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My 40 Zephyr has a 41 radio plate in it and I wondered if I should restore it as a 41 radio or replace it with a 40 (if I ever found one!) I don't think the car was shipped with a radio based on the build sheet I got from the Ford Archives. It was shipped in March of 1940 so I guess that was getting towards the end of the model year. Maybe the dealer put the radio in later and by that time the style was changed to the 41 radio. At any rate, your thoughts on this would be welcome.

You're talking mostly about old movies here but I thought I'd mention the postwar Continental that is in the movie Bugsy from 1991. I didn't look too close but I think it would be a 46 or 47 though someone can correct me if they know better. The one scene I saw for sure is when Bugsy (Warren Beatty) is dropped off at his house in California by a friend and they're driving the Continental. I thought I also saw a 39 Zephyr being driven by his girlfriend at one point in the movie. It was also sitting at the curb in the background when Beatty was at the door of a house.

I could probably post this in a general forum but because it pertains to my 40 Lincoln Zephyr, this is as good a place as any. The tires on my car are probably 20 years old and they need replaced. In addition, at least one and possible two are out of round. I guess they may have developed flat spots from sitting for a long period of time. At any rate, I've looked at Coker and a few other distributors of these tires. I should note that I want to put the original type bias ply tires on. I've read some about the use of radials with wide whites attached to them in the THE WAY OF THE ZEPHYR but I'm a purist and I want the original type. What I would like to know is what other people's experience has been with purchasing these tires. What are the better suppliers? Is there any advantage in cost with one over another? Should I just go with Coker and be done with it? Matt Rall Michigan

I just wanted to respond to say that even though there may not be as many people we all would like contributing to the forum, it is still very helpful to younger members of the LZOC to be able to read the posts. I'm 32 years old and I've had a basic Zephyr sedan for about five years now. I don't get a lot of time to work on it but I absorb all the information I can from people like yourself and others that know more about these cars than I can ever hope to know. I myself would like to contribute more but I'm afraid I don't know enough to really help anyone. I'm in the "taking information from others" stage I'm afraid. I guess I could input more questions or just say thanks. I guess I'll do that. THANKS to all of you who are contributing and providing a wealth of knowledge to those of us who know very little and need all the help we can get. I'm learning a lot and reading what you provide so please continue. Matt Rall

Thanks Ken! I tried the brass rod method and it worked perfectly to get them out. I'll try the reverse when I get the parts all cleaned up, painted, and ready to assemble.

Thanks to all. I appreciate the contact information. I'll look these guys up. Thanks for the heads up on the dangers of blasting too. I have read about that and do not want to have that happen to me! Matt

I'm rebuilding my front end on my 49 Roadmaster and in the process I am going to replace the inner and outer front bearings. I am wondering how I know if I should replace the cup that the bearings spin in. I can't tell visually that they are worn but the bearings seem pretty worn so my assumption is that they may be too. Does anyone have any experience in this? Are those cups pressed in and would I have to take them to a machine shop to get them out? Thanks, Matt

Thanks Greg and Don. Don, if you catch the name of that place, send it along. Glad to hear from some fellow Buick owners in this area. Are either of you active in the BCA southeast Michigan chapter? I see you're both BCA members. Just wondering whether I should get involved. Matt

Thanks for the advice Jim. If I was to get my own setup, what all do I need? Do I basically need a cabinet and a compressor? I'm thinking about buying my own equipment but the cost is a factor. It seems like the compressor is the biggest expense.

Does anyone know of any reliable shops in Southeast Michigan that will sandblast parts? I don't have the money or the space right now to put together my own set-up and I need a few parts done.

Thanks Willie. I appreciate the response.

Is there supposed to be a rubber gasket between the chrome headlight trims and the fenders on the 1940 Zephyrs? Also, should there be one between the hood ornament/latch and the hood? I don't have them and I'm wondering if they are missing or if they were never there in the first place.

Well, I messed up because the element is too small to fit the Zephyr. I guess I should have figured that out and most likely someone out there probably knew that. Live and learn I guess. It's hard to tell exactly what size the original one I have is because it is old and I think it may be someone's homemade replacement from years ago. The current one measures aroud 7-1/2" in diameter (it's hard to tell because it is out of round) and it is not quite two inches tall although I think it has been compressed over the years. I'll keep looking and if anyone knows of a supplier, send me their name. By the way, I have a brand new filter for an older Ford V-8 if anyone wants to purchase it cheap. The bag it came in is opened but other than that it is brand new.

Has anyone worked with Classic Exhaust out of Geneva Ohio recently? I've tried e-mailing them and the messages were returned. I also tried calling during regular business hours and no one answered. I am using the contact info from their Hemmings ad so I assume it to be correct.

I just bought an air filter element for my 40 Zephyr from Mac's Antique Auto Parts. I'm not sure if it fits or not because I haven't had a chance to put it on the car but it looks like it is correct. I bought the following: 78-9600-CK Carburetor Air Cleaner Element COPPER MESH AS ORIG/OUTER RETAINER V8. Someone else may want to weigh in as to whether this is correct. It was listed for Ford V'8's from 1937-41. Here is their contact info: Mac's Antique Auto Parts Your one stop source for Ford parts from 1909-70's PO Box 238 Lockport, NY 14095 www.macsautoparts.com Phone 800-777-0948 or 716-433-1500 Fax 716-433-1172

Thanks for the reply. I'll try Sloan. Maybe K amd M are accessory codes that they didn't list in the parts book.

I have a question on my 1949 Buick Roadmaster body plate. The Paint code says 1 K M which I cannot seem to find in my parts book. I can find all the other codes on the plate and what they mean but not that one. "1" could mean Carlsbad Black as the car is black and it appears it always has been. However, I don't know what the K and M are. I can't find mention of these letters for the 49 model year paint codes.

I would be interested in finding a parts book like the one you have. Where did you get it?

I was just looking for a master parts book. I have a 40 Lincoln and easily found what they called the Chassis Manual which lists the part number for every nut and bolt on the car. I haven't seen one yet for my Buick.

Can anyone tell me where I can find a parts manual for the 1949 Buicks?

Does anyone know what years of Buick Sonomatic Radios are interchangeable? I have a 49 Buick and half of what used to be the radio. I'm missing the speaker but have most of the internals although they look pretty bad. The outside case that the speaker fits in is missing too. Just wondering if I could piece something together from other model years.

This has been a great discussion that was generated from my first question. I'm new to working on these old Buicks so I'm soaking up every bit of information possible. Thanks to all who contributed to this posting. Matt Rall

Thank you very much for the pointers. I am going to follow your advice and start looking for the parts. I like your attitude too. I have to tell myself quite a bit that it is just a car and not the end of the world if something on it goes wrong!

I checked it today and I'm pretty sure it is the torque ball leaking, just like you said. It is oozing out right underneath that ball, and at a pretty good rate too with a drip about every ten seconds. How complicated is it to pull the rear end? I want to tackle it myself but not sure where to start.

Thanks for the advice, it is much appreciated. I'll explore some of those areas you noted and let you know what I find out.