I even lubricated it with 10w oil. The torque ball is completely immovable before it is competely tightened. What am I doing wrong? Is there an assembly drawing available?

I blew 2nd and 3rd gear and would like to install a floor shift in my '40 Century. Will a '38 big series fit?? If not I need a '40 "big series" replacement or parts. Any suggestions?? db '56 Special (2) '40 Century

Come on guys I didn't get a single response in my previous post as to the easiest way to remove a heater core in a '56 Special. Surely someone can give me a little advice. Help!

I got Benny Goodman in my '40 by simply installing a 12 volt battery in the trunk, the cd player in the glove compartment and a couple of smallish but good speakers in the rear window. I cover the speakers up in the package tray with old women's hats. After a day or two of constant play I hook up the trickle charger over night. Not sophisticated but it works and it's loud enough to swing dance with my daughters in the driveway. db '56 Special (2) '40 Century

Hey Jaybird, I appreciate the info, I'm sure it will be a pain in the butt as I am both big and old, I've been working on this car 40 years, and it doesnt get any easier but I'll sure give it a try. thanks, any more info would be appreciated too Dan Bailey Las Vegas danlb63@hotmail.com

How to get the heater core out to repair?? Does it come out into the fender well? Do you have to take the fender off? HELP??

Does anyone know the easiest way to remove and replace a heater core on a '56 special? Does it come out into the fender well? How do you get to the screws or bolts? Do you have to take the fender off?

I Read with interest your comments about engine and trans combo for your '40. I was thinking about putting a Nailhead in my '40 Century because the trans is bad and I am having a heck of a time finding a replacement trans (supers and specials apparenly will not fit). I want to go low dollar as is this car would be considered a beater or rat rod at best. You said you were putting a Riv rear end in yours, any problem with width? I've been looking for a doner car but so far no luck in my price range. I've also thought about upgrading the straight eight with some performance stuff and would like to put in a floor shifter trans like a '38, do you know about any interchange possibilities there?

How do get the heater core out of my '56 special? After 40 years working on this car, I'm still amazed as to how difficult things that should be simple are. Is it just me? Sometimes I wish it were a Chevrolet but I catch myself pretty quick when see how cool this low rid'n Buick is. danlb

HELP!! what is easiest method of replacing headlight switch... also other dashboard issues like heater vent hoses, etc??

what are the whisker strips called that are stapled to the reveals and door that stablize and clean the window. And where can I get new ones? Thanks db

Thanks again for the input, it's a mystery why the carb bases are different or why Rochester would even make one that didnt fit over the exhaust ports but I've spoken to the people at Kanter and I'm just going to send the new one back so they can match it up with the old and send me the (hopefully)right one. I've had my Special for 38 years, and its always been kind of a mild custom; lowered with wheels and custom paint but I have recently decided to go back to my roots in the 50's and am in the process of making the car remeniscent of those days, a fifty's cruiser. Am having fun with my Buick Again, good luck with those great Buicks of yours db danlb63@hotmail.com

thanks for your response, Im sorry to say the Roadmaster was a four door, it sat around my house for over 15 years before a move forced me to have it hauled off, only got a few parts off of it, the manifold and wonder bar radio among them. The carb I got from kanter is apparently the wrong carb for that manifold or it may require a special gasget or plate to work. How many rochesters were available for '56. I wonder if an intake manifold gasget is available that would block off those exhaust port. Thanks for the info on the counter weight too. I,m learning as I go.

I salvaged a 4 bbl carb and manifold off a '56 Roadmaster, after replacing the carb with a rebuilt from Kanter ( Rochester 4 jet), installed it on my special. To my horror, I have exhaust escaping from the (exhaust heat ports ?) where the carb doesn't cover the ports. what did I do wrong? It appears to be the identical carb that came off however, I have already sent it back for core refund so I can't compare. Also, when the accelerator is fully depressed the butterflys attached to the counter weight don't open. What is th purpose of the counter weight and how is it supposed to function?

need torque ball seal kit. am being told nobody is making the metal retainer with molded rubber seal. any sugestions. have tried BUICK WORLD. they say CARS makes 'em but not making them now because of problems. any suggestions?

where can I get a rebuild kit for this trans , is it something that a back yard mechanic could do? to put a gasket and seal kit in it? would I be crazy to try? the best price I have so far is at Sharps transmission in Tuscon Ariz. for minimum of $750. that sound likes way too much too me.

I live in Las Vegas and need a '56 Dynaflow rebuilt, actually it functions very well if full of fluid but it leaks and slips when low. Where is best place to take in reasonable proximity to L.V. where I wont be taken?

Eugene<BR>I didnt know there were any American cars in Russia. I am not as familiar with the newer Buicks '70's '80's and '90's as I am with the older ones, '40's, '50's and '60's, but I do know that the LeSabre is a full size car that came in 2 and 4 door models to seat 5 or 6. The had various sizes of V8 and V6 engines The Grand National was a smaller car based on the Regal model that was a factory prepped race car. It had V6 turbo charged engine that did very well at the drag races. The Riviera was luxury car like the Olds Toanado or Cadillac Eldorado. There were quite a few other models too mostly smaller economy cars that came in 2 and 4 door models. All the info you need is on the web. Good luck.

found all the info on vin numbers interesting and confusing and it brought up some questions I've had for years. My father bought a '55 special 2 dr hdtp back in I think april of '55 in Pomona ,ca, from Catron motors I believe. I was only about 10 so the memory is a little faded. He traded in a '49 Roadmaster 2dr sedanette fast back. The story on the car that I remember is it was originally purchased by some guy in Pomona and he went to pick it up in Michigan. When he got there he found that though he had ordered it turquoise and white, it was delivered turquoise and black. He apparentely went ahead and took delivery but hated the color combination. He put it on Catrons lot to be sold when he got out to Ca. It apparentely only had 2-3 thousand miles on it when my dad bought it. Unfortunately my mother and father were going through hard times and a divorce later that year caused them to loose that car. I dont recall ever seeing another Buick painted that combination, was this a one of a kind? I seem to recall seeing a plymouth painted similarly once. Just thought you might find the story interesting. I've had a '56 special for the last 37 years and am final going to tackle pulling the engine and trans for rebuild I cant get any one to give me any pointers or short cuts in how to do this. do you have to pull the rearend to get the engine and trans out the front? can you pull the engine and trans out together. what about the torque tube? is this a simple disconnect? please help.

Help! need to pull engine and trans from my '56 Special. Can they be pulled together? Never dealt with torque tube before. Whats the secret to disconnecting it? Do you have to move the rearend? Do you disconnect the trans from the cross member and remove cross memeber? Any help would be appreciated.

Trying to pull engine out of my special 4 door hrtp with trans attached. is this wise? what about the torque tube? does the rear end have to be moved. any other pitfalls I need to know? Help!