1940 Cadillac Running Board End Molding

[Fred Zwicker #23106]

I received bad news today. One of my running board end moldings was unsuitable for plating, so I need another - new or replatable used.  This is the front (larger) pot metal piece that covers the end of the end of the running board where it is close to the front fender. Series 75, but possibly something else might fit.  I will come up with a better description, exact size and part number after it is retuned from the plater.  If unable to locate, does anyone know if such a piece can be fabricated out of metal and real lead and then plated?  Making such a part out of brass is also an option if I can find someone who can handle such a job.  Hoping to find such a part or some suggestions. Thanks.

Fred Zwicker

[Steve Passmore]

Thomas Lindholm had a set of these some years ago, I don't know if they are the same as yours or if he still has them?

http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=118428.msg199889#msg199889

[Fred Zwicker #23106]

Thank you Steve - mine are similar but not the same as shown in the earlier post.  However since these were made in brass, I guess that is an option for me to consider.  Does anyone know where to get this done and the approximate cost?  I expect to have my pair returned from the plater later this week and will post pictures and dimensions to help with this search.  I know it won't be easy.  We are currently doing a full nut and bolt restoration on the car and so far it has been painted piece by piece and is now being reassembled. Color is Cavern Green with tan top and tan interior.  1940 Fleetwood Series 75 4-door convertible with side mounts.
Fred

[Steve Passmore]

We have two brothers with a small foundry about 20 miles from here who are magicians in brass and alloy casting. They have been making parts for us for many years.  If you have a reasonable original they can cast it.  I'll undertake to take your items there if finding someone in your country proves unsuccessful.  Casts are always very slightly smaller when they cool due to shrinkage.

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

This part is the same for all 39 and 40 75 and 90 series cars and is left and right.  It is a reasonable thing to fabricate this out of heavy steel for the basic shape and then solder the trim on it. 

[Fred Zwicker #23106]

Thanks Brad,  Our  body man is off until next week, and by then we should have the old part for a pattern and we will try  your suggestion, as doubt if a suitable used or new part can be located.   Once I get the old part back, I will post some pictures with dimensions.
Fred

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

Fred,

Once you get the part back and consider the fabrication of it, email me direct for a more detail discussion of this.  I will try to remember it also.  My Dad did this for my car 30 years ago.

[Fred Zwicker #23106]

Here are some pictures of the driver's running board end cap that could not be plated. The passenger side came out perfect and the smaller ends were replated by the previous owner and were in good (but not perfect) condition, so I don't want to take a chance on plating them.

The dark marks in the first picture are holes where the pot metal blew out!  I showed this to our machinist at work and he feels certain he can duplicate this part (we hope), but it will take a lot of time.   Attached are some pictures with approximate dimensions.  We are restoring this car for the 2017 Grand Nationals next August. One thing that concerns us is attaching the 5/32" wide ribs. My plater does not like lead, as it can contaminate his tank, so we may have to mill the grooves out of heavy metal and then weld to the other section, which will be made of several parts to get the correct contour.  Looks like a lot of welding, grinding and sanding is in the works, but it can be done.

I doubt if this part is available today, and even if a used one would show up, it would be expensive, and would probably not withstand plating.   Another option is to have the part casted in brass, but castings shrink from the original mold, so it is probably safer and lest costly to do it the hard way with metal and mig welder. We have plenty of cold roll steel in stock (cutoffs from our sandblasting cabinets that we manufacture).

Any ideas or comments on this will be appreciated.  Thanks,

Fred

[Steve Passmore]

You must do what's best for you but personally I would go for casting in brass. The shrinkage is negligible over 14",   about 1/8" I'd say and the casters I use will scrape out the sand cast a little to compensate for this.  Their cost would be under $200 and its ready for polishing.

[Fred Zwicker #23106]

Thank you Steve.  As I understand it you are in England.  What kind of time frame is involved in something like this, including lead time, correspondence, shipping both directions by air, duty, fees, etc. ?  It is not the cost that concerns me, it is the worry of a part being lost or damaged. I once had a long top grille bar from a 1957 Buick Super broken in half and it took months to locate another, and even longer to get UPS to settle the claim (I had $600 insurance).  The claims "expert" seemed to think that I could just go on eBay and find another for $100 or so. There was one on eBay at the time for around $300, but it was for a Special and was 2" or 3" shorter. A good friend of mine from the Buick club finally found one in Illinois and it finally had a happy ending. 

Since that time, I drive 100 miles each way to take any rare parts to my chrome plater (Bill's Chrome in Jeannette PA).

I will discuss this next week with my son and our machinist, and we may take you up on this very generous offer of help, but truthfully may want to first give it a try, as have successfully done things such as this in the past, and enjoy difficult challenges.  In the meantime, am hoping that a used one will show up that can be replated.  Another option: I have a Cadillac friend in Pittsburgh who may have a local source for brass castings.  I am waiting for his response.


Thanks again Steve,

Fred