Glassesguy

John: I prefer the open look,too; but, it looks good on Ron.

John: That's the one. Owned by Ron Stimson BCA 872 of Fairview Park, Ohio. Great car. Great guy.

John: Check out the picture of a 61 Lesabre conv posrted in the Great Lakes Regional site.

Paul: Check your Bugle. There is a fine group of people called the Glass City Chapter having been in existence since 1972. That's why chapter director's names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses are published. Having said that contact Jim Hughes in Perrysburg. 419-874-2393. It would be difficult to find a more knowlegeable person to do your work. He may even have a rebuilt unit available. I've helped him lug a few around.

Dave: Thanks for the reply. Regarding the struts, Monroe Sensatracs are what several places around here want to install. They say OEM not available. Are Sensatracs any good?? I've been to the website you mentioned before. It's interesting. Thanks for reminding me about it. I'm checking that site for diagnosing a "fluttering" noise prevalent on my car which becomes very noticeable between 1700-2300 rpm. Seems to be coming from center right when sitting in driver's seat, but not near as noticeable from passenger seat. Belts and balancer have been replaced with no change noticed. OOps! I'm getting off topic. Will keep checking the rivperformance website.

Tom: Check out Ebay item #360061309856. 1937 Radio Installation Manual.

Pete: 40-63 Parts Book shows different part #s for 57 and 58 deluxe (horn ring) wheels. Interestingly enough the bare bones standard steering wheel is the same for 57 and 58 Part # 1173882. This is for Series 40 only. All other series used the deluxe wheels. That might seem to suggest the mounting of the wheels is the same and could interchange as circumstances i.e. your budget and what's available might dictate.

Marty: Brian's comments echoed my thoughts and understandings on why Buick did what they did. The Flight Pitch was very expensive and really did not yield that great of a benefit to the customer. Too many troubles and weak sales probably doomed it. I've never driven a 59 3T. The transmission itself did differ from the 58 version as the 59 eliminated the rear pump. I'm curious if that made a difference in driving a car so equipped. Driving a 58 I always had the sensation that when you reached cruising speed and backed off the gas, the rear pump "caught up" with the front pump. Whether or not that is true it just felt like it. Would be curious if 59 3T feels different. By the way you can identify a 59 3T from a 58 by the number of external plugs for testing oil pressures at various points. The 59 has fewer. The transmissions themselves interchange as complete units. The Buick Parts Product Bulletins so say.

Marty: Your question had forced me to really think about how to describe the differences. I have driven Limiteds with good Flight Pitches and two Limiteds that had been converted to Twin Turbines. Any of the Dynaflows are incredibly smooth as there is no mechancial step shifting as in other makes of transmissions. Yes, there are clutch packs in a Dynaflow but it is in the torque converter where the changes occur. The biggest thing that struck me about a Flight Pitch is you've got to be aware of at what speed you want to be cruising and back off on the pedal. These transmissions are so smooth that if you don't pay attention and the sensation of motion is so muted in these cars, that it's easy to be going faster than what you wanted. Twin Turbine not too far behind on this, but its slightly different "gearing" due to 2 forward speeds is slightly less motion isolated. Regarding the 2T engaged in Low vs 3T performance, I've never put a stop watch to this. The feeling off the line in "Low" is definitely stronger on the 2T due to the mechanical engagement vs the total hydraulic engagement of the clutches on the 3T. Many people misused the "G" range on the Flight Pitch as they assumed it was a "Low" gear range; however "G" was designed to be used on downgrades only. Chevy Turboglides faced problems here as well. Ya just gotta drive one!!

I bought a 38 Special Model 41 in 1974 as my first old Buick. Interior was very original and it had a roll up shade. I believe it was a Flint built car. My 28-41 Body Book confirms Dave Corbin's info. We're probably using the same book. Wonder why 37 and 38 differ? Different design or supplier??

I seem to recall the question had come up on the Forum at one time whether Buick issued a factory kit to convert a Flight Pitch or Triple Turbine equipped car to a Twin Turbine transmission. This should answer the question. This is from my 1940-63 Chassis Parts Book. Gr 4.005 All 1958 Part # 1396090 "Kit,3T Trans To 2T Conversion Parts". Gr. 4.005 All 1959 Part # 1396091 "Kit, 3T Trans To 2T Conversion Parts". Unfortunately there is no listing as to what the kit contained. The 58 kit was priced at $27.50 while the 59 kit was priced at $20.00. My guess would be a different stator and throttle linkage, shift dial indicator, and transmission mount hardware recalling my past experience doing one. There is nothing like driving a Flight Pitch equipped car. Have yours rebuilt instead of converted if at all possible. Jim Hughes, BCA member here in Perrysburg does a superb job and is very knowledgeable on the trouble prone items.

