If an older car has been sitting for a while, I think the best practice is to drain the oil, drop the pan, scrape out the sludge, take off the valve covers and see if there is sludge underneath, if so, clean as much of it as you can, reassemble with new gaskets, refill with good oil, put some pure, non-ethanol gas in it, and then try to start it. I've seen numerous TH-cam videos titled "will it run?" in which none of these things were done and the engines sound just fine for a few minutes, and then start knocking or quit entirely.
Very cool Buick. Built like a tank and built to last. My family had one when I was just a lad. Ours was two-tone red/black on the body as I recall. Still remember the dashboard like is was yesterday and it was +55 years ago. It's good to see someone appreciate these GM relics and derive such joy from rescuing them from the scrap heap. I'll stay tuned.
A '56 Buick Special was my first car that I bought for $50 fifty-seven years ago. I remember scraping the sludge out of the oil pan and valve covers. I was hard on that car and the trans held up. Good luck.
Buick nailheads were FAMOUS for wrist pin knock...some would develop as early as 50K...the good news is they usually would go a long time with the problem,,,just turn the radio up
Cars engines from the 50s and well into the 60s were normally expected to need an overhaul by the time they reached 60,000 to 70,000 miles. It was fairly rare to see a car from that era with 100,000 miles and still be running well.
pull the plug wires off the cap and just set them back in place..start the car and one by one pull the plug wire off as its running to see if the noise gets better on the one you pulled the wiire off..it takes the load off that cylinder when you do that and maybe narrow it down to one cylinder
I agree. After not running for so long and having dirty oil in it, it will probably straighten out freshened up. Could also use an oil additive to help clean it out and change the oil again in a very short period of time/mileage.
Went to Florida as a kid with mom ,dad 4 kids . It 29000 mi. dad had found a steal in the late 60s , 80plus mph from Ohio , it needed a brake job when we got there . It ran like a top ! It was a 57 !
When an old engine sits the oil filter will collapse when starting or just be clogged up where a very small amount of oil will get thru to vital parts and show very good oil pressure. You would be better off just taking the oil filter out of the canister. I learned the hard way many years ago.
The 1956 Buick is in great shape interior is pretty decent underneath the body's great, little work on it it will be good to go great fine very good fine👍🏼
At this point in the era of “will it runs” I don’t know why clean the points isn’t on the top of the list of things to do right next to pour gas down it and see if the starter works. If it has points and it hasn’t run in a while, just assume they are dirty and start with them.
Most 50s cars are built do that you can pull the oil pan and replace the rod bearings with engine in the car., I would try, you can clean the pan and strainer also, ...worth a try, ..you can also Mike the journals if it works for you, good luck!
Sometimes a cracked or loose flywheel sounds like a rod also, use a breaker bar on large harmonic balancer bolt to rock the engine slightly back and forth and check flywheel, I saw that the inspection pan is already off,..maybe a clue. Good luck
Yah your problem was the distributor cap, some one massing with it turning it putting it out of timing, or put the plug wirer's in the right firing order. Take distributor cap off, bump the engine till the rotor is on the high point of the distributor cam, then put rotor to number one, adjust the points after cleaning them with a matchbook cover thickness, then replace distributor cap, try starting engine turning distributor cap a little ether way till motor starts, putting one hand on car body wile adjusting distributor cap feeling for less engine idel vibration, then adjust carb gas and air for rich or lean checking tail pipe for to much gas fumes, old school trick i learn years ago. Guess you already knew all these car trick from your family members; i'm 76 and loved working on my old toys but sorry no longer have any of them or can't afford anymore, first one in 67 a 53 Chevy for $35 and many more after that. Thanks for yor video
@@RightOnJohn383 A what? Who is going to drive it? Some rich guy? Orphans? Nuns? What possible use can an old car have for a charity? It uses too much gas. It pollutes. It's slow. You are weird.
@@RightOnJohn383 That still doesn't answer my question: How much did you pay for it? What's the big secret... you don't want anyone to know how much you paid for it?
@@RightOnJohn383 Oh: You're fixing it for some rich guy who owns a "charity" Yeah... sure. Be sure and don't let anyone know who he is and what charity it is; that's a BIG secret.
