1949 BUICK STRAIGHT 8 FIRST START IN YEARS!!!!! Part 2 of 2

[@dadsvespa]

When I was young and happy, I bought a 41 Buick sedan with the straight 8, for 1600 bucks. I drove it to work everyday. The engine was tired, cracked rings. She smoked quite a bit, so I just added oil. It got really smokey so I bought a 56 Ford to drive . I took the Buick engine and trans out, and was going to rebuild them some day. My brother stole it and sold it to a junk yard for 5 bucks. I could have killed the little shit !! Jonathan, your S-8 sounds BEAUTIFUL !No knocks, No piston rock, No smoke...Nice !

[@gordhammond7105]

It wasn't his. He deserved to pay the ultimate price!

[@larrykittell726]

I'm in love! What a wonderful sound that old straight 8 makes. Thanks for bringing it back to life.

[@jtthill5475]

Back in the '70s I had a 1937 Buick convertible, straight 8, 3 speed. Let it sit for months and hit the gas one time and started right off. Hit the gas twice and crank forever because it was flooded. Great running car and if I didn't have to move to a new job I would still have it. Life gets in the way sometimes. Nice work on the 8. Thanks for sharing.

[@roger4375]

Ain’t nothin like an old straight 8 for smooth running.... sounds good... REAL GOOD!

[@dyer2cycle]

...except a V-12!.. :)

[@lgf1978]

@@dyer2cycle Industrial V16

[@Unibodyguy]

That thing sounds great! Should have a lot of miles left on it

[@larryhullinger8103]

@@lgf1978 dosmt even smoke Its a keeper

[@hottrodscars]

@Mark Godfrey 264 unless it is a Roadmaster engine, then it would be 320 cubic inches.

[@chadkalina1257]

What a nice smooth running engine sounds amazing

[@ihrescue]

So darn cool to see a vintage engine start for the first time in ages. Sounds sweet.

[@johnapel2856]

Ha! Man that's great! It purrs like a happy cat. What a beautiful smooth engine. That will be great in whatever you put it in. Thanks!

[@oldschool6345]

Heck if any of us had slept that long we would've been slow to get started too ha. Amazing how quick it settled and smoothed out. Thanks for sharing

[@edwardmulder3777]

Beautiful running engine after sitting all those years, good job Jonathan.

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

If anyone was going to start that engine, it would be Jonathan! Thanks for the show.

[@HODGEPODGEDODGEGARAGE]

Love the videos Jonathan! 🙂 You're a huge inspiration here on KZbin and are the reason I started my own channel 👍

[@mikejohnson5837]

That's a smooth runnin motor. Sounded good!

[@bcgrittner]

That engine sure has a mellow sound. Pretty cool old engine. That would make one unique hot rod.

[@codycriss6719]

bcgrittner Agreed 😀

[@Benny---]

Inline 8s have excellent balance inherent to the design, so they tend to run extremely smooth. That's why they were the standard engines for high end luxury cars and race cars back in the 20s and 30s, before advancements in balancing technology made V8s smooth enough to be acceptable in luxury cars. But they've got some disadvantages, mainly extreme length making packaging difficult, and they suffer from something called crank whip due to the very long crank shafts used in inline 8s, the crank whip problem limits potential power output since the cranks break if you push them too hard. Still they were used in race cars into the early 1950s, the most famous example of this would probably be Alfa Romeo's 158/159 Alfetta first generation Formula-1 car which had a tiny 1.5 liter inline 8 which when supercharged and running on methanol screamed out 425HP at 9500RPM, not bad for a 90 cubic inch engine.

[@MrCarGuy]

@@Benny--- Modern engineering and manufacturing could undoubtedly produce a much superior and more reliable straight 8. I'm longing for the day of a modern variant. Safety regs be damned...

[@Benny---]

@@MrCarGuy Ford actually experimented with bringing back inline 8s as part of their largely forgotten 1990s T-drive program. The whole T-drive system basically consisted of taking two engines and butting them up flywheel to flywheel and transferring power to the transmission from out between the two engine blocks, so the two blocks and the transmission would be stacked up in a T-shape, hence the name. As part of this program they built a Ford Tempo with a twin-overhead cam 4.0Liter inline 8 mounted transversely. Little is known about this prototype but there are some grainy old photos available to the public. If this type of stuff interests you I'd suggest you look up the patent drawings for Ford's T-drive system, it's real funky stuff.

