Terry Wiegand

Does it count if a person gets into the shop and slips behind the wheel and starts the engine? I got the yardwork all done for awhile and wanted to drive the '20 a bit later this afternoon. The thermometer was reading 103 degrees and the thought of those Mohair seats just didn't do it for me at that point. I was right there with you in spirit, Larry. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas Doo Dah Where we suffer from Severe Sunshine on a regular basis

I have been playing with OLD cars since I was 14 years old. Come January that will be 53 years now. One of the first things that I learned is that it takes patience and perseverance to get things all sorted out on any old car a person has. My paternal grandparents raised me until I was 7 years old. One of the life lessons that they got into my head at a very early age was to learn to use my hands and I would never go hungry in life. Being retired from the skilled metalworking trades I can honestly tell everyone that the lessons that I learned early in life have served me well. Maybe I'm reading a little too much into the start of this thread. It sorta sounds like the fellow is afraid to try anything and get his hands dirty. Hell, that's half the fun - get everything all torn apart on the workbench and watch it go back together. I cannot speak for others, but, taking a mechanical component and finding out what is wrong with it, rebuilding it, putting it back together, and watching it work like new gives me a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction. In the last post here Dave hit it right on the head. If a person doesn't do what they do with a willing hand, then life is going to become an uphill battle all the way to the grave. One of the biggest thrills for me in working with my old Buicks is knowing that these cars were engineered and built without any computers or NC machining equipment. It is a challenge for me to try and figure out how they did things back in those days. For a person to ask others if they really like what they are doing with these old automobiles tells me something about the person asking that question, and I am going to keep my mouth shut about that. That is about all that I have to say about this thread. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas America

Ed, after reading your response I realized once more how far back in the sticks I was growing up. I was an inmate in that institution at Nickerson, Kansas for four terrible long years. I was paroled in May of 1966 and headed off for Uncle Sam's Canoe Club three weeks later. I am truly surprised that there is anyone out there that knows anything about that infamous institution of supposed higher learning in the middle of nowhere, Kansas. That place makes Shawshank look like a Country Club. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas Doo Dah

What's an outlier? We don't use words like that where I'm from. On second thought you guys take that back. That sounds plain unfriendly. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas Doo Dah

caisianobill, if you would contact me through a PM I believe I have a crank handle that will work for your car. Your car looks pretty respectable. It needs to be driven and enjoyed. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas Doo Dah terrywiegand@prodigy.net

Kevin and Mark, with this being a 1923 model, and if it has the correct, original carburetor, which it looks like it does from the photos, then the heat riser tube is absent on this unit. I believe 1924 was the first year for this high tech advancement on the Buick automobiles. I will post more information for carburetor restoration later on today. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas Doo Dah

David, I would like for you to send me a PM with your phone number and the best time to reach you. What I want to tell you I think you will get a big honk out of. retirednow hit it right on the head. This society that we live in today is a bunch of litigious A-holes. You are forgetting that the outfit that you dealt with has 'rights'. They have the right to screw people and get away with it. They know that the AACA is powerless to do anything to them. So they move on to another publication and do their advertising there until things get too hot for them there and it is a vicious cycle of repetition all over again. West is dead on right when he says it costs a lot of money to defend frivolous lawsuits. Thanks to politicians our legal system is broke beyond repair I sometimes think. Here is something that I learned a long time ago. Whenever I do something like this (new muffler) I pay for it with a credit card. If it is not right or as wanted and the supplier doesn't want to make it right - I'll box that puppy back up and send it right back to them via insured USPS. Save all of the paperwork and dispute the billing with the credit card company. We have had to do that just one time in about 40 years. Documentation worked like a charm. Just passing this on to you for something to think about. I'm sorry things worked out for you like they did. Just don't let it happen to you again. You do have some recourse in a situation like this. I'm sorry to say that once you modified the parts they were yours, simple as that. Hope this has been of some help to anyone out there dealing with a situation like this. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas America terrywiegand@prodigy.net

