Dave_B

Larry, Try the vacuum tank. My has worked reliably for years. PS great to meet you at the Metro All GM show. Hard to believe I had the only pre-war car there. I won best in class just for showing up Dave

Welcome Dave, We can't have too many Dave's. When you get a chance it would be great to see some pics. Also, This Saturday, 8/11, the BCA local Metro Chapter is sponsoring the All GM meet at the Montgomery College Rockville campus parking lot. My '28 is currently up on jack stands so I won't be driving it but I'm going anyway. It would be good to see your Buick out there. It kills me when there are more Oldsmobiles than Buicks and it's our show. Dave

Thanks Ben and Bill. I'm trying to think of the next trip. Maybe I'll drive it to Hershey and enter the diven class. Bill, You could come to the BCA Metro Chapter All GM show in Rockville this weekend. I'm going if I can get the over-drive back in. Might go anyway. Dave

I think that is a side cover for the push rods. It wraps around the front too. Dave

This is the story of Dave and Lisa's big adventure, One way or another Concord NC or bust. Lisa and I went to the Buick Club's national meet in Charlotte NC this year, and we drove there in the '28 Buick. Yup, we made a 400 mile trip in an 84 year old car. I know, it's crazy. The weekend before the trip I went all over the car and down the pre-trip check list: tire pressure, oil change, coolant level, trans oil level, battery water, cache of spare parts, packed a tool box, oh and adjust the brakes. What this? the brake linings are worn paper thin. Luckily I had good brake bands with thick linings in the parts inventory. Phewf! I changed them out and adjusted everything. Ok, now we're ready. Day 1 We packed the car on the morning of June 26th for a projected departure time of 9:00am. After more than two hours of last minute running around we actually pulled out of the driveway at 11:22. It was 81 degrees, and an absolutely glorious day. Both of us were excited though with some trepidation. Who knew what lay ahead. We would be out there without escort, but we did have cell phones and we weren't crossing the Sahara Desert after all. There was no plan to leave civilization, plus we had a back up plan, a pick-up truck with a trailer on stand-by, because.... you never know. I decided it would be best and more fun to take US route 29 all the way, with a stop mid-way in Lynchburg Va for the night. We stayed on the back roads as much as possible. This way we would break up what would normally be an 8 hour trip in a modern car into two 6 hour days in our stalwart chariot. In order to reach Rt 29 in Gainesville Va we took the beltway and I-66. This was fairly uneventful, except for missing the exit for I-66 and the subsequent detour through beautiful Merrifield Va (he said sarcastically). The car was running along just fine, in the right lane doing 50-55 in overdrive. The driver, on the other hand had not quite settled down yet. Gainesville past in a blur and before we knew it we were driving down Rt 29 on our way to Lynchburg. Route 29 is mostly a four lane highway with stop lights every now and again. The lights become fewer and further between as you get out into the countryside and there are sections that are limited access like an interstate. It was a lovely day and we cruised along nicely for two hours. That was until... we were on a limited access section by-passing Culpeper when something went wrong and we skidded to a stop under an overpass. I looked all around and under the car, nothing looked out of place. Hmmm? must be the overdrive. I took it out of overdrive and proceeded in regular third gear. We went to Five Guys in Culpeper for lunch. The day had warmed up by now but the air was dry and there was a fresh breeze, almost blustery. We sat outside and had our burgers and fries as the napkins swirled about in the wind under the umbrella. After lunch I called the overdrive guy and conferred. We decided it was ok to proceed but in regular top gear. So back on the road, now traveling at 45-50 mph. Twenty minutes out of Culpeper (3:15pm) we made a stop for gas, Amazingly, we had used only 3/8 of a tank so far. Bugs we encountered: A large winged bug! some kind of mutant cross between a wasp and a really fat dragon fly. A Japanese Beetle flew in and got stuck in Lisa's sweater, Dave plucks it off and threw it out the side of the car. A large bee flew against the window and ricocheted onto Lisa. It was stunned, perhaps dead. She picked up the bee and threw it out. A locust gets tangled up between the wiper, the windshield and the top. It rides all the way to Lynchburg. We made it to Lynchburg about 6:00pm. The car was not happy, running a little rough, but it had been a long day for an 84 year old machine. Checked the gas, all good. Our room at the Craddock Terry Hotel had been upgraded to a King suite with champagne on ice. Many thanks to the enthusiastic desk clerk for comping us the up-grade. We drank most of the champagne and had a very nice nap. Followed that up with a lovely dinner a Shoemakers. The hotel had been a shoe factory back when we made things in this country. Lisa and I shared a steak and some Razors Edge red, both were very good. Later, we stumbled around the old downtown of Lynchburg peeping into windows and cracks in doors to see what was inside. Day 2 We got up early to get ready to go. Somehow after packing bags, breakfast, loading the car and checking the oil etc., it was 10 before we got on the road. The weatherman says it's going to be a hot hot day, high 90's to low 100's. Gawd! We drove 60 miles and stopped for gas near Danville Va. A fill-up took only 12 gallons, we had a quarter tank left. Wow, not too bad, maybe 14 mpg. There was only 10% ethanol available and shortly after filling up (1:15) the car started running rough, sputtering, and backfiring. We stopped 3 times while I made adjustments to the carburetor, no help. Just as we entered NC we left the highway and pulled into a gas station on a country road, Sam's #2 in Providence NC. We were over to the side and a guy in a pickup (a duallie, natch) approached and said he has a repair shop a mile down the road, so we follow him there. As we arrive there is a junkyard dog straining his chain, barking and carrying on. Beyond the dog is a small wood sided rambler with a wide front porch. Off to the left are some old cars, antique tractors and wood farm buildings. Nestled amongst it all is a two bay metal building that our host, Tim, operates his repair business in. Tim is sure it's that good-for-nothing ethanol gas that's causing the problem. So we siphoned the gas out of the tank and replaced it with regular gas (3:59). We make an attempt to leave but it's still running rough. I remove the float in the carb and it's half full of gas. Not good. Tim's buddy Glen and I take the float apart, empty the gas out and re-solder it. Now we're cookin'. Tim won't take anything for helping us so we give him a nice bottle of red we were saving for later. He thanked us, unscrewed the cap, took a swig and passed to Glen who did the same, grinning the whole way. Tim disappears into the house and returns with a half full mason jar of moonshine. I unscrew the cap take a swig and pass it to Lisa who does the same, grinning the whole way, and we're off! 4:42p Filling up at Sam's #2 with straight gas, Cajun chicken and potato wedges. In this part of North Carolina RT. 29 is four lane limited access highway, pretty much an interstate highway. We're toodleling along in the right lane with huge trucks blasting by at God knows what speed, yikes! through Greensboro evening rush, then Highpoint and onto Charlotte, Concord really, home of the Charlotte International Speedway. Well not quite, outside of Kannapolis the car starts running rough..... again. It's 7:20 and we limp into Kannapolis. I see a repair shop on the side of the road with a man with his head buried under the hood of a truck. We pull in and stop the car. It has been a very hot afternoon about 100 degrees, the car is not overheating but it is hot under that hood. I lift the hood and it's almost too hot to touch. Lisa and I go in search of something cold to drink, a 20 oz. Dr Pepper in a large cup of ice is just the thing. We sit on a short concrete wall eating a big bag of chips and drinking our Dr P while we and the car cool off. It is HOT!! After about 40 minutes we take off in the dusk on the local Rt. 29 to Concord. It's a nice drive in the summer evening air past the Dairy Queen and the 7-11's. It's cooled down a bit and must be only 85 or so. We arrive at the hotel without further incident at about 9:00pm, hot, clammy, tired and hungry, but we made it! And despite all this, not a cross word between the two of us the whole way. PS note to self: add "check the overdrive oil level before leaving home" to the pre-trip checklist! Dave Dave and Tim

