My New Project: 1956 Cadillac Sedan Deville Resurrection Thread

[savemy67]

Ben,

I have watched and enjoyed all your videos to date, and congratulate you on your work.  It looks like all your work has been done outside of your garage.  Do you use a car cover or is the weather not a factor?  I am in Maryland and my '67 is also outside, but the weather here is a factor so I have not been able to do much since I got my car in November.

What are your future plans for the rust around the back window?  Keep up the good work.

Christopher Winter

[James Landi]

  Ben,
Want to echo Christopher's note of appreciation regarding your excellent videos-- your narratives are full of enthusiasm and newly discovered expertise for vintage cars that we own or have owned and loved for decades.  Hearing a young man with your quality of technical problem solving, and your ability to find joy in all that you are  crafting and creating is certainly wonderful for us. 

Ben, please don't hesitate to ask questions as you move forward on your rebuild... there's so much experience and expertise in this club, and dozens of folks will help you avoid major issues if you ask. Some of the challenges are related to the 1956 Cadillac... the "Jet Away" transmission can be an issue... also tire pressure inflation.. and then your decision to change over to electronic ignition... (some members have had issues with these after market innovations)...again, please don't hesitate to ask.   Best regards for a successful new year... James

[chstitans42]

Ben,

I have watched and enjoyed all your videos to date, and congratulate you on your work.  It looks like all your work has been done outside of your garage.  Do you use a car cover or is the weather not a factor?  I am in Maryland and my '67 is also outside, but the weather here is a factor so I have not been able to do much since I got my car in November.

What are your future plans for the rust around the back window?  Keep up the good work.

Christopher Winter

The real issue is the car is too long for most garages, and at this point, the Corvette is the better fit for the garage. With that in mind, I have spent the $$ in order to get the weather stripping all replaced knowing itll be outside for a while. The paint is shot already so I am not worried much about that, and I plan on getting a cover for the dash and maybe steering wheel.
Weathet when it come to working on the car is a BIG factor. In the summer I have an umbrella that I use to keep the heat at bay, BUT that only goes so far. In the winter it is the cold and wet weather that keeps me from working on it.
The back window I plan on just leaving until the times comes to paint the car.

[chstitans42]

  Ben,
Want to echo Christopher's note of appreciation regarding your excellent videos-- your narratives are full of enthusiasm and newly discovered expertise for vintage cars that we own or have owned and loved for decades.  Hearing a young man with your quality of technical problem solving, and your ability to find joy in all that you are  crafting and creating is certainly wonderful for us. 

Ben, please don't hesitate to ask questions as you move forward on your rebuild... there's so much experience and expertise in this club, and dozens of folks will help you avoid major issues if you ask. Some of the challenges are related to the 1956 Cadillac... the "Jet Away" transmission can be an issue... also tire pressure inflation.. and then your decision to change over to electronic ignition... (some members have had issues with these after market innovations)...again, please don't hesitate to ask.   Best regards for a successful new year... James

The trasmission I had rebuilt by Irby Westmooreland here in Fort Worth TX. He has been building these things for decades, and did the one for Gas Monkey Garage. (remember the pink 55 they ruined?) I appreciate you willingness to help, and we both know that I sure need it!! Any info you can pass along to me about the electronic ignition? I heard it was amazing compared to the original points style stuff, (Which I have worked on, but want something I dont always have to fiddle with)

[Chuck Swanson]

Any info you can pass along to me about the electronic ignition? I heard it was amazing compared to the original points style stuff, (Which I have worked on, but want something I don't always have to fiddle with)

I use http://www.lectriclimited.com/breakerless_se_mainpage.htm
One of the big reasons is I don't want to mess/fiddle with either.  I realize points are easy to work on too, but I had an issue on one of my cars a long time ago, where they were stuck closed and I had to file.  Never looked back after that and using electronic now for all cars.  My dad gave me a dwell meter a long time ago, but I can't recall the last time I ever used. 

I carry a spare Breakerless LE that I throw in the car I may take on long trip, say Hershey, otherwise I would use AAA..but never had to use for the classics   Some of my friends use Pertronix instead, but I like the LE as it's all hidden. 

When I started driving cars did not have points...but I know some of the old school guys/gals prefer as the parts are cheap maybe, or they may be used to...but I'll let others comment. 

Not sure if will work on '56 as it's advertised as "...designed to convert all 1957-74 GM V8 engines equipped with window-style distributor cap, screw-on type rotor, stock coil, and single or dual points, to solid-state electronic ignition.", so you may have to check with them. 

Oh, I have watched all of your videos too...nice work on car and the videos!!
Thanks, Chuck

[David King (kz78hy)]

A couple of weeks ago, I installed the Pretronix set up on my 58 Brougham.  The instructions said to pull the distributor, so I did.  The installation was pretty straightforward, but I had to remove the drive gear as there was to much up/down play in the shaft.  The kit provides washers for this.  The pin that holds the gear on is swaged on both ends, so I had to grind off one end and knock out the pin to remove the gear.  All was good except trying to find a pin/rivet to replace the original one.  I could not the pin/rivet at any local store, so I settled on a roll pin the correct diameter (0.188) as went with that.  It is in there good, so feel it is a good repair.

