1941 Coupe 6227 restoration progress

[kkarrer]

Hello,
      I'm posting some pictures of my 41 coupe (6227) as I go through the process of restoring it.  All of the chrome is off and replated except for the bumpers and few odds and ends.  The external body work is pretty well done.  Next step is to remove the fenders, hood, and doors and get the body off of the frame.
Ken Karrer

[1941-7523]

Hi Ken,

That is a good looking car. I am glad to see it made the trip to Texas safely. Just wanted to drop you a note and keep the pictures coming. 

[kkarrer]

Hi!  Thanks.  Will do.  How's it going with yours?  If I get rolling this weekend, I just might catch up to you.  I need to hear from someone who has done one of these or owns one because I have a couple of stainless parts that are a mystery to me... 3 little spears that are 3/8th" wide and about 31" long and one stainless strip that is 7/8ths" wide and 61" long.  I think the little spears are from the interior somewhere, but I don't know why there are 3 and I'm thinking that the bigger stainless piece may be one of two and one is just missing, but I still don't know where it would go.
Ken

[kkarrer]

Here are some more pictures of the 41 Coupe.  One thing all late 30's through 50's Cad. restorers have to deal with is those pesky hood springs.  After looking at some "special tools" in the Cadillac shop manual.  I came up with a removal and reinstallation tool made from an old Chevy spare tire retainer and a piece of angle iron.  I still need to make a jig to hold open the darned things in order to paint them.

[gary griffin]

I must have 50 freezer baggies labeled with location and any other information as I take my1942 apart but the previous owners just put all of the small parts in boxes and I get to figure outwhere they go. Lots of fun eh?

[kkarrer]

Got the engine out last night.  I'm going to drain the oil and flip it over on the stand and remove the pan.  This engine was supposedly rebuilt and the car was driven into a restoration shop about 10 years ago.  Most of the exterior body work was done, but for what ever reason the car then sat, changed hands, etc.   Once I get into it I may have to get some advice on just how far I should go to "refresh" this engine.  It turns, so I'll run a compression check first.  I can see where there was some seeping around a few of the freeze plugs and thin line of white deposit where the heads meet the block.  Could just be from the new head gasket sealing when the engine was fired up after the rebuild.  Obviously the engine is the wrong color as well.
Ken Karrer 1941Coupe

[kkarrer]

I got the body off the frame last night.  I'll roll the frame out tomorrow and lower the body down onto some rollers.  Next thing will be to power wash the front end and differential areas and roll it back in to the lift for component disassembly.  Then the frame and components will go to the blasters for clean up and priming.  Haven't decided yet what to do about the rear springs and shocks.  If anyone has some ideas, I'd like to hear them.
Thanks,
Ken Karrer 1941 6227D  coupe

[gary griffin]

Hi Ken,
  I am enjoying your posts but probably missed a few. You may want to consider a running blog like mine for the 1942-6719. I just add on to it as I go by going to the last post by punching REPLY and the new info goes to the bottom and your blog comes to the top of the current blogs.. That way it is all together. Just an idea?

Nice project you have there

[kkarrer]

Thanks Gary.  I'll do that.  I've been watching yours as well.  Looks like good work.  Good luck with it.  We both have a ways to go.
Ken  41 Coupe

[CRAIG LEWIS]

Looks like your project is moving along nice. Wish I had could move along that quickley. I have my blog under 1947 6107. If you check it out I did not post the disassembly of the springs but there is a good pic of the rear with the springs after I finished. I broke mine completely down and media blasted each leaf.  Make sure you keep each side seperate and keep them in proper order. After paint, I used Zero rust black and it gave a very good satin color that looks very close to stock chasis after I cleared with a matt finish. Then I used spring liners from Bob Drake he sells ford stuff. I know ford on a caddy baaad but the liners are tough pvc like material and will not trap the moisture and are a nice anti squeek. I have seen where others used a variety of material like fiber board and even the webbing from lawn chairs but this is a really good product designed for this use so I went with it and am very happy. There is a slight lip on it so when you reassemble it fits nicely. I used steel rubber for the rest and had new ubolts made at the spring shop. I did not want to reuse the old ones. The only trickey part is flipping them back in position when you mount the body. don't waste time trying till there is sufficient weight or it just will frustrate you. Bill Ingler has a neat method for aligning so check with him when your ready.

[kkarrer]

Hey, thanks for the tips.  I'll check out what you're doing on the restoration blog.  I have some bushings and U bolts from Eaton, but I'll get with Drake on the spring liners.  I have a bead blaster in my shop.  What did you do in order to replace the clamps that hold the springs together?  Are those available from All Cads or McVey or Kanter?  I may have to call Eaton back and see what they have.  I have to finish removing the "A" arms and then I have to get a buddy with a trailer to get this frame to the blasters for blasting and priming.  Does your car have a data plate on the firewall?  I know they had them in 42 and thought they did in 41, but I can't find it or the holes that should be there.
Thanks again,
Ken  41 6227D Coupe

[harry s]

Ken, The data plate for '41s is usually located on the outside cowl area just ahead of the driver's door and behind the hood springs. Good Luck, Harry

[kkarrer]

Harry,
     Thanks very much.  I know I haven't seen a plate, but I'll go back and look for the holes now that I know where to look.
Ken  1941 Coupe 6227D

[CRAIG LEWIS]

Ken, I used the original clamps they cleaned up fine and should not need to be replaced unlees you see stress cracks. The Data Plate if in same as 46-47 will be on the left side just above the hood hinge on the cowl. Steel has the proper pads for your leaf springs you can get the U-bolts at any local spring shop.

[kkarrer]

Craig,
   Thanks for the reply.  I'll clean up those clamps, but one seems to be missing as there should be 4 on either side I think.  Also, one on the driver's side has a curious  "C" shaped attachment on it that sticks up.  No one who has seen it can figure out what it's for.  It almost looks like some sort of retainer or guide for a cable or line, but I can't imagine that something like that would be routed or mounted on a leaf spring.  The original brake and fuel lines certainly weren't routed there.  Have you seen one of those?  Got new U clamps from Eaton and the rubber pads from Steele.  The spring liners should come in from Drake tomorrow.  I'll work these things over this weekend.
Ken Karrer 1941 6227D Coupe

[kkarrer]

Here are some recent pictures of my 1941 coupe (6227D with hydramatic).  Most of the plumbing is done and I'm trying to get the remote oil filter plumbed right now.  I've put disc brakes on it (kept the originals).  I'll also convert it to 12v using the original starter and generator which are now 12v.
Ken Karrer
1941 6227D coupe

[kkarrer]

Engine and tranny going together.  Finally!

[kkarrer]

1941 6227D coupe updated photos. 

[kkarrer]

Here are some more pictures of my 1941 6227 D coupe.  I got started on it last October.  As you can see I still have to get the interior in it and that's why we didn't make it to Nationals, but it's getting there.  Once I get this transmission issue sorted out I'll get more test drives in.  Note the " original bucket seat."
Ken Karrer 1941 6227D coupe

[harry s]

Ken, It looks great. Love the color combination. Harry