buick5563

Dearest Mr. Earl, That is his job!

That'd be Revenooers for you folks south of the Mason-Dixon line!

I also ran out of gas three times before I took the sending unit out and bent the float (like bending a toilet float) so it says I'm empty BEFORE I don't have gas. As far as pushing goes, I had to push my car over the 1 1/2" lip into my garage once and finally had to get a neighbors help. It is truly astonishing how unmovable these beasts are when they are at a dead stop.

Classic Buicks doesn't have a paper catalog. They don't even have a phone number. I have received good parts from them in the past, but I get nervous ONLY dealing with a computer screen. Pretty much ditto to all of the above suggestions.

When I sold my Wildcat, I paid for a one year membership to the BCA for the new owner. I also gave him this website info and a bunch of parts catalogs. It cost me next to nothing, and I hope he will ante up when the time comes. Sometimes it takes more than a little shove.

Paul, It sounds to me like the (in-tank) sending unit has a sticky float. Since it also reads 1/2 when it is empty, the float is bent too far down in the tank. Tweak it upwards so it reads empty when you still have a few gallons left. I would recommend trying to find a new unit, since it sounds like the float (or float arm) is sticking. I believe I have seen aftermarket units, but you will have to experiment with float height. Good luck.

Hi Charles, I took both of those things into consideration. I wasn't going to risk messing up my trunk upholstery due to a leak. Yes, I know about the drain tubes, but I drive the snot out of my car especially to and from the Nationals every year. I drove through a hurricane on the way home several years back. Those ducts that run from the outside intake grill to the side of the trunk unit are not waterproof. If they leak (and they will) you run the possibility of wrecking the one piece of upholstery that cannot be replaced without pulling the AC unit. The "summer/ winter" valve was bypassed and taped shut by me because of the weather down here in central Texas. While not the norm, we have had 67 days over 100 degrees this year. Hottest summer ever... After last year when we had 66 days over 100. In the "winter" I don't need the AC. Thus, my decision to deactivate that feature. These may not apply to you, just explaining my reasoning.

I made my return air ducts from that plastic "cardboard" that yard signs are made from. Then I painted them black. They are difficult to see once mounted in the trunk of my Special. I just cut 4" strips (the distance from the evaporator to the package tray) and bent them into an open ended box. This IS the return air. Since I added the AC to my car, I didn't install the "fresh air" ducts, since they leak AND it's too bloody hot in Texas to desire adding hot outside air into my car.

Good point Paul, although even five gallons is heavy enough when you bench press it for too long.

I love it!!!

Paul, Personally I have never had to replace the gauge itself. Most of the gas gauge problems I have ever experienced had to do with grounding problems. Maybe try an auxiliary ground wire from the tank to the frame with some alligator clamps. If the gauge works, then it is a tank grounding issue. If it still registers full, then I suppose it is the sending unit. I'm hoping someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

...and unfortunately for us, the Chevy parts guys I have dealt with are easy to get along with, courteous, prompt, etc since they actually have competition (and want your business) unlike certain Buick vendors.

Paul, I used a lot of Impala parts on my Wildcat. Weatherstripping, all top parts and various other "interior" parts. It is my understanding that the seats themselves are exactly the same. So foam would indeed be the same.

Sorry, Didn't mean to say the 264 was completely trash. It is an awesome engine... BUT it IS the least desirable due to least cubic inches. Plus anybody wanting to rebuild a Special will most likely put a 322 in Obviously the second half of my post needs the tongue in cheek "smiley". Just send the manifold to Mr. Earl and I won't have to buy it!

Dearest Lamar, I DID respond earlier when I thought it had a harmonic balancer. Since it just has a pulley, it is definitely a 264. Unfortunately, this is the least desireable Nailhead. Definitely a boat anchor. The 3 deuce manifold (for Mr. Earl's sake) is also a boat anchor. In reality, those 3 deuce setups are available with carbs, linkage, intake, plus gaskets for around a grand. So... In reality, some value there, but certainly under 300 bucks.

We got back yesterday at around 2:30. My car ran flawlessly except for occasional bouts of vapor lock. Cruised along at 65-70 mph all day. 1939 miles all together, averaged 15.5 mpg with AC on occasionally plus one mondo trip straight up a mountain to see the Cave of the Winds. Had a ball seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Drank with a bunch of Australians. Those guys put me to shame! The meet was very organized and I would like to congratulate and thank the Colorado folks for doing a fine job. Best Nat's t-shirt BTW. I got my Senior Preservation award, so I can REALLY start driving it now... Still mostly talking to my family. (Except when they were riding with me, since everybody used the Buick to nap in)

The Woodster is gonna be 6 in three weeks. You can remember how old he is by remembering the Flint 100th anniversary. He was born at the same time, thus why I missed the event. I have received a lot of encouragement and razzing/ questioning when I will start the convertible project. Should be soon. Woody WILL get his hands dirty! I loved the Mr. Earl autographed pic at the forum breakfast. I wanted to steal it, but let my assistant pick a new one to unwrap.

Thanks for all you did this past weekend Nick. I don't have adobe on my iPhone, but I'll look at 'em when I get home. (filling my car in Snyder Texas right now) Those are my 55 portholes BTW.

1955 Specials (264 cu. in.) didn't have a harmonic balancer. Sounds like a 322 without power steering

Stevo, Woody enjoyed the breakfast. He got to pick for me which made the morning even better for him. He got a 1912 Winn Dixie Buick that is still in the package from the 80's. We'll see if that lasts. The breakfast was fun for everybody. It was nice seeing all of my forum friends and meeting new ones.

No Dig Daddio. Really will miss my pals. Seriously

Howdy, It's my turn to chime in. Got an early start this morning. My wife, son Woody, and my folks left at 6 am. None of the nightmare weather for us. A cold front blew through with rain yesterday, so the high was only 97. It rained off and on for the first few hours. Woody was bundled up in the back seat, claiming he was cold... I told him to remember that feeling in the afternoon. You could not have asked the car gods for a more beautiful day to hit the highways through west Texas. Cool temps and tailwinds. At around 3:30 I finally turned on the AC. It worked as well as 55 units can. The temp gauge stayed very comfortably in the "normal" zone. My dad (following in his 2004 Impala) said the outside temperature got to around 94. Not chilly, but not 112 either. Car is running flawlessly except for vapor lock, which I override with the electric fuel pump. No problem! Everybody is taking turns "roughing it" in the 55. My wife says the Impalas seats are not nearly as comfy as the Buicks! We made it over 600 miles today. I figure about 5 hours tomorrow getting us there around noon. Need to scrub the bugs off and find my brewery buddies. See y'all at the breakfast. We will miss all of you who can't make it. Adiós