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Gary_N

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Posts posted by Gary_N

    '54 - 322 help with head machine work

    in Buick - Performance and Modified

    Posted

    I've been cutting up my '54 parts car that Lamar was kind enough to deliver. This is one job that I don't like at all. But, since I don't have to be that careful, it's kind of stress relieving. Anyway, I want the 322 for another project. When I pulled the manifold I notice that the intake ports had some rust. Can you have rust in the intake ports? Well, the heads need to get to the machine shop anyway which led me think...what actually should I have done? I have a Weiand 2 x 4 manifold that I want to use. The rest is wide open? I've been told that I should build to '56 322 specs.

    Thanks!

    Gary

    Air Conditioning a 38..

    in Buick - Pre War

    Posted

    David: I saw a '49 at the National show with a/c. The owner said that it worked fine except at idle. Apparently our straight 8's low idle revs don't spin the compressor enough. Anyway, he mounted the compressor on the passenger side using the motor mount and water pump bolts to hold the unit. I think it was a Sanderson(?) compressor. He had a nice under the dash vent set up. Could have been vintage air. I have some pics in another computer. I'll pass a few along.

    As an FYI, '53 was the first year for Buick a/c. And, the compressor (I have one) weights a ton and is huge.

    Gary

    Shopping for a rotisserie.

    in Garages, Trailers, and Towing

    Posted

    For what it's worth, I've been following a custom car builder featured in Auto Restorer Magazine and he seems to think this is a good one. eBay price is $1,095. It's a long link and I'm not sure how to post it otherwise. So, do a Google on "Auto Twirler". Eastwood should be the first result. You can see it there.

    I thought about building Matt's too, but you retired guys have a lot more time.

    Gary

    '54 with a 401 and suspension help needed!

    in Buick - Performance and Modified

    Posted

    GMPartsMan:

    The X frame bothers me. Mainly since I can't use my 2 post lift to pick up my '64 Electra. I've gone back and forth on this. I want the car to be stock for all practical purposes. Just a little lower and more modern underneath. Even if perfectly restored, I don't it's worth more that if there were some modifications done. I'm not a dynaflow fan for the most part and they are expensive to rebuild. I've found a 401 with a TH400 switch pitch for about $600. But you can almost buy a whole car for about $800. I'm with you on the rear. I've heard that using an 80's Camaro rear end is a good match and the spring perches line up. And, you could most likely get some disc brake action going.

    As far as the front end??? I think the only way to go is a modern rack. I think there are a few mid 80's cars to choose from or you can buy new clips for about $2,500.

    I just can't bring myself to put the body on a late model. Don't ask me why. I'd rather modify the stock frame.

    In any event, I think with a 401 and TH400 trans, this would make one beautiful ride. It has to stay Buick. And I love my 401 now. Lot's of power.

    My email is gnoub51@gmail.com. Let's share notes.

    Gary

    Sad article about Buick and GM...

    in Buick - General

    Posted

    Sorry, missed some words:

    Looey:

    What's this crap about --"Yes, older people need slow boring cheap looking cars to keep their blood pressure down and all, but when they finally do croak". -- Are you deliberately trying to [censored] us old guys off?. I'm 59, and I bet I could race your ass off on a road course, or drag race or whatever else. And, I'll be doing that until I die! I probably have more speeding tickets than you too. Ha!!

    Anyway, I do think new Buicks are boring and I love the old ones. But, they are good cars. I don't want one...but that's me. So, complain all you want about the new Buick's. Keep the old crap to yourself!!!

    Gary

    Sad article about Buick and GM...

    in Buick - General

    Posted

    Looey:

    What's this crap about --"Yes, older people need slow boring cheap looking cars to keep their blood pressure down and all, but when they finally do croak". -- Are yo?. I'm 59, and I bet I could race your ass off on a road course, or drag race or whatever else. And, I'll be doing that until I die! I probably have more speeding tickets than you too. Ha!!

    Anyway, I do think new Buicks are boring and I love the old ones. But, they are good cars. I don't want one...but that's me. So, complain all you want about the new Buick's. Keep the old crap to yourself!!!

