Restoring my 57' Eldo and Looking for Advise

[Todd Kauffman]

Hello everyone.

I purchased a 1957 Eldorado Biarritz in 2016, from a deli owner from Freehold, NJ.  He advised me that he purchased the vehicle in 1971, in New York City.  He had given the vehicle to his son, who loved the car.  He and his son took the vehicle to many car shows and enjoyed the vehicle immensely.  The son succumbed to an untimely illness at a very young age.  The father and his wife could not bare to walk past the car that their son cherished so much parked in the garage.  I was able to purchase the vehicle from the father and bring it to South Carolina. 

Since I have had the vehicle, I have really enjoyed it.  However, after having the vehicle for a couple of year, there are multiple issues, with the vehicle, that I have decided to address.  Black liquid shoots out of the tailpipes, and the transmission does not shift properly.  Neither the turn signals, windshield wipers or windshield fluid washer work, there is no heat or vent fan, and much of the plastic insulation on the electrical wiring is cracking, leaving the wiring exposed.     

I was quite surprised, at least to this point, how little rust damage that I have located on the vehicle to date.  The only major rust damage that I have located so far was to the drivers side inner wheel well, and the body behind this area, almost directly under the heater core.  I have removed the engine and transmission, to have them rebuild.  I am making my way to the passenger interior in the near future, to remove the seats, and carpet.  I will have to rewire the entire vehicle due to the cracking wires.

I understand that this is going to be a major undertaking on my end.  I also own a 57' CDV, so I already have the manuals, and the parts book.  It is a good driver, but maybe my next project, if I can pull this one off.  Part of the reason I undertook this endeavor is because of the posts that I have been reading over the past couple of years in this forum.  I think I have the ability to complete the build, and hopefully with the collective knowledge from the members of this group, I have confidence that I can pull it off. 

1. When I media blasted the exhaust manifolds I discovered a couple of cracks.  Can they be welded, or do I need to purchase new manifolds?   

2. Does a diagram of the entire vacuum system exist?  I have looked in the service manual, but cannot locate a complete diagram.  I am still in the disassembly phase, but just trying to anticipate upcoming issues that I can get assistance from the forum members.

I am including several photographs of the vehicle and work that I have completed.  Please provide any comments on what you see in the photographs.     

[Roger Zimmermann]

Sorry if I cannot answer your questions; I just would say that for an unrestored car, it's in a very good condition!
About the exhaust manifold: they can be welded; it depends if the metal was not too corroded by the exhaust fumes. Or you have to search for a good used one.

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

Todd,

That’s a great looking car appearing to be in good condition. If I read your photos correctly, the rusted areas appears to be in the driver’s side lower cowl. That’s a structural location (front body mounts) that needs to be repaired properly or you could have strength or fit issues later. You my want to find a metal fabricator with experience and have him / her cut the area out and make replacement panels. You may also want to check the inner rocker panel on that side for hidden rust caused by the water’s path.

I’d also follow Rodger’s suggestion regarding the manifold repair. Cast iron is routinely repaired depending on the condition of the base metal. Large cracks in solid castings can be easily fixed compared to small ones in castings that have been weakened by corrosion.

I’m not aware of a separate vacuum diagram in ’57 as the circuit is simple. The brake booster assist is a dedicated line that comes off the engine intake. The wipers and washer get vacuum from the oil pump. There’s a line that exits the lower rear of the block that comes up the firewall to a manifold then splits of to the wipers and washer pump. It’s not authentic, but if you plan to drive the car I suggest you replace the vacuum wiper motor with an electric motor. There’s a near bolt in from I believe the ’57 Chevy….Yup! Chevy had electric while Cadillac used vacuum. Under the best circumstances the vacuum system is useless. I bought my Seville in Hershey and drove home 130 miles in a blinding rain storm. When ever I needed power and stepped on the gas, the wipers stopped and I couldn’t see where I was going……still have a reoccurring nightmares.

[Todd Kauffman]

Thank you Ralph.  I am going to get the rusted area removed and then re-fabricated.  I will check the inner Rocker Panel, as I make my way to the interior.  I will take the manifold to a local welding shop and see what they recommend. 

The vacuum system is very helpful.  I will keep your post for future reference once the re-build begins.  I have a 57' Chevy and installed the electric windshield wiper motor on that.  I will look into the electric motor for the Cadi also. 

Thanks for all the assistance.

CTK

[Todd Kauffman]

Thanks Rodger,

I am going to respond to a local welder for the manifolds and see what he says.

CTK

[kkarrer]

Todd,
    I've restored many mid-century Cadillacs and judging from the pitting on those manifolds and knowing how they expand and contract with use I'd just look for some good replacements.  They're not hard to find and except for the price of shipping they're not expensive.  Why don't you give Honest John (Honest John's Caddy Corner ((888) 592-2339 and see what he has to say.  He's a great guy and attends Grand Nationals every year.  He'll steer you in the right direction.
Tell him I sent you,
Ken Karrer
CenTex CLC Reg. Dir.
1932 All Weather Phaeton