I WISH YOU WOULD HAVE PUT SOME MARVEL MYSTERY OIL IN AND LET IT RUN FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER IT WAS HOT. That might have solved a number of issues. I know those engines had some problems with the hydraulic lifters after sitting for long periods. Then drain and refill. I would have on my refill added some STP or something of that nature. Let it run for a little and see what you hear. I believe what I heard was a lifter problem. I always loved the Buick and Oldsmobile's because they seemed to be built right. From the early 50's thru about 58 were my favorite vehicles. This looks to be a 56 model. The Roadmaster's and 98's were the cream of the crop. GM made some excellent products except for Pontiac. For some reason they just didn't seem to hold up and seemed to be a lesser vehicle than Chevy. Chevy by 1957 were coming up in the world. The 1958 Impala was a really nice car. The looks and ride was very nice. I would have taken a fully loaded Roadmaster or Olds in that time period before a Cadillac. Thanks for the video.
Such a shame these are So overlooked & Replaced with other engs. Also, other commenters didn't these have a lot of flaws/issues? I know they are very hard to source parts for. According to Derek's Video from VGG.
I don’t understand why you you tube guys don’t clean the motor, drop the pan and clean it, put all new fluids and plugs in it, and have parts for the distributor.
From what I gander, there are a few older wrecking yards in Florida... some are water logged and others are dry as a bone n lots of stuff to pick from.... with titles an easy to get to... I try to encourage a lot of people to save one if they can or even give it a try and then pass it on to someone who will finish it.... hopping its you that saves one!
@@morgansword Money is the problem. I don't have any.. if I knew in 1981 what i know now my old 70 Thunderbird would have survived a few more years. It had many issues then that were beyond my knowledge then that today are easily fixable. Rust eventually did her in. Engine was shot but i sold it to a guy who used literally all the good parts to rebuild anothe one that needed a full resto.
It shouldn't have been ran that long on that old oil once it showed that it ran it should have been changed after all those years that old oil was thin as hell.
I changed Engine Oil plus Filter use no synthetic engine oil 10W30 plus those old motors do click and clack but try put Lead Additive to 89 or higher octane gas with a STP Total Treatment fuel injection and carb cleaner in fuel to also new spark plugs plus High Suppression wires! If motor has PCV Valve to ! Carb may need rebuild to also get brand a quart bottle brand called (Gunk) Engine Flush do first Engine Oil change plus Oil Filter to for 10 drain oil pan oil plus Filter too and Transmission get a 1 quart bottle brand name WYNNES (Trans-Medic add to fluid and run through completely if need add Transmission fluid add to full line too! Water Pump check need service up plus may need new 50% Antifreeze & 50% water green type plus add 100 ml of 80w90 differential axle fluid to run through system to and if Differential axle fluid may need fuild too!
You have to realize these cars You're pulling out of a fence row ( figuratively speaking ,if not literally speaking ) , were put there for a REASON !!!! Don't act so supprsed , and depressed when You find out there's something BAD wrong with one of these cars !!!!
I’m not sure I do know it’s original paint and it was a police car the engine has never been taken out and the transmission has been rebuilt at least once
It’s even scarier what you think you know about cars and I’d much rather it backfire and burn what little it can rather than start The whole oil bath air cleaner on fire
Come on man....one drink of gas and you think it's going to start without checking spark first and trying to overheat a 64 year old starter....we can tell you haven't been around old cars that much...sorry brother.....I think you need to watch Vice Grip Garage and learn something...
I’ve been around enough to know how to make an old car run that starter never got hot still works just fine its an old car i got it running just be happy I’m continuing to make videos so other people can enjoy them everyone will do something different to accomplish the same goal what’s right and wrong is just a matter of opinion
If an older car has been sitting for a while, I think the best practice is to drain the oil, drop the pan, scrape out the sludge, take off the valve covers and see if there is sludge underneath, if so, clean as much of it as you can, reassemble with new gaskets, refill with good oil, put some pure, non-ethanol gas in it, and then try to start it. I've seen numerous TH-cam videos titled "will it run?" in which none of these things were done and the engines sound just fine for a few minutes, and then start knocking or quit entirely.
Very cool Buick. Built like a tank and built to last. My family had one when I was just a lad. Ours was two-tone red/black on the body as I recall. Still remember the dashboard like is was yesterday and it was +55 years ago. It's good to see someone appreciate these GM relics and derive such joy from rescuing them from the scrap heap. I'll stay tuned.
A '56 Buick Special was my first car that I bought for $50 fifty-seven years ago. I remember scraping the sludge out of the oil pan and valve covers. I was hard on that car and the trans held up. Good luck.
Wow that’s so cool I hope this trans holds up
Buick nailheads were FAMOUS for wrist pin knock...some would develop as early as 50K...the good news is they usually would go a long time with the problem,,,just turn the radio up
Cars engines from the 50s and well into the 60s were normally expected to need an overhaul by the time they reached 60,000 to 70,000 miles. It was fairly rare to see a car from that era with 100,000 miles and still be running well.
