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I hear the direct injected engines can experience a build up of carbon on the hot valves. Typical chemical methods of cleaning can push carbon chips through the integrated turbochargers and damage the little twirlers. I think we've been got by the dogma of green. Bernie

You might check to see if the tank or a secondary chamber senses the specific gravity of the fluid to determine a change of consistency. It could be a rheostat on a float that reaches a certain value where a > or < sets the warning to "+". GM knows how to make those systems. My flex fuel truck uses it to sense the percentage of ethanol. I can see it being applied in the case you mention. When you read all five books of the service manual you learn stuff like that. The assumptions of the 2013 may not have been flashed for changes in the variables over the last three years and there may not really be a problem. Have some fun. Ask the service manager for a list of the process variables in the hexidecimal code that trigger the binary point for the warning light. It's just fun to watch them squirm. If they stutter it's even better. Bernie

There you go, shifted the weak link from the brakes to the suspension. Once the suspension is fixed you might hit the brakes and hear the fan hitting the radiator due to the 50 year old motor mounts. "The cost of progress is problems." Bernie

Have you made any hard stops recently or does the brake tend to grab on that side? I wouldn't call it old age. It is stress from something. The lower inner bushing is rubber and it is 50 years old that could have caused extra stress on the retaining nut during breaking and regular driving. Plan on replacing the. The upper inner control arm bushings should be greasable unless they were "updated" with rubber replacements. Check them thoroughly. The Buick has a good heavy anchor point. I had one unroot from the crossmember of a '71 Ford under hard braking. The wheel came back and wedged against the fenderwell. I could only back up. Best guess is that there has been extra flex at least on that side for a while. Bernie

I bet the answer is similar to factory wood graining techniques. Lots of hand dabbing with paint on small pads. A person doing piece work at 200 units a day, 6 days a week could knock out over 60,000 in a year.They probably did better than that. My first job after the Navy was as a mechanic at the Superba Cravats tie company where little old ladies ground out the Johnny Carson neck ties. They could push some product through. I can see the same practice in the hub cap industry. Bernie

It's not exactly for Christmas, but on January 1st every year I used to turn the heat on full in the garage and wash my Riviera just to start the year right. I would sure like the room to do that this year. This picture is about 15 years old. This year I will just walk around with detailer spray and a polishing cloth. Somehow it just ain't the same.

Buy a kit from the Carb King who participates in the Forum and do it yourself. The WCFB is a pretty straight forward carburetor and you should be satisfied with the results. It will also give you a chance to buy a few tools to keep forever. Press in feet or a carb work stand are good to have. And an assortment of hairpin clips. I like the ones that angle out a little. Just in case, and I am sure the Carb King will agree, buy two kits just in case your learning curve has a hiccup. It's worth it. Bernie

I think the term is an NADA database error. I was there for the Paxton cars, pressure boxes, and all the stuff related to them. Someone's data entry notes got messed up. They probably thought Why block was a football term. Bernie

Rumor has it that his original modifications had political undertones so he changed it. Decided the compromise made it unfit to keep. I'm sensing something sexual about the statement it makes, just having a little trouble expressing it. Bernie

Then there is modern technology that brings you the fully collapsible version.

The originals lasted 6 years. A dollar a week doesn't sound too bad if OEM will do it a second time. I just called a Delco dealer this morning to ask about a replacement battery for my '05 Silverado. I had to reset my clock twice in the last week after starting it in the morning and 12 years is a pretty good lifespan. They have the duplicate for just under $100. I'll pick it up on Monday. I bought GM pads and rotors for the two brake jobs I have done during its 155,000 miles. I had heard a lot of groaning about poor brakes on those trucks. That came from the guys whom bought cheaper Chinese and Koream parts. I spend $20,000 and change for the truck. What's a few hundred bucks for parts ever half decade? I do the work myself or have my Studebaker driving mechanic friend do it. I understand the cost of running a dealership and it has to come from somewhere. Minimum wage for the lot jocky, mandated health insurance, and the silent partner Uncle Tax don't stop. I don't mind having to pay when the service is good. Mostly I stay away to avoid the nuisance of the service bump. Service managers are paid a base pay and then a bonus based on the original work request plus the actual work sold after the bump. If they don't make the quota of added work they get replaced. I know two former service managers whom quit the franchises over that. Don't forget, there have always been price shoppers. When I was lots younger I remember old timers telling me to ask for cheap parts and all I did was end up unhappy. I remember those old guys really well. The more experience I got the less respect I had for them. Oh, a few years ago the genuine Chevy front pads were $150 at the dealer in town. And rotors were $150 each as well. I paid half at another dealership where I had bought a couple of new vehicles. There could be a message in that. Bernie