Has anyone besides myself had any dealings with Kepich Exhaust in North Carolina? About 5 or 6 years ago I had them make a new muffler for my 1922 Model 48. I had what I believed to be an original muffler from back in the day. I talked to their customer service person, sent several photos along with the dimensions and in about 2 weeks there was a new muffler on my back doorstep. I am very happy with the finished product, the price was reasonable, the turnaround time was good, and it fit exactly right. I don't know what else a person could ask for. That is my experience in dealing with exhaust system suppliers. If I ever need anything else in that area I would go back to those folks in a heartbeat. They treated me well and that's all that that I can add here. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas America

Dwight, I hope that you did not give a lot of money for this speedometer head with the thought that it is for a 1916 Buick. I am sorry to tell you that this is not for a 1916 model. This configuration is like what is in my 1920 Buick. To be correct for a 1916 model the trip meter needs to have a finger wheel off to the right side of the dial about where the post is on this one. One good thing about this unit is that it is a Stewart head. They were the best in the business at the time. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas Doo Dah

Barney, the Buick Touring that you and your wife are in is a 1923 Model. Sorta unusual with no windshield. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas America

Dear Sir, since your car is a 1918 model Roadster it is designated as an E-44. The six cylinder models were the 40's and the 4 cylinder models were the 30's. Please post some photos of your car. All of us Buick enthusiasts would really like to see what you have. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas America

John, your photos are really nice. However, I have just one question for you. Who is the Joe you talked about that received an award for a '55 he owns? A last name would be most helpful here. My oldest daughter lives in Clackamas and we have been all over the Portland area when we go out there. Once again we enjoyed your photos. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas Doo Dah

Glenn, I think I know what these are. They are not for your car ('18). They are for '15 and '16 models. They are a battery box clamp I believe. My 1916/1917 parts book shows what looks like these parts. I will call you. I need to talk with you anyway about the top on my car. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas

I'm gonna have to go along with Dave on the open valvetrain action. It is absolutely hypnotic to watch these engines set there and click 'em off. I would also have to say that the greatest and BEST thing about a Buick is the fact that they are not some ol' worn out Chevrolet. What I am about to say next I have personally experienced many times over. I have driven our Buicks many times in the classy old residential part of our town and folks out in their yards will stop what they are doing and point at the car. I heard one woman yell to her husband, "John, go get the kids, there is a man driving by in a BUICK!!" Mouths drop open, people will point and wave, and I have heard them say, "He Drives A Buick". It's hard when you're at the top, but, somebody has to be there, and I'm glad it's me with my Buicks! Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas America

In reference to post #9, Mr. Otoole is a little off on Mr. Knight's first given name. It was Charles Yale Knight who developed and patented the Knight Double Sleeve Valve engine. I had the pleasure of owning a 1928 Willys-Knight Standard Six Coach for 32 years. The car was sold new in my home town and the engine had never had a wrench put on when I bought the car in 1969. That car was smooth beyond belief. One could hardly hear it run until you stepped on the foot feed. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas America

Hey Lamar, the instructions you spelled out here are great, however, you didn't explain how to move the photos around once they are in the body of the message. When I post photos it messes up the wording by dividing it in the most inappropriate places. I certainly am not a computer geek by any means. I'm just a lowly machinist/toolmaker. Could you please explain how this is done so that things come out looking half way decent. I'm willing to bet I'm not the only one out there having this problem. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas America

This writer thinks that all of the above mentioned comments are good for getting fellow enthusiasts to welcome Opel owners into the fold. However, there is something that nobody has mentioned or even thought about I'll bet. If an Opel owner signs up to bring his car to a Buick Club of America National Meet, will he get to park with the rest of the Buicks on the show field? This writer is placing his money on the answer of NO! Just something to think about. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas Doo Dah