@@gramseyandpops2710 Yep. I recently (8 years ago) went thru a '54 Olds 98...87K and motor and trans were trashed
new video will come out Saturday and we will find out the problem I hope...
Those old Buick’s were built like a tank.
@Ian Walter They were built like tanks.
Looks like a pretty solid car, very little rust. I would change the oil in it and drive it and the engine should run quieter.
My first car was a '53 Buick 322 nailhead V8...it was quite often rode hard and put away wet...great car.
pull the plug wires off the cap and just set them back in place..start the car and one by one pull the plug wire off as its running to see if the noise gets better on the one you pulled the wiire off..it takes the load off that cylinder when you do that and maybe narrow it down to one cylinder
I did that lol and those old wires need replaced it zapped me pretty good
These engines have hydraulic valve lfters, if your oil is old, cold and thick, they need a lot of time to work properly.
Sunday new video we find out what’s wrong with it
John check for loose torque converter bolts or a cracked flywheel before you write it off as a rod knock.
I’d pull the valve covers and check for a stuck lifter
It's been dry awhile. It'll smooth out as the rings and valves reseat.. or develop rod knock.
Just found your channel. Good stuff. Love this buick, one of my all time favorite cars.
Nice work
It will be back on the channel very soon
@@RightOnJohn383 awesome. I’m in Skiatook, just north of tulsa
That doesn't sound like rod knok to me, I would put my money on valve train noise, now you got me hooked, can't wait for the next episode .
I agree. After not running for so long and having dirty oil in it, it will probably straighten out freshened up. Could also use an oil additive to help clean it out and change the oil again in a very short period of time/mileage.
Went to Florida as a kid with mom ,dad 4 kids . It 29000 mi. dad had found a steal in the late 60s , 80plus mph from Ohio , it needed a brake job when we got there . It ran like a top ! It was a 57 !
When an old engine sits the oil filter will collapse when starting or just be clogged up where a very small amount of oil will get thru to vital parts and show very good oil pressure. You would be better off just taking the oil filter out of the canister. I learned the hard way many years ago.
I like to warm up an engine on old oil to bust the sludge up and then drain and change
Could be a lifter or bent pushrod or rocker arm also.....
Mine was red and white loved it.
they are a beautiful car and is such a cool experience having the opportunity to work on it
Great video! Looks just like the 56 Super we picked up here at the shop.
i love me a super lol that’s cool i have another Buick special 2 door that’s way rough that I’m gonna restore some day
@@RightOnJohn383 cool! Them old Buicks are bad ass. We have a 56 Super and a 59 Lesabre.
How did you check the transmission fluid without the engine running. Give it a shot of starting fluid.
It was wet above full line
Thank you. Great footage of the Buick
The 1956 Buick is in great shape interior is pretty decent underneath the body's great, little work on it it will be good to go great fine very good fine👍🏼
At this point in the era of “will it runs” I don’t know why clean the points isn’t on the top of the list of things to do right next to pour gas down it and see if the starter works. If it has points and it hasn’t run in a while, just assume they are dirty and start with them.
They were not dirty though
My first car green 4 door '56 special 322 3 on the tree 22,000 miles. He-man power needed to depress the clutch no power steering.
I’m sorta glad this is the automatic but no power steering or power brakes
@@RightOnJohn383 BUT those autotrans were not very good so... we'll see how this works out.
that is true i hope this one is
That's a badass car!!!! My Mom had one back in the day!!!
Very cool car very cool purpose of this car and all proceeds from these videos on it are being donated to glen wood housing foundation
A grey '56 Buick special was the fam car growing up.
We had a '56 as well, two tone red and blue 4 door...loved that car
With such adorable helpers, what could go wrong? ❤️
ROD KNOCK! It will be an easy engine to rebuild. I love working on those simple cars.
you should section off part of that garage so you can have heat in it
Yeah I need to badly
I hear it's cold down there ! We are getting our first snow in Seattle starting tomorrow. Enjoy your content kid!
Super cold and a blizzard on the way
Hey John, just found your site. Already like it.
Most 50s cars are built do that you can pull the oil pan and replace the rod bearings with engine in the car., I would try, you can clean the pan and strainer also, ...worth a try, ..you can also Mike the journals if it works for you, good luck!
tomorrow we find out what’s wrong
Sometimes a cracked or loose flywheel sounds like a rod also, use a breaker bar on large harmonic balancer bolt to rock the engine slightly back and forth and check flywheel, I saw that the inspection pan is already off,..maybe a clue. Good luck
I already know what’s wrong what I meant was tomorrow TH-cam finds out what’s wrong
Buenos días señor, tengo un auto de ese tipo ( en Cuba)La bomba de freno de ese Buick trabaja con basio,
When car things were not fancy, but were made to last.
