2014-02-11 56X Buick

Subject: 56 X BUICK SESSION FEB 11 2014

VOLUNTEERS - Al Batts, Jim Baker, Jerry Bush, Del Carpenter, Ken Tuinstra (no longer a guest but one of us!), Connie, Dick S., Ryan DeVries, Don F., Don M., Art Miedema, Chuck Snow.

Again we had a great work session with lots of activity. The first four photos shows our new volunteer for the 1956X Buick project taking on a job that I thought I might have to do as no one wanted to tackle it. Ken is an electrician and he also helps his friends when they want to upgrade one of their old cars by adding all that fancy stuff that lots of folks do today. We simply needed an electrician to recreate the relay system that was needed to power the two front bucket seats with all their motions along with the rotating seat motors. We had to get the package that Jim Baker has been working on small enough to fit within the confines of the seat itself. Ken volunteered to take the electrical on. The photographs tell it all.

Al as usual does a wonderful job in the documentation with his camera.

Photos #4 & #6 shows part of the manifold that Don F. has been preparing for the final bead blasting. This is a big job but Don has really been getting these components ready.

Art and Connie have finished painting all the convertible top metal components the original blue. They have also painted the steering wheel column the original blue which is another different color blue.

We are starting to call this cars the "blues car" because of all the shades of blue on the car.

Jerry and Del have been working on the 1917 Buick replumbing the fuel system to fit a Zenith Carburetor. The local engine builder, Casey, has declared that the original Marvel is not repairable. Casey had a used Carter BB-1 but it was only good for parts as it had a cracked case due to freezing. Del came over during the week and he managed to get the Buick to run for about 5 - 7 seconds but there is still a fuel issue?

Ryan DeVries, Roger, and myself traveled to the Buick Gallery the previous Saturday to do some more measurements on the two 4 Carter Side draft manifold cars at the Gallery. For a change the roads were safe for traveling. We did sort out some issues and avoided some future problems by making that trip. Again, lots of photos and measurements.

Chuck and Dick S. worked on putting together a box to send to our chrome plater. We also must repair some pieces prior to chrome plating. Chuck is making progress on the consoles at home.

There is a following e-mail on this work session with more photos.

Don