Projects 1949 Buick Sedanette Mild Custom Build

Damn...........

 

Different. First time, it was #2 intake. This time, it was #1 intake. Both lifters on either side looked great on the first one. I've not pulled #2 yet.

 

Well it’s not a bad block. That sucks! This shit that is going on with cams is totally out of control. It feels like the cam companies don’t care either. They get to sell more cams and lifters. I have to wonder if they aren’t doing this on purpose to sell more expensive roller conversion cams. Let’s face it, why sell someone a cam and lifters when you can sell someone a cam, roller lifters, pushrods and new valve springs. And at a higher margin too.

 

I hope you are running the engine in on a stand, and not going through all the work putting the engine in the car each time.

 

Im doing this with the engine in the car, Brian. ☹️

 

Well, well, well. As the NFL refs say, "Upon further review....." it appears lifters are at fault.

The lifter on the bad lobe on cam #1 had the check valve installed incorrectly.

When I removed the lifters for cam #2, they all looked good. No wear. I then noticed that #1 intake and #2 intake were dead. They had no springs in them!

So, it appears I can just replace lifters and put my intake back on. Of course, I have to lube everything up and go through break in again.....once I source another set of good lifters. I have 29 good ones but dont want to reuse them with this cam. Correct?

 

Wow, quality control at its finest. Sorry for your bad luck. But it’s still not right.

 

That's a real bummer having to do that twice working over freshly painted fenders. I feel your pain. Just think about how much fun it will be to finally drive your 49. Good luck, Brian

 

I am encouraged that my engine is going to live with the replacement lifters on cam #2. Unfortunately, my new power steering pump is bad and going to have to be replaced. I am replacing the front brake rotors in order to get rid of a high speed vibration. My fuel tank sending unit is not working properly. Also, I am trying to eliminate leaks in my A/C. The debugging list goes on. It seems to be impossible to get quality parts on the first attempt. I drove the car about 150 miles this past weekend. Stay tuned.

 

Drove the car! That is great, it has been a trying mission to get there. Feel for you buy glad you have been able to see the road pass by. What's up with the ps pump?

 

PS pump quits when it gets hot. It's slipping oil as the oil gets thinner. Had to be shitty manufacturing, probably too much side clearance on the rotor. I did everything right. I sold hydraulic equipment for 38 years. I know a little about how vane pumps work. Tuff Stuff is sending me a new one at no charge.and

 

This was not heat treating. This was improper assembly, both times..

 

Off the top of my head, a faulty power steering pump is something I never would have anticipated. At least the manufacturer is sending me a new one. In addition, my new tires are "unbalanceable". We will be talking to them tomorrow. The beat goes on.

 

Do you have a black cloud following you around? A lesser man may have given up and sold it by now. At least you got to drive it. Once it is all straightened out all these problems will be just a distant memory.

 

@rockable IMHO, now is NOT the time to buy a lottery ticket......

 

Times like these, are when I have to correct my wife when telling friends and family.."he just loves working in cars"..at times not so much.
Hopefully once sorted, you'll have a chance to enjoy your car.

 

Au contraire, now is the time to buy a lottery ticket in the hope of surviving the out of control inflation!

 

Curious if you have Cokers. Had them on my 52 Buick and switched to Diamond Back due to the Unbalanceable way. Expensive lesson I had to learn.

 

Yes but I also have them on 2 other cars. We are trying to work it out with them.

 

Sorry to hear of your engine problems, and the other stuff as wel...we all go thru it. IF you read the saga of my '55 Cadillac build, you'll remember toward the end of the first drive of 90 miles on the highway at 70 mph, my brand NEW Cadillac 500 ci engine spun a bearing...!!! It was back to the garage for me too...I was so mad at the car, it sat in the dark garage for two months before I decided to pull the engine and send it back to the builder...Debugging a new car is a whole new experience for any builder...you'll eventually get it on the road...good luck...!!

R-

 

I will, Roger. This ain't my first rodeo but it sure seems like my most aggravating.

 

Well, latest update is that the 2nd set of Coker Tires were no better than the first. After trying balance beads and Road Force Balancing, we gave up and ordered Diamondback tires made on a BFG TA Radial tire. The bad news is their lead time is 2 weeks WITH expedited service charges. I moved the car to the back of the shop. I will get the Plymouth ready to go to Columbus. Perhaps I will get to drive the Buick to Louisville.

The replacement power steering pump seems to be ok. The list is getting shorter but the wait is killing me.

 

This was the same issue I had with Coker and then DB. But I had to wait 4.5 months for my Diamondbacks. I will say this, they are worth the wait with zero issues.

 

There has been so much discussion of problems with Coker's here on HAMB that I ordered Diamondbacks a year or two ago. I didn't have a wait problem and they seem to ride good on the limited drive time I have done so far. I think you will find the switch worth while.

 

I think the problem with Cokers is that they are mnufactured out of this country, there is no 'quality control' on them when they are made. I had a set of Cokers on my '55 Caddy that a friend gave me--they lasted three weeks simply because they leaked under the whitewall. I've run DB's for well over 15 years now (I'm on my second set on the '55) - I put the old ones on my '48 Caddy now and STILL NEVER have problems with them...!!! Took the Cad to Salina last year with them on it...!!!

R-

 

Not to get us off track, but I was checking out your 48 at Salina and didn’t even realize it was yours! Very cool car! I hadn’t been to Salina in 10 years and have pics of your 55 somewhere from that one.

 

Good to know, Roger. Thanks. Have you posted a build thread or any updates on the '48?