buick shop manual - The Old Car Manual Project

1948-1949 BUICK SHOP MANUAL
GROUP INDEX
GROUP
NO.
..0< 1
SUBJECT
. NO.
1948-1949
BUICK
SHOP MANUAL
~
1948 Series 40-50-70 and 1949 Series 50-70
This shop manual fu rnishes service information on
the 1948 an d 1949 mode l Buicks show n above. The
information applies equa lly to all models of both years
except where a difference is indicated by specifying a
part icular mode l or series.
A summary of the .features whi ch are n ew for 1949
is give n on page 0-6 for quick r efer ence.
Thi s ma nua l does not give service information on
Dynaflow Drive except for external adjustments which
affect the servicing of other uni ts. Complete information on Dyn aflow Dri ve is giv en separately in t he
" 1948 Buick Dynaflow Transmission Service Manual "
(B.P.S . 1.30).
ATTENTIO N IS DIRECTED TO THE I NTROD UCTION, page 0-1, which describes t he completely new
arrangement of this man ual and how it shou ld be used
to locate desired information.
For complete service information, r eference also
sho uld be made to B.P.S.bulleti ns which are iss ued t o
dealer s whenever product changes are made, or supplementary service information seems necessary.
SERVICE DEPARTMENT
0
INTRODUCTION GENERAL INFORMATION
0-1
1
LUBRICARE AND
BEARING SERVICE
\-\
2
ENGINE
2-1
3
ENGINE FUEL AND
EXHAUST SYSTEMS
3-1
4
CLUTCH, TRANSMISSION,
UNIVERSAL J O INT
4-1
5
REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY
5-1
6
CHASSIS SUSPENSION
6-1
7
STEER ING GEAR
AND TIE RODS
7-1
8
BRAKES
8-1
9
FRAME AND BUMPERS
9-1
10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
10-1
11
RADIO AND OTHER
ACCESSORIES
11-1
12
CHASSIS SHEET METAL
12-1
13
BODY
13-1
14
ALPHABETICAL INDEX
14-1
BUICK MOTOR DIVISION
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
FLINT 2, MICHIGAN
B .P.S. 1 .31
LITHO IN U .S .A .
(1)
INTRODUCTION
1948-1949 BUICK SHOP M ANUAL
0-1
GROUP 0
INTRODUCTION - GENERAL INFORMATION
I
CONTENTS OF GROUP 0
Subject
Introduction . . . . .
.
.
.
1948-1949 Car Models
General Specifications
.
Car a n d Engine Serial Numbers . .
Page
.. . 0-1
0-3
0-3
0-3
Su bject
Page
Product Report . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manufacturer s Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . .
New Features of 1949 Series 50-70
0-4
0-5
0-6
INTRODUCTION
The arrangement of subject matter within
This 1948-1949 Buick Shop Manual departs
major groups also has been changed, with the
from the past practice in regard to the contents
obj ective of making all information easy to find
of major groups and their numerical order in
and easy to us e. When the grouping and general
the manual. The purpose of this change is to
arrangement are understood it will be evident
bring related subjects more closely together
that the manual is largely self-indexing, so that
and in accordance with the usual methods of
reference to the alphabetical index is reduced
performing service .operations, and conseto a minimum.
quently to present information in a logical and
easily understood order.
1. GROUPS. The manual is divided into the consecutively numbered major Groups shown on
the preceding title page. To locate the firs t page of a Group, bend the manual until the black tab
on first page of group can be seen in line with the Group title on title page.
The first page lists the contents of the Group .
2. SECTIONS. Large Groups are divided into appropriate Sections as shown on first page of the
group. Se ctions bear the Group number and letters A, B, C, etc., in alphabetical order.
The first page of each Section lists the contents of section.
3. PARAGRAPHS. Each Group is divided into appropriate Paragraphs which are numbered
conse cutively within the Group, whether or not the group is divided into sections.
Paragraph titles and page numbers are listed on the first page of each Section if used, or on
first page of the Group if sections are not used.
4. SUB-PARAGRAPHS. Where necessary for clarity, or distinction between models, Paragraphs
are divided into appropriately titled Sub-paragraphs. These are usually lettered in alphabetical
ord er within the paragraph.
5. PAGE AND ILLUSTRATIO N NUMBERS. Pages and illustrations are numbered consecutively
within each Group. The number consists of the Group number followed by the Page or Figure number. Page numbers are printed in the upper outer corners of all pages. The small folio numbers at
inner edges of pages are for printer's use only and are not used for reference in the manual.
6. CROSS REFERENCES. All re ferences t o inf ormation in other parts of manual are made by
Paragraph Numb er, to avoid the necessity of fir st referring to the alphabetical index for location.
Paragraph references are usually given in parentheses, for example: (par. 6-15) refers to the 15th
paragraph in Group 6, "Chassis Suspension".
7. SERVICE BULLETIN REFERENCE. Space is provided on first page of each Section (or single section Group) for insertion of a reference to any B.P.S. bulletin which relates to the subjects covered
by the section. All B.P.S. bulletins iss ued to Nov. 1, 1948, are covered in the manual and references
to these are unnecessary.
8. SPECIAL TOOLS. Unless otherwis e indicat ed, all special tools identified by tool numbers in
t he manual are available through Kent- Moore Organizat ion, Inc., General Motors Building, Detroit
2, Michigan.
0-2
CHASSIS
1948-1949 BUICK SHOP MANUAL
(2)
....
D
..c:
U
o
'"..
.~
"
II>
(3)
MODELS
1948-1949 BUICK SHOP M AN UAL
0-3
1948- 1949 CAR MODELS
De.lgnation
SPECIAL-SERIES 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6-Passenger Special 4-Door Sedan
6-Passenger Special Sedanet
121"
41
46-S
*SUPER-SERIES 50 .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . ..... . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6-Passenger Super 4-Door Sedan
6- Passenger Super Sedanet
6-Passenger Super Convertible Coupe
6-Passenger Super Estate Wagon
"Dynaflow Drive optional on 1949 models.
124 "
51
56-S
56-C
59
71
76-S
76-C
79
lIIu.trated
on Page No.
Wheel Ba.e
1948
1949
Mode'
.
.
2-52
2-52
.
.
, ..
4-42
6-34
7-12
121 "
**ROADMASTER-SERIES 70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
129 "
126 "
6-Passenger Roadmaster 4-Door Sedan
6-Passenger Roadmaster Sedanet
6-Passenger Roadmaster Convertible Coupe
6-Passenger Roadmaster Estate Wagon
**Dynaflow Drive Optional on 1948 models and standard equipment on 194 9 m od els .
. 8-22
. 9-10
. 10-120
. 11-38
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Serle. 40
1948
Item.
Wheelbase . ..... .. . . ... .. . ... .. .. .... .. . . .. .. . .
12l"
S.r ie.70
Serie.50
19 4 8
124"
1949
121"
1948
129 "
1949
126 "
Tread-Front ... ....... .. .. .. . .. .. . . . ..... . .. ..
58 W
59 78"
5978"
59 78"
59 78'
Tread-Rear . .. . .. ... ....... .... . . .. . ........ .
61 1% "
62Yt6"
62%"
62%"
62%"
212%"
209 Ys"
2 17 78"
214 78"
79"
78}1"
65"
36}1"
51 1% "
10 %"
7%"
Over-all Lengt h of Car, With Bumpers . .. ... .... . .
Over-all Width of Ca r . . ... . .. .. . . .. . . ..... .. .. .
207 }1"
Over-all Height, R oof to Road, at Curb Weight . . . .
77 % "
66 2Va2"
Front Overhang (C. L. of Wheels to Front of Bumper)
35 W
Rear Overhang (C. L. of Wheels to Rear of Bumper)
50 % "
Ground Clearance at:
Front Car B um per . . . . .... ... ... . . . .. .. . . . .
Steering T ie R od . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. ... .
10 1\.{6"
79"
78 }1"
651~~
65Vi6"
36 1\.{6"
51 1\.{6"
36}1"
62 %"
36 1\.{6"
51 1%"
5 1 1\.{6"
105~"
11W
Lower Crankcase . . . . .. ... . . . . . .. .... .. ..... . . . .
7% "
7%2"
7 ~ 32 "
8W
11 '!{6"
8 116"
729/
. '32"
Flywheel Lower Housing ... . . ... . ... .. .. .. . . .. ..
7 Ys"
7 Ys"
7% "
7 1%'2"
Frame Side Rail, Lowest Point . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .
6W
7"
7%"
7 1§.{6"
7Ys"
7 1Yt6"
Rear Axle Housing, Center ....... .. . . . .. . .. ... . .
72~ "
8§{6"
1 %"
9W
9W
113~ "
122 ~"
Rear Car Bumper ... . ... ......... .... . .... . ... .
7 ~6"
1178"
11 ~ "
7%"
1 ~ 1%;"
8 116"
CAR AND ENGIN E SERIAL NUMBERS
The car serial number is on a plate attached to r ight side of cowl, under the hood, and also on
left front body hinge pillar. The first digit of serial number indicates where car was built. "I" indicates Flint, "3" indicates Linden, "6" indicates Atlanta, etc.
Duplicate S erial Numb er Plate. In order to obtain a new serial number plate, when the original
plate is mutilated, lost or stolen in the field, it will be necessary to submit a notarized affidavit on
a form which will be furnished upon application to the Servce Department, Buick Motor Division,
F lint , Michigan .
0-4
PRODUCT REPORT
1948-1949 BUICK SHOP MANUAL
(4)
The engine serial number is stamped on a boss on right side of crankcase below push rod cover.
Engine serial numbers have no Flint or other assembly plant identification; however, they carry
suffix "4", "5", or "7" to indicate use in Series 40, 50, or 70 respectively.
A stamped dash mark (-) about 1,4." long directly following the engine number indicates a
.010" O.S. production standard engine.
.:
PRODUCT REPORT
Product Report Form S-75~-4 is furnished to all Buick Dealer Service Departments to enable
them to report product difficulties.
These forms should be filled out in duplicate and forwarded to Zone Offices each week. Zone
offices forward the reports to the factory. The factory Engineering and Inspection Departments
analyze the Reports and use same to improve product quality.
Unless a Product Report is made on each service difficulty and each difficulty rep orted each
time it occurs, it is impossible for the factory analysis to be correct.
Dealer Service Department cooperation in supplying reports is appreciated by the factory.
Service Departments are repaid indirectly for time spent on these reports in that it enables the
factory to build the product so as to require the minimum of service when cars are received by
Dealer Organizations. .
BUICK 8 ·758· .
~ 'III "' T& D
U • •• A .
:11 00 Ilol • •• (1
P R O DUCT REPORT
DEALER
DATE
ZONE
COMPLAINT-
DO
NOT LIST MOR E THAN ONE TYPE,
W H A T WAS T H E REMED Y
(STA TE CAUSE I F POSSIBLE)
(IF A NY)
DO YOU HEED AO olTlONAL SERVICE I N F O R M A T I O N ON T HISl
E NTER
BEL O W
TH E INFOR MAT ION ON EACH CAR
HAS BEEN FOUND .
ON WHI CH THiS COND IT I O N
SERIAL
~
-
NU MBER.
MODEL A N D
SERIES
DES IGN ATION
BOD Y
NU MB ER S
-
...........
MIL EAGE
- --
-~
SIGNED
DETA ILED DESCRIPTION OF BOTH CO MPLAINT AND CORRECTION W ILL
DEFIN ITELY ASS iST THE FACTORY IN IMPROVEMENT OF THE ,.RDDUCT.
ON ENGINE OR CARBURETOR R E PORTS PLEASE IND ICATE MAKE O.
CARB URETO'" AND ENG INE N UMBER .
USE OTHER
8 'DE FOR
DETA ILS W H E R E NIECE.SARY
~
(5)
1948-1949 BUICK SHOP MANUAL
WARRANTY
MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY
It is expressly agreed that ther e ar e no warranties, exp ressed or implied,
ma de by either the Dealer or the Manu fact ur er on the Buick motor vehicles,
chassis or parts furnished hereunder, except the Manufacturer's Warranty
against defective materials or workmanship as follows :
" The Manufacturer warrants each new motor vehicle, including all
equipment or accessories (except tires) supplied by th e Manufacturer,
chassis or part manufactured by it to be fr ee from defects in material
and w orkmanship under normal us e and service, its obligation under
this warranty being limited to making good at its factory any part or
parts thereof which shall, within ninety (90) days after delivery of
such vehicle to the original purchaser or before such vehicle has been
driven 4,000 miles, w hichever event shall first occur, be returned to
it with transportation charges pre paid and which its examination shall
disclose to its satisfaction to hav e been thus defectiv e; this warranty
being expressly in lieu of all oth er warranties, exp ressed or implied,
and all oth er obligations or liabilit ies on its part, and it neither assumes
nor authorizes any oth er person to assume for it any oth er liability in
connection with the sale of its vehicles.