Hey Lamar, Barbara and I would take Elvis in a New York minute. The trouble is there wouldn't be room enough for both of them in the back seat of the '20 at the same time. Had the '20 out on Saturday and put 10 miles on it. It is running better all the time after some carburetor adjustments. It sure runs better and LOOKS better with the HPOF badge on it.Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas Doo Dah

Dave, thank you for bringing this to the pre-war Buick enthusiasts' attention. However, the ebay seller has this identified wrong. It is NOT for a 1916/1917 D-40 series or 1916 D-50 series Buick. In the photo it shows a #75 identifying model number. The D-40's series Buicks used a model #70 starter/generator unit in 1916/1917. The 1916 D-50's series Buicks used a #69 starter/generator unit. The one photo shows the distributor cam as having 6 lobes so it is obviously for a 6-cylinder engine of a little later vintage. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas America

Mark, you would not believe at how good Barbara is at guiding greased speedometer cable links into the cable housing. We did it three times and the last time she flatly told me that she wasn't doing it again and that I had better have gotten it right that time. Yes Sir. She is very good at lending that third and fourth hand when needed. Remember now, I told you guys that she rubs my back and says, 'Honey, will you take me for a ride in your Buick?' All the way home she kept telling me that I am certified. She says the next step is to get me verified. Then she tells me that the step after that is to get me bonafied. It just doesn't end for a guy who drives a Buick! Terry Wiegand (certified) South Hutchinson, Kansas Doo Dah

I saw this '65 Skylark on a side street in Hutchinson, Kansas late last week. The odometer shows 85,500+ miles. The guy told me that he is asking $6500 but would listen to any reasonable offers. Said he had to start somewhere. The phone number for information and details is - (620) 200-1926. It has bucket seats with the center console and the 401 Nailhead V-8. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas Doo Dah

John, we were at the AACA meet in Canyon, Texas also. We were going to bring the '20 down then. However, an electrical wiring issue prevented my being able to even start the engine. I found out later that I had broken the one coil wire going into the back of the coil by bumping it too hard. The old linen covered wire tends to dry out after 90+ years. Got that fixed and back on the road as they say. I had the chance to Meet Marty Roth, Lars Anderson, and Herb Oakes at the meet and we had a wonderful time even though we could not bring the car down that trip. We will definitely get together and talk Buick while we are there. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas

We are bringing our 1920 Buick K-46. With less than 5,000 actual miles on it we are going for first time HPOF Certification. I am a Life Member in the AACA with 43+ years of membership. Am looking forward to visiting with other Buick folks while we are there. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas America

I got the '20 out on the road for the first time this summer after the gasoline tank restoration and put about 5 miles on it. I am going to have to do some carburetor tweaking to get it running like a fine Buick should. We are headed for Lincoln, Nebraska this coming weekend for the AACA Central Division Spring Meet. We are hopeful that it will bring back its HPOF Certification. We have one service station in Hutchinson, Kansas that sells 100% gasoline. I almost died when I handed the lady $55.00 for 13 and a half gallons of fuel. I will say this though, the engine appeared to run smoother with fuel that is alcohol free. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas America

Larry, I can definitely sympathize with you during this procedure. Later this Summer I am going to go through this same thing for the very same reason - rebuild the clutch on my '16. The only difference being is that my car has a cone clutch. Seeing your photos posted here jogged my memory about something that a friend of mine who has a '16 D-45 told me. He said to be sure and remove the tires and rims from the wheels for more rearward clearance and movement of the axle assembly. Another plus to this is there is less weight to try and manhandle. Sorry I didn't remember to tell you that the other night when we talked. I totally understand about this getting the chassis blocked up high enough to do what has to be done. I went through that when I had the new wheels made for the '16. There just isn't any real good place on the frame rails to rest on substantial blocking. Looks like you are doing a swell job of things so far. Take lots of notes - I will want to visit with you about things when you are done. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas America