Much as I hate to ask - I need pics

[V8PunkRocket]

My engine bay is such a huge mess that I'm not sure I'll be able to sort it out with out some pics. I have a 56 Buick Special 2 door HT with the 322/Dynaflow. Does anyone have any pics of a reasonably complete engine bay? It would go a long way to helping me sort out the disaster under my hood.

For example, I can't find my starter relay. The wiring diagram says the car has one, but for the life of me I can't seem to find it. It's possible somebody ripped it out - I won't know until I know where it's supposed to be! :af: The floor mounted starter switch has been taken out, but nothing installed to replace it. The wires to the ignition switch in the dash have all been cut, and the switch is loose - looks like the previous owner tried to remove it but couldn't figure out how. The voltage regulator was sitting on the valley pan between the intake and the thermostat housing. This list could go on for a long time...

Thanks in advance for helping out a Buick newbie.

[CaptainSkol]

Seems you have a lot of work ahead.
This has some pics of the engine compartment:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=160251394420
Good luck.

[JohnD1956]

For example, I can't find my starter relay.
I think you are talking about the starter switch on the carb? There was no floor board starter. The starter switch was attached to the right lower rear side of the carb. Non original carbs probably cannot be modified to accept this switch. Do you have the rochester or Carter carb? These two switches have subtle differences.


The wires to the ignition switch in the dash have all been cut, and the switch is loose - looks like the previous owner tried to remove it but couldn't figure out how.

Do you need help figuring out how to rewire this or what?

The voltage regulator was sitting on the valley pan between the intake and the thermostat housing.

The voltage regulator was on the drivers side inner fender. I have a super but I think yours is close, that regulator would be on the top flat surface.


Thanks in advance for helping out a Buick newbie.

This is the site I would recommend for you to look at. Budd has an extensive site here for 56 Buicks. http://www.agentbudd.com/

[Thriller]

If Budd's site doesn't help you out enough, or you need something specific, let me know. My Special's engine bay, while not pristine, is fairly complete and seems relatively original. If you want a specific photo, for the time being the car is in the garage, so I can take photos. Down the road, it will be a bit farther away, but since nobody wants to buy it, I guess I'll hang on to it for a while.

It took me a little while to get things figured out from the wiring diagram...eventually I got the starting circuitry more or less figured out, even if I haven't repaired it yet.

[V8PunkRocket]

Its slowly coming along. Budd's site is great, definitely a huge help. Thanks guys!