StephentravellingtheUSA
Buick Newbie
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2014
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- Location
- Australia
- Buick Ownership
- 1976 Buick Electra 455 Limited Landau 2-door Hardtop
I'm an Australian who has bought a 1976 Buick Electra Limited 2-door Hardtop to travel America in. It is in really excellent condition with 58K miles on the clock. I have done all the preventative maintenance on it that I can think of inc changing all fluids; flushing of the radiator, block and heater core; replacing all belts and hoses; replacing brake hoses; replacing all filters; replacing all tires; replacing the exhaust with a freer flowing twin system.
As this is my first Buick I need some info though on a few things:
1) The steering is somewhat vague - more so than I feel comfortable with. I don't think it's wear in the steering box as small movements of the wheel do lead to small tire movements - I think it's because Buick put lots of turns lock to lock in the steering box so the steering effort would be very light. I'd rather a less vague driving experience. Is the box adjustable that some of the vagueness may disappear, or is there another steering box from the GM stable that could be put in to give more precise steering?
2) The point above has not been helped by the fact that I've just found out that the tyre dealer who put on the new 235x75x15 A/S tyres has only put 30psi into them. Given the car with a full tank of fuel weights virtually 5000lb this would account for the tire squirm I was also experiencing. I'm going to put 44lb in the front and 40lb in the rear (I'm assuming a 60% front / 40% rear weight distribution given the 455ci). Is this too high - I don't want to overdo it and wear out the centre of the tires prematurely?
3) I replaced the original front shocks because they did little to stop the front-end doing a pogo, with Monroe Sensa-trac shocks thinking with their variable valveing, that they would be a good choice. They do control the front-end much better, but still aren't great - I suspect they aren't up to dealing with the mass of the front-end. Any suggestions for a shock that will control the front-end bounce much better but still maintain a comfortable ride?
4) I am long legged. With the seat back as far as it can go and if I drive without boots on I'm reasonably comfortable but would like to improve my driving position if I can - I'm wondering if anyone knows of another model car I could get longer rails out of. I'd like to pick up something round 2" of extra rearward travel, if I can.
5) Lastly, timing. It has been suggested to me that the manufactures suggested timing is not ideal and that removing the vacuum advance hose and blocking off both the advance and the hose and setting the advance to between 30 & 36 degrees BDC is the way to get best performance and fuel economy. I've found the source to be very knowledgeable on all things Buick, but I find this suggestion difficult to accept. Does anyone have any advise on this?
If anyone can assist me with answers / suggestions to any of these questions, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks,
Stephen
As this is my first Buick I need some info though on a few things:
1) The steering is somewhat vague - more so than I feel comfortable with. I don't think it's wear in the steering box as small movements of the wheel do lead to small tire movements - I think it's because Buick put lots of turns lock to lock in the steering box so the steering effort would be very light. I'd rather a less vague driving experience. Is the box adjustable that some of the vagueness may disappear, or is there another steering box from the GM stable that could be put in to give more precise steering?
2) The point above has not been helped by the fact that I've just found out that the tyre dealer who put on the new 235x75x15 A/S tyres has only put 30psi into them. Given the car with a full tank of fuel weights virtually 5000lb this would account for the tire squirm I was also experiencing. I'm going to put 44lb in the front and 40lb in the rear (I'm assuming a 60% front / 40% rear weight distribution given the 455ci). Is this too high - I don't want to overdo it and wear out the centre of the tires prematurely?
3) I replaced the original front shocks because they did little to stop the front-end doing a pogo, with Monroe Sensa-trac shocks thinking with their variable valveing, that they would be a good choice. They do control the front-end much better, but still aren't great - I suspect they aren't up to dealing with the mass of the front-end. Any suggestions for a shock that will control the front-end bounce much better but still maintain a comfortable ride?
4) I am long legged. With the seat back as far as it can go and if I drive without boots on I'm reasonably comfortable but would like to improve my driving position if I can - I'm wondering if anyone knows of another model car I could get longer rails out of. I'd like to pick up something round 2" of extra rearward travel, if I can.
5) Lastly, timing. It has been suggested to me that the manufactures suggested timing is not ideal and that removing the vacuum advance hose and blocking off both the advance and the hose and setting the advance to between 30 & 36 degrees BDC is the way to get best performance and fuel economy. I've found the source to be very knowledgeable on all things Buick, but I find this suggestion difficult to accept. Does anyone have any advise on this?
If anyone can assist me with answers / suggestions to any of these questions, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks,
Stephen
