rgshafto

Thanks, I'm a member of both, but not much help there with this car. 1937 GM was a complete model change, but thanks for the offer.

I'm having the top wood done on my 1936 Pontiac convertible and the restorer needs some help figuring out how the top rail corner pieces align to the rail itself and the window frame. I wonder if anyone has a 36 Buick - Pontiac - Oldsmobile convertible within driving distance of Portland Maine that I could see and get pictures of? Or who might send me pictures of the corner clamp mechanism? My email is bshafto@mainecenter.org. These apparently are pretty rare cars and no books seem to provide the needed information; any help will be much appreciated. Thanks!

As a teenager, my friends and I would regularly siphon gas out of wrecked cars we'd find behind gas stations. Using a fuel line sized hose, we rarely had a problem getting five gallons or more when we needed it, usually when we were out of money with miles yet to drive. One night I needed gas for my 36 Pontiac, but no cash. My dad's 63 Ford was in the garage with a full tank though. My regular siphon was elsewhere, so thought I would try using my sister's hula hoop. Broke it down, sucked like a demon, and promptly swallowed a mouthful of high test. Got back in the house before passing out on the living room couch. That was the end of my siphoning career! Time will tell how much brain damage it inflicted.

Good idea JT; I'll try it with an empty cannister and see what I get. Thanks.

Hoses are new, sturdy and not collapsed. I bet it's gd rodents in the distribution tube. Off course, that requires taking the entire front end off. Arggh!

Tried it with the thermostat out and the same result. It does have the hole to prevent airlocking and a corresponding hole in the gasket. I can't imagine how it would airlock like a modern car might. I've left the cap off to vent it, with no success and it was on level ground. I've had this thing drained and refilled many times and never had an airlocking problem. I'm starting to think some animal made a nest or food cache in the water distribution tube. I think the shaft was facing the right direction. At any rate, it's getting too late in the year to mess with it, so in the barn it goes until spring. Thanks for the feedback.

I'm having a very frustrating problem with my 36 Pontiac. The cooling system worked perfectly all summer, but two months ago the water pump started to leak around the seal. Sounded easy enough; it's a repair I've made on this car beforea over the 38 yrs I've owned it. I drained the system, removed the leaky pump, sent it off to be rebuilt by a reputably shop, and 3 weeks later reinstalled it. Replaced all the fluid I drained out, but the coolant wouldn't flow and the car overheated. Thinking that maybe I screwed up the gasket somehow (I had to make my own), I removed the pump, noticed they were both installed properly, then replaced the pump after checking for any signs of acorns, mouse nest, etc (none evident). Then tested the thermostat; it worked fine. No change though, it still overheated. Now I'm thinking the water pump wasn't rebuilt right (perhaps the impeller tolerances were incorrect). So I sent another pump off to a different rebuilder two weeks ago and installed that pump today. Wouldn't you know it, I've got the same #%#$! problem! The car overheats and coolant fails to flow. The system seems open -- the radiator and block drain easily, the block refills when coolant is added to the radiator, but coolant is still not circulating. The hoses are all good and tight, as is the fan belt, which turns the pump easily. I'm stumped at this point. Anyone have any good advice? If so, thanks.

Oak Bows in Chambersburg, PA, does this kind of work. Better that you have old ones to use as a pattern; I don't think he has patterns. Contact information is: Rick Kessell Oak Bows 122 Ramsey Ave Chambersburg, PA 17201-1293 (717) 264-2602

Thanks Jay. Here's a photo of the socket I need. It measures an inch and 3/16th across the base and takes a 2330 bulb.

I need a set of 1936 headlight sockets for my Pontiac. I assume they are the same for all GM of that era, but can't seem to find a place that sells them. I was told Packard were the same, but they aren't. Anyone know where I might find a pair? Thanks.

Does anyone have the gear ratios for either or both 4 speed transmissions found on early (1930s) GMC trucks? If so, I would appreciate knowing them for all four gears. Thanks.

Good suggestions Frank. I have checked the timing and it's OK. Brakes are new and adjusted properly, engine old enough that it is well broken in. The car doesn't overheat, just runs hot when the temp is in the high 80s or better. My coupe runs at 180 all the time, the convertible more like 210 on a very hot day. Both systems have been pressurized with 3-4 lb caps. Without that, the convertible would surely overheat. I'll try the vacuum test first. Thanks.

One of my 36 Pontiac 6s has much less power than the other one. It also runs hotter, despite a new water pump, water distribution tube, etc. I've checked timing and the other usual stuff and they seem within specs. One difference is that this hotter engine has a small muffler, about 8" shorter than what the OEM muffler should be. The diameter of entry and exit holes is the same however. Would a smaller muffler restrict air flow in such a way as to cause a loss of power and perhaps overheating? Thanks for any feedback about this.

I've found a solid 1937 Olds 8 convertible coupe that is completely disassembled. Drive train and suspension are newly rebuilt, not much rust, but it is missing both seat and rumble seat. Everything else supposedly is there. It's a real project, but when it was done you'd have a fairly valuable car. I can get it for $3,500 or so. I've got enough projects, so anyone care to speculate what it might be worth to someone else? I know it's only a guess, but I've never bought or sold a basket case before, so have no idea if they have much market value. Thanks!

I've got a very rusty but complete top assembly that came out of a 1938 Pontiac. Should also fit 1937-38 Olds, Buick, LaSalle and small Caddy? If you need one, give me a call at 207-878-8933.

I need a pair of vent window channel frames (fits around the glass & pivots with the window) for a mid-30s GM convertible. Any 35 or 36 will fit -- Chevy, Pontiac, Olds, Buick, LaSalle, or small Caddy as well as a 37 Buick 4 dr convertible. Any chance that a pair of these still exist out there in some remote junkyard? Any leads would be much appreciated.

Hello, I'm a '36 Pontiac convertible owner who has found what I believe is a 37 or 38 Buick 2dr convertible junker that has some parts that I could use. I am wondering if they are the same for both cars. They are: The top assembly, part #4067899 The fender rumbleseat step plate, part #496512 Here are some photos of the carcass. Am I correct that it is a Buick, 37 0r 38? http://mail.mainecenter.org/~Bob_Shafto/Junk1.jpg http://mail.mainecenter.org/~Bob_Shafto/Junk2.jpg http://mail.mainecenter.org/~Bob_Shafto/Junk3.jpg Thanks for any help you might provide!

The guy who owns this thinks its a '36 Pontiac convertible, but I know it's not. It does look like a GM car of that era, but which one and what year? The vent window, deck lid and top frame all look similar to my 36 Pontiac, but not the rest of the sheet metal. I'm guessing it's a 37 or 38 Buick? LaSalle? No grill or front sheet metal unfortunately. http://mail.mainecenter.org/~Bob_Shafto/Junk1.jpg http://mail.mainecenter.org/~Bob_Shafto/Junk2.jpg http://mail.mainecenter.org/~Bob_Shafto/Junk3.jpg

Yes, I thought about that and it may be the best solution.

I've found a set of 6-wheel front fenders for my '36 Pontiac, but they have sat outside for 50 years or more and the metal is VERY thin. Can such pieces be saved? And if so, how? Any advice much appreciated.

JF Sullivan Co. in Worcester, MA does this kind of work. JF Sullivan Company 12 Jacques St Worcester, MA 01603-1926 508-792-9500

Just heard an economist claim the other day that a gallon of gas at $1.65 is equivalent ? when adjusted for inflation ? to the price of a gallon gas in 1950.