Wooly15 Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 (edited) Hello everyone! I'm looking for some purchase advice on a 1956 Buick Super (automatic) I'm interested in. Overall it is decent shape but my only concern is reverse gear. In order to reverse, you have to hold the shifter in reverse, it does not stay there. It shifts in forward gears smoothly with no issues. Is this normal of the dynaflow? If this is indicative of a linkage adjustment, I'm not concerned. If it's a sign of it going out all together, it's a deal breaker. I know older cars have funny features like the accelator start, just wasnt sure if holding it in reverse was also. Sorry, new to Buicks, I'm accustomed to 60's fords. Thanks in advance Adam Edited April 13, 2016 by MrEarl edit title (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 No, that is not correct. But the fix may require some additional work. Often the transmission mount needs to be replaced to get the rear of the trans in alignment again. Most folks also change the motor mounts at the same time so the entire package is at proper height and alignment. Then if it does not stay in reverse, you would need to make linkage adjustments. The most important part is that it goes into reverse. If you are new to Buicks let me warn you. The trans is very reliable, and will last for a long time. but reverse gear band is held in place internally by a strut rod. If the engine is racing or if the trans is yanked abruptly into reverse by accident, that strut rod can drop out of place. In some cases the pan can be dropped and the rod put back in without pulling the trans out of the car. Sometimes that's not the case. Since the Buick has an enclosed drive shaft, the rear axle has to be pulled back to get the trans out. It sounds way worse than it is. Don't let that stop you, just realize that the best policy is to let the engine warm up so you can step down the cold fast idle and then you should not have any problems. The 56 is a Super car. There were several improvements from the 55 year, but it is also the last year of that body style. There are many one year only parts. But most things are still available for it from local parts stores, or internet and Buick specialty providers. When it is returned to factory settings it is an amazing ride. you won't feel the trans shift because it doesn't. It has fluid drive that meets driving demands on the fly. It still has a low gear, which seems to make people think in drive it's not working right, but if you are not drag racing, you will find it is more than adequate power and performance. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 10, 2016 Author Share Posted April 10, 2016 Thanks for the reply, I thought it would have been a strange feature to have a "hold it there" reverse gear. I think since it the gear works, I will go ahead ad get it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 Feel free to start a me and my Buick thread, and post some pictures. I would love to see your new to you car. You might consider joining the Buick Club too. Lots of resources in the club magazine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 (edited) Most likely it's motor and/or transmission mount problems which cause linkage problems. Replacing the mounts is not a difficult or expensive project. Adjusting the linkage may fix the reverse situation but there still may be the underlying mount problems.........Bob Edited April 10, 2016 by Bhigdog (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 I was thinking both the transmission and motor mounts need to be checked. Buicks aren't as bad as a Cadillac, though. With an open driveshaft like a Caddy you can get the imprint of the fan in the radiator on a hard stop. On that internal reverse strut, it was a common $90 repair in the mid 1960's. The flat rate guys would disconnect the shocks and jack the axle back with a Port-A-Power to access the tailshaft housing and strut; just kinda sproing it back. Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 10, 2016 Author Share Posted April 10, 2016 Thanks for all of the help guys, I brought the "boat" home today. The transmission will occasionally stay in reverse but it seems best to hold it there so it doesn't slip into Low. Looks like I will be starting a me and my Buick post! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 Pictures!! We CRAVE pictures.\ Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 11, 2016 Author Share Posted April 11, 2016 Just before I loaded her up! More to come in the follow on thread 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 (edited) Nice looking car ! I just painted my wheel rims red on my all black 55 Roadmaster Rivera Hardtop Coupe - made a huge difference (actually the whitewalls over it's current black made the most difference, though the red is a nice accent). The all all Black is very elegant though. Edited April 11, 2016 by John_Mereness (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialEducation Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 (edited) 4 hours ago, John_Mereness said: Nice looking car ! I just painted my wheel rims red on my all black 55 Roadmaster Rivera Hardtop Coupe - made a huge difference (actually the whitewalls over it's current black made the most difference, though the red is a nice accent). The all all Black is very elegant though. Agree. At the moment our wheels are black as well, but that splash of Seminole Red can sure make those wheel assemblies look sharp. Ours had obvious traces of red when we got it, so we think it probably came with red felloes when new. How about a photo, Mr. Mereness? I'd like to see what yours look like! Edited April 11, 2016 by SpecialEducation (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 11, 2016 Author Share Posted April 11, 2016 Under the caps my wheels are a nice shade of rust . They just look black in the pictures, so painting them red when I clean that up may be a nice accent. Thanks for the tip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialEducation Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 Per the order sheet, Seminole Red was optional on all models and colors. Without the build sheet for your specific car, I'm not sure how to prove which way it came, so go for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 11, 2016 Author Share Posted April 11, 2016 I guess I will just make this my official build thread, no sense in spamming the board with another post. First thing I need to other than mechanics are seat covers. The front is through to the foam. Someone, at some point put very nice fitting covers on it, that were so well fitting, I didn't notice they were even there. Anyone know who sells ones today that are as good of a fit. Bench seats, front and rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 12, 2016 Author Share Posted April 12, 2016 First day under the hood. Got my brake lights working (filthy connectors) and adjusted the choke. Looks like both of my manifolds are cracked. Guess that'll jump up on the priority list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 Looks like you have no choke thermostat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 12, 2016 Author Share Posted April 12, 2016 Had it all pulled apart checking the voltage. Good eye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 Was it converted to an electric choke? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 12, 2016 Author Share Posted April 12, 2016 Is that not original? Though it was strange it had one. Also has the stove pipe from the manifold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 lol.. No, an electric choke would not be original. BTW, that area where you have the tester wires going to would be the area where the starter switch is attached to the carb. Does your car still have the gas pedal starter? Turn the key on and step on the gas pedal to start the engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 12, 2016 Author Share Posted April 12, 2016 Ok, now it makes sense. It does have the pedal start still. I thought those connections were for the choke. It must only still use the stove pipe. Those connection had 12v with the key on. That explains a lot... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 So there is no choke thermostat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 12, 2016 Author Share Posted April 12, 2016 (edited) Only the copper coil, I had it removed to clean out all the dust Edited April 12, 2016 by Wooly15 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 You might want to pick up a new fuel filter, too. I'm surprised the car even started with it being that dirty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 10 hours ago, Wooly15 said: I guess I will just make this my official build thread, no sense in spamming the board with another post. First thing I need to other than mechanics are seat covers. The front is through to the foam. Someone, at some point put very nice fitting covers on it, that were so well fitting, I didn't notice they were even there. Anyone know who sells ones today that are as good of a fit. Bench seats, front and rear. Gorgeous black Super Adam. I can move this thread over to the Me and My Buick forum if you'd like. that is where most members post their cars or build projects. Easier to keep to the top and to search.This forum is used more for technical questions and advice. Your call though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 12, 2016 Author Share Posted April 12, 2016 7 hours ago, MrEarl said: Gorgeous black Super Adam. I can move this thread over to the Me and My Buick forum if you'd like. that is where most members post their cars or build projects. Easier to keep to the top and to search.This forum is used more for technical questions and advice. Your call though. That would be great, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 Just saw that you had actually already posted there, so will leave this here for tech help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 12, 2016 Author Share Posted April 12, 2016 Probably just as well, I'm definitely going to need it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 Here is my 55 Roadmaster in Black Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 The day the 55 was dropped off - working up a set of hubcaps and about a dozen plus other projects. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialEducation Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 Maybe we need to get Speedo to make a new category for those of us who live on the darker side. Mr. Falabella would be welcome too, of course. Yes, an area for Big Bad Black Buick Blogging! or maybe not... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 (edited) 24 minutes ago, SpecialEducation said: Maybe we need to get Speedo to make a new category for those of us who live on the darker side. Mr. Falabella would be welcome too, of course. Yes, an area for Big Bad Black Buick Blogging! or maybe not... Hmmmmm I fear that one could too easily typo that and go somewhere NSFO. Funny though! :-) Edited April 12, 2016 by wndsofchng06 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 Wooly I hope we're back on the right track with this thread, it got sort of convoluted when I moved it back here. Anything new to report? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 Secured a nice pair of exhaust manifolds today and nearly blew my elbows out polishing! That's a lot of chrome! A powerball is in my future! This weekend I will be flushing the chocolate milk out of the cooling system. Looks like it been a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 10 hours ago, Wooly15 said: This weekend I will be flushing the chocolate milk out of the cooling system Oh Oh! Sounds like oil in the water. What does the oil look like? ........................Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 The oil isn't milky and there's no oil in the coolant after it settled all night. I think it's just been way too long between flushes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 Very good.............Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 Coolant flushed, new points, plugs and oil. Still needs a carb cleaning but starts and runs 100% better. When changing the oil filter element, I couldn't find the old gasket so I assumed it either fell in the catch pan or there wasn't one there. I even scraped around with a screwdriver. First test run and oil was POURING on the ground. It was still up in there, hiding, not letting the new one seal. So, any tips/tricks to not making a gigantic mess when changing that filter? My 61 f100 had the modern filter adapter installed before me. This is my first rodeo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Falabella Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 6 hours ago, Wooly15 said: Coolant flushed, new points, plugs and oil. Still needs a carb cleaning but starts and runs 100% better. When changing the oil filter element, I couldn't find the old gasket so I assumed it either fell in the catch pan or there wasn't one there. I even scraped around with a screwdriver. First test run and oil was POURING on the ground. It was still up in there, hiding, not letting the new one seal. So, any tips/tricks to not making a gigantic mess when changing that filter? My 61 f100 had the modern filter adapter installed before me. This is my first rodeo. Oil will pour out if filter housing is not perfectly seated. And yes old gasket will stick. You don't want to tighten so much that you crush the gasket either. I hold the housing in place while tightening the bolt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooly15 Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 Gotcha. What's the best method of keep oil from going all over when initially taking out the old filter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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