finally got my transmission back. A little annoyed about two things. I specifically asked if the price they quoted me included rebuilding the torque ball and the guy said the price includes everything it needed. Well they didn't rebuild the torque ball I got that back in a box. Oh well I ordered a rebuild kit for it. Second they don't have the 3 open spots in converter for the flexplate to attach to in the right position. They have two open holes next to each other. Not big things just a little annoying.
These pics are from Google cause I'm not at home. Mine is basically like this except the flywheel I guess you' call it that the starter engages bolts to the converter with all those bolts around the outside. 3 of those bolt holes are for the flex plate to attach to. The open holes should be in a tringle like the ones I've circled. When I took it apart these open spots had studs coming through from the back side . the studs went through the flexplate and a but attached it all. When they put it back together they did not put the stud's back in I have no idea what they did with them. They also did not leave the correct bolt holes open for the flex plate to attach they left 2 holes right beside each other open then one oppsite that. Its not really a problem just a annoyance . I guess with how these are ballenced there 3 specific places the flex plate attaches to. It shows in the manual how to figure out which are the correct spots and I can just get some grade 8 bolts to attach the flexplate so not a huge deal
Got the torque ball all rebuilt and the trans and motor in. The trans mount I got from CARS was a real piece of precision engineering lol. Wasn't even close to fitting. Had to elongate the two end holes on the crossmember to get it to fit. Its all in though.
You're doing a great job. My dad gave me a 57 Century 4dr hardtop when I was 16 in '66. He bought a 57 Super 2dr hardtop to replace it. I really liked that car.
Holy shit boys the body is back on. Sprayed the underside with raptor bed liner and got it set back on. The rear end needs to come left a bit I think the panhard bar is bent. Is it supposed to have a bend in it like in my pic or be straight ? It had that bend in it when I got the car thought it might just be like that but the rear is deffinetly too far to the right side of the car so something's up.
Pardon my ignorance.Should not that rod be straight?Btw that Buick is sooo bad ass!Love how swoopy it is in the back!
Me thinks its bent too. The Roadmaster I posted pics of a while back has disappeared from town, or I would look at it. Someone on here will know. Looking really good. How did you like the Raptor?
The only reason I wasn't sure if that bar was supposed to be straight or not was cause the one in this car had that bend in it when I got it and the one on another car I pulled the rear end out for parts also had a bend like that. The guys over in the Buick section on AACA forum say it should be straight so I'll either try and find another one or make one. No big deal. The raptor liner seems to be pretty good. I'm probably going a bit over board with it by spraying the entire interior of the body , underside , inside of doors and fenders all that but I figure better to go over board on stuff now that's its all apart than to get it back together and have something rust out in a few years
Got the body all down to bare metal and got a coat of primer on it. Didn't want to leave it bare metal too long. Didn't mask off the inside cause I'm going to put another coat of raptor liner inside anyway . body work will start shortly.
Got the doors and fenders in primer. I'm really getting tired of sanding ! Got the doors and the fenders on. Everything is going together pretty well for just a initial test fit. It looks like a car again for now.
I really like Your progress so far, especially knowing how these are not exactly the easiest cars to work on.Two thumbs up!!
This is fun to watch. I had a totally stock 57 Buick with the 364 a few years back . Never had to touch it except drive it for about 5 years. Transmission never leaked. Would have never sold it but my daughter needed some money worse than I needed the car. It was a real joy to own.
These went on easy. In that picture they are pretty much just slapped on there with no real time spent aligning them or anything. For basically just putting some bolts in they aren't to bad. They will need a little adjusting here and there but so far better than I thought it would be.
Yeah some of the guys on the HAMB have a heck of a time getting the doors to close properly.You must have marked the correct position with a scratch awl before removing them.
Okay, I'll admit it, I'm a four door snob, two doors are just the right amount. That being said, I'm digging the way your Buick is coming along and eager to see the finished product. Good luck.
I'm normally the same way but I actually like 4 doors on this particular car and its a win win for me since I have kids. I have had people asking me why I'm putting so much effort and money into a 4 door . I've also had people think its cool too.
When I bought my 57 Century last fall I was looking specifically for a 4 door. The 4 door has the same lines and styling as the 2 door, the roof is the same, the only difference I can see is the added convenience of not having to squeeze back seat passengers through the front doors getting them in and out. Never could see the attraction most guys have for 2 door cars. I love 'em, but these big old boats will never be sports cars. 4 door cars are less in demand and that reduces the price a bit, so that's fine with me. You're doing a great job, I am thoroughly enjoying following along, thanks.
I'm curious what sort of cushions does the body sit on and did you replace them? My car is currently sitting in Spokane on a trailer behind my motorhome waiting for me to drive it up the Alcan Highway in a couple weeks or I'd look for myself. Left it there a month ago til the road is dry. Wasn't anxious to pull that 6500 pound (car and trailer) load through the Canadian Rockies when they were covered with ice, haha. Seeing your car all blown apart has answered a lot of questions I've had about mine. I shouldn't have to ever pull mine down like that, it's a 25,000 mile car in basically rust free condition.
there's a 2 inch square 1/2 inch thick rubber mount that goes between the body and frame and a 2 inch diameter 1/2 in thick circle rubber pad that goes on the bottom side between the bolt and frame then there's a metal core that goes in them to prevent squeezing it down to far. Yes I replaced all of them. I'm replacing or rebuilding every thing on the car. Any questions you have I can probably help you with I literally had every nut and bolt off the car.
Don't know about the body mounts, but all the door gaskets and every other piece of rubber I've looked at on mine is dead. Seen a lot of suppliers ads, so it looks like everything is available. Where are you getting your rubber?
I got the mounts and a lot of other parts from oldbuickparts.com also kanter.com and fusick.com have a lot of stuff.
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