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In this Discussion
- 46HudsonPU October 2012
- Jon B August 2012
- Lee ODell August 2012
- mars55 August 2012
- MikeWA October 2012
- s10pos86yahoocom November 2012
- Tallent R November 2012
1959 buick invicta
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My Dad and I just bought a 59 Buick Invicta with a 401 nail head. Is the motor worth keeping or should we put a new one in. Were not too worried about keeping it a numbers matching car, it would be nice but we're looking for a driver not a trailer queen.
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The stock 401 nail head is rugged dependable engine. If you are looking for a runner, it would be fine.
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Just found out today that the engine is locked up. Started tearing the grille and front sheet metal out so we can get the motor out. I need to find some prices on a generator, and power steering pump. I've looked on www.rockauto.com but could only find seals for it, any ideas on were i can find parts?
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I recently inquired about rebuilding my generator and to my surprise it was almost double the cost of buying a alternator. I bought the alternator. No more worries about possible future generator or regulator problems which have become another costly item.
Lee O'Dell -
For the power steering pump try Lares Corporation. See link.
http://www.larescorp.com/
Generators generally can be repair locally. -
I talked to some guys at work and they've Rebult generators for there own cars so I might go that route. If we keep the 401 i want to keep it looking orignal but an alternater may be the the way to go.
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Well, if you want to keep it looking orignal and run an alternater, they do make alternaters that look like generators. The only problem is they are pricey. See link.
http://www.familycar.com/store/?N=1585+9831+4294962550+9176
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I sense that you may be new to this "old car" thing, when you ask where to find parts. Have you tried Hemmings Motor News (you can subscribe to the paper or on-line edition, or view the month-old online edition at www.hemmings.com ). This is known as the ''bible'' of the old car hobby, in terms of finding parts. You may also want to join a club devoted to your particular make of car, which will be able to offer you a clearinghouse of technical and parts information. In your case I believe it is the Buick Club of America, and they are on-line.
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I am very new to this old car thing. The painting of the car i have no problem with its the mecanical thing that has me stumped. My dad joined the buick club of Flint so we might be able to get some info from them. We also have a book on the Invicta that the dealers used that was pretty usefull. We pulled the accessories off the motor today and started unhooking the trans. today. I've never seen a trans like that before. dose anyone know anything about torque tubes?
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The motor is out and almost ready to be sent to get rebuilt, the trans i'm gonna have a buddy look at but now i need ideas for colors, i'm thinking red with a white top and a red\white interror any one else got ideas for colors?
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I like your color choices. while in high school my friends dad bought him a new 1959 Ford with top that retracted into trunk. It was red with white top and red & white interior. It was a very good looking car and the girls liked it to.
Go wtih what you like and you will be happy.
Lee O'Dell -
I'll let Dad know, don't think Mom will be really happy with that.lol I seen an old plymouth that was mulan rouge not sure if a that color would look good on a car that big but its always an option.
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We got the motor pulled out, the intake is full of rust, one piston has a whole in it, the good news it that the main bearings are free but the crank won't turn so i'm assuming that the pistons are froze in the cylinders. We found a chevy 350 out of a truck for about $300, not sure if it would be cheaper to put that in or have the 401 rebuilt. I'm pretty sure the trans. wont bolt to the 350 and I would have to fabracate new motor mounts.
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Fix the nailhead or replace with a 350? Depends on your intent for the car - Do you intend to 'show' the car? If so, take that into account for the rebuild of the engine/trans...
Remember, the Buick is a GM, and the more common parts may be interchangeable between brand names... -
There is a company called Kanter that has all the engine parts fo old cars. The parts may sound expensive but its almost always cheaper in the long run to fix whats there. I realise there are exceptions to that but I am speaking in a general sense here. For example once you get into it there is allways something unexpected that rears its ugly head.
For example me and my brother once took the 454 out of a 74 Monte Carle (bad motor). And installed a 250 Chevy 6 cyl. engine (free motor) . An unbelievable bolt in replacement ,everything fit . Even the long radiator shroud turned out to be a stapled on extention to the standard one. Remove it and its perfect for a 6 cyl. length. motor mount perchs were in right place , all looked good .
Problem came in operating the thing down the road . Turns out the power steering pump pulley just didnt quite line up right. Very , Very ,Close but off just enought that the belt would only last a few weeks .
I never could find the right brackets to make it line up right. I'm sure there was a solution but I was a lot younger then and ended up just selling it,
RogerRetired Tech. -
Not familiar with the running gear on a '59 Buick, but '55 had a torque tube driveline, and since you're asking about torque tubes, I'm assuming yours has one, too. If so, it will be virtually impossible to adapt a Chev 350, unless you also replace the transmission, driveline and rear end. Only possibility would be to adapt the Chev engine to the Buick transmission, and since Buick and Chev used completely different transmissions in those days, they almost surely will not bolt up. I would sure investigate how to adapt the engine to the transmission before going forward. Pretty sure there are no commercially made adapters available- never was a demand for them.
I've done some of this kind of stuff, and my recommendation would be to fix the 401. Much easier, and will maintain the value of the car. -
We took the motor to a guy I use to work with he said the motor won't be that expencive to rebuild and I might be able to trade some labor for it. Kantor makes a master rebuild kit for the 401 but we won't need a new crank. Now that we have the motor figured out we will be starting on the interior next were gonna need new door pads, seat covers, carpet and a package shelf i'm gonna try to paint the dash.
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I dont know the condition of your door panels but you may be able to use vinyl paint on them .
RogerRetired Tech. -
The door pads are in pretty bad condition, the backer bord on the back two got wet and swelled up and the vinyl on the front is ripped and torn. I'm pretty sure i can change the seat covers or just put slip covers on them for now but we need to replace the door pads and package shelf.
