FLYER15015 Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 I would like to buy 4 hubcaps for a 1940 series 90 Buick Limited"Bob's" has caps p/n HC-390, listed on page 46 of my catalog, for '39-40 EXCEPT LIMITED and according to Mr. Corbin, my car was made the 2nd week of Sept 1939. It has the big lunky '39 door handles too. (no offence Grant).Was there a difference in the 90 series, 16" wheels that would not let them fit ?Need an expert to jump in here, or someone w/ a 90 series car that purchased these caps from "Bob's" to tell me if they will fit.Thanks for your help,Mike in ColoradoBCA# 45728AACA# 994416:o:o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted December 14, 2011 Author Share Posted December 14, 2011 BTT29 lookers and no responses.Where are all the big car guys ?mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted December 14, 2011 Author Share Posted December 14, 2011 Geeeeeze,Now we're @ 44 lookers and counting, but nary a response.O' well BTTMike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigDogDaddy Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Hi Mike, okay here is the scoop. The Limiteds require a a deeper hubcap for the front wheels. I found this out when I bought a new set of caps years ago. The car was at my friend's shop on the lift. We installed the rear caps, and couldn't figure out why the fronts didn't fit. We then tried the non fitting caps on the rear wheels, and they fit fine. That's when realized that the fronts were different. I believe we had to use a hammer to make the caps deeper where the hub protrudes through the wheel. This is one of the " joys " of owning a Limited. hee hee ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted December 15, 2011 Author Share Posted December 15, 2011 Big Dog,You have just confirmed what Jolly-John told me about the requirement for the deeper dish on the front (big honking hub).So the question is....... where do all the "restorers" get theirs ?You really beat the center out with a hammer ? How did that work out ?I have two that have some "dings" around the edges and the other two look just o. k.Thought if I could find at least two, I could improve my "driver" Not working toward a 100 pt show car.Mike in Colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigDogDaddy Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 It worked out great. it is not too obvious. The shop where we worked on it is owned by my best friend who is an awesome autobody man. He tapped it carefully to make it big enough to fit without looking like it got beat up. No on has ever said anything about them, so I think most people don't really notice it.I don't know where the restorers are getting their caps. I think they just keep hunting until they find them.Phil aka the BigDogDaddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest willeys41 Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Ray@old car parts N.W. has a bunch of 40s Buick new orig hubcaps.206 300 1083 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 B-D-D/ Jolly/Others,Just had a thought.When I bought my '40 LTD, she did not have "dust caps" on the front hubs. I searched (in Vain) for a pair, and when I gave up I used the caps off a couple of spray paint cans and duck taped them on. I'll bet they were removed to accommodate using "std" hub caps. So..... i'm going to borrow some silly putty from my grand kids, put a blob on a hub and press on the hub cap, to check the distance between the nut and the inside of the cap.Depending on how it measures, I may be able to get away with using the caps that "Bob's" sells (p/n HC-390). May buy one from him to check the difference/similarity to the ones I have, and per B-D-D above, I can always put the new ones on the back and the two best old ones on the front.Willeys 41, I called Ray and he does not have the 90 series caps, but thanks for the lead, he may have the clutch equalizer I need. I'll send him the proper part number soon. he's still unloading and sorting parts. I've saved his website to favorites, and signed up for his newsletter.mike in Colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest prs519 Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 I believe I have a nice set of 1940 used caps, but doubtless not the Limiteds. Let me know if interested. I believe most repro caps are made out of one piece of metal. The originals were usually made in two pieces, and are of richer quality. Sounds to me like the caps are so close up front, that a person could use his drill press to force a noter 1/4 or so in the center.prs518@live.com if interested in the caps at $40 each or $140 for all. I can then send pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted December 23, 2011 Author Share Posted December 23, 2011 Hi All,Just to close out this thread, my Christmas package from "Bob's" came today, consisting of various gaskets, and rubber parts.Included were 2 hub caps P/N HC-390. Boy are they beautiful !!!!F Y I for all you "big car" guys,These will go on the back wheels and the two best OEM's will go on the front. According to my "layout" on the bench, the OEM's are about a 1/4" deeper in the center, but either cap will clear the homemade dust caps I made for the front spindles.Now, come Spring, I can get on with my "brake job" and tour next summer with confidence.Thank you all for your help,Mike in Colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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