Recent posts

#41

Technical / Authenticity / Re: thermostat gauge question

Last post by Daffer - September 02, 2025, 08:47:12 PM

Ok been a while but I did end up doing the test J. Gomez suggested and the guage went all the way to "H" so the ground is good and tge dash guage is good so I think thats at least good news. But since getting my brakes done and new tires ive been actually driving it and I drove to my grandparents thus past week but my temperature guage never went up. Would that mean the sending unit is the issue? Its brand new so idk why its not "reading" the temperature.

#42

Technical / Authenticity / Re: 1956 Ignition switch smoki...

Last post by 35-709 - September 02, 2025, 08:37:03 PM

Surprised it didn't blow a fuse.  Don't think they used fusible links back then.  Have to wonder why, if just that power wire shorted, did the starter keep on cranking which was alluded to in the first post.  Maybe it wasn't the starter?   

#43

Want To Buy - Parts / Re: 1955 Cadillac window flipp...

Last post by Cadman-iac - September 02, 2025, 08:11:47 PM

John,

Is it the triangular piece that you are looking for, or the spring that hooks into it?
One thing that I've noticed from messing with mine is that other than the length of the flippers themselves, they are otherwise identical to what Chevrolet used for the tri-five models.
Danchuk manufacturing sells the spring kits for those, and they work for the Cadillac as well.

If it's the triangular piece you need, you will have to remove one from another flipper, hopefully a damaged one.
I have a few of the Chevrolet flippers that are not in the best of shape, I can check and see if I have one of the pieces you're looking for.
Where are you located?

Rick

#44

Technical / Authenticity / Re: 1960 Hydramatic...What's i...

Last post by bigoilman - September 02, 2025, 07:00:02 PM

Good choice.

The trouble with too many gears is that these transmissions are designed for engines with a very narrow torque band, and require so many gears to get any sort of performance and meet strict anti-pollution requirements.   The top couple of gears are simply added overdrive gears.

Bruce.

I fully understand the modern transmissions (I've done a few LS swaps in addition to the factory stuff I own/owned). I'll bet a 390 Cadillac would perform very well in front of a modern overdrive transmission. As much as I love the LS platform, unless you plan to build for high 3 digit HP (or even 4 digit HP), there's not much an LS (or LT) can do that a traditional SBC or BBC (or Cadillac engine), won't.  Parts are easier to get and cheaper but the real advantage is in the transmissions. I'd love to see a 390 with EFI and a modern transmission put together but it's probably more trouble than it's worth just for the sake of being different.

#45

Technical / Authenticity / Re: Master cylinder Top

Last post by Rossoroo - September 02, 2025, 06:17:46 PM

7/8" wrench works on mine. Lots of different types of caps out there.
Maybe a little heat from a heat gun [NO FLAMES!!] would help. Brake fluid is hydroscopic [hygroscopic] so it may be rusted on the inside.You may want to take it out [2 nuts, 2 brake lines] and make sure there is no rust in the reservoir.

#46

General Discussion / Re: Aftermarket Parts Getting ...

Last post by Steve W - September 02, 2025, 04:11:54 PM

As evidenced by my previous posts over the years, getting good quality new parts for our cars is, at best, a crap shoot. It's one of the reasons I switched from ignition points to Pertronix years ago, and why I went through 3 replacement power steering pumps that leaked right out of the box.

Luckily. I've held on to all my old parts and are going to have all these OEM parts rebuilt, IF I can find a specialty shop here in So Cal that still offers this service.

It's also why I'm constantly on the lookout for NOS, OEM parts that are so hard to find, a lot of parts on my car were one-year-only...and if found are outrageously expensive...but only getting more expensive as time goes on. Ever price out a neutral safety switch, or an original fuel filter, or firewall-mounted vacuum manifold for a 68 Coupe deVille? OUCH!   

#47

Technical / Authenticity / Re: 1956 Ignition switch smoki...

Last post by Lexi - September 02, 2025, 09:08:07 AM

Was able to get the ignition switch apart from the bezel. Examined the wiring and found the pink IGN wire has insulation scorched and melted (see pic). I'll probably repair this with a Permatex liquid electrical tape product as I can't reach it with heat shrink tubing.

Hoping this is the only cause of the smoking etc. Any comments/suggestions appreciated.

Hello Mike. I had my ignition heat up. Noted that it was warm after a drive. Some days it felt hot, so I changed it. Hopefully your wire patch fixed the problem, as those switches as far as I know are not reproduced. Other year Caddy switches will fit but you may have to change your terminal wire hardware to fit. Smaller blades or even ring fittings for example. Another PIA job. If your needle nose pliers removal was not the best, try using a small slot screwdriver which just fits into one of the square notches in the bezel ring. Use a light weight hammer to gently tap the bezel tight. Works very well and is probably better suited for removal due to the "shock" put to the bezel to loosen it. Just got to be careful not to scratch the bezel. So you got to keep the screwdriver in there pressed tight so it won't jump out when struck. Clay/Lexi

#48

Technical / Authenticity / Re: 1956 Ignition switch smoki...

Last post by J. Gomez - September 02, 2025, 07:53:28 AM

MB,

It is possible the wire insulation was crack exposing the wires to a ground source in the area, there are several cables (vent, etc.) that are close to the ignition switch hardness that may had rubbed in the open insulation causing the short. 

There is a possibility the expose wire was compromised with the short so you may need to splice the area. Remember that is the main +12V power feed to several sources (from the IGN switch) and the OEM wire is/was very limited handling the load.

Good luck..!   

#49

General Discussion / Re: Replacement or Substitute ...

Last post by The Tassie Devil(le) - September 02, 2025, 07:14:28 AM

You can, but the original air shocks have two ports on one, and a single port on the other one.

There is only one line running from the adjusting valve, so you have to be good at creating a joint to get two lines going to the replacement shocks.   As in a "T" fitting.

Bruce.

#50

General Discussion / Re: Replacement or Substitute ...

Last post by Cadillac1967Deville - September 02, 2025, 03:53:58 AM

What is the difference between the original air shocks and the one manufactured today? I cant understand why its not possible to just replace old with new?