I agree with a compression test. Water in crankcase is never a good thing... I'd try pressurizing the cooling system with the oil drain plug out of the pan and the spark plugs removed.

Thanks, I must be doing something right then. I've always kind of liked the style of the tubs and 40's Buicks as well. I mainly bought this one and dove into it as a learning experience. My father always had stuff from this period and mostly independents like Studebaker. I never really knew the man. We met about once a decade or 3 times in my life and now he's gone. The more I learn about him, the more I find that we were almost alike. This makes his having nothing to do with me very puzzling. My father came of driving age during what many consider the Mecca of automobiles and could have had (and did briefly) any of the 50's, 60's, and 70's cars he chose and cheaply. Stuff people kill for today. What I've been attempting to learn was why he would've stuck with this era, 40's-early 50's cars, motorcycles, and trucks. What did he find so interesting? The only way I could perhaps figure him out was to try it myself.
Due to many deaths in the family over the last 3 years, I've been contemplating selling maybe the 48 and possibly some others since they had many cars and I'm only one guy. Now, I'm the last one in the family still alive.
I do know that I'm selling off the rusty Buick seen in the previous pics background. Currently, I'm debating between the 48 and a 75 Tbird. 9 cars is way too many.

Now the "crack" gets to the corner in style!

I have a set of Firestone radials on my 78 LTD. They're 9-10 years old and still look and ride fine. That car was only driven maybe 100 miles a year for 9 years. What I do is overinflate them to 35-38 before storage. This help prevent flat spots. Prior to that, it had Goodyear Polysteels on it. Possibly from early 80's or original. I changed them due to age but they still looked fine.
I'm still using bias tires on my Packard. The ones on the car are showing their age and will be changed soon, getting splits between treads.

The trunk seal came out good, so I did the back doors today. The only parts of seals that were still good were the hinge panel pieces.
Every other vehicle I've worked on, you had to change the headlight switch when the headlights flicker like that. Most recently, my 78 LTD needed one last year. I'll look into the breaker but no NAPA within driving range here.

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The trunk seal came out good, so I did the back doors today. The only parts of seals that were still good were the hinge panel pieces.
Every other vehicle I've worked on, you had to change the headlight switch when the headlights flicker like that. Most recently, my 78 LTD needed one last year. I'll look into the breaker but no NAPA within driving range here.

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Didn't find any 3m glue but am trying the local store variety. It's clear in color. First, I'm removing the old rubber and using POR-15 inside the channel for the trunk seal.
I got the trunk seal installed around 9pm. It's too dark to check on it but should be dry. I'll have a look in the morning. Also found my headlights flicker every 10 seconds or so. Are replacement switches available or can the relay be repaired?

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These are the new goodies. I started with a good solid rot-free car so new rubber parts'll go a long way towards keeping it that way. I'll check some local stores for the 3m glue. There isn't anything left of the originals so I wasn't sure of the attaching method.
Hmmm, new master cyl? That may be something for tax time...

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I've got 2 of the tires mounted. They're a narrower whitewall, but they're for driving. I've just bought a set of door seals for all 4 doors and trunk seal. Apparently, they sell a trunk seal for 51-54 and you cut it down to fit? Any recommendations for an adhesive to use on the seals? These ought to stop the rattling of the doors when driving. Been driving it a lot lately. Drives like a champ. These seals should be the last of the "needs", after that starts the "wants".

Nope. Not liking this one. I'm seeing way too much "blacked-out" or painted out chrome anymore.