Just was given a 1955 Buick Century 4 dr sedan that belonged to a friends grandmother who bought it brand new, 52,000 miles. Has been sitting for 34 years on blocks in a garage, car is solid and needs TLC, before I get into all that, I want to work the engine and tranny over. Where do I start? Any help would be appreciated. I do ask for direction, although my wife would argue the point. Thanks

:wavey: Hey STUFFY,

I see that You are a NEW MEMBER

WELCOME ABOARD :thumbsup:

Congrats on Your New Project!

I have a little experience in this sort of thing, I bought a '56 Buick that sat idle for only 33 years.

Your lucky your wife says that you talk to yourself. After a year and a half mine tells me I'm playing with myself:laugh_4:

Prepare Yourself for the Best and the Worst

You have Yourself one fine classic automobile. The difference between a mid 50's Buic and a mid-50's chevy is that you have twice the car at half the price and a "Bow-Tie" in Your rearview mirror.

You have one Solid, dependable, bullit proof "Nostalgic Nailhead Engine"

If you ever saw a "Nailhead" dressed-up it is equivilent to a fine looking woman dressed up in that little red dress with heals!

Something to die for!

The Famous Buick Ride due to coil springs in the rear (all others have leaves)
Solid "X" frame construction. Power, Grace and Elogence!

First of all call Tom Telesco (Telriv) on how to go about Engine Preperation.
Tom has been cordial enough to give you an invitation and If I were YOU I woud take full advantage of this singular opportunity...NOW!

The Fuel in Your tank has to get dumped!

Like I said mine had gas in it fo 33 years and the 3 gallons I dumped out of it was pure lacquor. It looked like a combination of coffee and molasses.

You will have to refurb the tank (Tell you Later)

Fuel Lies will be clogged (Tell You Later)

You will need to rebuild the Fuel Pump. Todays Modern Fuels just eat-up the Tarpaper composition diaphrams of the original dual-action (gas/Vacumn) fuel pump.

Carb rebuild another must (35 bucks for a kit)

Dump the Anti-Freeze along with other fluids, its been sitting so long and it's corrosive as hell!

Brake Wheel Cylinders are probably burnt toast. (My Brake Drums are still Frozen/Rusted on)

Interiors can be purchased as a kit to do yourself from several Vendors/Suppliers Seats, Door panels, Carpets and headliners.

Pick-up Any/All available literature on you car that you can get your grubby hand on:

Service Manual, Chassis and Parts Book, Buick Parts Locating Guide. They will be great reference material. The BEST $Money$ you will ever spend!

Tell US More about You new Buick. Model Color (interior/exterior) etc and the story behind the story about how you came by your purchase. Inquiring minds want to know.

Get a Dedicated notebook to document transactions, questions and information and a section for parts and Vendors/Suppliers.

You will have to get organized. Brute Strenght and Ignorance won't cut the mustard.

Good Luck with your new project!

We are all here to HELP! each other!

You have come to "The Right Place"

Regards, :beers:

Tom Gallagher

I feel very fortunate to be able to discuss this project with other's that are excited for me. Presently I am trying to get items off the car and cataloged. I have a torn Rotator cuff and am having surgery next week, so I am trying to get something accomplished. I have removed the interior window guards, moisture got to them, not that bad actually. Tom, I have a note book and have been keeping a log, have taken a few pictures, surley not enough. I was having Dinner one night in December before Christmas with a few of our friends. I had met another gentleman through a mutual very dear friend, who was dining with us about 3 months prior to this meeting. As we talked and were enjoying each other's company and conversation, his wife turned to mine and asked if she wanted a Porsche for a dollar. Bill immediatley jumped in and stated, your not selling or giving away my car. These people are awesome, they are incredible people, that night we invited them to our house for a New Year's eve get together, 6-8 coupples with there kids, we have a wonderful time. I also love to cook, I did King Crab Legs and 2" Cuts of Prime rib on the grill, of course after they have been properley marinated and left out in room temp., until just before they turn, then Bam....on the grill, cut it with a fork. Well you see I have gotten off course. New Yrea's came and we were having a great time, I have a pretty good size garage, that kind of looks like it could be a Tavern and a shop, we enjoy beverages and cigars in this, my domain. WE got around to talking about my triumph and another project I am working on: 1966 Harley 50ms trail bike, very unique. First bike I ever rode. Bill looks at me and states I have a project at home too in his garage. He proceeded to tell me about this car his grandmother left him and the fact that he only drove it for 6 months prior to putting it away, to attend law school. I asked him what he was going to do with it, or if he wanted to sell it. Bill looks at me and say's, you will do a great job restoring it, just let me drive it once in awhile, it has sentimental value to it. So now I look at Bill and I state, how much you want for the car, He just Looks at me, smiles and say's....It's your's, I don't want your money, enjoy the car. Now I have not seen the car as of yet, but made arrangements to see it immediatley. I went to check out the car and was amazed at the shape, and again asked him if he wanted to get rid of it, he said take it. I called a flat bed and had it delivered to my domain the next day. Bill has been over a few times, I am always happy to see him, his eyes always sort of light up when he sees the car, and again the custom....talk about the car, smoke a cigar and have alittle Johnny Walker Blue. That Tom, is how I obtained the car. I have the original Bill of Sale along with all the reg. material since the was bought. Going through the car I also found two Texaco paper credit cards from 1955, 56. Kind of neat actually. I also have an original trash container that was given to her when she bought the car. The last tires were inflated and hold air in the tubes, The original tires are on the car along with the spare in the trunk. Bill was kind enough and also gave me the dolly's that the car had been sitting on all those years. I know I have alot of work ahead of me, have bought alot of air tools, due to my shoulder problem, I will be limited and only one armed for awhile, but you know....the beat goes on. I am pumped, I would use my feet if I had too. I have obtained alot of info over the web, print it and have started a file in the shop. It's actually very odd, I have my friends stopping over more often and we always end up in the garage. I love having Bill help me on this, I believe this is our car, not just mine. I told him that yes, the car would be our's, me holding the title, with of course Him getting the first right to refusal if (NEVER), I decide to sell it. My wife already states she is a Buick widow now. I want to thank you for your response and I will call you. You mentioned a Mr. Telasco I believe. I did not get any info on him as of yet, but look forward to hearing from him.
Tom thank you again and hope to hear from you soon. :thumbsup:

