60FlatTop

I just had a THM440T4 rebuilt, including a new torque converter, for $900. I tried to find one rebuilt on a shelf somewhere and I considered buying a used one. Ratios became an issue and the used ones had all been sitting a long time. Rebuilding the one I had turned out to be my best choice. My nephew picks it up tomorrow. We should have the car done in early October. Just in time to test the defrosters, heater, rear window defogger, and traction in snow. We love New York!

I wanted to give my Riviera a little rumble last time I needed a muffler. I took a stock muffler and tail pipes as well as a pair of Hushpower mufflers to the shop. I told the mechanic to install the Hushpowers at the rear with an equalizer pipe in place of the original muffler. If it looked like a PIA, just put the stock stuff on. I brought the stock parts home. The full size equalizer pipe mellowed it out real nice. It has that bubbly Chris Craft boat sound at idle and a rumble but no drone while driving. Since these pictures were taken I added short rounded opening chrome tips. Very Happy!

I would like to park that car nice and close to a 33/34 Ford. I bet the origin of some of the parts would be real obvious. It is a mixture of time periods for sure. A quality American built hot rod. Bernie

I remember some "wasted" Packards, Buicks, possibly an Auburn, Cord or the like. When I was first getting into the hobby I was cautioned by the knowledgeable collectors of the time to NEVER be so foolish as the invest my time or money into a closed car. They were more of less a parts source for the really good cars. In my junkyard touring days of the '60's I saw a lot of interesting sedans, stripped to the bone. And I remember a lot of stashes of parts that might be needed "sometime". I'm sure glad I didn't listen. Bernie

I always like a chance to show my 1960 Electra in front of Bennett Buick's 1926 building. Still selling cars from the same location today. Wayland, New York- Tell them Bernie sent you. Bernie

I pulled out a flannel shirt yesterday morning, just a bit cool in the wilds of western New York. Bernie

I love it! Buick : McLAUGHLIN | eBay Bernie

How do you think this happens. I drove home from a car show and decided the wiring under the hood needed to be cleaned up. Seriously, I was at the car show with a nice shiny car! Bernie

Better to remember a faithful servant, than to become a slave to its maintenance. Bernie

I have an accounting book of the records for a Rochester, NY used car dealer. They are from 1934 to 1936 and show the record of each car bought and sold. I just looked through it when I took the pics and enjoyed seeing how he made $46 on a Model A Ford. Then there was the 1929 Auburn conv. cpe. It is a fun thing to own. Nice for a garage conversation piece. $20 + $16 shipping. Bernie

Funny, over the years I have talked to owners of cars in that same condition who told me the DID save it. Bernie

On the NGK's, I remember not wanting the catalog replacement plug. I had the AC45 with me and we opened boxes until I found one I liked the look of. As to the de-carboning, there are a lot of things I would do with a Ford that I would NEVER do with a Buick. Bernie

John, Thank you. The pipes I bought from you are excellent. No one can match manufactured pipes by using a reference card and a bender. I am stocking up spares every chance I get. Bernie

John, Maybe he has a realistic idea of the value by now. Bernie

I am interested. What mail? You can call me at 585-797-7421. Or dailyops@frontiernet.net. Thanks.

I'll let you drive it with the top down next year. Bernie

John, It is not a bad way to do it on this type of car. The radiator and hood are still in place! My nephew, Don, had a 30" extension with a half inch socket at the end. I told him that was a lot of tool for that crappy little socket. That was how he disconnected the steering shaft, the only part he thought was a pain. And remember, when I say "we" I mean Don. I just come at the last minute, point & grunt, and take pictures. He went to a mechanic's 2 year college after High School. I fed him text books from the 40's, 50's, 60's and coached him on real cars while they taught modern stuff. Now he car handle my '60 Buick, the '64 Riv, and this '86 is out of my league, so he's good with that. For an order of magnitude, he is charging $1,800 for the job. I provide the long block and rebuilt tranny. He is the labor, miscellaneous consumables, and paint for the frame. Bernie Here's the bay, pretty clean:

Barney, Thanks, we will be sure to clean up that opening when we swap the exhaust manifold. Bernie

After a little vacillating, the project is back on track. Things were at a point where new projects were causing deferred maintenance issues with the "finished" cars. Either the Park Ave or the '53 Jaguar had to go. The Jag has a happy new home. That said, the '86 Park Avenue convert is on its way to groomed originality. I have the rebuilt 3.8 long block. The supercharged Riviera is now my son's car. And today we dropped the cradle for the new engine, rebuilt transmission, and a nice detailing of the sub-frame. Here it is dirty:

I have been using AC 45's in all my Buicks for years. 44's just are not hot enough. Keep the choke in good working order. I have used an NGK plug in a '50 super and it was just fine. I do not remember the number, I carried in an AC and matched it up. Bernie

Recent experience has given me costly knowledge. Do not buy any "bent" exhaust systems from vendors, including the one above. If possible buy original equipment "manufactured" exhaust parts like Walker. If you have to have pipes fabricated only do it in a shop where your car is directly fitted. Do not buy a muffler from these guys who make replacements in their shops. Bernie

They might hunt them down in one of these.

Oops! Wrong one.

George, Here is a link to the lyrics. Email me if you need translation: SONG LYRICS: BIG OLD LONG BUICK

I have been telling people my 1960 Electra has "Voice Command". I just point at the dash and say "Start". They don't see my foot on the gas pedal.