My 57 Fleetwood restorations photos with questions.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Totally correct! You just have to find one...They were used during many years, it should not be difficult to find. Or, you have it in one of your box; have a look there first!
Recently, a French guy asked me for a '58 bezel for the seat switch. I found one, not especially nice but not cheap. The man found later that missing part in one of his box...

[57flw]

Thanks mate.

I will have to find one somewhere.
I do not have one in my box of goodies. I have already made a good search.
Thanks for the suggestion though.

Ken

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

G'day Ken,

I believe the spring is made of flat steel, say 3/16" wide, and the roller moves over a hump in the spring.

The picture is of a '60 Column, and the spring is in place.

Bruce.

[cadparts58]

Ken,
  I have the spring you need. It's yours for the shipping price. Shipping from Buffalo NY to Australia thru USPS First Class International is $10. Hope this helps. The spring is still in good shape and has tension. Just some minor surface rust from sitting. Frank

[57flw]

Bruce,
Thanks for pointing out what I need.



Thanks Frank,
That's very decent of you.
The brake push rod clip I got off you a while back is still looking good.

I will make a paypal payment to you. Just confirm your email so I don't pay the wrong person.
I have it from our last transaction in Sep 2010 if it hasn't changed.

I also need a Neutral Start Switch if you have one lying around.

Regards
Ken

[cadparts58]

Ken,
  I have a neutral safety switch. There are some small chips in the plastic, but no cracks or broken pieces. It does have continuity in both positions. According to the master parts book this switch fits 1956-1959 Caddys except for 1959 with cruise control. I'm asking $75 for the switch, so if you want it the total with shipping is $85. If you want, I can email you a picture to you personal email. I have trouble trying to post on the message forum.I am not computer literate enough to figure out picture sizing. My email is fpuma49@verizon.net   Frank

[57flw]

Frank,

Thank you.

PM and payment sent.

Ken

[57flw]

Firstly, Many thanks to all those who are keeping tabs on what I am doing with my rebuild. I have enjoyed the comments and help. There has been more than 13000 views so far.


It was quite a while ago when I finished overhauling my engine which is original. I had it bored out .040" and replaced everything with new bits and pieces.
I did as much of the work myself that I could, except for the machining.
I have been working on many other areas of the car over the past few months and decided now is the time to fire the engine up and confirm I have done things correctly.
I filled the engine and trans with oil after finding out what a quart of oil is. 1 quart =  0.946353 litres and charged the battery.
I have an electric fuel pump to prime the carby after cleaning out the new fuel line that I made a year ago. A mud wasp set up home in it.

I cranked the engine and it fired up immediately and I thought well how about that. It run beautifully on seven cylinders. We all know it has to have EIGHT TO BE GREAT so what happened to the other one.
You do what you have to do to find out what has gone wrong. Recheck everything that has already been checked. Points, plugs, timing, leads, cap etc etc.
Used a bit of Inox spray around the carby and everywhere else looking for a vacuum leak. The engine would run better on full choke.

The problem ended up being a leak at the front of the inlet manifold near the number 2 piston.
Took the manifold off, ordered new gaskets that should be here quite soon. They are coming from within Australia.

Not sure why the gasket failed in the first place. Everything was tightened properly. All surfaces are true and flat.
Perhaps the American parts I purchased were some sort of poor quality imports although I did insist to the supplier I wanted USA made parts after all I am working on an American made car.

Anyway these little set backs are meant to try us so it's still time to keep working.

As I have said before I love this car and I am still having fun.

Ken

[Roger Zimmermann]

Ken, I would recheck if the intake manifold is really following the heads. I had the same problem with my '56 Biarritz, only when it was hot. The manifold was slightly warped, I had the impression that I had done a good job prior to installation by correcting the shape but, apparently it was not good enough. Use a feeler gauge; if you have more than .2 mm in one spot, a correction is needed. Also use a sealer on the gasket, it can help.

[57flw]

I have fitted the battery tray that came with the car.
There is two locations on the tray that accept a couple of rods that are threaded at one end.
The rods are of different lengths and shape.
I have found a picture on the net. I hope the gentleman does not mind me using it for reference.

I need to make the top hold down as mine is missing.

My question is why are the rods different length and shape. The short one would not reach unless I make a drop down eyelet in the hold down.
I can't see why it is like this.
Any assistance please would be appreciated.

Ken

[57flw]

Roger, you were correct again. Go to the top of the class.

Even though the surfaces on the inlet manifold were true and flat the angle was not quite right to follow the head.
After a bit of machining the machine shop guy got it right on.
I put the manifold back using sealant and tightening the bolts in a slow progressive pattern and checked everything with a feeler gauge.
I let the engine stand overnight to let the sealant work it's magic and then cranked the engine. It started up immediately and ran very smooth.
Finally happy with that part of the job.
Now onto the next bit.
My Son's Formal(Prom) is getting closer and time is starting to run out.

[David King (kz78hy)]

When I got my rebuilt engine back from the shop, it was stressed to break in the cam when the engine was first run.  So for the first 15 minutes or so, the engine was run at 1500 to 2500 rpm to make sure the cam worn in right. 

Just a pointer if have not done that procedure yet.

You have done such a fine job so far, keep it going.

Regards
David

[Roger Zimmermann]

Roger, you were correct again. Go to the top of the class.

Ken, I'm glad that my own experience could help somebody else! By the way, I corrected the manifold myself with a very large file...

[57flw]

David,

Many thanks for your input and kind words.
Did all the right things to bed the cam and everything else in.
I will keep going.

Ken

[57flw]

FINISHED


Three years later and a lot of money.

From this to this.
Will put more photos up later.

Ken

[Coupedeville]

Fantastic looking car ken.
I wish you many years of happy, trouble free motoring in her.
Also thanks for showing so much detail in your posts, they have helped me along the way with my 57 CDV.

Joe Hunt

[Walter Youshock]

ONLY 3 YEARS?!?!  I'll have my '57 CDV 20 years in April and I'll never consider it "done"!

Great work!  Now comes the hard part--keeping it looking as it does right now.

[57flw]

I have done a few short runs in my newly refurbished car and it has performed well with no issues.
I took it on a round trip today of 354 miles and ended up with a fuel consumption of 18.6 miles per gallon with a maximum speed of 70MPH.
The car rode beautifully and responded very well.
I enjoyed getting into the overtaking lanes and putting my foot down to get around the Semi Trailers.

I must have done something right.
Hopefully many more happy days of cruising to come.
I think I am now in an extra 105 more family photo albums.


Ken

[N Kahn]

What an amazing job you've done.

[57caddy]

how much did it cost for the exhaust

Just a bit more of an update of what I have been up to.

Chassis sand blasted and primed.

I have organised the following new bits and pieces.

New headliner made and on its way.
New Heavy Duty Springs.
New exhaust system.
New hood pad.
New Deluxe front end kit.
New Shock absorbers.
New hub caps and medallions.
New hood crest and bezel.

Overhauled the following.

Starter Motor.
Hydrovac.
Wheel cylinders.

Working on the engine at the moment.


Currently trying to organise new Rubbers, grommets, seals etc for everywhere.

I have been using the big list of suppliers that Forrest, with the help of his friends, produced.
I have a friend who is bringing in a container to Australia out of Wilmington CA. and I have been lucky enough to be able to hitch a ride for my new goodies.

I can't believe how much everything costs. OOPS I forgot I answer my wife with, Not Much It Was a Bargain, whenever she asks.
Anyway I hope I can do all these purchases justice and turn this car from a sh**allac into a Cadillac.

More to come

Ken