hey now.hoping someone has some exp. on a old buick.just got a 38 special.sat 25 yrs.,froze-up.i have it running good now.been driving it around.getting braver and braver,going farther and farther,until,i burned up the solenoid ,running on 12 v.now i have found out that was a bad idea.i would like to keep 12v ,but really like the pedal starter.any way i can have it both ways?????also found a 2/2 manifold ,and cant wait to hear duals on a stratght 8.never heard one before,but ive been told their awsome.i could use any advice from people with experience with the swap.im thinking with pipes,and a couple in drop,ill be luvin it.also like to know if i can get taller gears,in my stock rear .thnx for any help
I don't think the pedal operated starter switch itself is voltage sensitive. The starter solenoid is made to operate on a specific voltage, but usually a 6 volt unit will operate on 12 volts for many years...PROVIDED.....you are not having to crank and crank and crank to get the engine started. Also, those things wear out just from normal use and no telling how long since, if ever, yours was rebuilt or replaced. My point being, rebuild or replace your 6 volt solenoid and it should last a long time if you don't abuse it. As for the rear end gears, your should have 4.44-1 rear axle ratio if it is the original unit. A Century model of that era had 3.90 gears and the third member will fit your axle housing. However, Century rear ends from that period are not easy pickin' these days. Also, while 3.90s beat 4.44s, it's still too low for modern highway driving. I'll have to dig a little deeper for info, but I seem to recall a difference between Buick rear ends, starting about 1940 or '41. From that era up through '55 models, the third members interchange, although drive shaft/torque tube lengths are not the same and may require shortening. The upside is, there are as tall as 3.36 gears found in mid '50s Buicks. You can convert your Buick to open driveline, and use a rear end more suitably geared, but that gets into a whole rat's nest of problems where the transmission is concerned. I have a '38 Buick Special Coupe, so I can feel your pain 're the stock rear end. Ray
much apreciate the insite.after spending most of my sunday,sittin around in my underwear,watching football,i decided to go,at least bolt it back together,so it was in one piece.and at least i could short the sol. to start it.so for the hell of it,after instltn. i tried it,and worked better than new.i swear shes like cristeen,talk nice ,rub her a little and she fixes her self.that being said,ive had the fear of god ,put in me,and im about ready to go buy a 6v battry.like i said ,id sure hate t screw up the pedal starter.im not sure what gears are there,but it feels good at what i think is about 60 or so.but we all know ,people will kill you for only going 60,in a 55.seems to like gas a quite abit aswell.im thinkin it could pull 3.2 or so ,w ith no problems.seems to have crazy torque.hows yous feel??
I have a 1938 Buick special, and I have had 12 volt's on it for a good ten year's. No problem with the starter, and the horn's still work good, I say that because I heard you can't use the horn's.[/URL]
I ran a 49 Olds on 12 volts for some time. Was better for the starter as the engine started sooner. I don't think that is a problem. I can see lights and other things that wont last on 1 volts.
ive fixed the solenoid,and its working great now.the motor starts in about a 1/2 turn.but I was starting to panic when I couldn't find a replacement,and wasn't sure if I could.if someone would sell me one,so I had a replacement on hand ,id sure sleep better.not being able to drive over a sol.,is scary
Bill, the car is a manual trans.........worse comes to worse, you get a push and 'bump' start it in gear... us 'po boys learned that very early in our exposure to old worn out cars..... still applies now when an emergency occurs. Bet you knew that....jus' forgot Ray
im still moe comfortable with a stick , always. dont like to go down to the flat , cause i cant park on a hill . instead of getting a rolling start , i gota pay the bill !!!.sorry ,you probably dont listen to neil young?!?!?
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