What I Did on My Winter Vacation

[Daves1940Buick56S]

Even though I have been quiet about my car, 1940 56S, of late, I have been busy doing various repairs and upgrades. So, I will just list them:

 

1. Air conditioning

 

Yeah, it's a period Casco fan. Found a new unused on on E-Bay. The previous owner had one as well as the 3 holes for the pedestal were already drilled. I did have to open up the fan and relube the bearings, however, as they had dried out.

 

2. Navigation System

 

It's a period Hull compass from the 1940s. Another E-Bay find, but it was a mess. Ended up painting and had to clean up the bowl and put new kerosene in. It does light up with the instruments, though, with a very cool green glow.

 

3. Power Upgrade

 

Replaced the main power cables with 00 and added a 300 A battery switch. Also overlaid the existing gen/VR/battery runs with 8 gauge, including the runs to the ammeter. Trying to squeeze the last bit of efficiency out of the 6V/gen system.

 

4. Added Marvel Inverse Oiler.

 

This one was for fun. I got a barn find unit on E-Bay for $30, painted and overhauled the unit (new glass, gaskets, etc.) Works real well now. Yes, I know nothing is to be gained from using it (Brian H!) but it was something cool to do. And if I get tired of it I can sell it for $250 to the Judson/VW crowd. I did make a plate from a phenolic base to put in the oil into each intake right below the carb.

 

5. Fix Loose Drivers Side Window Handle

The cause was a worn bushing. I had purchased a rebuild kit off E-Bay, but the length of the pinion was too short. So I made a nylon bushing for the pinion end for a custom fit. With the relatively low usage this gets it should last fine. The entire job was a bit of a hassle, though. Puling and reinstalling window regulators is not fun.

Before

Preassembly

Pre-install

 

6. Replace door stop bumpers

 

7. Unfreeze inside pass door lock release

 

8. New water pump

 

9. Repair left trunk lid stay with new spring

 

10. Replace speedometer frame and magnets and lube speedo cable

 

11. Put in translator to mate speedo with new 3.6 rear

 

Whew! I probably forgot something! Hopefully now I can get some driving in!

 

Cheers, Dave