" This warranty shall not apply to any v ehicle which shall have been
repaired or alt ered outside of an authorized Buick Service S tation in
an y w ay so as in the judgme nt of th e Manufacturer to affect its stability
and reliability, nor w hich has been subject to m isus e, neglig ence
or accident.
The Manufacturer has reserved the right to make changes in design or
add any improvements on motor vehicles and chassis at any time without
incur r ing any obligation to install same on motor vehicles and chassis
previously purchased.
0-5
0-6
1949 FEATURES
1948-1949 BUICK SHOP MANUAL
(6)
NEW FEATURES OF 1949 SERIES 50-70
For ready camparison between 1948 and
1949 models, the following summary lists the
new features of the 194,9Series 50-70 on which
information is given in the indicated paragraphs of this manual. New features which are
apparent on inspection or do not require service information are not listed.
A few of the new features were used in
the last cars of t he 1948 model production.
These are included in the summary with proper
model identification.
Group 0, General Specifications.
1949 Series 50 wheel base is 121" and overall length is 209 3/8".
1949 Series 70 wheel base is 126" and overall length is 214%".
Group 2, Engine.
Series 50 Dynaflow engine H.P .=120; Compression Ratio =6.9 t o 1; Compressi on Pressure
(cranking) =118 lbs .ysq. in.
Replaceable connecting rod bearings used after approximately the fir st 5000 1949 engines
(par. 2-5 & 2-21).
Hydraulic valve lifters used in last production 194,8 S eri es 70 and all 194,9 S eries 50-70 Dynaflow engines. Includes new camshaft, push rods, rocker arms and ball studs (par . 2-2, 2-15,
2-17) .
New oil filter and diffe rent element. Filter outlet piped to rock er arms to supply filte red oil t o
valve mechanism (par. 2-6).
Cooling system capacity of Series 50 Dynaflow cars incr eased one quart.
Group 4, Clutch, Transm ission, Universal Joint.
Dynaflow Drive is standard on Series 70 and optional equipment in Ser ies 50.
Rubber boot used t o replace torque ball outer retainer packing (par . 4-20 & 4-28) .
Group 5, Rear Axle Assembly.
Rear axle ratio for Series 50 Dynaflow is 4.4 to 1 (par. 5-1).
Starting in last 194,8 m odels and continued in 1949, two rolle r bea ri ngs support rear end of the
pinion (par. 5-2) .
Strut rods attached to spring seats by 3 bolts, same as 1948 Series 40 (par. 5-29 ) .
Group 6, Chassis Suspension.
Eccentricity of upper pivot pin increased to increase camber adjustment (par. 6-16 ) .
Model 79 tir e size incr eased to 8.20" -15" (par. 6-1).
Front and r ea r spring trim dimensions cha nged (par. 6-17 & 6-20) .
Rear springs moved to spring seats on rear side of axle housing, same as 1948 Series 40
(par 6-3) .
Group 7, Steering Gear and Tie Rods.
Series 50 steering wh eel can be raised from production set ting, but not lower ed. Series 70
wheel can be raised or lower ed (par. 7-5) .
Last of 194,8 Se rie s 70 steering gears have ratio of 23.6 to 1; same for 1949 (par. 7-1).
.~
(7)
1948-1949 BUICK SHOP MANUAL
1949 FEATURES
0-7
Group 9, Frame and Bumpers.
New frames (par. 9-1 and fig. 9-6 & 9-7).
New bumpers (par. 9-5).
Group 10, Electrical.
Generator capacity increased (par. 10-24) .
New generator regulator with screws for adjusting points (par. 10-25, 10-29, 10-30).
New distributor, eliminating breaker plate ball bearings (par. 10-51).
New lighting switch with rheostat for controlling instrument panel lights. Instrument panel
light switch eliminated (par. 10-53).
New front parking and direction signal lamps. New tail, stop, and signal lamps (par. 10-56).
Stop lights protected by fuse instead of circuit breaker (par. 10-58).
New mounting of map light switch (par. 10-57).