I would love to see a full resto but keep up the good work brother love seeing these kind of video's
Don’t worry you will see more than I’ve ever done before
Hopefully one day I can start a build
some clean oil an a little exercise that motor will be fine, just some lifter noise from sitting so long
Sunday I think is when the new video comes out on it I’m not sure yet on the release date we will diagnose the knock and misfire
@@RightOnJohn383 well if it has good oil pressure like you said it isn't a bottom end issue you can't build oil pressure with bad bearings
When I was a.kid a family friend owned a white over red '56 Special four door and a '57 Special red and white two door sedan
Hey John. I love that style of Buick. It's fun bringing them back to life. Thanks for sharing.🍁👍👍
Thanks for watching
Good solid car, well worth the work.
It sure is!
Hi John. Buick is looking good. The motor may not be as bad as you think. Could be several different causes. Hope it’s not bad. Big Al.
ill email you
That's a valve tap noise. You need new rocker arms. They were noted for wearing out from lack of lubrication.
We will find out Saturday
Yah your problem was the distributor cap, some one massing with it turning it putting it out of timing, or put the plug wirer's in the right firing order. Take distributor cap off, bump the engine till the rotor is on the high point of the distributor cam, then put rotor to number one, adjust the points after cleaning them with a matchbook cover thickness, then replace distributor cap, try starting engine turning distributor cap a little ether way till motor starts, putting one hand on car body wile adjusting distributor cap feeling for less engine idel vibration, then adjust carb gas and air for rich or lean checking tail pipe for to much gas fumes, old school trick i learn years ago. Guess you already knew all these car trick from your family members; i'm 76 and loved working on my old toys but sorry no longer have any of them or can't afford anymore, first one in 67 a 53 Chevy for $35 and many more after that. Thanks for yor video
Check the transmission fluid when the motor is running too MR WELSH
in about an hour my new video comes out and we learn alot
Is it possible that is an exhaust leak?
no i posted a couple more videos check them out
@@RightOnJohn383 OK!!!
Change oil and drive it and see if it comes out of it.
Follow me on Instagram and you can see a little bit of progress
when you get a fast blink a bulb is out.
The knock sounds deeper than a lifter. Hope not!
I know Vgg would have dumped a can of Berrymans b-12 chemtool down the carb first
yeah i know he would of and I thought about it but didn’t have any on hand
Engine fairly clean , possibly rebuilt at some point ....?? Watch for a hung starter !!
Engine doesn’t appear to have ever been out
I have a 54 super buick
Might want to reach out to Derrick
over at vice grip garage ( if You want to sell it , He may be looking for one of those )
Not gonna sell it
Could Be A Cracked Flywheel
Is it for sale ?
No
that is a very cool car
How much did you pay fir it?
I’m rebuilding it for a charity
@@RightOnJohn383
A what?
Who is going to drive it?
Some rich guy?
Orphans?
Nuns?
What possible use can an old car
have for a charity? It uses too much gas.
It pollutes. It's slow.
You are weird.
@@RightOnJohn383
That still doesn't answer my question:
How much did you pay for it?
What's the big secret...
you don't want anyone to know how much you paid for it?
@@indrekkpringi it’s not mine I didn’t buy it
@@RightOnJohn383
Oh: You're fixing it for some rich guy who owns a "charity" Yeah... sure.
Be sure and don't let anyone know who he is and what charity it is; that's a BIG secret.
you are the lupin of older car,s great find now these kinda things i like wupeeee
When you said "like butter" I said well that means someone else has been there before you!!!
I agree 🖒
Great content
I WISH YOU WOULD HAVE PUT SOME MARVEL MYSTERY OIL IN AND LET IT RUN FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER IT WAS HOT. That might have solved a number of issues. I know those engines had some problems with the hydraulic lifters after sitting for long periods. Then drain and refill. I would have on my refill added some STP or something of that nature. Let it run for a little and see what you hear. I believe what I heard was a lifter problem.
I always loved the Buick and Oldsmobile's because they seemed to be built right. From the early 50's thru about 58 were my favorite vehicles. This looks to be a 56 model. The Roadmaster's and 98's were the cream of the crop. GM made some excellent products except for Pontiac. For some reason they just didn't seem to hold up and seemed to be a lesser vehicle than Chevy. Chevy by 1957 were coming up in the world. The 1958 Impala was a really nice car. The looks and ride was very nice. I would have taken a fully loaded Roadmaster or Olds in that time period before a Cadillac. Thanks for the video.