Beautiful car, what a shame. Looking at the photos I noticed that the carburetor is missing. What happened to it? Is there a problem there? Dave

Larry, Great looking job. You know you are not the only one with this problem, there is a market for that piece. I might have to break down and get a lathe. Dave

I saw this Master timing gear buy it now on ebay. Very reasonable price, I thought. If you need one jump on it. Item number: 310408122680 I have no interest in the sale. Dave

I'm guessing, but it sounds like you have a touring body and you are looking for a donor car for the frame? The chassis is the same for all Standards. If it is a Master check the the wheel base. There are two lengths 120" and 128". The Master touring was on the long wheel base. Also for all models there is a slight difference between the touring and other models where the rear fenders bolt to the body. Dave

Hang in there Larry, you'll get it running. I fought my overheating problem for 20 years before I finally give up on the reproduction radiator core and installed the Master core. I couldn't find a decent Standard radiator to save my life. I accidentally discovered that a Master core would fit in a standard shell. Dave

Mike, Thanks for your kind words, it was quite a journey. I think the solution to the vapor lock may be all of the above, block off the heat riser, use regular gas, insulate the vacuum tank, and if all else fails, install the electric fuel pump. Larry, That's a shame about the fan hub. The bronze bushing idea was a good one, too bad. I bought a parts car once that had a Model T fan hub, so I guess this has been a problem for Buick owners for a long time. I thought somebody was making the fan hub with the new sealed bearings. Do you think re-torquing the head bolts would help? Dave

Larry, I added an over flow tank from a 60's Volvo with a 4 lb cap. This arrangement has keep the water from running out at stop lights with no leaking at the water pump shaft. You could get a volvo bottle like mine from Joe Lazenby in Carlisle. I had over heating issues for years and it took all the pleasure out driving the car. I installed a radiator from a Master and that took care of that. I don't know if Standard and Master interchangeable for 1925 they way they are for 28 but I will say I'm very pleased with the results. Dave

Short answer; Up till the early 30's the open car bodies were made by Stewart a subsidiary of Buick and the rest were made by Fisher. There is not much from the firewall back that interchanges. What year are you interested in?

