Smoking Problem Cured with help from the BUGLE

[48Super]

I recently made the valve spring and seal modifications recommended by Bill Jasper in the February issue of the Buick BUGLE and the results were great,the smoking problem with my '48 56C has beeen eliminated. My engine had been rebuilt 12 years ago and has smoked when first started up ever since. Installing a second rebuilt head with all new valve guides etc. still did not cure the problem.

Using the method outlined in the BUGLE, you sustitute single valve springs for the original dual spring set up which allows seals to be installed on the valve guides. The new valve springs and seals fit perfectly and the job is not that difficult if you have the right tools. I made a very simple spring compressor tool which used a bolt at one end that threaded into the rocker arm support block mounting holes and I can supply a picture or sketch to anyone interested in performing this repair on their own car. The valve springs are NAPA #212-1084 (they fit 1959-1962 Chevy 235 6 cyl) and the seals are NAPA #216-1206 (they fit Chevy big block engines). It took about 4 hours to do the job and the engine runs great and the smoke cloud at startup is gone.

This is just another example of the value of belonging to a BCA. I probably would never have learned about this repair otherwise. Its great when "old time" knowledge get passed along. I hope this can be of help to other Buick owners.

[NTX5467]

Sounds great!

NTX5467