Can't help you at all Stuffy, just wanted to welcome you :waving: . Your story was really interesting and you sound enthusastic. May I wish you well with your project, and keep us up-to-date.

:wavey: Hey Stuffy

You will hear from Myself and others.

I already sent You a PM (PRIVATE MESSAGE) that contained some additional information.

Tom Telesco (telriv has already responed to one of your initial posts
and has offered to walk you through the motor process via the phone and supplied you with his number.:thumbsup:

You will be able to due a lot of footwok while your rehabing and hope everything goes well I understand that it is quite painfull.

Keep in touch,:beers:

Tom Gallagher:shield:

:waving: Hey Stuffy

I had a lot of information to assimilate but it's a Great story of how you acquired you own bit of Buick Nostalgia.

My car still has the inspection sticker from the last time it was registered 1970! There are Service stickers with mileages when the car was serviced all over the door jambs. I still have the original owners manaual in the glove box with hand entrys made, like even when the car was vacumned, washed nd waxed. I'm the second owner. The original owner managed a number of service stations in the area and was a State Senator who used the car only a few times a week to got to the State House about 6 miles away, with account for only 38084 miles on the speedo. The Interior is pristine, no one ever even sat in the rear seat. All the gages work, even the clock.The body however is a different story. The Red paint is faded and the white paint is checked badly. The Chrome is all pitted.. All the Stainless os in good shape and the sheetmetal is straight. The tank must have been full when parked, the remainder was about 3 gallons of lacquor sludge that "stunk" to high heaven. Needless to say I had to refurb the tank. I used the Por-15 kit. It took some time and effort and a few tricks which I had to improvise (assortment of Wire brushes and Extension on a drill attachment to scour the interior) which I would be more than happy to share with You or any other fellow members for that matter. The tank turned out splended! when finished it the inside surface looked like it was freshly galvanized. I purchesed new stainless steel fuel line from Inline Tube their service (3 days) and the quality of the product are exceptional (formed from original OEM specs.

The car still has the original dealer nameplate under the rear trunk emblem. The local Dealership was sold and moved a long time ago around 1972 and as far as it is known I have the only surviving car from that eastblishment.

Hope all goes well with your upcoming surgery. :thumbsup:

I understand that it is quite painfull and rehab is a real torment. It should prepare you for refurbing your Buick which of course is a real labor of love.

I have spent a considerable amount of time, effort and money on my car and nothing to show for it (as my wife says). Everything I have done can't be seen. All mechanical. The Frame and undercarrage has been completly ground down to bare metal and all tar undercoating removed and Painted with Por-15.

I can tell you how to rebuild a starter, generator and fuel pump. Next on the agenda is the Master Cylinder. A starter and Selnoid rebuild kit can be purchased from NAPA for about 31 bucks and can re refurbed in an afternoon along with a cigar and your favorate beverage.

While your recouperating check out e-bay for some good deal on "parts for the shelf"

or just "check-in" here for some guidence and support. You can learn a lot from other member experiences.

Wishing YOU "The BEST'

Regards,:beers:

Tom Gallagher:shield: