Early Differential Gears

[1918Buick]

I am trying to locate a good used ring and pinion set for a 1917 Buick D-45 (6 cylinder touring) owned by a friend of mine. I recently placed ads in the Bugle and in Hemming's. I'd like to know whether the 4 cylinder cars used the same rears- and also- how many years would interchange? I'm pretty sure the 1916 through 1919 6 cylinder rears will work. (When I brought my 1918 E45 home from New York State I purchased an extra 1919 rear axle- only to find it was hollow when I got it home and opened it up. It did have brake links which worked on my 1918- so it appears that it would have worked.) If any one has any ideas- or sources for parts- it would put another Buick back on the road. We had just fabricated a new leather cone clutch for the car- when - on the second test ride- the ring gear started losing teeth-the result- I think- of hard shifting with the previous bad clutch.

[Dandy Dave]

Sounds to me like you may have to have the gears made. I've seen this add in the Horsless Carriage Gazette. Maybe they can help. Industrial Sprockets & Gears, the Phone Number is, 562-921-7840. They are based in Santa Fe Springs. CA. Also you may want to consider the 1916/1917 Buick/ McLaughlin News Letter. C/O Dean G. Tryon, 2516 Laurelford Ln., Wake Forest, NC 27587. Someone in the group may have something. Good Luck, Dave!

[Mark Shaw]

The bad clutch probably had little to do with the rear end failure. It is more likely that the gears were improperly adjusted most probably after a broken axle was replaced. Your best and least expensive bet is to find a parts car. Try this link:

http://www.beaverheadriver.com/ranch/cars/index.htm