    Gary

    '54 with a 401 and suspension help needed!

    in Buick - Performance and Modified

    Posted

    OK, I'm going to make the purists mad, but my the plan for my '54 is to modify it with a stock 401 and TH400. I was thinking of a '65 or later for the switch pitch trans--although I'm still not sure how much of a difference that will make as compared to a '64 trans. Anyway, has anyone done anything similar?

    Also, I'd like to update the suspension to the mid '60's, with maybe a '70's rear end. Has anyone done anything like this?

    Thanks!

    Gary

    Tow Vehicle Recommendation

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    OK, a Chevy guy has to chime in here just for fun. Now you aren't getting a new car so, I guess this will be a little off topic so to speak but....my tow vehicle is a Silverado 3500 Duramax 6 speed. I have both enclosed and open trailers. This thing is great. And, not to offend all of you Dodge guys, but those things are just too loud! Now, the Cummins is a great engine, no doubt, but I need to get this Chevy Duramax vote in here!!!! This baby is quiet, fast, and with about 650 pounds of torque, will pull any big Packard or Buick with ease.

    Gary

    MIG welders for Hobbiests

    in Garages, Trailers, and Towing

    Posted

    John:

    For my $.02: If you will never weld another thing else after the floors of your '69, I'd just get the small 110 unit. Maybe you could rent one. Any Miller or Lincoln will do. But, if you ever plan to weld anything else, I think it would be a waste of money to consider a 220 machine. But, that's my opinion. Miller has a bunch of ads in the custom hot rod magazines featuring there hobbyist 110 stuff.

    I have a Millermatic 210. It was a little expensive ($1250) on the internet new. But I love the machine, and since I have 220 in the garage, it wasn't hard to make the decision. And I can work on just about anything with it.

    Like Bob said, get an auto darkening helmet. But look around. There are tons of prices for the same stuff. Like a dope, I paid almost $300 for my helmet. You can buy them for $59. But, I value my eyes. You should be able to find a good helmet for about $200.

    The only kind of welding you can do outside (unless you're well versed with Oxy-Accet., is stick welding. Neither of these are any good for doing floor pans.

    I took a welding course at the local community college. If you aren't experienced, it's WORTH it.

    Gary

    '49 Sitting for 20 years - might buy - need some adivce

    in Buick - Post War

    Posted

    Well, I saw the car yesterday. Didn't get any pics since it was way back in the garage. Both fenders under the headlight were rusted out. The rest of the body looked fair, but I did notice a lot of bubbles here and there. Interior was fair, and the floors seemed solid. Glass was great. Didn't look like a mouse condo, but I'm sure they're somewhere.

    The sad part is the engine. It's a bit of a mess. The upper radiator hose is gone, and the passenger side is a sludgy (is that a word?) mess, from the pan about 1/2 way up. Not sure is there's much in the way of coolant. The front suspension is also covered with a ton of sludge. I'd say this is a leaker in a big way!

    Electrical is typical, touch something and it breaks apart. A real fire hazard here.

    The Dynaflow is the big issue for me. My old time trans man says $1,500 to fix it up -- not that I know if it needs much --- but surely seals. The seller did say he remembers the trans leaking a ton, and that was 30 years ago.

    Needless to say, it will cost at least 4k - 5k (in my opinion) to get it in drivable condition, provided the engine doesn't need a major over haul. But it's got close to a 100k (speedo say 78k when it stopped working). So, I'm sure it could use some help. I wouldn't restore beyond mechanical since it's all original. I'd just drive it like it is, rust an all. But, the cost verse value is an issue. If it was a Riv or a Conv, or even a Roadmaster. I don't think 4 dr Super's are worth that much.

    The sad part is that the car has been in the seller's family for 50 years. It was his father's car that he bought in 1957. But, it was just allowed to sit since 1977. I could get it cheap enough, and it would make an awesome parts car in the worst case. I think I have enough junk in my garage at the moment. Still, I want it...go figure. I hate to see her just sit there! I don't know what to do but the seller is expecting my call. I'm embarrassed to tell him what I'm willing to pay, but only because it's a big family thing for him.

    Gary

    SCAM ALERT

    in Buick - General

    Posted

    I get a lot of these scam mails when I post on Hemmings.

    Amazing stuff -- one guy wanted to sell me a '47 Roadmaster Convertible located in the UK for $2,500. Sent pictures of a perfect car. Found the same car on eBay.

    Does anyone really respond to these things?

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