JoeMac53 Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 There are 26 body mounting pads on my 53 Buick Super. I see that replacements are for sale through some dealers. They are 2”x2”x1/4” with a 7/8” hole. But I was thinking about making my own out of high durometer (70A) neoprene. Anyone done something like this or care to give advice? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted September 8, 2021 Share Posted September 8, 2021 What model? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeMac53 Posted September 8, 2021 Author Share Posted September 8, 2021 I have a 1953 Buick Super series 56C convertible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted September 8, 2021 Share Posted September 8, 2021 OK, the convertible mounts are as you can see rubber with fiber like tire cord, and you should probably keep using the same. There are no limiting bushings so 20-30 food pounds plus a heavy body will squish any plain rubber over time. Also when assembling use the shims in the same location for starters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeMac53 Posted September 8, 2021 Author Share Posted September 8, 2021 Thanks for the advice. I heard that you have a build thread but I can’t seem to find it. Can you send me link on where to look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted September 9, 2021 Share Posted September 9, 2021 3 hours ago, JoeMac53 said: Thanks for the advice. I heard that you have a build thread but I can’t seem to find it. Can you send me link on where to look. HERE is my friend Steve's 53 convertible project. Some 55 stuff on my website: buickrestorer.com 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retirednow Posted September 9, 2021 Share Posted September 9, 2021 This is a great read- absolutely incredible https://forums.aaca.org/topic/208956-bob-becks-bhigdog-55-century-project/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeMac53 Posted September 12, 2021 Author Share Posted September 12, 2021 Thanks for the great links. Great information 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Just when all my cars are running, driving, and licensed someone had to put up a post like that and I think "Yeah, I can do that too!" Now I'll spend a rainy day looking at project cars. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeMac53 Posted September 12, 2021 Author Share Posted September 12, 2021 Got the new set of mounts today 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72gs455 Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 24 minutes ago, JoeMac53 said: Got the new set of mounts today Where did you end up getting them from, was it a kit or by the piece?is it model specific? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeMac53 Posted September 12, 2021 Author Share Posted September 12, 2021 Got them at Bobs Automobilia by the piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1953mack Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 22 hours ago, JoeMac53 said: Got the new set of mounts today Bob's online catalog lists: - a 2" x 2" x 1/4" rubber pad for 1940-1958 Buicks at $7.00 each - a 2" x 2" x 7/16" rubber pad for 1940-1949 Buicks at $10.00 each, and - a 2" x 2" x no thickness given rubber pad with a metal washer (vulcanized between the rubber?) and with a locating circular nub for the bolt holes for 1940-1958 Buicks at $9.50 each. The mounting pads that you removed and are pictured in your first post don't have the locating nub. Would you be willing to share which of the first two you wound up buying and what thickness your originals pads measured? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeMac53 Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 I got the 1/4” thick ones. This is what the originals were for my 53 super Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1953mack Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 (edited) On 9/7/2021 at 6:25 PM, JoeMac53 said: There are 26 body mounting pads on my 53 Buick Super. I see that replacements are for sale through some dealers. They are 2”x2”x1/4” with a 7/8” hole. But I was thinking about making my own out of high durometer (70A) neoprene. Anyone done something like this or care to give advice? Thanks Thanks for confirming that your original mounting pads were 1/4" thick. FWIW. The 1952 Buick Shop Manual (applies to 1953 Buicks also) says that the convertible coupe models used a solid composition shim compared to a rubber shim for the closed-top Buick models. My understanding after removing two 1953 convertible bodies from their frames is that when Buick said solid composition, they meant a combination of rubber + a fabric reinforcement rather than a steel washer-like sandwiched inside some rubber. The manual goes on to say that a separate steel shim is used to compensate for variations in the body or frame to eliminate any distortion. Your picture shows several of these loose steel shims. The manual does not give an overall thickness for these solid composition shims but measuring 52 of mine after 60+ years, they are all thicker than 1/4" . . . closer to 3/8" to 7/16". I wound up making my own body-to-frame mounting pads from baler belting material that I found at a big-box farm supply store (Fleet Farm here in the Twin Cities). The store stocked the APACHE brand, 3-ply 3/16"-thick belting in 4" and 7" widths in what Apache, Inc. calls a "light impression" top surface. I wound up buying 7' of the 7"-wide belting @ <$6.00/foot for the 26 body-to-frame mounts, the 2 inner front fender-to-frame mounts, the 4 coil spring insulators and the 5 exhaust/muffler/tail pipe hanger straps that were in need of replacing. The store clerk was willing to cut the 7' length into manageable size pieces to cut on my mini hobby table saw (a band saw would work too). After super gluing the squares together for the 3/8" and 3/4" thick pads, a 3/4"-diameter hole saw attachment to a power drill worked for me (a drill press would be better). Total cost was around $55 for the belting, glue and hole saw. https://www.apache-inc.com/cms/apache.nsf/ProdGrouping_Public.xsp?action=openDocument&documentId=9CE# Al Malachowski BCA #8965 "500 Miles West of Flint" Edited September 15, 2021 by 1953mack (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeMac53 Posted September 14, 2021 Author Share Posted September 14, 2021 Both my original and new mountings pads are the fabric reinforced type. 1953Mack that was what I was thinking about doing … making my own. I had heard conveyor belt material is a good choice. Glad to see what you did. Are they holding up. my original shims range in size. I’m going to glass bead them and need to figure out whether I should prime and paint or parkerize or something else to inhibit rust. I’m going to do the same for the washers. If you have any advice on coating let me know. The new ones are all one size but they have the advantage of being cadmium plated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1953mack Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 (edited) On 9/14/2021 at 6:07 PM, JoeMac53 said: . . . I’m going to glass bead them and need to figure out whether I should prime and paint or parkerize or something else to inhibit rust. I’m going to do the same for the washers. If you have any advice on coating let me know. The new ones are all one size but they have the advantage of being cadmium plated . . . I'm thinking that the baler belting will be at least as durable as the OEM mounting pads. I cleaned up all the hardware and gave everything a light coat of flat black primer and don't foresee any problems for the next 60+ years. Depending on what thickness your newly purchased U-shaped shims are, you might want to consider buying a variety pack of 1/16", 1/8" and 3/16" thicknesses locally. Good luck. Edited September 16, 2021 by 1953mack (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulldog Car Guy Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 I have a brand new set of these that I don't need for a 53. They came with the 53 I bought but the ones on the car look brand new as well. PO included them in the sale. I would be happy to sell them cheaper than retail or trade them if someone needs them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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