HrodgarSWE Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Hey friends and more knowledgeable people! Short intro; I inherited my fathers Buick 1933, S50-57 some years ago and he was the petrolhead, I'm a carpenter. So, I'm handy with stuff and not afraid to try stuff, but I know nothing about engines other than the general basic stuff of course. However, I am now in the process of upgrading the electrical stuff, adding a breakerless system (enter gasp of horror from puritans, sorry gang) and to buy the correct stuff it's needed to know if my car is positive grounded or negative grounded. I've tried to search the internet for info and _most_ info points at negative grounded.. yet I don't want the "I guess". I want the "I know for a fact..." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Engle Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 It should be negative ground. Look at your battery. The negative terminal should woven, flat non insulated that goes to a bolt on the transmission. The positive cable will be insulated and go to the starter motor. A volt meter on the battery terminals will confirm the polarity. Buicks were negative ground from at least 1916 on. That is my earliest knowledge on Buick electrical systems. Others may confirm earlier dates. Bob Engle 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stewart Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Number one, you've got to get a shop manual. Asking questions here is great and you will find many smart and patient people. Also start using the "search" feature at the top right of the screen to look up specific questions. It takes a little practice wording your search to get the most helpful answers. Welcome. Good luck. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southpaw Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 Talk to John at The Brillman Co. 540-477-4112. He will have all the parts and info you will need. Pick his brain very helpful. Best of luck. Good looking car. Jim 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Wright Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 (edited) On 4/9/2021 at 2:05 PM, Robert Engle said: Buicks were negative ground from at least 1916 on. That is my earliest knowledge on Buick electrical systems. Others may confirm earlier dates. From 1914 on according to Year (hyzercreek.com) . Edited April 19, 2021 by Morgan Wright (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vernludwick@att.net Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 Hi, I checked my 1933 Buick owner's manual....Neg ground.......I have a 60 series 4dr....and have a 4dr coming from Canada....Hope to have one up and running before I get to old to work on them.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 On 4/9/2021 at 1:18 PM, HrodgarSWE said: However, I am now in the process of upgrading the electrical stuff, adding a breakerless system (enter gasp of horror from puritans, sorry gang) and to buy the correct stuff it's needed to know if my car is positive grounded or negative grounded. I've tried to search the internet for info and _most_ info points at negative grounded.. yet I don't want the "I guess". I want the "I know for a fact..." Upgrading the electrical stuff.......... Buick was built by General Motors. The most advanced company in the world when it came to technology......no one else was even close to GM in research, design, materials, metallurgy, ect.........no one. What’s the reason for you to change it? Upgrading is impossible.........altering it for a specific purpose........? Sure, will the changes be done using basic engineering techniques? Do you have an understanding of electrical circuits? Do you understand Ohm’s law? Know how to pick the correct wire size for the load? Please explain what you would like to modify, and why. Plenty of people here are helpful and have good engineering backgrounds. I’m curious as to why you want to make alterations. Most people here are purists, as you stated. Looking forward to your response. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 Do yourself a favor and not change the car. If you fix everything to factory specifications, the car will perform fine without any "upgrades" When individuals start "improving" their car you can end up with a Frankencar. Will only work if you have an impeccable memory and if you are out on the road and something happens you can remember what you changed a particular part to. Edinmass is absolutely correct about keeping it original for multiple reasons. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Wright Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 Car show cruise-in's are full of Frankencars, and people just walk right past them. Nobody cares how some random dude ruined a good car by upgrading everything. You want people to stop and look at your car, even big crowds of onlookers cheering.......keep it original! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37_Roadmaster_C Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 I am one of those purists, but.... When you upgrade as you mention you have just created a one off unique car. This may be OK or not... If the upgrade fails on the road you will not be able to band aid fix it to get you home with a few low cost spare parts and a minimal tool kit. Just my $.02. Your car so it is your choice..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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