Rebuilding the 1949 Buick 248 Straight 8 Engine

NEW PERSPECTIVE ON AN OLD ENGINE

1949 Buick 248 Straight 8 Rebuild

Most people have never seen inside a straight 8 engine. Although this isn't the first one we've re-built at Driven Restorations, we are the FIRST to dig into THIS particular ALL ORIGINAL Buick engine and the photos in this blog post let you see it first hand. 

It feels like opening a time capsule as we excavate to the depths of the engine, revealing parts that haven't seen open air since being pieced together on the assembly floor in 1948.  

RESCUED AT LAST!
The '49 Buick emerges from storage

Those very parts transported the Buick's family all over Oklahoma, coating her undercarriage in layers of clay and speckling her body with dings along the way. We've been told a few stories hinting that there may have been some shenanigans resulting in a couple of LARGER dings and one particular joy ride ended in her engine to running low on oil (was it low or empty?). The Buick's original 248 never ran the same again. It seemed her fate was to remain shoved, nose first, in the storage garage. 

Lucky for us, she was rescued.

 It's hard to believe, but members of the very same family who enjoyed this Buick for decades not only kept the car, but they've decided to honor her with a frame off restoration at our shop!

She will be GLORIOUS 

In the photos that follow, we take you from tear down through a fresh coat of paint as we meticulously re-constructed the heart of the '49 Buick, it's original 248 Straight 8. 

Mopar Metal Repair 1970 Road Runner

Every once in awhile we stumble across an "original" car, which isn't quite as un-molested as we were led to believe. Unfortunately this very low mileage B-body Mopar had some hidden history despite rarely seeing the road. 
The owner of this 1970 Plymouth Road Runner did in fact know about the previous repairs in the lower quarters, however, the rocker panel was a surprise. 1" of mud is NOT how to repair major damage. Ever. No excuses. Here we take you step by step through the repair process, to correct a horrendous repair job done several years ago. 

1970 Plymouth Road Runner being mechanically stripped of all paint

The work is just getting started. Continue reading...

1968-1970 B-Body Mopar Windshield Replacement

1970 Road Runner

1968-1970 B-Body Mopar Windshield replacement

In the event that you have to replace your windshield on your 1968-1970 B-body Mopar, you need to know what you're getting into before getting started. This is a step by step guide to the process of replacing or removing and reinstalling the original glass. 

In our example, this 1970 Plymouth Road Runner was receiving a complete paint job with interior and exterior color change. To paint a car properly, the windshield must be removed. 

Read on for our step by step process of handling the windshield. 

BEFORE: This 1970 Roadrunner will receive a complete interior and exterior color change and the vinyl top will be eliminated

Before: Existing trim and glass

Before: Existing trim and glass

1. Remove the existing stainless trim around the windshield. Careful not to bend or crease your trim, look at the clip type and location(more photos later in this post), and use a clip removal tool (looks like a forked pry bar in most cases) suitable for your application.

2. Remove the windshield gasket and glass. It is likely that you will need to cut the rubber weatherstripping gasket that is holding the glass in place to remove the glass without breaking it. There are a variety of tools made for this purpose which will allow you to cut the gasket without gouging your windshield. 

NOTE- Save any and all clips that are screwed into the body of the car which hold the trim in place. You will need these or their replacements. 

1973 Pontiac 400 Built for HP and Fun!

Years of storage and memories on the road have this 1973 Pontiac Grand Am showing it's age with a moldy and mouse infested interior and worn out smog motor. It pulled into the shop running on 7 cylinders with a plume of blue smoke behind it. This wasn't quite what the owner remembered enjoying about the car when he first got it in the mid 70's.

 It was quickly decided that a complete mechanical overhaul was a necessity. With orders to add a lot more power, enhance handling and freshen the interior, we began tear down on this customer project in the summer of 2015. It's going to be a sleeper, keeping the original look and paint of the classic Pontiac. The Hooker Aerochamber mufflers and new Crager wheels are the only hints at what's hiding under the hood. 

BEFORE: 1973 Pontiac 400 smog motor, stock

BEFORE: 1973 Pontiac Grand Am: broken front facia

The seats have seen better days. Mice and mold are eating the upholstery away bit by bit. All new interior is on  the way!

Let the work begin!

Engine is removed and mechanical dis-assembly is under way

Glass Replacement: 50's Ford Pickup

So you've got a broken vent window and you need to save the vent window frame... Now what?  

1954 F100 Broken Vent Window w/Broken Glass

There are no vent window frames available, and the ones on the truck aren't "terrible", so really you could get by with the existing equipment if you could just replace the glass. But how do you get the glass out of the frame?

You could call the glass company. 

They would be more than willing to help you out, and charge you for it.

You could check the forums for repair ideas...but that's probably why you're Googling it right?

Well we found suggestions for the glued-in glass on this  '54 Ford F-100 such as:

"break the window and then dig it out"

"Call the glass company"

Are those your only choices?   No.

We found a much easier solution than breaking  the glass and leaving a mess behind OR paying the glass company.

Classic Auto Repair: Who Do You Trust?

The Classic Mechanic Showcase

If you need a mechanic for your classic car, who do you call? It's not the dealership. Our customer's have trusted us with their investments, family heirlooms and childhood dreams. The next time you need mechanical repairs on your classic car or truck, call someone you can trust! We promise, we won't leave swirl marks in the paint, or grease on the upholstery. We know what that vehicle is worth, both in dollar value and history.

This video features some of the wide variety of cars and trucks that Driven Restorations has had the opportunity to rebuild and enhance over the years we have been in business. Some are fully original restorations, while others are "built to order" for performance. 

What would you build?

Thank you to our customers!  

drivenrestorations.com

Mopar Window Repair/Replacements: 1970 B-Body

 If you need to replace the weather stripping or seals on your windows in a 1970 B-Body Mopar, and you're wondering how in the world the vent window fits back in the door properly, there is little hidden trick.

 There is a screw behind the rubber on the vertical vent window channel. When the screw is removed, you can pull the vertical piece of the vent window outward, just enough, after the whole assembly is in the door, to allow for installation of the door glass and glass guides.  See photos below.

1. All glass and trim removed from the car. The vent widow was cleaned and inspected.  This car, a 1970 Roadrunner, received all new glass channel run, felt, glass guides, hardware, and weatherstrip. You will need a phillips head screwdriver and likely PBR or WD40 to get the screw to loosen.