Mark Shaw

Cardinal, Part of the fun is learning how to make them run... You might try testing the vacuum tank before you disassemble it. The lid is pot metal and subject to tiny cracks that you cannot see. Close the valves and put a little air pressure (less than 5 lbs) in it to see if it leaks down over a few minutes. This may save you some time and the cost of a new top gasket. Pay particular attention to the areas around the threaded connections as they tend to crack when fittings are overtightened. If it does leak down, you can use your JB Weld or Crazy Glue to seal any cracks. While it is open, use carb cleaner to get all the varnish off the "teeter totter" valve mechanism so it works without sticking. There is also a small screen at the outlet that will need to be cleaned.

Ohio Transmission & Pump 6500 Davis Industrial Parkway Phone: 440.349.3900 E-mail: amackenzie@otpnet.com Cleveland OH USA 44139 Fax: 440.349.1031 Website: www.otpnet.com Type: Distributor Office Brands: Industries: Chemical, Oil & Gas, Other (General Industry) Contact Name (Title) Phone Mobile Fax E-mail Alex Mackenzie 440.349.3900 440.349.1031 amackenzie@otpnet

Wk's Olds, Good trade....

SUMMARY Driving distance: 2789.0 miles Trip duration: 4 days, 5 hours, 44 minutes Driving time: 37 hours, 44 minutes Cost: $585.68 One Way! Now you know why I have never been to Hershey....

Getting out the old tube is not easy. We used a big screw driver and a chisel to bend the ends of the tube inside itself; and to collapse the tube and make it small enough to remove. Be very careful not to crack the cast iron riser. The fuming from the oil breather and crankcase vent is probably just "blow-by" from worn piston rings. You should do a compression test to see if all cylinders are within 5-10 lbs of each other. If not, you may have one or two cylinders with broken or badly worn rings.

Try a local industrial supplier. Most of my distributors carry packing products. Tell me where you are and I can send you a link. These guys ship anywhere: http://www.mcmaster.com/

Cardinal, I replaced the 1 1/2" ID tube in my 24 Buick at a local Midas Muffler shop during the BCA National Meet in Rochester MN. I was lucky that the tube was the same size as a standard exhaust pipe. There are replacement tubes available on Ebay and other Buick sites, but see if you can match the size with standard aluminized exhaust tubing first. (Local muffler shops usually have several scrap pieces you can get free.) The replacement tube was measured and cut with a tubing cutter that slightly beveled the end so it slipped into the cast iron heat riser without catching an edge. We lubed the OD of the tube and used a small arbor press to push it straight down into the riser body. The shop even had the right size gaskets for re-installation. My buddy Rob was there to watch the process and brought his car to the same shop the next day to have his done.

Having no leaks in your heat riser tube is very important. Even a pin hole will cause real problems. I suggest you block one end and apply air pressure to the other end of the heat riser to test the internal tube for leaks. If you hear air leaking between the tube and the cast iron heat riser, you need to replace the internal tube.

Here is a previous posting on this forum: F/S Flywheel Ring Gears, Auburn's to Whippet's!! John John Member Registered: 1999-11-12 Posts: 612 Loc: Macungie, PA, USA NOS flywheel starter ring gears made by Wohlert, an OEM and aftermarket supplier. Most have been obsolete for many years and would have to be custom made if you can't find a spare. I will need to know the model designation and engine in your car, and can supply for some applications for the following makes and years: Auburn 1926-27 Buick 1929-31 Buick 1939-48 Cadillac 1926-29

Unless you only have trailer queens, you should be wearing out your tires before they crack or separate due to old age. Frankly, I think keeping your car exercised will help preserve it. I put at least 1000 miles on my 13 Buick every year. I put new Lester tires on it last year. The old ones lasted about 15 years being stored indoors, properly inflated, rotated front to back and off the floor six months of each year. The had very little tread left, but there were no signs of cracking or separation.

Frankly, I felt the same way several years ago after attending my first local BCA event. All my Buicks have wood spoke wheels, & I couldn't find anybody with older cars in the local BCA chapter. I had previously belonged to a BCA chapter in N. California with similar issues. It didn't re-join the BCA until I attended the Buick Centennial where I found other BCA members with common interests. Since then, three of us founded the PreWar Division and have had lots of support from BCA members with prewar Buicks. Any club is what you make of it. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.... The Reatta Division already exists and appears to serve it's members with information and activities specific to the Reatta. "You can please some of the people some of the time...."

Check inside the heat riser to make sure the steel tube is not perforated.

Beautiful car, but the price seems high. Gold Book Value Guide: 1936 BUICK Series 80 Roadmaster Exc $19,000 Show $26,000

Cardinal, Since you already have the carb off, check the carb float to make sure it still floats and is not saturated. Dry it out in the sun & re-coat the float with model airplane dope or Crazy Glue to prevent saturation. Also, Check your heat riser tube for leaks. The internal tube is prone to rusting out and allowing exhaust into the intake manifold. Check for any other gasket leaks too.

Assuming you cheked all the standard stuff, spark plugs, wires, points, valves adjustment, etc.... Try testing your valves and rings for leakage. http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0406_cylinder_leakdown_tester/index1.html

Tri Shield, Where are you located? My trailer is ready if you arn't too far from me.

Paul, Generally a longer wheelbase will provide a more comfortable ride while towing. However, if you have an equalizer type hitch, your ride will improve immensely. I used to tow with a Dodge Durango. It did the job, but was like riding a roller coaster until I got an equalizer hitch set up. This set up also makes towing much safer by distributing the load more evenly over both axles of the tow vehicle.

Graphoil packing works best. Teflon packing can actually score the shaft if it is too tight. From your measurements, 3/16 square packing should work fine. Just make sure you cut it at an angle with a razor knife so the ends of the rings overlap (scarpe cut). Also, make sure the cuts are 120 degrees apart when installed. The packing will bulge to fill the gland when properly adjusted. Packing is designed to leak a drip or two when properly adjusted to keep the seal cool and lubricated. Because most car guys don't like leaks, lubricate the packing gland with waterproof grease for positive sealing. This is the same grease you will find for boat trailer bearings.... This will help seal drips and lubricate the packing while preventing you from overtightening the packing.

Bill, The demand in my opinion is relatively unchanged. However, since many are financially stressed in today's economy and gasoline is much higher, there actually seems to be more old "gas guzzlers" for sale. Supply and demand dictates that prices have softened a bit with the slightly increased supply.

Try this site: http://manheimgold.com/value_faq.html

I don't have a 1940 Buick available for comparison, but I expect to see a 41 later this weekend. I will measure it and advise. Can anybody on the forum help with these measurements?

First, make sure the timing is advancing at hiway speeds. The old "springs and weights" spark advance mechanisms can get stuck due to lack of lubrication and cause overheating by running with retarded spark. Second, check your thermostat to make sure it is opening all the way at the correct temperature. Third, check your bottom radiator hose to make sure it does not collapse when running the engine hard. Fourth, If nothing else works, just slow down and enjoy the ride at 50 mph. I don't drive any of my Buicks over 45...

Dan, You can test your theory simply by putting ice on the fuel line to see if it solves the problem. If it does, you need to re-route the fuel line or make a heat shield for it.

Stewart, Awesome! Love the color too! Sorry to cut this short, but I have to wipe the drool from my keyboard now....

Coker and Universal are linked somehow. Try these links for tires: http://www.universaltire.com/cart.php?target=category&category_id=327 http://www.cokertire.com/