Actually, most college campus buildings suffer from poor ventilation due to a lack of dilution, filtration, mold infestations, and a general lack of funding for routine maintenance. There are documented reports that occupying such buildings can cause cognitive damage. With increased education requirements for most occupations, a greater number of the workforce can potentially be in decision making positions and could be brain damaged. Especially the facilities managers for college buildings. Could be a vicious circle forming out there. Bernie

Torque sticks. That just made me smile. I was quite young and operating the refrigeration plant for a hospital on a weekend. The newly hired, certified, and train maintenance supervisor came to the mechanical room and told me he was having trouble with a new torque wrench. It wasn't working right. I followed him to the maintenance shop. There on the bench was the wrench, a pile of 1/4" bolts, and another pile of snapped off hex heads. He had set the micrometer handle for something like 20 pounds and said it wasn't releasing. I put one of the good bolts in a vice and pulled the wrench. The handle went over the detent at the right point and I asked what was wrong. He said "Isn't it supposed to release and turn freely?" I just left him with all the little hex heads. He may have gone on to writing regulations. It wasn't as bad as the garbage disposal they installed on the handsink in the autopsy room, though, Bernie

Rarity came up in some of my first talks with my Grandfather about selling cars. I was just turning 13 at the time and he had to tell me that my commission on car sales was being reduced to 5% from 10%. The outcome, rarity is a key fundamental of the eternal search for the uninformed buyer, a life's work. It ranks with "Sharp" "Like New" "Clean" and other broadcasts found on the windshields of cars. I sold a rare car about a year ago. I advertised it as "Very rough". The only communication with the buyer was two offers of a lower than asking price. I accepted the second. When he got the car he told me "he didn't think it would be that rough. I wondered if I should have described it as "very, very rough". He only asked if he could get it for less. Maybe rarity should be graded as rare, very rare, very very rare and so on. Or was "beware" misheard as "be rare"? Buying and selling collector cars with discretionary money is SPORT and it always will be. Bernie

I would put gaskets on mine if they didn't work without them. Many mechanical problems I have seen could be tracked down to an older mechanic who says "mit" instead of "with"; just something I have observed. Bernie

They must have been too busy writing the disclaimer to research too! Stay away from those stereotypes. Buy from the innocent ones. Ooops!

I think Hagerty requires the publicity department to publish a certain number of articles to maintain a media presence. They appear to grope a bit. Bernie

There are certain marques that attract people whom my Grandfather would say "have fish hooks in their pockets". Take the money, so far you have shown cars collected by tightwads. Bernie

I have seen that car. And a few others by Seneca Lake. The English majors in my family would say there is a difference between emulating the coach builders of the 1930's and counter culture shock value. I think my drummer has a different rhythm. The '63 Electra 225 6 window that I graphed the Olds convertible windshield frame on was pretty much undetectable..... except for the back doors I'll look around for some pictures of my past work. Bernie Here is my car that got the eye for a chopping many times.

I wouldn't be anywhere near as cynical as I am if I had not been paying attention for years. There is very little trade proficiency in trade regulations makers. I bet the official drafting the requirements would kneel next to you by a wheel and whisper something like "Lefty loosy" if they had to take it off. I spend quite a bit of time with the jokers pushing energy regulation. So I will ask "How many kilowatt hours of electricity did you purchase for your home last month?" They don't have a clue. Of course there is no certification to write regulations, is there. Bernie

I wouldn't put those lock washers back on after it is repaired, either. And use GM manifold bolts, not new ones from a hardware store.

Topless Georgia nights? Sounds like Willie Willie Nelson and George Carlin collaborated on that. Now I have Georgia and the unpervtible facts on my mind. Bernie

When I moved into management my former workmates asked me how I did on my performance review for the new job. I told them all my skills were great, but my ability to overreact was a little low. I think that has affected me politically, as well. Bernie

Whatever you do don't use a nibbler! You end up with these little rusty toenail looking things all through the carpet. It is best to follow all your cuts with a big radio speaker magnet on the roof rail and supports. Four door hardtops actually have very strong pillar posts. A '54 RM, not so heavy. I would integrate a support across the back seat. Look at the '30's convertible sedans. They didn't go very extreme on the removable center posts. Today a home hobbyist has better tools than the big kids of the '30's. We can outdo the former icons. I have mentally hacked a few '94-'96 Roadmasters into converts. That high deck is reminiscent of the '39's to me and I think I could catch the flavor. One thing is for sure. I ain't done, yet. Bernie

No gaskets on any of mine. I did notice the lack of the locks. as well. I just snug mine up every few years. I think one of the cars doesn't have them on one side. Bernie