OK, Posted about this car in the "newbie" area and decided to start recording the progress in this section. Today we were able to squeeze in a few minutes to tinker with the Buick. After removing the fan and shroud to get to the crank pulley we were able to break the engine free once again. Wasn't easy but it will now turn over with the starter. So now we will once again try to get it running. Hopefully we can get some more time in next week. In case you haven't seen the original post we are a chrome shop that recently bought this car. It had been sitting for several years and went without being started for at least 12 years. The last owner had owned it since 61 or 62. He purchased it from the original owner. A car club buddy told us about this car and after a few months we were able to go see it and decided to go ahead and buy it. It seems to be a very solid car from everything we could see. It was certainly a well taken care of car!
We were in the process of pulling the valve covers when time ran out on us. The power steering needs to be pulled to get the drivers side off. If our research is correct that area is where the "air ride" was but almost all were converted and in this case the power steering was put in that location during the conversion? Thus the issue with pulling the valve covers. Monday we should be able to get back to it. Thanks for the heads up though!
36 years ago, We had to rebuild ours due to; bent push rods, dropped valve, broken piston, scored cylinder wall. We sleeved the cylinder. It's been doing well now, for 36 years. That air ride system is most fascinating. Does your power steering have the compressor attached? The air ride compressor was Siamesed to the power steering pump. See Adam Martin's (Smartin) thread; http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=158120
Sure is a neat old car really made a statement back in the day. One of my teachers in high school had a white one, it was stunning! Never forget it. Mike D.
Air ride was completely removed years ago. Didn't have a chance to look at it today. Really hoped to but no luck. Hagerstown is located about 50 miles East of Indianapolis, IN. Here is a pic we took while picking it up.
If there are any of the leveling parts or valves left from the air ride system, clean them up and ebay them. They bring big money, even in average or unknown condition. I removed all of mine except the compressor (I think it looks cool), and sold it all on ebay to help fund this beast.
We will check to see if there are any components left on it. The compressor was already gone. I did manage to take a new picture of the 58.
hmmm when you are do recroming it....sell it to me (lol) Mary need a brother in the garage........ regards stig
Here is a post regarding cleaning and starting sleeping beauties up over on the AACA forums: http://forums.aaca.org/f162/nailhead-pan-clean-up-photographed-308763.html Hope this helps shed some insight into approaching this. David
That is a nice looking Buick!!! I have to get one... Oh wait we do! LOL. Unfortunately getting time to work on it has been scarce. As far as getting it running this year we are doubting it as focus has gone into making sure everything is ready when its fired up. New belts, hoses, gaskets, plugs, ect are being ordered. Also going to have the radiator recored since its the same one from 1958 and has sat for a good 12 years. No leaks though. It was full of bright green anti-freeze. Probably repaint a majority of the parts in the engine bay while we are at it. Hmm maybe even throw some chrome in the engine bay.