Such a shame these are So overlooked & Replaced with other engs. Also, other commenters didn't these have a lot of flaws/issues? I know they are very hard to source parts for. According to Derek's Video from VGG.
I don’t understand why you you tube guys don’t clean the motor, drop the pan and clean it, put all new fluids and plugs in it, and have parts for the distributor.
Nice car !!!!!!
what is it a 305 maybe
322 nailhead
geez if we could buy stock in you be wonderfull you good really good uncle roy must be one proud uncle
Those nail heads are noisy motors. Maybe just needs oil and a few heat cycles. Give her the Berryman tune or the ol Italian tune up (few heavy revs)
here in a video or two we will find out what’s going on stay tuned
Nice old car
I wish i had the money to fix up an old car... not too many barns in Florida.
From what I gander, there are a few older wrecking yards in Florida... some are water logged and others are dry as a bone n lots of stuff to pick from.... with titles an easy to get to... I try to encourage a lot of people to save one if they can or even give it a try and then pass it on to someone who will finish it.... hopping its you that saves one!
@@morgansword Money is the problem. I don't have any.. if I knew in 1981 what i know now my old 70 Thunderbird would have survived a few more years. It had many issues then that were beyond my knowledge then that today are easily fixable. Rust eventually did her in. Engine was shot but i sold it to a guy who used literally all the good parts to rebuild anothe one that needed a full resto.
Daniel I’m glad this car is going to a good cause
Man she's a beautiful car
Please close doors no need to slam
Why doesn't anyone on these videos ever check if the radio in the car works....
Those are tube radios that take a bit to warm up ; most people that are used to solid state AM give up too quickly -
i will check it
chang the oil bud
Watch Marty on the steps for starting an old engine. Works more on tractor than cars. Same principle.
i like a little heat in the oil before i change it
Actually, you have a valve train problem. You are gonna blow the motor if you don’t take a look at the valves
Highway Patrol Broderick Crawford
I LIKE IT
stop the engine or will be more expensive to repair...
It shouldn't have been ran that long on that old oil once it showed that it ran it should have been changed after all those years that old oil was thin as hell.
it wasn’t very thin
Shweeeet!
I changed Engine Oil plus Filter use no synthetic engine oil 10W30 plus those old motors do click and clack but try put Lead Additive to 89 or higher octane gas with a STP Total Treatment fuel injection and carb cleaner in fuel to also new spark plugs plus High Suppression wires! If motor has PCV Valve to ! Carb may need rebuild to also get brand a quart bottle brand called (Gunk) Engine Flush do first Engine Oil change plus Oil Filter to for 10 drain oil pan oil plus Filter too and Transmission get a 1 quart bottle brand name WYNNES (Trans-Medic add to fluid and run through completely if need add Transmission fluid add to full line too! Water Pump check need service up plus may need new 50% Antifreeze & 50% water green type plus add 100 ml of 80w90 differential axle fluid to run through system to and if Differential axle fluid may need fuild too!
Derrick. WIth. Vise. Grip. Garage. Would. Of. Had. It. Running. And. Been. Home. WIth. It. By. Now
Not sure about that lol check out the next video where I show what’s wrong with it
🏎🏎🏎🏎🏎
you really gotta quit jackin ,johnny !!
I don't want a jack it with John.. but maybe with Jill
You have to realize these cars You're
pulling out of a fence row ( figuratively speaking ,if not literally
speaking ) , were put there for a REASON !!!! Don't act so supprsed , and depressed when You find out
there's something BAD wrong with
one of these cars !!!!
👌👍
No way that's a 'survivor'. I'd say 80s restoration.
I’m not sure I do know it’s original paint and it was a police car the engine has never been taken out and the transmission has been rebuilt at least once
@@RightOnJohn383 It DOES look a lot like the old Centurys they used on that old TV series 'Highway Patrol'! LoL
Lol that’s what I thought too
It’s scary as to what u don’t know about engines. Start a car without the air cleaner and ur begging for an engine fire. Read a book
It’s even scarier what you think you know about cars and I’d much rather it backfire and burn what little it can rather than start The whole oil bath air cleaner on fire
Come on man....one drink of gas and you think it's going to start without checking spark first and trying to overheat a 64 year old starter....we can tell you haven't been around old cars that much...sorry brother.....I think you need to watch Vice Grip Garage and learn something...
I’ve been around enough to know how to make an old car run that starter never got hot still works just fine its an old car i got it running just be happy I’m continuing to make videos so other people can enjoy them everyone will do something different to accomplish the same goal what’s right and wrong is just a matter of opinion
Do Not paint the car¡¡!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have too lol