ClassicCar

I have a 1953 Buick Skylark that I am slowly (very slowly) restoring. The chassis is done, but the front suspension still needs to be assembled. I have some questions that I hope someone here on the forum can answer:

1) I have been told that there is a flat leather piece (gasket) that goes between the front brake backing plate and the rectangular flange that protrudes into the brake shoe area (I wish I had a picture of the flange to attach here). On a Roadmaster that I dis-assembled long ago, there was a thick oily gasket in this area. But again, I have been told that it should be leather. Can anyone verify this? Since this is a rare Skylark, I want to do everything right. I even went to the extent of having these parts re-silver cadium plated. I had heard there was a guy in middle or northern CA that sold these, but don’t know who that is.

2) On the subject of gaskets, does anyone know if there is a gasket that goes between the frame and the front hydraulic (knee action) shock?

3) Is there a rubber type gasket that goes between the front spring lower coil and the A-frame? I know that there is a thick round gasket that rests between the upper coil of the front spring and the frame.

4) The front coil springs I have are p/n 1335808, but I don’t know if these are the correct springs. The Skylark of course, is a convertible, and these may have come from a 1953 RM Hardtop (long story…). Does anyone know if these are the correct p/n for a ’53 Skylark?

5) Actually, I would like to purchase NOS springs for the car. Especially, since everything else is either new or rebuilt. I have been unable to find any. Although. I did find some places that will cut new ones to order. I looked at comments on the AACA forum though concerning these suppliers, and there were a lot of comments… a few good and more than a few not so good. Can anyone comment on where I might get NOS springs, or at least locate a good supplier that will make a set?

6) One final question; does anyone know if there is a supplier that sells the shims, which are used for proper alignment between the enclosed driveshaft and the transmission?

Some of the questions that I am asking, I could answer myself if I had a parts catalogue for the car, but I have never been able to find one. So, if anyone can help with any information I would greatly appreciate it. I used to belong to the Buick Club, but no longer do. So that source is not available to me at this time.

Thanks in advance for any comments or information,
Michael