Just picked up a fluke of a find and would appreciate any knowledge anyone has. Never had the occasion to work with a Buick. Whats the line on the straight 8? After 6 years sitting? I think these came with the Dynaflow transmission and torque tube drive, which wouldnt it mean the rear axle is integrated with powertrain and is not replaceable by anything else? So replacing any part of the drive train means re engineering the whole thing? The rear suspension is by coil springs with no control arms or trailing arms? My head is reeling. I appreciate anything you got for me, ahead of time.
oddly, you've posted 3 times and i caused one of them and am responding to the other 2. my wife doesn't drive stick shifts and wants an automatic ****** in her '53 buick. it's currently a 3-sp column shift manual trans. i've done a lot of research and asked a lot of questions. my solution is to replace the entire drivetrain: 455/700R4 (with adapter); open driveshaft; 10 or 12-bolt rear; new springs/shocks/mounts. this appears to be less expensive and easier than adapting an auto trans to the straight-8 and enclosed driveshaft. of course the fact that i just happen to have a 455 and a 700R4 in the collection of "to be used at some point" parts helps.
I have a 51 special model 48D. the only upgrade i did was swap out the S8 for a 322 nailhead. if you need any info on it i have an original service manual and could look things up for you..if i figure out the scanner might do that as well. luck..valvenut
I am preparing to do something similar on my '40 Super Coupe. I have spent a great deal of time considering my options for the rear suspension once the torque tube is gone. In my case, I have decided to use the so called "truck arms" aka "trailing arms", that were used on '63 upward Chev/GMC pickups. They are long control arms that bolt to the open drive axle of your choice and angle forward toward the center of the X member where a suitable crossmember/bracket must be located to anchor them. The original coil springs and 'track bar' aka 'panhard bar' can be adapted to the new rear end. In my opinion this is the least fabrication and/or alteration needed to accomplish the goal. As for the transmission, if you keep the straight 8, an adapter is available from Bendtsen's in Minnesota for any Chev pattern automatic of your choice. I would recommend either an aluminum Powerglide, TH350 or 2004R, due to space limitations and any of the three are adequate for a straight 8 like yours. You have either a 248 or 263 cube engine. The trailing arm setup I am describing is somewhat similar in appearance to the stock setup with a couple of important differences. The angled arms you will see under your Buick do not carry much of a load. The main load is carried by the torque tube, so DO NOT plan on reusing those arms. The second is, they attach to the torque tube, which will be gone in the new configuartion. (actually reverse those 1st & 2nd) If you decide not to use the original str 8, all the rear end advice above still applies. You just don't need an adapter. Use whatever automatic comes with the engine of choice. Ray
I also have a 1951 Buick Special 45R from 1951 with Dynaflow (2 speed) and it drives really well, only handling with bias tyres above 70 miles per hour is scary (maybe due to neglecting it for years), but engine and dynaflow even stock are great and really smooth.
Thanks for taking the time fellas this is some great insight, and it echos some of what I turned up today. And the buicks.net has already helped, thanks valvenut.
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