Alright, so my 1955 Buick Special fires up. I've rebuilt the carburetor and fuel pump and cut and flared some new hardline. I hooked up a rubber fuel line from an old boat motor and was able to get her to suck gas through the fuel pump from an external can. So, check check. I've dropped the gas tank and it looks pretty cruddy but I'm going to see if it can be saved. If not, new tank, sending unit, straps, bolts, etc. Once the tank is installed and I'm ready to fill her up, should I be putting in any additives? I usually buy regular 87 octane fuel. Thanks in advance. Also, is there anything special I need to do with the oil bath air cleaner? The mesh looks a cruddy, but not terrible. Wasn't sure if I could just add oil and be ready to re-install.
Original CR was 8.4:1, so you should be fine on 87. Personally, I would move to a paper element. Not that an oil bath can't be refurbished, but some designs require surgery to open up to thoroughly clean.When did Buick move to non-oil bath AC's? Buick was done with oil bath AC's by at least '58- perhaps you could find a slightly later air cleaner that takes a paper filter (if you could find what's sure to be an obsolete size).
For the fuel, if the car is going to be sitting around a lot (not regular driving) while you're fixing things, then I suggest finding some non-ethanol gas. I have some in my Malibu that is now 14-months old and it still fires right up.
