For parts try
www.Bobsautomobilia.com
On Sunday, Feb 14th, I purchased a 1950 Buick Special Deluxe Tourback Sedan. It has had a lot of work done, including body and engine work. It needs a starter rebuild. I have never done one but a good friend told me shops who rebuild small motors can do this without blinking. I like the 6v original system and do not want to change it. Any suggestions? Also, where can I find proper engine specs and pictures. I think there are some lines missing, but am not sure. Also, where is the engine oil dipstick suppossed to be on this I8 engine, mine does not have one. Thank you to anyone who can help. I am great with V8's, but this is my first experience with an I8.
For parts try
www.Bobsautomobilia.com
Last edited by Straight Eight; 02-27-2010 at 05:15 AM.
Any good shop can make short work of rebuilding your starter. The dipstick is right above the starter motor; at least there's a hole there. These cars have no tube; the stick goes directly into the crankcase.
The information was really helpful. Bob's automobilia has so much compared to other places I have shopped. Also, thanks for the dip stick info and confirming the starter rebuild. This is the best site. Thanks again. Any other tid bits, heads up, or info to share is appreciatted. Thanks again!!!!!
Visit the reference page on this site for lots of good info!! link is below and at top of this page...
http://www.teambuick.com/index.php?page=reference
I have a '50 Special 4 dr. Fastback
Well, so far I got the starter rebuilt, function tested, and all for $50.00. That made me happy. The engine turned freely, so I started stripping her down for clean-up, maintenance, and serious inspection. So much was done half-a@#$%!!!!!! The carb looks to be in good shape, but no climatic control for the Carter WCD carb. Anyone know how I might go about getting that replaced or the parts. With the rest of the carb in this good of shape, I'd hate to not use it, but I cannot find the climatic control parts anywhere. Finally have an original radiator coming. That took way to long to find, and found it by luck!!!!. My shop manual finally arrived, and I cannot wait for my next days off to finish the stripping, re-painting, and reassembling. If you can believe it, half of the push rod retaining nuts aren't there!!! Nothing like missing really hard to find pieces. Will post some pics soon. This will be a wild ride. Thanks for all the tech help so far!!!! Also, any other carbs that can be used in place of the carter wcd original from a 1950 Special??? Advice will freely be taken and heeded. Good night to the Buick World!!!!!!!
I've picked up carburetors for parts cheap on e-bay. Just make sure the parts you want are there.
Temporarily (or permanently for that matter!) you could install a hand choke. Kits are dirt cheap!
Install a hand choke? I thought the climatic control on this was more than a choke? I would have no problem doing that, but I am a little fuzzy on how that would work. (That is nice talk for "Moron" Here!!!!) Anyhow, may have found the climatic control from a recent contact. But I would love more info on the manual "hand" choke idea. I am nostalgic so that is right up my alley. Thanks for the ideas!!!!!!!
That 'climatic control' is nothing but an automatic choke system, actually one of the better in use at the time (IMHO). Inside the housing is a bimetal spring connected to the choke butterfly on one side and the plastic housing on the other. A heat tube runs from the manifold up to the housing. Exhaust heat runs up the tube into the housing and causes the bimetal spring to expand. As the spring expands it rotates the choke butterfly from closed to open. The butterfly shaft is connected to a small cam that holds the throttle slightly open until the engine is fully warmed up and will idle at the lower setting. Somebody used to make a hand choke kit to replace the plastic housing, but, when properly adjusted, those automatic chokes were pretty trouble-free. Most of the problems were a plugged heat tube or a broken spring, either one easy to fix.
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