Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Well it's been a few years since I've visited my 58 limo. Things like kids tuition, economy, and both kids needing cars. You know the routine. Well I'm back in the game and asking for your help. I have the frame and all the hard parts going to media blast Friday morning and I am shopping for all the rubber parts, bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends ect. Everything new. If anyone could please point me in the right direction for good parts and pricing would be greatly appreciated. I'm excited to be back on the project and thank you in advance for your help.
Matt.

Here are some pics so far.

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Just a quick update. I ended up getting the rubber and hard parts from rubber the right way. They were very helpful and the prices were good as well. The frame and suspension parts are getting blasted and power coated. The Trans is off to the builder and I'm almost done with the engine.

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Nice project and progress! I'm involved in a 51 Limousine restoration, they are beasts of a project to restore! Are you keeping it black? What color interior?

Nice and thank you. I am going black in the paint. I'm not sure on the interior color as of yet. There is an apolstry shop her in nashville that does most of the country music artist custome cars and does amazing work. The softest leather I have ever felt. I think I will leave it up to him. Here is a pictur of a car that has the look I am going for.

Has anyone had a 58 Ac compressor rebuilt? If so who wound you recommend? Thanks.

Classic Auto Air out of Tampa, FL seems to be the vendor most people on here recommend for rebuilding Fridigaire A5 compressors. I haven't tried them myself yet but they'll get the job when I'm rebuilding mine.

http://www.classicautoair.com (http://www.classicautoair.com)

I'll call them today. Thanks for the help and good luck on you project.

Out with the 30 amp generator and in with 180 amp alternator. Made a few spacers and. Changed a couple bolts and went right in.

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Back from powder coat. Reassembly of the chassis starts tomorrow.

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Coming along great! Nothing like a full size jigsaw puzzle  8)

Thanks. I pressed in all the bushings today. Hopefully I can have it all back together tomorrow.

Front and rear suspension is done. Trans and engine is going in today.

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Lookin good, some impressive work. Keep the pictures coming. I find them very inspirational.

Hey Matt,
   Nice Work! No grass growing under your feet…..Very Motivational!
                                                                                     Bobby

Thank you sir.

Well time for exhaust. Can anyone recommend a stainless solution without resonators and stock hangers for this car? 58 Fleatwood series 75 cc.
Thanks.

Can't help you with your question, but want to thank you for the pictures, and as noted before, the inspiration!   And do keep those pictures coming... they are an amazing record of your work.   Best regards!

Will do.

The engin and Trans after five years finally found there way home!

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Absolutely beautiful--- a sight to behold, and truly and inspiration!

Thank you. I am still waiting on the break kit to arrive. I guess I'm at a stand still since I am out of parts to put on. I guess a day off won't hurt.

Well still no parts. Might as well keep cleaning.

After putting the drive shaft in the sand blaster, two coats of primer, two coats of silver base and two coats of clear.

Hi
I have just bought a 1958 Cadillac Coupe Deville in South Florida and I was wondering if you might know a bit about the 58 Cadillac, for example can any 58 model Cadillac windscreen fit my coupe? Also does this apply to steering wheels. If you know of anyone who could help I would greatly appreciate their contact details.

Thanks

Scott

Hi Scott. Rubber the right way carries a lot of glass for the 58. I am looking in there catalog and it looks like there are different windshields for different models. Clayton at rubber the right way is who I deal with. 866-789-7879. As far as the steering wheel, I'm not sure.
Hope this helps.
Matt

Drive shaft is in and fuel lines and filter are done. I got the silver carb paint from Eastwood so I'm going to move on to that next.

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Well just for an update. I fired up the engine Friday night and while I was breaking it in, it started to develop a slight knock. Oil pressure went way low at idel so I knew I had to pull the engine back out to see what happend. Sure thing rod and mains didn't look good. I dropped the engine off today at the machine shop to have the whole thing gon through and checked. I should have a perfectly balanced ,assembled long block when I get it back. I'ts a set back but it's better to have it happen now instead of after the car is finished.

