Carl 61 Fleetwood Phyllis

[Clewisiii]

I had need to pull my bumper out today. This has been sitting on a shelf for years.

Pulling off all the brackets that will go for powder coating.

Then the hardware that can be saved will be plated.

[Clewisiii]

I looked up McVeys. They have the high pressure line on their website. Looks much better then Caddy Daddy. They don't show the low pressure side. But I know they do not list everything online. I will need to call them.

[Roger Zimmermann]

If some of your rear lenses are no more good, I have some NOS.

[Clewisiii]

Roger, that would all depend on price. The NOS lense price has gotten to a point that I am happy with reproduction.  This Fleetwood will never be valuable so I can only put money where it is important. 

[Clewisiii]

I got my shorter exhaust studs today so I am test fitting the cross over pipe.  There is no gaskets or sealant in here yet.


First I must say that I am happily surprised with how well the ends matched up to the manifolds. I was expecting some fighting or bending. Just due to any warp from the welding.



But I do have one concern. The pipe comes very close. Nearly touching a tie rod. This might move when everything is tightened up. And I have not adjusted the steering yet anyway. I will need to turn the wheels side to side to see what happens.

[Clewisiii]

One question. Gasket sealant on exhaust gaskets.  I have it. But it is going to be very difficult working alone to line up and install all this stuff with sealant between the layers.

I don't mind the fight since it will only be done once. But how important is sealant on these gaskets especially around the exhaust bypass spacer.

[Clewisiii]

Man this stuff just lays right in place.  I need to reach out to Grant again to check on the exhaust hangers.

[cadman59]

Very nice! 
Pay attention to the clearance between exhaust pipe and emergency brake lever also. 

At my '59 that lever is sometimes rattling against the exhaust pipe. Unfortunately I have been unable to correct this; once the pipe clamps have been tightened it seems impossible to move or turn the pipes because they have been cramped by the clamps.

But I also must say your exhaust fits far better than mine did.

[Clewisiii]

Can anyone tell me about the electrical connection for the front lower lights.

Can this wiring come off?
Does the wire stay connected to the housing and a plug on the other end?

Trying to figure out how far I can go cleaning these up.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Looks like the lamp holder is secured to the housing via a crimping of the inside ring.

I wouldn't be surprised if the wiring can be pushed through the base to allow checking and cleaning, but carefully pulling back on the rubber shield, you might be able to see more.   I notice that there is a tiny depression of the surround, indicating to me that the insulated part is not removeable.

Bruce.

[Clewisiii]

Looks like the lamp holder is secured to the housing via a crimping of the inside ring.

I wouldn't be surprised if the wiring can be pushed through the base to allow checking and cleaning, but carefully pulling back on the rubber shield, you might be able to see more.   I notice that there is a tiny depression of the surround, indicating to me that the insulated part is not removeable.

Bruce.

Thank You Tassie. I have 4 of these but they all have very dry wiring.

[Clewisiii]

Well the exhaust is all suspended. Still not clamped or installed to manifolds yet.

Three of those original hangers actually hold the pipes off to the side so I cannot suspend directly from the upper mounts.

But my floor looks nicer.

I need to call the shop to ask about my driveshaft that is being rebuilt. But I cannot pay for it until Friday so I am letting it go for now. I will take the rear end to the shop to have it looked over at the beginning of October.
 

[Roger Zimmermann]

Roger, that would all depend on price. The NOS lense price has gotten to a point that I am happy with reproduction.  This Fleetwood will never be valuable so I can only put money where it is important. 

I'll take contact with you when I'm back home. I have those lenses for such a long time that I'm ready to make a good offer for you.

[Clewisiii]

My Car Show tools and supplies boxes will be vintage luggage I can keep in the trunk.

This box will be electrical.
Coil
Condensers
Points
Plugs
Wire repair tools.


I have another make up case for
Fuel Pump
Gaskets
Belts
Fuses
Small fluids.

Then I have bigger luggage for show set up supplies

Now that things are going together I am happy to I be putting my extras away in their boxes.

[Cadman-iac]

  I like that idea. Very unique actually. Disguise your parts and tools. Cool!!

[Clewisiii]

Well gee. I need to buy a battery soon.   I am so excited with how close a running engine and finished chassis and suspension is.   

I have identified a couple of points I am going to address on the body before I put it back on the frame. And a fresh coat of paint on underbody and paint the firewall.

The body could be on a running frame by spring. Then it is saving money for paint. Unfortunately my new job does not have bonuses so I cannot rely on helpful lump sums of cash to add to the painting budget.

[Clewisiii]

I have a new fan clutch. So I can I stall the radiator this weekend.

I contacted McVeys. They sell a perfect high pressure power steering hose. They only sell low pressure by the foot no fittings. They sell clamps for $12 a piece that are almost correct except hex head nut instead of plain flat head. I am going to buy the new and include my original in the next batch of parts to plate.

I may reuse this low pressure nipple. But it is a little rusty. I may have a new one made locally but they would need to install the raised interference edge.

[Clewisiii]

After watching the Holub project on YouTube and the difficulty he has had priming his 61 engine, I decided to jump in and make a rod to prime my engine.

But I started with copper and slightly to large. I could flatten it enough to work at first. But it would eventually stretch and spin. So tomorrow I am going to go to the hardware store and find a more appropriately sized pipe to fit to the oil pump drive shaft.

[Clewisiii]

What a tedious install. Only about a 1/2 turn per bolt at a time.

[Clewisiii]

I need to build a fixture to hold this radiator firmly in the proper position.