Finally got it! It was a cracked intake manifold. It was leaking coolant into the cylinders and totally trashed the spark plugs. I replaced them and it started right up. A GM mechanic suggested that...
Type: Posts; User: onetruerick
Finally got it! It was a cracked intake manifold. It was leaking coolant into the cylinders and totally trashed the spark plugs. I replaced them and it started right up. A GM mechanic suggested that...
I agree that it is time to take it to a shop. I didn't see any way to adjust either one of the sensors. The cam sensor inserts into a hole and one bolt holds it in position. No way to adjust it that...
The code reader still says 0 codes, which is to be expected, I guess. If I scroll on down through the output, after "Monitors", it says 4 ready - Fuel, Misfire, Comp and another one. If this was an...
Okay, I replaced the camshaft position sensor, and it did no good at all. I took the intake hose loose and sprayed some starter fluid in it, and tried to start it. Got a nice "Boom" from the intake,...
Hi Bob - I replaced the crankshaft position sensor, and it made no difference at all. Would you recommend replacing the camshaft position sensor now? I guess I am becoming a bit pessimistic about the...
You're right, there is a cam sensor. The crank sensor is behind the harmonic balancer, and I think it is more likely the culprit, especially if, as I suspect, the water pump has leaked. And if it did...
Thanks again Bob - Actually, I have tried starting fluid. It still just backfires and doesn't start.
I will look at the crank sensor (not sure if there is a cam sensor, but I will check). This car...
Thanks for posting, Bob. It seems to crank over at normal speed, and it had been well-maintained, although I don't know how many times the radiator had been flushed (I just got the car).
Since my...
My 98 LeSabre (3800) won't start. It had overheated when the radiator cracked, but ran fine after it was replaced. Today, I was driving it and it started running rough and lost power. Thinking it...
My 98 LeSabre (3800) won't start. It had overheated when the radiator cracked, but ran fine after it was replaced. Today, I was driving it and it started running rough and lost power. Thinking it...
It doesn't sound like a head gasket, but it is possible. I think it is more likely to be a cracked head or block, as you suspect. But even if it is a cracked block, all is not lost. My 1950 248 block...
Good point about the pushrod angles. The head would have to 'overhang' the block on the pushrod side the same way the hemi head does. If this were not enough, you could go with an intermediate shaft...
I have a pair of 1955 Chrysler Hemi heads. They have a square bolt pattern. If a person was REALLY determined, it would be possible to make 8 copies of a single cylinder's combustion chamber and...
Sorry, I don't know. He passed away in 1994, so I can't ask him. Could have been brass-based, but I don't know for sure.
If it is a crack in a water jacket from freezing, it is probably fixable. My 1950 248 had this kind of crack, under the intake manifold, about 10 inches long. My dad was a welder, and he actually...
This is a concept car engine that Ford showed in 1991 or so. This one is in a Contour concept car. Around the same time, Ford built another concept car that was a sporty two-seater with a transverse...
Let's assume that someone would be willing to craft a new Buick 8 head out of wax to use in a lost-wax casting. What would be required is someone with the ability to pour the melted aluminum and...
Have you tried taking the top off the carb and cleaning it with Gumout, especially the vents? I would also check the float - if it is sticking that will create the same symptoms.
If Buick had decided to continue the straight-8, a redesign would have been in order. The cars to come after 1953 would have lower hood lines, so the height of the straight-8 would have needed to...
In the hot rod/street rod world, there exists a thing called a 'phantom car'. This is an antique car that someone built when that model never existed in the first place. Here is my first shot at a...
I had this exact problem on an AMC Javelin. It was caused by a blocked vent inside the carb. I removed the top of the carb, cleaned everything with Gumout, put it back together, and never had the...
Dual-point conversion kits were available from the 50s until transistor and electronic ignition conversions became available in the 70s. I have never heard of one for the Buick 8, but since many GM...
Changing any main bearing will require removing the crankshaft, so if you can pull the oil pan with the engine in the car, and you have the car up on a lift, it might be possible. But you will...
I generally use the black high-temp silicone sealant. Starting with clean gasket surfaces, I put a thin layer of sealant on both gasket surfaces and then let it air-cure for 10-15 minutes before I...
I pulled the head off my 1950 248 back when I was a stout teenager. I lifted it off and put it back on without hurting myself, so I would say 75-80 lbs.