Luggage compartment light is independent of taillight (par. 10-57 ) .
New circuits for direction signal lamps (par. 10-62).
Borg or New Haven electric clocks used. Reset and regulator knobs are on face of clock (par.
10-66) .
New wiring circuit diagrams. Central fuse block (par 10-69) .
Group 11, Radio and Other Accessories.
New radio, with different procedure for setting push buttons for des ired station (par. 11-13).
Installation of antenna lead-in wire changed (fig. 11-7 & 11-10). New alignment procedure
(par. 11-5, h). New parts list (par. 11-7).
Heater and defroster installation is new. Same blower for heater and defroster, located in
outside air intake duct (par. 11-8).
Windshield washer controlled by a button in center of windshield wiper control knob (par.
11-9). Hose connections changed (fig. 11-34) .
Back-up lamps mounted in rear of body (par. 11-10).
Group 12, Chassis Sheet Metal.
New cast aluminum grille (par. 12-2).
New hood hinges and fasteners. Fasteners cable controlled from ins ide body (par. 12-2 & 12-6).
New rear wheel shields (par. 12-2 & 12-15).
Fender extensions formed in door panels, eliminating separate extensions.
Group 13, Body.
A new layout of body mountings is used on 1949 models. Compare figures 13-2 through 13-5.
New "U" type door locks and strikers which also serve in place of the dovetail bumpers and
wedge plates previously used. Door outside handle anchored in lock by a set screw. Rear door
locks may be set for "free-wheeling" (par. 13-6).
New spring-loaded counterbalancing door checks (par. 13-7) .
Door weatherstrips held in place along bottom section by scolloped flanges crimped over weatherstrip, in addition to cement (par. 13-8).
Front door hinges are box-type with gooseneck straps bolted to door inner panels. Rear door
hinges are concealed butt-type similar to 1948 front door hinges (par. 13-10) .
0-8
1949 FEAlURES
1948-1949 BUICK SHOP MANUAL
(8)
Rear compartment lid weatherstrip composed of two sections. Top section is cemented into
gutter along top of opening. Side section is cemented to sides and lower edge of compartment (par.
13-11) .
Rear compartment lid hinges, on closed bodies, have springs to hold lid in raised position, eliminating the lid supports previously used, (par. 13-12).
Windshield wiper cable tensioners are spring-loaded self-adjusting type. A new procedure and a
special tool required for removal of windshield wiper transmissions (par. 13-14).
Windshield glasses are curved and are set in a new type rubber channel which permits replacement of glass from outside of body and without removing garnish molding. Special tool required for
installation of glass in rubber channel (par. 13-16).
Back window glass is mounted in same manner as windshield glasses except that center division
is not used (par. 13-17).
Rear door ventilators are manually operated and are held in set position by a friction mechanism. Ventilators have an inside locking handle (par. 13-19).
Door window garnish moldings extend along front, top, and rear sides only; the belt finishing
panel replaces lower section of garnish molding (par. 13-20).
First run 1949 bodies have door trim pads held at sides by inter-locking binding strips and
retainers. Later bodies used barbed nails as in 1948 bodies (par. 13-20).
Headlining is supported by roof bows and also by support wires located between the bows. The
rear supports are of new design. The sides of headlining are secured by metal retainers having lanced
teeth to grip the material. A special tool is required for installation (par. 13-21).
Front seat adjuster provided with ball bearing rollers instead of rack and pinion used in 1948
models (par. 13-22).
Robe cords are attached by the escutcheon outer retaining screw. See figure 13-50.
Convertible coupe folding top boot is attached with metal supports fitted into metal loops behind
rear seat back. See figure 13-55.
Convertible coupe rear quarter windows are operated by the Hydro-Lectric Power System. These
windows are controlled by switches en left door and also by switches in rear quarter panels adjacent
to windows (par. 13-31).
Hydro-Lectric Power Unit is mounted on rig ht side of cowl, under rear end of right front
fender.
Estate Wagon doors are of steel construction similar to closed bodies, with wood covering on
upper section, and wooden inside trim panels. Door locks, hinges, windows, and ventilators are similar to closed bodies and are serviced in same manner (Section 13-G).
Estate Wagon lift gate supported in open position by two cables attached to spring-loaded sash
balances mounted behind rear quarter trim panels (par. 13-39).
...... -