[@MrCarGuy]

@@Benny--- The T-Drive is quite an interesting solution for transverse engines, that's for sure. They definitely could've been experimenting with the transverse I8 more for Lincoln products. Even so, it has been almost 30 years since those patents were submitted and tech/standards are so different now. I would love to see a modern FR I8 car. The engine could easily have the ideal displacement per cylinder of 500cc for a total of 4.0L and still do fine with safety regs.

[@joeharrington595]

Love the sound of the straight eight, it"s unique! Good save Jonathan! Would love to hear this motor with dual exhaust

[@tedtrevorrow7125]

I took my drivers test in a 53 buick straight 8,what a beautifully smooth engine.

[@rdeanbenson217]

Great job! as an old retired mechanic, may I suggest "static timing" for future first starts? really appreciate your efforts, love to hear these old beasts come back to life!

[@buddyrojek9417]

Timing is retarded

[@SkinnyBiker]

Love the sound of the straight 8!

[@superhet7281]

The Engine Whisperer succeeds again! I can’t believe how quiet the straight eight runs with no exhaust system! This was Jonathan’s answer to the Coldwarmotors Straight Eight Challenge! 😎

[@johnclark3431]

Call me weird but I love the smell of an old motor getting up to operating temp after it’s been sitting for lots of years. I love watching old motors knock the dust off and come back to life!

[@bansheemania1692]

At around 7:25 Im Grinding my Teeth For the Poor Starter.... When you Mean Cold Old Start. You don't Cheat... Smooth JUST Like The 39 Buick Victorian ... It Used to Take Us A Few Pumps And a Good Charger connected and she'd come to Life and Im Glad I Had A Chance To Ride In The Most Expensive Buick you could buy in 39... Class, Smooth

[@Chr.U.Cas2216]

Dear bansheemania Me too. Inbetween I thought it would become the next candidate for J. Ws starter motor cemetery! :-) ;-) Best regards luck and health.

[@daviddonaghy7568]

I had a 47 for a short period of time. 3 speed on the tree and had multiple carbs from the factory.

[@marshalllhiepler]

Thank you for putting your fingers over the carburetor intake and correcting the mixture. I can't tell you how many videos have been posted on KZbin about "firing up old engines" , where the "mechanic/clown" can't seem to discern that the engine is firing rediculously lean, and thus, proceeds to crank the starter for an hour. When, by some miracle, the engine starts; it is mostly due to the "preheating effect" of the starter motor, which is glowing red hot, and warming the block. Of course, the viewer's are screaming "choke it", but alas, the bafoon never seems to hear the advice.

[@rodney1818]

For those that didn't know Jonathan also has his own hardware store.

[@astrodiver1]

That didn't build itself. lol

[@rodney1818]

@@astrodiver1 Name something that does build itself. LOL

[@jtthill5475]

@Top Dead Center Well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

[@rodney1818]

@Top Dead Center What the hell are you talkin about? What does that have to do with cars or Jonathan's Channel? You're confusing yourself. With someone important?

[@rodney1818]

@Top Dead Center Dear Lord, please stop stupid people from breeding. We're getting over run down here.

[@jameshicks4944]

Man that engine runs smooth,no shaking or vibrating or anything,good find Jonathan,good video,thanks for taking the time and trouble to make these videos Jonathan,i really appreciate them.

[@Hjerte_Verke]

And people think V8s are *inherently* smooth.

[@hugieflhr03]

Surprisingly quiet for an open exhaust manifold. Good running engine!

[@regsparkes6507]

What a sweet running in-line 8 this is,...nice REAL nice!

[@guillermonieri4203]

That is a nice running engine. Thank you for sharing.