The axle nut on the inner end is castellated and is locked in place with a cotter pin. Sometimes there is a little play at that end where the axle can move in and out slightly. If that's what it is you might be able to shim it with a washer but if it's a tenth of an inch it may not matter that much. Dave

5219, I may experiment with the kerosene. I think my first move will be to work on sealing up the exhaust system, though I may end up with an electric fuel pump. I have looked at threads from all over these forums and that seems to be where people end up. But I'm reluctant to go that route, too modern for my taste. John, Why don't you and Larry drive your cars to the all GM show next month. It is held at Montgomery College in Rockville. It would be great to meet you guys and see your cars, plus the 20's are way under represented. It is usually just me. Dave

Mark, I still have the master radiator you sold me in the car. I truly believe that is why it did not over heat in those extreme conditions, so thanks for that. I have heard MMO idea before I just haven't gotten around to trying it. A fuel pump vendor at the show suggested a cup of dextron which I tried because I could get some at the 7-11. It helped a little but it still vapor locked. In desperation on the last day I was there I pumped one gallon of diesel into a half full tank. That helped too but still after about a half hour driving in the upper 90s heat it started coughing and sputtering just as I pulled into the U-Haul where I had reserved a truck and trailer for the ride home. I will definitely look on the smart phone next time, but sometimes I may not have a choice. I didn't see anything other than ethanol the whole time I was in Charlotte. My thought was if you could bring down the boiling point of the E10 gas enough with the kerosene it could be used on those occasions when regular alcohol free gas was not available. Bill Sullivan from the 27 forum says he has wrapped his vacuum tank and fuel line with foil backed insulation, foil side out. He has had some success with that and he lives in Albuquerque, NM. A contributing factor may be exhaust leaking around the ends of the tube running between the heat riser and the exhaust pipe. I'm open to ideas for sealing those connections. I talked to Bill McLaughlin (He drove his '29 from Ontario) at the show and he said he has blocked off the exhaust from the heat riser with a piece of stainless steel. He also blocked both ends of tube between the heat riser and the exhaust pipe with freeze plugs. That would help get hot gases out of the engine compartment quicker and reduce the heat in there. Of course he has a mechanical fuel pump so that may help. John, I'm in Silver Spring MD about a half mile outside the beltway at Georgia Ave. It was a great adventure. I'm lucky that my girlfriend came along and was such a good sport about the whole thing. I did have two break downs on the way down though. The first one was near Culpeper when the over-drive locked up. I went the rest of the way in regular 3rd gear at about 45mph. The second time was just over the NC/VA line when the carb float gave out. I pulled into a gas station (no repair shop, just pumps) and was over on the side and the car is running like crap. Some guy asks if everything is alright and that he had a shop 1/2 mile down the road. We followed him and after about three hours we were back on the road. Great guys. They wouldn't take any money, so I gave them a bottle of wine and they gave me some moonshine. It was great fun. Dave

Hi all, I just returned from the BCA National in Charlotte NC. Man was it hot! It was in the high 90s and low 100s everyday. I drove my '28 standard touring car to the show from the DC area. A total of 425 miles. We left on Wednesday and the weather was great. On Thursday the temp went up and the only gas available was 10% ethanol. For the first time in over 40 years I started having vapor lock issues. I could see large bubbles working their way down from the vacuum tank into the glass sediment bowl. Looking around on the various forums here I came across a post reporting successful use of a mixture of 3 parts regular gas to 1 part kerosene in a 32 Buick which is a low compression engine. (I think mine is about 4.1 to 1). It occurred to me that this mixture would be less likely to evaporate and reduce the vapor locking prob. Is this a crazy idea? Thoughts? PS It was a wonderful show and we had a great time, despite the heat. Dave

Mike, That is not the original carburetor. As Jon suggests you may want to find the proper unit for your car. Dave

Are you looking for a standard or master? I have a standard visor if you still need one. Dave

I picked up this timing gear at Hershey in the off chance that it would fit my 28 Buick. No such luck. It would be nice to get it into the hands of someone that can use it. Can anyone ID it? It was made by The Republic Gear Co. Detroit Mich. It has a number stamped on the edge, 1214 with what looks like an upper case F or an E or could be a lower case r in front of the number. The outside diameter is 6 5/8" and the bore for the camshaft is 1 1/4". Thanks, Dave

Yup, it's a Buick. I would say 26 or 27 standard. Dave

#7 looks like a condenser. Dave

If your car uses the same plugs as a Model A you can most likely get them from a local autoparts store. I bought a set of Motorcraft TT10 for my 28 Buick at my local Advance Auto Parts store. In stock... blew me away Dave

Looking at the tags and the right hand drive, it looks like it's from India. I agree his friends are bidding it up. I wonder what that front suspension came out of? Double transverse leaf springs? Dave

Hash. Its a 2009 Hash and that's the G rated name. he he "Herman Munster's daily driver." I laughed till tears ran down my face. Dave