CRCAIN

I have a broken wire cable to my 1948 50 series drivers side wiper transmission. None of the sources that I have perused offer a replacement cable and/or transmission. Does anyone know of a source for either a replacement cable/transmission or someone who can rebuild my wiper transmission? Basically it needs a replacement cable. Any suggestions/help much appreciated. Thanks and have a great day. Charlie Cain North Texas 1948 56S

I have 2 interior rear view mirrors in need of resilvering/restoration. I have located a firm who will resilver old auto mirrors but they require that mirror be removed from frame. I don't see how I can do that without breaking the mirror as it appears to be tightly bound in the surrounding metal frame. It would seem (to me) easier to just replace the old mirror with a new one cut to fit. Has anyone had similar problems/suggestions? Thanks for your help. Charlie Cain North Texas 1948 Buick Super 56S 1949 Packard Super Eight

I would like to purchase a quality outside visor for my 1949 Super Eight. I am considering a "Fulton style reproduction" made by Bob's Classic Auto Glass. It is said to be an exact copy of Fulton model # 700 which should fit my Packard. It is made in either sheet metal or aluminum. It is not inexpensive ($450.00) and before buying it I would like to know if any of you guys have had any experience with this item ( or other sources) as to overall quality, correct fit. etc. Thanks for your help and have a great day, Charlie Cain North Texas

Can someone give me the name of a supplier that has wool broadcloth upholstery material in the original patterns for my 1949 Packard Super Eight? Thanks, Charlie Cain North Texas

I have a small leak somewhere on the exhaust manifold of my 1950 Super (263) engine. It is not bad, just a slight "rumble" at idle and on deceleration and the car runs fine. I have been told by fellow Buick "friends" that the problem is most likely warpage of the manifold; that the straight eights were notorious for this problem. I can live with the noise if necessary, but if possible, I would like to correct it. My questions are: 1) how do I determine the source of the leak? and 2) how can it be corrected? If I were to locate another manifold how can I be sure it is better than what I now have? Many thanks for your ideas and help. Charlie Cain North Texas

All of you straight eight experts - when new, was the Buick straight eight a QUIET engine? My rebuilt 263 engine with hydraulic lifters runs beautifully but the lifters are very noisy. Almost the only items not replaced/rebuilt were the lifters and valve train (rocker arms) because the machine shop that rebuilt the engine assured me they were OK. They do quiet down some when the engine is fully warm but are still noisy. I can't imagine anyone buying a new 1950 Buick with this much lifter noise, especially when compared to my whisper quiet 1949 Packard that has not been rebuilt. I use premium grade 10-40 oil and change oil and filter q 6 months; total miles between changes at most 1500 miles. As already stated, the engine performs superbly - just noisy - Is there anything I can do to quiet the lifters? Thanks for your help. Charlie Cain Texas 1948 Buick with 1950 263 engine 1949 Packard Super Eight 1956 MGA

I need a door lock spring for my 1948 Buick. I attempted to order from Restoration Specialties in Windber, Pa. and they said the spring was no longer available. Can anyone suggest another source for this part? Thanks. Your help is much appreciated. Charlie Cain North Texas 1948 Buick 56S 1949 Packard 1956 MGA

I need a door lock spring for my 1948 Buick. I tried Restoration Specialties (Windber, PA) and they advised that the spring was no longer available. Any suggestions where I might find the spring will be much appreciated. Thanks, Charlie Cain North Texas 1948 Buick 56S

Thanks to everyone for your help. I will check out the things you have suggested. The Packard does have bias ply tires, but I don't think that is the problem. I have a '48 Buick also with bias tires and I don't experience the wander and veering on uneven pavement. Yes Frank, the car does track OK on smoothg pavement, altho with very minor steering wheel pressure there is a great deal of slop in st. wheel. Other than that, it is a very nice car. I will endeavor to get the problem corrected, because at times it feels downright unsafe. Thanks again to all. Charlie Cain 49 Packard 48 Buick 56 MGA

The steering wheel on my 1949 Packard 2382 has an excessive amount of free play. This can be quite disconcerting with any irregularity of the road surface as the front wheels tend to wander and veer suddenly to the side. The front suspension has been overhauled with new king pins, upper and lower pins and bushings. The linkage does seem tight with no free play when the front wheels are moved with the car on a lift. My mechanic says the problem is in the "steering box" (gear?). Does this sound possible or likely? If so, can it be corrected by adjustment or is an overhaul likely? Aside from the steering wander the car drives great. Any help/suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Charlie Cain Texas

Re: Is the power source for the headlights through the relay protected by a fuse? Yes. Thanks for your input. No doubt the original headlight switch is oxidized with increased resistance. I thought I would try the relay firat and take high current load off the switch before resorting to trying to find and change the HL switch. So far, relay seems to have solved the problem. If problem returns, we will tackle changing the switch. Doing so on a 1949 Packard is not a "fun" Saturday afternoon project! Regards and thanks to all for your help. Happy and safe motoring! Charlie Cain

Re: are you using the bulbs from Australia? Answer yes I have solved the problem by placing a 6 volt relay between HL switch and dimmer. HL switch no longer heats up; headlights don't cycle on and off and are much brighter and safer when driving at night. As I mentioned in a previous post, my car is a nicely restored driver that I enjoy for my own pleasure and is not showed. I do drive it at night, and the safety factor of improved headlights is a major consideration for me. If anyone experiences a similar problem, NAPA sells a heavy duty (50 amp) 6 voly relay. I can give you the part # if anyone is interested. Thanks to all for your input and help. Charlie Cain Texas 1949 Packard 1948 Buick 1956 MGA

Re: why not LED bulbs? In the website posted, they are available for tail, brake, parking and turn signal applications only. Not head lights. Thanks any way. Charlie Cain

Thanks for the info re: point deductions. My car is a nicely restored driver strictly for my enjoyment and not a show car. Charlie Cain Texas

I recently installed 6 volt halogen headlight bulbs on my 1949 Packard in order to have brighter lights. The current draw must be MUCH GREATER than with the old incandescent sealed beams. After just a few minutes the headlight switch becomes hot to touch as does wire coming from switch. Headlights then cut off, presumably from heat and current draw. After switch and wiring cool, lights come on again, heat up, cut off, etc. etc. Current wire from switch to HLs is 12 gauge and recently replaced. HL switch is original. I had no such problem with the previous incandescent sealed beams. Does anyone have ant suggestions? 6 volt relay? heavier wire? ( I can't believe 12 gauge should not be OK), Replace ignition switch? Give up and go back to incandescent units? Thanks for your help guys. Charlie Cain Texas <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />