Front hub & seal situation '68 442
August 1st, 2015, 05:17 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Colorado - Front Range
Posts: 2,369
Front hub & seal situation '68 442
Just looking for opinions, and possibly a part if the wind blows that way.
I'm refreshing the front of my '68 442 and have discovered that it has some Buick components/part numbers mixed in with the Olds (steering knuckle arms). In addition, one of the Olds hubs has had the inner seal area machined out from the Olds dimension of 59.08mm +/- .002 to the Buick dimension of 60.91mm +/- .002. The spindle dimensions and inner/outer bearings match up correctly. I already have the Olds seals. They are too loose, by 1mm, in the hub that has been machined.
What do you think: just buy the Buick seal and log it for future reference? Or replace the hub with a correct Olds unit?
I'm refreshing the front of my '68 442 and have discovered that it has some Buick components/part numbers mixed in with the Olds (steering knuckle arms). In addition, one of the Olds hubs has had the inner seal area machined out from the Olds dimension of 59.08mm +/- .002 to the Buick dimension of 60.91mm +/- .002. The spindle dimensions and inner/outer bearings match up correctly. I already have the Olds seals. They are too loose, by 1mm, in the hub that has been machined.
What do you think: just buy the Buick seal and log it for future reference? Or replace the hub with a correct Olds unit?
August 2nd, 2015, 05:08 AM
#3
Old(s) Fart
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,311
The hubs are functionally identical. Unless the part number differences are causing you to lose sleep (or points at a judging, which I really find hard to believe), just get the Buford seals and worry about the important stuff.
August 4th, 2015, 08:06 AM
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Colorado - Front Range
Posts: 2,369
Decision Time
Haha! Good one! 
No, I trashed the old seals upon removal... of course not expecting anything goofy. Joke's on me! 
As I have gotten farther into this, I believe that my ride suffered some front/left crash at some point before my stewardship began.
The left fender is a Cutlass fender that had the emblem piercings filled, with the 442 emblems double-side taped to the surface. The hub that was machined was on the driver side.
Looking back at old pics from before the tear-down I now realize the brake drum from the driver side was a Buick part - had the fins, rather than plain outer surface that the passenger side had. This also explains why the driver side ball joints had been replaced, while the pass side still had the OEM units, upper (riveted) and lower. I need to inspect the frame horns carefully and perform the frame "square" measurements.
I didn't notice anything untoward with the upper or lower CAs or mounting points on either side - no dents/dings/squishes. Those on the left were either replaced already or suffered no damage. Part of my refresh effort includes new bushings everywhere, so that is taken care of.
Thanks, Joe; I think for the seal I'll just install the proper fitting seal and make note of it for future reference.
No, I trashed the old seals upon removal... of course not expecting anything goofy. Joke's on me! As I have gotten farther into this, I believe that my ride suffered some front/left crash at some point before my stewardship began.
The left fender is a Cutlass fender that had the emblem piercings filled, with the 442 emblems double-side taped to the surface. The hub that was machined was on the driver side. Looking back at old pics from before the tear-down I now realize the brake drum from the driver side was a Buick part - had the fins, rather than plain outer surface that the passenger side had. This also explains why the driver side ball joints had been replaced, while the pass side still had the OEM units, upper (riveted) and lower. I need to inspect the frame horns carefully and perform the frame "square" measurements.
I didn't notice anything untoward with the upper or lower CAs or mounting points on either side - no dents/dings/squishes. Those on the left were either replaced already or suffered no damage. Part of my refresh effort includes new bushings everywhere, so that is taken care of.
Thanks, Joe; I think for the seal I'll just install the proper fitting seal and make note of it for future reference.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
aaronlife
General Discussion
10
August 15th, 2015 09:18 AM
e.cast728
General Questions
37
April 7th, 2014 04:14 AM
