ventiports/portholes which way

[Guest my3buicks]

Here is a pic of the portholes I picked up for the Rendezvous - the directions tell me which way they go, but I thought I would get opionions to see what others think. They graduate in thickness from the rounded end being the slimest to the pointed end being thicker. Looking back over the years of portholes, it is questionable, especially when looking at the 61's

Thoughts?

[serb]

i THINK THE ROUNDED EDGE SHOULD BE THE LEADING EDGE WITH THE POINTED EDGE FOLLOWING. THIS WOULD LEND ITSELF TO SPEED AND THE NATURAL FLOW WHILE ROLLING DOWN THE ROAD.

Just a thought, just my opinion.

[The Old Guy]

I agree with Serb

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Unless you plan on driving it in reverse a lot, I agree, they're exhaust ports not air scoops. aren't i a smart***

[Guest Straight eight]

Here is the way I did em on my Rainier

[SBRMD]

I agree with the above, the "holes" should be "aimed" backward, to simulate exhausts, a la the Allison engines on the P-38 fight, after which portholes were originally designed....although, the original '49 portholes were symmetrical.

Straight Eight: Those look great. Serviously, all Buicks should have portholes (except, maybe, Centurions and Rivieras!)

Lamar: Too many asterisks?

[Guest my3buicks]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here is the way I did em on my Rainier </div></div>

Do you have the pointed thicker/wider end forward? Hard to tell in the pic

[Guest Straight eight]

Pointie end to the back. It just looks right.

After all 50,000 1957 Buicks can't be wrong!

EXCEPT this one

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Lamar: Too many asterisks? </div></div> So noted, and corrective measures completed...I guess I'm also a dumb***

[Guest my3buicks]

I felt the same way, pointy to the rear, but take a good look at the 61 Buick portholes and then it makes you go hhmmm

[Guest imported_Thriller]

Keith - you are making me question how I would go about it...and my '61 is about an hour away, so checking isn't easy (typically had it in a small garage, so I don't think I have any good photos).

Which ones are these portholes? I remember someone (wasn't it Lamar) putting the ones they got on a riding mower after being disappointed. We'd like to put some on the Rainier to dress it up a bit more.

Straight eight - what year is your Rainier? At first glance, I see your door handles are body colour, whereas on our '06, they are chromed.

[Guest my3buicks]

Derek, I got the "Heritage" edition set from the Sloan Museum, quality is very nice, many dealers used these to dress up there cars after the Park Ave came out with them a few years ago. Had them within a couple days after calling the order in. The set I had on the 02 where of even better quality, but cost twice as much also. I actually like the look of these better though. These come with mounting location instructions, etc. I liked the idea of whatever profit going to the Sloan also. Pick of Package attached.

[Guest Straight eight]

Took delivery on October 22,2004. One of the first out. Never again. Dont listen to what they say, give em a year or two before buying a new model.

[Buicks Rule]

Friend from Howell--what did you buy?

[Guest my3buicks]

here is the 61 portholes clearly showing the higher part of the porthole toward the front - so maybe it's whatever floats my boat when I put them on?? Putting them on this way would be opposit of the directions, maybe Buick di it wrong in 61?

[Guest Straight eight]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Friend from Howell--what did you buy? </div></div>

After one problem after another I took the Rainier back to the dealer and got a Park Avenue (with portholes that were added as soon as I got home). Best deal I ever made. First tank of gas was 35mpg. Winter driving not as good, but if on the highway even in cold weather she gives me 31mpg.

[Guest norb]

The gas milage on my Park Ave.got better after I put my portholes on too. Norb

[55PackardGuy]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">maybe Buick di it wrong in 61?</div></div>

Whatever Buick did in '61 it had to be right, just because that's the way they did it! I do believe that having the thicker part in front on the '61 example makes it look more like the intended "vent" than a "scoop." But you can't really make a direct comparison between old and new, because of the distinct teardrop shape of the new ones.

The designers of the add-ons seem to have hedged their bets. They look more like a vent with the point toward the back, but it might have completed the effect better if they had made the leading (rounded) edge the thick side, too.

I think the folks saying "the point goes toward the back" are right, but I also think you're right to question why the trailing edge is thicker that way. Since it's impossible to have them meet both these criteria--rounded and thicker in front--I'd say you're better off getting the outline shape right (point toward the rear) and not worry about the more subtle thickness aspect. Or... is it time to do some modifications?