[@MrMadkaw400]

Sounds amazing can’t wait to see what it goes in

[@bcabmac]

I love your videos, it's like Dr. Frankenstein bringing the dead back to life. And the sounds of my childhood. Lol. I found that with these old engines when you test fire after decades. Before you try to start them. I put a mix if Kerosene and light oil in every cylinder. Then crank it with the plugs out to get rid of excess and splash around inside to wet the valve seats. The gummyness seals the valves and lubricates and seals the rings enough to get her started and burn off the dirt and corrosive obstructions. I do it particularly with engines that were left outside exposed or partially disassembled. It cuts the crank time way down. Then you dont have to crank the hell out of the starter to get it to pop the first time and run.

[@letysmallwood5042]

That old engine sounded powerful. Great job Jonathan. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnkendall6962]

LOL The problem was the shotgun marriage of a Ford carburetor and Buick motor. Even at the ceremony they weren't quite sure about each other. But they soon got it sorted out and went on to years of happy married bliss.

[@michaeldonnelly1657]

I was never in doubt that you’d get it running, thanks for sharing the joy

[@jeffprewitt7207]

Only wish I was as smart about mechanical processes and body work as Jonathan. He is one super guy. Too bad I live too far to visit him regularly.

[@ImGdiddy]

She runs nice and smooth. I think you have a good one!

[@MrPaige222]

dvs1145 Yep...no need for his knock be gone!

[@cookspaintbody2944]

Old motor sounds good 👌

[@RODALCO2007]

You are the King of revitalizing old engines. Man, you know your stuff. Keep up the excellent video's.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man! That buick straight 8 sounds smooth and sweet!😎👍there's nothing like a vintage engine! Simplicity at its best!

[@Mrmikemike46]

I sure enjoy your videos. Thanks for taking me along!

[@TheJohndeere212]

I love it when you get the old motors running again. Keep up with the good work.

[@ironcladranchandforge7292]

That's awesome !! It's running great, and the exhaust smoke cleared up quick too. Looks like you got a good engine there :-)

[@stevehetrick2676]

Beautiful sounding engine, just purrs!

[@raylarkin5004]

Runs real nice, no smoke, or knocks. Maybe pull the tins to replace the valve cover and oil pan gaskets, give it a cursory exam and clean it up as you see fit. It actually has a beautiful patina. VERY NICE ENGINE!👍

[@gregwise5324]

That engine sounds really good! I never had a Buick straight 8, but I did have a 51 Pontiac that had a straight 8, & a Hydramatic in it. It was a Sweet car. Thanks for the trip down "Memory Lane" !!

[@johncaballero8013]

Wow! You have a really good Buick straight 8! No smoke and very smooth running engine. :)

[@Rems61]

I learned to drive in a '52 Buick with a Straight 8. DynaFlow transmission. That was the smoothest running engine I have ever seen. The whole car was great. With that transmission you never felt a shift, it was fantastic. Really happy to see that engine come to life. Thanks Jonathan.

[@carlmayo7650]

With Dyna Flow there was no shifting of gears. Like a torque converter all the way.

[@bobleeswoodshop7919]

Thanks for sharing your videos and adventures! Thanks again Jonathan!

[@jasonbarton4035]

Omg! What a smooth running engine! Why cant they still make em like that! That motor is camera shy on one side!😂😂😂

[@denjhill]

They still do. Listen to or drive a straight 6 BMW sometime. Pure delight. Or better yet a straight 6 Cummins 5.9L diesel.

[@GOBRADON502]

Because they're not efficient and besides that they're antiquated 😛😀😁😆😂😄

[@upyours1256]

Jason Barton LOL because they are gutless AF

[@awesomusmaximus3766]

6:1 compression ratio is why

[@scdevon]

I like any engine that you can repair with a hammer.

[@jaggass]

Even with no exhaust engines were so much quieter back then. Buick's have always sounded fantastic.

[@ldean-du5im]

That’s a good engine! Runs smooth and no smoke! And no computers hooked to it! Good job , Good video! Thanks Johnathon!

[@jorgefernandez-mv8hu]

Good Job Jonathan! That engine is purring along nice and smooth. Love that sound!

[@johnhansen4550]

Jonathan does a great job with these old engines! Love the rumble of the straight eights. Hope he shows us how to hop it up!