Hey Matt,
Sorry about the set-back, but better now than later when you are further along. Do me a favor a give yourself a pat on the back my brother. I can't believe the progress you've made in less than one month. I'm Impressed! I'm sure you'll find something else to continue with while the engine is being gone over. Keep up the Great Work!
                                                                            Bobby

Thanks again Bobby. You are right better now than later. Still no brakes yet. Very disapointing!!! It's ok. It's Christmas so I want to wish you and your family as well as everyone on this forem a very, very merry Christmas and happy new year.

Well finally I got the parts I was waiting for. Disk breaks, exhaust and exhaust brackets. I should have the engine back next week. I am looking forward to firing it up next weekend. Hopefully it goes better this time.

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Got the engine back today. Im getting to try to get it preped primed and painted tonight.

Matt,
  That was pretty a pretty quick turn around on the engine work. What did they wind up doing? Looks Great!
                                                                                                                       Bobby

They rebuilt the whole engine. Turned the crank. 30 over Pistons, bearings, the whole nine yards. They did have to replace the cam. In short they built me a long block. Everything new but the rods an crank. I am about to second coat the block with primer.

Matt,
   Nice…That's gonna run SWEET when it's done! Throw some pics up when you get the motor back together and painted.
                                                                                                                Bobby

I think it turned out pretty good.

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I'm trying to make my pictures smaller. Any ideas?

Matt,
Hi. Sent you a PM.
                   Bobby

Thanks Bobby. I will try that.

Thank you as well Ben.

The project is still going on. I'm having to travel quite a bit so I haven't had time to post. I hope everyone is doing well.

I hope you continue to post regularly. Your progress and skill with the project is amazing. I attempted to get a similar result with a body-on restoration and it falls way short to what I see in your photos. I'd love to be able to help you with this. Why can't any of my neighbors be working on something like this that I can get excited about?! The photo of your "goal" car looks enviable. Are you planning on lowering the suspension slightly, too? Couldn't be better!
Looking forward to more progress reports and many thanks for posting.
Chuck

Will do Chuck. Thank you for your complements and encouragement. I will get those pictures ASAP. I could use all the help I can get.

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I hate the way I phone pictures post here. They are huge. I will do it from my computer from now on.

WOW!!!!!!!!! I love that engine :P

Thanks Sheldon. I thought the original set up I had was a little plain. So decided to chrome it up a little bit.

Good morning. I am looking at my list of things I am missing or need to replace for this project and hopefully you guys can help me. I need to find the fowling.
Spare tire trunk metal.
The horizontal sheet metal piece that I call body to rear bumper filler.
It's about three inches wide and fits between the two tail lights.
It's held on with Phillips head screws.
I hope that makes sense.
A good compleat front grill.
Driver side rear door stainless body side molding.
Thank you in advance!
Matt

Quote from: Matt Ferrall on September 04, 2015, 09:28:45 PM
I hate the way I phone pictures post here. They are huge. I will do it from my computer from now on.

Yes, iDevices use a different code to define top of the image. Supposedly, it is the proper code per the JPEG standard, but many computing systems ignore this code. So it's best to pull your pictures down to a Windows or unix system, open it in your picture editor of choice, and simply save it again so you can post it.

But that engine is awesome!!  This project is coming along nicely.

Update pictures

Matt,
Hope you're getting that giant body painted and pretty to match that spotless frame and drivetrain. You're doing a great job and I have a little envy at your progress. Hopefully I can catch up a bit soon. 👍🏻

I'm seriously considering installing a full airbag suspension on this car. Can anyone recommend a bolt on solution? I don't want to modify any factory parts when installing it.
Thank you for your help!

Matt

Great project! My first car was a 1958 7533.

a more recent project...FAST fuel injection is so nice installed on a 57 Brougham, its very easy to install...a weekend project. Impressive yet smooth performance. I'd be hard pressed to buy another carburetor.

Please advise your results on the air suspension, my concern would be more to the ride quality.

Thanks guys! The body is being picked up in October for bodywork and paint. It will be nice to see it back on the frame!!
I bet the fuel injection is a nice setup but it's to late for me to turn back now. I love my duces!!!
I'll keep you posted on the airbag set up.

Matt.