palbuick Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 Just got my 54 Century 2 dr ht. A little rough around the edges. But it is a factory 3 speed. And most unusual 4 port holes on the front fenders. A bare bones optioned car, no power steering no power braakes. It dose have a radio and heater, and that is it.Would appreciate any information on production of this car, especially on the 4 port holes. I know the factory 3 speed is rare for the Century.The body # is 1566. The paint colors are not original.Will be needing some parts, bumper guards, window frames, trunk lid ornament,hood letters, Any help appreciated.Jim Schilf palbuick@aol.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 Jim, we would certainly enjoy seeing some photos if any are available.Sounds like a great project! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palbuick Posted December 17, 2003 Author Share Posted December 17, 2003 One more picture of 54 Century Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 Jim, Looks like a fun project and she should be a runner. It appears to me the the portholes are mounded in the fenders backwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly_John Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 Jim, you're not supposed to be playing with a new toy.....you have to devote every waking moment of your life to getting your '40 convert. done!!! My memories of a '54 Buick Century, with 3-speed go back to high school. I had a 1948 Mercury Coupe that I dropped a '54 Century nailhead into. That engine came from a 3-speed car, any I transplanted everything into the Merc. As you say....very rare. This car ran smoothly and really flew. Most guys expected to be up against a flathead....not a nailhead. I remember looking and looking for a standard transmission flywheel, after frying the original unit in one too many Main Street Dubuque, Iowa drag races. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palbuick Posted December 17, 2003 Author Share Posted December 17, 2003 Hi JohnFunny how we parallel each other.Back in the late fifty's , my brother and I had a 40 Merc convt. we put a 55 Nailhead of the 322 c.I. size with a 3 speed into this car, even used the tourque tube rear end.Surprised everyone who ever tried to run against it.JIm Schilf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Old Guy Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 I did not have a Nail head available to me as I graduated before they were built, but I did have a 37 Century with the 41 compound carb set up that was tough to beat. In the late 50s, I had a 51 Chev with a 365 inch Caddy with 4 carbs and a roller cam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 Jim,I'm green with envy. What a rare car, with the stick shift and hubcaps even! I don't think your 4 portholes are a factory installation, though. Like Keith, I think they are in backwards, and the 4th one must have been added by someone who liked the look of the Roadmasters or the '55 Centurys, which have 4. I've been told that the 3-speed gearbox is in 1 to 2 percent of these cars, so it is very rare. I've also heard that they are not the most durable units ever made (and I experienced this first-hand with a 3-speed '50 Special recently), so don't try any speed-shifting or rough stuff, if you know what I mean, because it will be a long search to find a replacement.You probably have one of the fastest, quickest, and most responsive 1954 automobiles ever to come off of the assembly line that year. To find this in a two-door hardtop just makes it all the more desirable. Congratulations. If you ever want to sell it.....!Pete Phillips, BCA #7338 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 P.S.: You can get a nice set of reproduction hood letters from CARS, Inc. www.oldbuickparts.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vasilow Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 I have a 56 Special 2dr post with 3 on the tree. Take everyones advice and don't break your 54, unlike dynaflows parts for the manual shift are very hard to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
critterpainter Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Yes, do take care of he tranny. One thing you can do to help its longevity is to make sure the shift lever bushings are good. If these are shot, the gears do not fully mesh and the syncro's die a hard death.Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad54 Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Mind what they say about taking care of that trans! I've got one in a '54 Special (ARE THESE THE SAME AS THOSE BEHIND THE 322? ANYBODY KNOW?). My pilot bearing in the end of the crankshaft died, and took out the mainshaft of the transmission. I don't know if the trans can be repaired or not, but I do have a spare, luckily. First time I've ever bought a back-up part that didn't just sit on the shelf until I threw it away! The backup cost $125, and I was glad to pay it. And now I'm feeling real happy about it! I'll install a solid bronze bushing in place of the roller bearing next time. Pretty hard for the bronze one to fail so completely.-Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palbuick Posted December 18, 2003 Author Share Posted December 18, 2003 I had a 54 Special 2 dr. ht with the 3 speed back in the early 60's. It was my every day driver. Went through 5 - 6 Transmissions. I could change transmissions in several hours, so I know about the special trans. The Century has a bigger trans, similuar to the early roadmaster series. I have a 37 Centuryfloor shifter and a 39 cad trans sitting in the garage, and have located another floor shifter. Thanks for all the imput about this car.Jim Schilf palbuick@aol.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEW1966 Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Does anyone know if this Grille & Bar fit All 54 Buicks? Or is there 2 different sizes (Special/Century---Super/Roadmaster) ?Thank You, Greg...NEW1966 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PackardGuy Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Jim,It appears that the 4th "ventiport" has been added in front of the original three. In the detail photo it appears just slightly misaligned. If I put my finger over it, everything looks right again. As others have noted, the "ports" were re-installed in reverse orientation so they look like air inlets rather than vents. Someone may have thought it looked cooler that way. It's a very interesting car--especially the 2-door HT configuration and manual trans. It seems that someone may have ordered it specifically as a high-performance alternative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_MrEarl Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Just going from memory (I know, scary thought coming from me ), I believe the grille and bar are the same but the ends at either end of the bar are different lengths. The 50/70 series are 1-2 inches longer than the 40/60 series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEW1966 Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Thank's Mr Earl ! I have a nos complete clutch in the box for a 1956. I amsure that it won't fit 1954, but I'll look in the Parts Books.Greg...NEW1966 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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