[@kellytaylor3915]

I always recommend spinning engine over with the spark plugs out on first start up. It gets everything moving and flowing with much less strain on the starting system. After good oil pressure and fuel pump and carb bowls fills good then put the pulls back in. this works great for Lawn equipment that sits up over winter. Give it try and you will have time well spent getting your engines up and running after long down times

[@almurray292]

Hi Guys, Al from BC Canada here, would someone please cobble together a remote start switch for Jonathan? I will if i have to, but the shipping from Canada would be worth more than the parts are worth. Lets get together on this and help the boy out. And Thank you Jonathan for inviting us all in as you do. Your one of my three favorite Channels.

[@scottbourdon5423]

That was so exciting another excellent job Jonathan such a pleasure to watch thanks for bringing us along

[@ervingoertzen7233]

Wow ! Another oldie for a cruiser nostalgia build ! That straight eight ever run nice smooth !

[@sirloinofbeef3862]

Yep. You and Cold War Motors. Together? 👍👍👍👍

[@11secghia]

a sea of rusty treasure!

[@sirloinofbeef3862]

@@11secghia Yep..

[@rareblues78daddy]

@@adamheazlett1179 Both are miracle workers in their own ways.

[@kimchipig]

A Southern Gentleman and Canadian Hoser. I like it.

[@rareblues78daddy]

@@adamheazlett1179 The work he's done on that Fury is damn near "miracle" territory.

[@t.w.3]

Amazing sound. Why not put a small hose with water into the water pump outlet? I do that when I run engines outside the vehicle. Especially with modern engines you prevent warping alu heads, etc. and can run the engines a bit longer to see how they behave once properly warm.. Nice engine. Sure would look amazing fully painted and dressed up. Thanks for making the video Jonathan. Two thumbs up from me. :)

[@derrickrees8895]

Good to hear the rumble of an old straight eight again ! There were stories of Ford Carburettors being used for economy on Buicks in the old days .Apparently it worked , but I don't know if there were any long term problems such as burning valves in the end cylinders..

[@mkofftiger]

Wonderful! Congratulations...the engine sounds like those '40s movie cars...beautiful.

[@hillbillyb4u]

Dad had a ‘39 Buick with a straight 8. We always wanted to try to start it. Dad passed away when I was 15. Car ended up sold for scrap. Thanks for the video

[@timtate8520]

Another outstanding recovery of a great old engine! You certainly have patience to keep after her to get her going. Can’t wait to see the old girl in something rolling down the road!!!!

[@aleblanc3547]

Always amazing that you can get these old beauties going, JW. Thanks bud!!

[@patjohnson3100]

Coming from a GM family, it's great to see this old straight 8 come back to life! Don't forget more follow ups with the 39 Chevy.

[@robertlee4564]

Nice job Jonathan bringing that smooth running Buick strait 8 back to life. Looks like a keeper!

[@scottsmith3381]

Great video its not everyday you get to hear a cool old straight 8 running sounded great

[@jameshicks4944]

I had to watch it again,that engine is smooth,love that straight 8.

[@6petrolhead6]

What a lovely smooth running engine Johnathan no smoke no rattles or knocks I'm really impressed

[@Roudter]

I'm sitting here, working....writing software for our modern society.... Meanwhile I play KZbin videos of things I'd rather be doing... Thanks!!!! Sounds just wonderful....

[@johnweaver8470]

Got a Buick with compound carburetors 1941 straight eight awesome engine good job Jonathan

[@SuperchiefApache]

No backfire.....smooth as silk! Love it!!

[@sugartreefordman7293]

The engine whisperer does it again😃

[@deanfarr3249]

Damn you got more miles on the starter than the engine

[@whizzo55]

Had a '37 back in the sixties. Her name was, "Big Bertha", written in white on the rear fender. Had a rod knock and sold it for $75. Loved just looking at the engine bay. Cool cars.

[@waltercaldwell4529]

You Sir have made the straight 8 my favorite motor thank you awesome

[@williammcguire3rd]

Awesome job! Sounds great!

