David Childs

Here is my input on the guy in Florida. I used him years ago to rebuild my '54 Packard brake booster and it was a job well done. More recently I used him to rebuild the master cylinder and power booster on my 58 Buick Super. When the unit came back there was still a problem with fluid getting into the vacuum chamber. I sent it back to Florida at "his" request and he checked it again. It got back to me the 2nd time still not working like a power booster should PLUS it has a sizable dent (like an egg) in the side of the vacuum chamber due to mishandling by UP? you-know-who. Then I read in the forum about White Post Restorations and another brake booster restorer and decided that I would use someone like them if the 58 power booster ever came off the car again. NO MATTER what the cost. I drive my 58 Super using old advice given long ago--leave plenty of room to stop and a bit more to take off.

Buick Carpets: for my 1958 Buick Super, I just recently did a complete floorboard restoration, cleaning rust, treating rust, painting with POR Rust Preventive and finished with POR bed-liner. Luckily I did not have but several small holes in the front (L&R) floorboards (floor pans). I ordered new black carpets from RockAuto.com because they had carpets with the two holes already made for the base of the accelerator pedal, and one hole for the headlight dimmer. I had to make one hole for the radio changer and that was harder than I was prepared for. The carpets came from ACC and fit almost perfectly in the front floorboards, but did not fit at all for the back seat floorboards. To my shock, ACC reuested my old rear seat carpets and custom made a rear carpet piece to fit around those 4-dr-hdtop pillar posts. This is the first ever carpet reinstall for me and after a lot of back-and-forth with Rock Auto and ACC I do have nice carpets. I still have to trim out some of the padding so the door sill plates can be reinstalled properly but considering where I started I'm 98% back to original. **My other topic on the gas sending unit rebuild for the 2nd time will be continued in the days to come.

Bob's Automobilia was very nice to send me a no cost replacement gas sending unit for my 1958 Buick when they could not make a certain welding repair to my original 58 sending unit. I kept the replacement gas sending unit in my spare Buick parts inventory, and only recently, last month, took the after market sending unit and installed it on my 58 Buick. I had to shorter the exit tube to match the original sending unit but otherwise it was a quick install. However the replacement gas sending unit did not work so I sent my original to Wolf in OH to rebuild. The original gas sending unit was rebuilt and returned and only this week 5-16-15, through testing, I found that the rebuilt original is not working either. The tests I peformed were to eliminate the gas gauge as the cause of the problem. Oddly--the rebuilt original looked identical to the Bob's Automobilia replacement that I was given several years ago that did not work. With the gas gauge eliminated as the culprit, I will talk to Wolf this next week to see what we do next. *Point: a new gas ending unit might look new, and not work. Continued . . . thanks all

Greetings to all: recently I replaced the gas tank sendinng unit of my 1958 Super. While working under the car I noticed two things never noticed before--1. the rear propeller shaft has a lubrication plug and 2. the rear propeller shaft is leaking thick black oil from the joints in the shaft. The lubrication chart states to basically top off the rear propeller shaft and replace the plug. What I can't figure out is how the popeller shaft is leaking and what seals might need replacing to stop the leaking. After noticing the leaking issue, I removed the differential plug and the same black thick oil began to pour out. I had filled the differential with fresh oil about 3 years ago when I got the Buick on the road again. I am wondering if oil can pass forward from the differential into the rear propeller shaft. I'd like to remove the entire shaft and replace all the seals if they can be found. Please send me your comments and suggestions. At this point I do not have photos to attach because this project has not begun yet. I am posting my latest project, which is restoration of the floorboards before new carpeting is installed. I will gladly answer all your questions about the floorboard restoration project as well as your comments about the leaking rear propeller shaft. Looking fwd. to your ideas about the leaking.

WTB--one backup light lense for 1954/300 series. Broken due to driveway accident.

Re: parts for Buick enginen rebuild I would recommend Terrill Machine in DeLeon TX...they can rebuild just about anything and have lots of Buicks things. Plus they are friendly and get things shipped out quickly. David Childs

Hi--if you ever find out information on the colored leather I'd like to know....I'm seeking blue leather for my '56 Cadillac Eldorado Seville. It must have been beautiful when new!!!

Hello Sir from Austin TX---I could not help but warn you about doing business with Wallace Wade in Dallas. He is a totally disreputable dealer and should not be in this hobby. I bought 4 new tires for my Packard (7.60 x 15) which were defective because of stains on the whitewall. He accused me of mishandling tires and causing the stains. After much arguing, not discussing, he agreed to adjust the tires. I drove 200 miles to his warehouse in Dallas TX and he refused on the spot to adjust the tires, saying that he did not have them in his warehouse. This---after telling me he did have them! I drove back to Austin, 200 miles with no tires. He did finally some time later had to adjust the tires because I called and complained to Coker Tires personally. Beware of him!!!

Hi--what a GRAND find!! Your 58 is exactly like mine except mine is a Super--same color, Silver Mist. I'm ready to install a brand new engine after finishing up gas tank problems and going through all the brakes. Those wonderful photos you posted will help me with small finishing touches for where things go on top of my engine.

RE: dynaflow kits----check with David Edwards who advertises in the Buick Bugle. Very reliable supplier.

Aligning these two car clubs would be wonderful!! They belong together anyway...GREAT idea, Thanks

Hello from Austin TX: Any chance you would have rear brake spring that would fit on a 1950 Land Cruiser??

Hi from Austin TX---are these paint colors the same for 1958?? Thanks