The car started and I timed it a couple day ago.  No road time yet as the weather in MI is crummy now.

David

[James Landi]

 I mentioned that brand of aftermarket electronic ignition because there have been several threads recently regarding product failures.  Nothing conclusive, but some feel that the system cooks itself, if the driver inadvertently leaves the ignition on while listening to the radio, etc...there were several frustrated members who complained about the product.

I mention tire pressure because our old gals generally called for low tire pressures... 24 front 22 rear... additionally (accepted) tire pressure truly degrades the ride...  I suspect this topic has been discussed in the past, but for us NEWBIES, I think it's important.   

I'm glad you've had the "Jet Away" rebuilt.  I've owned two 56 Cadillacs...never had a tranny problem, but then I always drove my cars very tenderly.   I did have burnt exhaust valve issues, and I blame myself for not recoring the radiator, I had a relatively new mechanical fuel pump die on me, and that was because I did not pack the pump arm with grease, and I had the two front rims crack at exactly the same time when the car clocked over 200k-- (I assumed the problem was metal fatigue?).  Also, I did install my own version of a PVC set up to control noxious fumes in the cabin when the a/c was running with the car stopped... otherwise, these cars were long lived... they were built to last, and "Consumers' Report" would list ALL MODELS ALL YEARS" as recommended used car purchases back in the early days of its publication.

[Chuck Swanson]

I mentioned that brand of aftermarket electronic ignition because there have been several threads recently regarding product failures.  Nothing conclusive, but some feel that the system cooks itself, if the driver inadvertently leaves the ignition on while listening to the radio, etc...there were several frustrated members who complained about the product.

Good catch James.  I just searched on that and looks like on the Breakerless SE site they do say that about the "competitor"

LE:
Auto shut-off feature protects the coil & ignition, and prevents a dead battery should the key be accidentally left in the ON position.

Other:
Battery will drain and coil will be damaged if ignition switch is accidentally left on

[chstitans42]

Wow great info guys! I read all of your posts and appreciate the info. I will try to pertronix for now, and hopefully it will work out. IF not, I will know where to buy my second set. Btw anyone know how much they cost? There is tons and tons of info on that web pages but nothing about price

[D.Yaros]

I think you have to go to the catalog page, there is a link) to get the price.  I did, but do not remember the amount.  Want to say $199, but that is nothing more than a wild guess at this point.

[chstitans42]

http://youtu.be/wjEh6FPqc2w

[James Landi]

Chris--- another TERRIFIC video... I think I can speak for your viewers that we'd like to be introduced to the "pair of hands" that belong to the person who is helping you... the steering wheel looks so terrific-- by the way, interesting alternative to traditional painting -- solid 3M vinyl wrap!   Worthy of some research.   Thank you!  James

[Chuck Swanson]

Nice job Ben.  After seeing your video I think I'll tackle the job of doing my '66 steering wheel.  Thanks!  Chuck

[BIGTOM]

http://youtu.be/wjEh6FPqc2w

OUTSTANDING results Ben! Please let me know your method of mind-control you used to get your wife to help LOL! My wife hates this kind of stuff. So glad your steering wheel was in worse shape than mine - I'm looking forward to redoing mine as well.

[56 Eldorado]

Nice job Ben, I am in the process of repairing my steering wheel as well.  Have you done any work on the dashboard? It looks to be in very good condition.

[chstitans42]

OUTSTANDING results Ben! Please let me know your method of mind-control you used to get your wife to help LOL! My wife hates this kind of stuff. So glad your steering wheel was in worse shape than mine - I'm looking forward to redoing mine as well.

My wheel was pretty much as bad as they could get before huge chunks are missing and then there is nothing you can do.

[chstitans42]

Nice job Ben, I am in the process of repairing my steering wheel as well.  Have you done any work on the dashboard? It looks to be in very good condition.

All we have done on the dash is just clean up the leather dash pad, shine the chrome, and buff the paint. Haven't restored much of anything.

[chstitans42]

You guys are going to like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA7X8MHh6qs

[James Landi]

Terrific--- congratulations, and thank you for memorializing your efforts in these well executed videos.

[savemy67]

Hello Ben,

I just watched the video of you and your engine.  Given how you feel about the machine shop, are you going to check the engine for clearances, fastener torque, cam/valve timing, etc?  You have done a great job so far and I would hate to see your engine be a source of trouble because the machine shop overlooked something that you could double check.  You are probably anxious to get the car on the road, but be sure to take your time and double or triple check everything at this critical stage.  Good luck!

Christopher Winter