[@Kickinpony66]

Whew! You "Saved My Monday"!!! Gotta love the By-Pass Oil Filter; I think it made people "Feel Better", more than anything. You know... If you mist fuel into that Open Intake (without a carburetor), that engine will run at Full Throttle! :O

[@jamesstafford7467]

Sometimes these things take a minute. It sounds good.

[@reidbarnes9851]

It makes me smile when Jonathan wakes up a dinosaur after it's been napping for years.

[@LarryDeSilva64]

Great work getting that Buick engine started. It sure was a bear getting it started but after you started playing with the air fuel mixture screws you got that to idle pretty good. Thanks for sharing.

[@mikemullay5622]

When in good condition a Buick Straight 8 fires very quickly. I have a friend with a '49 Roadmaster coupe. It has the big 320 engine, operating on 6 volts. It rolls over slow on a hot start but in 30 years I have never heard it fail to start. My 322 nailhead V8 in my '56 Special is the same way.

[@craignehring]

Living proof low compression is not the kiss of death. It would be nice to see what the compression is after this engine has a few hours on it now in the 21st century. Nice work Jonathan

[@robertbusack2100]

hello, i had a 48 4 door the babit rods had a nasty knock. i found a newer one with insert rods and swapped the whole damn thing. i could idle it so sloooooow i think you could count the fan blades with the naked eye !! i fired mine up on the ground too lol brings back memories. enjoyed this old 8 vid. take care,bob

[@davidwaskiewicz3289]

That thing runs sweet! And zero smoke! I’m impressed, great video 😁

[@robertbiggs4934]

Another winner Jonathan!! Beautiful sounding engine. Gonna have to start putting them in some vehicles. Nice video...thanks!

[@jimmydionne2699]

that is the best sounding straight 8 ive ever heard great job johnathan

[@stevesalvage1089]

Lucky with the carb to work on 8 cylinders, here in England nothing works that simple here we gotta do idle jet changes and main system adjustments , thanks again for great film ,be watching for more

[@awkwarddude]

Another successful resurrection from the...well...boat anchor category to the possible transplant to a viable project car! Nicely done, JW!

[@TheDaf95xf]

So sweet a straight 8 Johnathan is a master of getting old engines running 👍🏻 Great channel with fantastic explanation of what’s going on 😎🇬🇧

[@rareblues78daddy]

I miss the days when the US made bullet-proof, dead-on reliable machinery like this. These engines are a testament to what a powerhouse of manufacturing we used to be.

[@dordor718]

Motor runs great Jonathan.....good job as always....

[@alanbellkey4592]

Very cool Jonathan I have a 1950 Buick special that my grandparents bought new in Nampa Idaho and I’m not sure of the displacement on my engine or not so I will have to go look but it runs pretty darn good and it had to sit for many many years before I got it 30 years ago I love your videos Thank you Alan boehlke

[@martentrudeau6948]

That's fantastic. It sounds a lot better than it looks.

[@osocool1too]

I’m very impressed ! This 71 yo engine has roared to life yet again.

[@rickytart1028]

Enjoyed the video Jonathan, thanks a bunch......I think the 1953 Buick that I drove, and belonged to my uncle had the same engine...It was a green Buick….Ugliest color of green I have ever seen... It was like a tank...

[@thirdcargarage2951]

She sounds very smooth Great job.

[@gedungisphoopnuchle9121]

That was worth the wait! Sweet sounds!😎👍💪😁

[@mattclinch1976]

Thanks for the Videos! Engine sounds strong!

[@chrisdowland]

First time hearing a straight 8 what an awesome sounding engine

[@dbeaumontresident847]

That motor sounds amazing Jonathan!

[@kurkruk70]

Beautiful old engine. Sounds like it has lots of life left in it. Really awesome sound.

[@henryszubielski8601]

That is awesome Jonathan! Sounds wonderful!

[@johnwickouski112]

Mighty auto parts are a brand to where as a parts man would come by and stock your shop with parts and you pay as you sell the parts it really worked well with tune up parts, filters, brake parts as well . used there parts up into the early 2000's

[@kenswitzer4133]

john wickouski Thank you John. Never knew this but glad I do now.