Dave: My 36-59 Parts Book shows your ID is correct. Seal kit for 1959 Twin Turbine. Individual seals and their part numbers are listed in there if you need them. My 1940-63 Book shows this # was changed to 1388762 and was good for 1960 Twin Turbine as well. Hope this helps.

Allan: Are you sure that body tag doesn't read 364419......? Your picture shows a 36 Special 4 door trunkback sedan Fisher style 4419 which is how Mclaughlin identified their model #'s in their sales literature. The first 4 stands for Buick; the second 4 stands for series 40; the 19 stands for a 4 door trunkback sedan. Buick called it a Model 41. Body parts should interchange with US models. Some chassis components related to brake drums, suspension and wheels can differ according to some of my literature for 37 to 40 models. What does Mr. Corbin have to say?

Checked my 1973 Body parts Book. Interesting find. The front doors (less trim,hardware, and glass) are listed for Series 5000, 6000, and 8000 for all 2 drs. I was surprised to see the 8000 Series was the same. The glass, though, is listed for 1971-74 B Body 2 dr: however there is a separate part # for 71-74 convertibles. Same for the Quarter window glass - it is different for the 2dr coupes vs the convertibles. Hope I'm reading this correctly.

Jan: 1940 - 1963 Buick Parts Book says 1959 and 1960 all Series engines used the same pump whether or not A/C equipped. Same pump used on 1961 all big series engines less A/C. Part number is 1389414. Don't know the casting #. Hope this helps.

Matt: 1941 Parts book confirms you and Howard. #1317590 Rt and #1317591 Lt fit Models 41 41SE 46 46S 46SSE 49 and all 60 and 90 Series. No holes punched for trim. I don't have confirmation if they fit the smaller A Body Specials but I doubt it.

I will have a table at the Northeast Ohio Chapter BCA Swap Meet on Sunday, April 20. Information and registration forms will be at hand. Sorry I missed everyone at the SE Michigan Chapter Meet in March. The flu bug left me in no shape for the drive up and back. If you're looking for a nice relaxing weekend in the country with fellow Buick enthusiasts, then you should make plans for this Regional. We are very pleased with the number of Buicktown members planning to be there, so if you have any questions about the 2008 National in Flint, the people who know will be here. Email me if you need more info.

I was at my local GM dealer yesterday picking up some cooling system pellets for my 97 Riv. Parts guy was really friendly so I asked if he could look up a few things for me regarding the Riv. The chromed plating on the rear license plate bezel on these Rivs seens to "corrode" here in salty NW Ohio. I assumed I would need to replace the entire tail light assembly; Not so! The exploded picture of this assembly showed the bezel is seperate! The assembly is discontinued but not the bezel; so I ordered one for $60.00 plus tax. Seems steep but not unexpected. Part number is 16518518. Didn't catch the Group #. Thought I'd pass this on for those of you planning to hang on to these Rivs. OEM front struts not available. I was hoping to preserve the original "DynaRide" as advertised by Buick. Looks like I'll have to settle for replacements. By the way the pellets seemed to help the small leak in my cooling system. Will keep an eye on this, though.

Thanks, Jeff.

Thanks, Jeff.

Jeff: How's the tailight housing? Plating seems to go bad on both sides of the license plate. How's yours? Thanks

Jeff: How's the tailight housing? Plating seems to go bad on both sides of the license plate. How's yours? Thanks

Larry: 419-855-3223. One of the most knowledgeable vendors and sources for info. Having known Dan for over 35 years, I know you can bank on what he tells you. Follow this rule when dealing with him: #1 Dan is always right. #2 If you think he is wrong, see Rule #1. I know he'll be glad to help.

Dwain: I remember Floyd very well. He had a 1949 black Sedanette and a prize winning 1935 Model 41 sedan. It was Burgandy with Crean colored wire wheels. It is pictured on a Bugle cover shot at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Mi. sometime in the late 80's. I'm sure Mr Corbin will find it. Several of us from the Glass City Chapter helped Floyd inventory a mountain of parts in his garage back in the late 70's. We had a great time. Later, though, he was more active with the SE Michigan Chapter. Wayne Funk will remember him well. I knew he had passed a few years ago, but do not know what happened to the cars. Hope this is of some help.

Thanks for moving this, Roberta.