imported_buick5563

This is the coolest thread ever. I always wondered what some of my car hobby pals do / did. It's nice to see that everybody isn't a white collar doctor or investment banker. I have always made a living with my hands, but for 15 of my formative years I made a living as a "Rock Star". 11 countries, 46 states, too many one night stands to count (Uh, that would be gigs). BTW, it sounds alot more romantic than it really is. Now, I work for some friends doing maintenance on houses and ranches. Mike

Here's my 55 Buick with factory air. Mike

Hey JD, I have a Millermatic 130 (110 volts) it works great on sheet metal, but most of the other uses you will want more voltage. I would definitely agree with the above post about an auto darkening helmet. I would also recommend going to a semester or two at a community college for welding. I thought I was going to feel either intimidated or old. I was the youngest at 39 years old and since I was (unfortunately) really experienced with a caulk gun, I was great with a mig welder. Mike

I have never liked searching through ebay motors. Regular ebay is much easier to find things I have needed in the past. Mike

Gary, I had the same problem with reinstalling drum brake springs ( I was indeed a moron ) I was using the hook end instead of the spoon end. Basically get the spoon over the pin and stretch the snot out of the spring, letting it snap (up the tool) over the pin. I realize this is like a three year old explaining it, but I think a three year old may have designed it and not drawn a picture on the back of the box to explain how to use it. Once you do it right, it takes all of the mystery out of it. Mike

Rebecca, You can get a flaring tool at pretty much any hardware store to flare the end that goes to the carb. I drilled out the manifold side on mine with a drill bit one size bigger than the tubing (the part of the old tube that is lodged in the manifold sleeve). Like if the tubing is 1/4" I went to 17/64" (or something close). It's really easy if the manifold is off. I don't know where the sleeve is located on your car, but I suppose it could conceivably be drilled while the manifold is in place. Mike

Hey RAFA, Is that Trico fan vacuum powered? Good stuff, Slim. Mike

Hey Frydfsh, Were you able to get the trans kickdown linkage hooked up? If you did, can you post a picture. That is the main reason I didn't do what you did. Also, 14 mpg is still better than the 12 I was getting with my OEM carb. Thanks, Mike

Way to go Eric. It is a beautiful car. That's what this forum is all about. I hope I'll be able to pass on HALF of the knowledge that I've received over the years from everyone on the BCA forum. Mike

Mr. Earl trying to boost his numbers. Mike

Hey Kevin, Have you tried Ken at www.wheatbeltbuick.com ? He should have that part. Mike

Only a "fogey" could get the word "scofflaw" into this discussion . Thanks. Mike

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RAFA</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> THAT GARAGE IS BADDDDDD..... </div></div> Thanks RAFA. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw that. Mike

This garage was originally made for an artist's studio in 1999. My wife and I bought the "house" it was attached to almost two years ago. Inside is 60 ft. deep by 30 ft. wide. Twelve feet high cinderblock walls with an additional 12 foot quonset hut style roof. You can see the 5 foot diameter exhaust fan that was installed at the east end of the building. The guy I bought the house from left all of those cabinets you see just laying around. He also left the ten foot glass doors that I framed into a wall so I would have a "clean" side and "dirty" side. Now before you go "Gee Mikey, I wish I had that"... the house was a complete wreck. 5 inches out of level, no tub, four electrical subpanels (totally rigged), leaky roof, etc. Anybody who made more money than I do would have bulldozed it and started over. Fortunately for me, artists and mechanics couldn't afford to rebuild it. I have a remodeling background so I was able to at least make it liveable for my wife and my (then two and a half year old) son. The cool thing is it is in a great old part of town with great schools and it sits on a half acre lot, in the middle of Austin. The picture you see above with the frost shows the little shed I built to store my garden tools, because, "ONLY CARS BELONG IN THE GARAGE!" I did the same thing when I had only a two car garage. I restored my 55 completely in my old two car garage (except paint). One of the big pictures you can see my 220 volt compressor, that I wish I had when I was restoring my 55. A glass bead cabinet sure goes through a lot of air. In that same picture you can also see the old fridge where I keep "supplies" that need to remain cold. The cars shown are: My 55 Buick Special two door sedan My 63 Wildcat convertible My 1931 Model A Ford (soon to be Nailhead powered hot rod) My friend's 1960 Buick Electra (I was doing a bunch of small things on it) Another friends 1962 Buick Special (He rents a space) That's all I can think of right now. Mike

Here are some pics of my garage in Central Austin, Texas. Enjoy, Mike

Man, that sucker looks comfy. Lookin' good. Mike

I'm with Mr. Earl, www.wiperman.com is the man. Restored cheap, looks great, works great, no alterations. Mike

Joe, My wife (not necessarily a car guy) called me this morning when she heard it on whatever news program she was watching, so it's impressive enough for her to notice. Mike

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrEarl</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Honestly I don't know that I would stand on my head and contort my wrist and arm and probably end up cuttig my wrist and bleeding to death to pull a good used one to sell for that. </div></div> Yeah, but he would coax me down to install one for free... "you contort better BOY!" Mike

Amen Brother Mike

BTW, I posted this on a tractor yesterday from my iphone. And no I'm still not rich, Mrs. Buick5563 works for Apple and she decided I needed one for times like this. Mike

oh yeah, he's on the road, not just fun info time. Call me, too if you can help. 512 294 8401 thanks mike

Old Tank needs somebody with a 55 shop mnual to call him right now. willie 210 365 8735 I can't get to mine until at least 6 tonight. He's having Electrical problems. Mike

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: serb</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The 49's looked spectaular. </div></div> The same thing jumped out at me, Stevo, but not normally the first cars I look at during a show. That customized 54 looks really well done and great in the pictures, did it look that good in real life? I also enjoyed seeing the unrestored woodie wagon. Was that "driftwood" ? I think they drove that car to Rochester last year. I hope that car stays original forever, it's perfect as is. Thanks again Lamar. Mike p.s. I noticed your wife had a name tag on a lanyard, did you put "Mrs. Earl" on it?

Ok, a) technically the OT is for off topic (meaning cars) I had a couple of adult beverages, thus not able to figure out how to post that picture on my actual birthday (7/30) although I didn't see "the cake" when I was making other posts. c) my wife didn't give me my 1954 Skylark d) the "catching up" was catching up with your collective ages (i.e. "old fart") Thanks y'all. Mike ps. I'll leave Thriller and Adam the "youth" questions from now on.