Projects 1949 Buick Sedanette Mild Custom Build

When I bought this car, I bought it sigh unseen about 5 or 6 years ago. I named it Big Bertha as soon as I saw it. It had been "hot rodded" with a 74 LeSabre as the donor car back in the 80's. I guess they felt obliged to use every piece they could from the donor car, so here is what I've encountered as I started peeling the onion.

First, when I first drove it, it was scary. The rear axle was a "triangulated 4 link" that was robbed from the LeSabre, I presume. But since the suspension wouldn't fit under the 49, they shortened the arms and welded an angle iron cross member in to provide a forward attachment point for the upper links. The axle moved around a lot and when you hit a dip in the road, the driveshaft hit the angle iron. I installed a 4 link rear with coilovers to cure that problem right after I got it.

It still didn't drive particularly well as they had put a GM power steering gear in it, again I presume it came from the LeSabre. The steering was really SLOW. Going aroud a mild bend in the road required major steering wheel input and it took some getting used to, especially after getting out of a quick steering car. Also, they used the 455/TH400 transmission and the crossflow radiator on the "build".

This past week I decided it was time to strip the old girl down and give her a proper rebuild and make her into a car I can drive on long trips. So this build will include some non traditional elements and will be a mild custom.

Here is what I encountered as I removed the front end. The original core support which holds the entire front end up had been cut off below the bumper filler panel and the all of the weight was being held up by the bumper mounts and that sawed off core support. The cross flow radiator had become a stressed member and was holding the front end together, side to side. So, I'm going to have to reconstruct mounting points for the front end as I do this build.

Next, once I got the sheet metal off, I could see that they had notched the DS frame rail in half to accommodate the GM steering gear. Not only that, they also torched out the diagonal brace from the frame rail to the crossmember. Jesus, I'm glad I hadn't really studied this beforehand!

Given the state of the front end and the lousy way it drove, I felt that a total front end replacement was the best solution. So, I ordered an OT stub from FatMan and will be installing it. Before I could do that, I had to cut the "reinforcement out of the notched portion of the frame and rebuild it so that I could attach the stub. That is where I am at this point.

Overall, this old car is in really good shape. This biggest body work will be replacing the inner and outer rockers, I think.........but you really never know.

 

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Scary looking "mods" they did! Got any pics of the car itself?

 

I put a 78 Trans Am front clip in my 49 Super. Fit in there perfect, and steers and rides great.

 

Before pictures.

BJR, I looked for a subframe but had trouble finding one with rear steer. I have one under my 48 Buick Convertible. I just decided it was cleaner and easier to go this way.

 

Mine is not rear steer, and it fits together just fine with a little trimming.

 

Beautiful car. Fatman has a great product, you will be happy with it. Just don't show to many pictures of it on here. They really hate when you do that! lol But rules are rules. Larry

 

Great looking car!

 

Wish I would have started with a car as nice as yours.

 

They are hard to find!

 

40's-50's Buicks are so cool.

 

I sure like them and so do people attending car shows!

 

40's and 50's Buicks get everybody excited.

 

Beautiful


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Looks awesome to me... great car

 

So, today I worked on the radiator and core support. Like Walt ( Fat47) I elected to use the Walker radiator condensor combo. (Darn, that copper and brass is heavy!) In order to clear the condensor, I had to modify the core support. I had an extra hacked up core support, so I used the cross member off of it to accomplish my mods. I made some 1 3/4" spacers and just welded them on.

Here are some pictures. You will notice the core support is asymmetrical. It does fit the radiator, however, so I guess it is correct. Fitting the sheet metal is going to be fun! Not!

 

Yea, I found out the radiator is off to one side of car for the straight 8 to center the fan. I moved my aluminum radiator to the side to help center it so the 472 fan would pull air through the core.

 

I may use an electric fan, so it won't matter.

 

Today was finish installing the drivetrain day. My buddy Frank gave me a 700R4 in exchange for helping him out with his Square body truck. Pretty good deal for about 2 hours work. It may not be rebuildable because it was full of water when he got it but it served the purpose of helping me fit my mounts.

First, installed a TransDapt adapter to mate the 455 Buick up with the 700R4. It's a well engineered adapter with everything you need.



Next, I fixed the OE crossmember. It had lots of holes in it. The pictures are self explanatory but not in order.



Next, I made my brackets to connect the frame to the OE engine mounts. They are 12 bucks each and easy to adapt to, so I used them. I simply drilled a hole in the 1 1/2" X 3" tubing, then sawed off half of the hole. A small pie cut on each side allowed me to taper the tubing to the pipe. After welding it up, I fitted it to the frame and welded them on. Everything is hunky, dory.

Next up will be assembling the from suspension and then fitting the sheet m metal. Fortunately, another buddy, Richard, is an expert at this and volunteered to help me out.

 

Yesterday, my buddy Richard came over and helped me piece the front end back together and help reconstruct the mounting. After getting it set up on blocks, getting the gaps right and checking for squareness, I came up with a design that is stronger than the factory and will allow me to get rid of the OE inner fenders and replace them with some that allow me more room for the A.C. compressor. It hangs off the passenger side of the the engine, outboard of the alternator. It's not like a SBC, so I need the room more than I need the fresh air vents! I will cover both sides of the mount with 18 gauge sheet metal to box it and make it very strong.

I had to move the core support cross member a couple of times and I changed the design to allow me more flexibility. I will post a picture of it later.

 

After convincing myself I had everything figured out and located correctly, I blew it apart again today for final welding on the core support crossmember, fixed the bumper holes, reinforced the core support to handle side loads and boxed the new side supports. I ran out of welding gas, so I should finish up tomorrow and then reassemble again. This should be much stronger than the original.

 

Looks can be deceptive, that's a good looking car and they cut corners like that. Anyway it's in good hands now and is a lot safer. It will drive, steer, stop and handle a LOT better. I've installed OT suspension in my 46 Olds and will modify the OEM inner fender baffles to hide the upgrade and keep the engine bay clean and tidy. Love that original look.

Talk about an agricultural and unsafe adaption of a PS box and relying on that thin section of frame behind the box just defies belief. Even the upper shock absorber mounts leave a lot be be desired! Yikes



Have you considered some additional gussets to tie the engine mounts to the frame top face as Buicks like Cadillac's are know for their weight and torque. It would spread the load better IMO and fulcrum affect with current single supports either side.

 

Yes, I plan to gusset the engine mounts before I'm done. Thanks.

That is a scary way to add power steering, isn't it?

 

Here is a sneak peek at my new inner fenders. I made some wire forms and then made a pattern of poster paper. The pattern is ugly because it got cut and taped up a lot but it did it's job. The inner fender still needs a little trimming and some mounts added but it's close.

 

Both sides are done, except for a few little brackets. Making the pattern was the hard part. Since the car is basically symmetric, it worked for both sides. It ain't pretty but it works.

 

Just found this thread; it is looking great. You're taking your time and thinking it through, would have been nice if the previous owner had done that, huh? How about some pics of the whole car?

 

Man, I like your Buick and your ideas and work!

 

Post #5 has a couple of shots.

 

In an attempt to hide parts of the OT suspension, make the engine bay look clean and keep the road rain out, I made the first of 2 covers to go inside my inner fenders. This crap takes time but makes a difference in the finished product. No hurry......

 

Very nice work.. Beautiful car.. Keep it going....