1968 DeVille Convertible - Restoration

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I have never seen such a difference in 31 Spline slip yokes.

BUT, I have now.

Just went downstairs and measured two slip joints that I have, one a single joint and the other a Double Cardan Joint, and I couldn't believe my eyes when I read the vernier.   Two different sizes, yet they still accept the 31 spline shaft.

The smaller one came from a "normal TH400" that we got in Australia, and the larger one from a '74ish Cadillac TH400 that I imported with the Transmission..

Bruce.

PS.   I am a believer now that things that should be the same, aren't.

[Roger Zimmermann]

You can use the front CV joint from your original shaft on the "new" shaft. I still don't understand why your ordered another shaft. Unless the original part is destroyed, it's much logical and economical to repair what you have.

[DeVille68]

Hi Bruce,

Well, yeah, I didn't even think that this would be a problem. If you type th400 slip yoke into google you get 90% of the results with the 1.8'' diameter yoke... well learned something new now.

Hi Roger,
Well, I was told that it would be too complicated and you would need to have special tools to separate and assemble the ball joint in between the double cv joints. Looking at it now, it would probably have been easier to do it my self.

Now I wonder what to do with the "new" driveshaft. Is it any good any other vehicle? That means, could I sell it? I doubt that any Cadillac used to smaller yoke.

If someone could point me to a source that sells the correct ball joints that would be helpful.

Best regards,
Nicolas

[DeVille68]

Here is something else I did in the last few days - I borrowed a heat gun from my company and measured the exhaust runners at idle. As you can see by the pictures attached, the hottest point is about 330°C  (625°F) at the end of the passenger side exhaust and in the middle of the driverside exhaust. This has to do with the design of the two pieces. All cylinder temps are about in the same region of 240°C (465°F). So this means that all are firing about the same. There was no unexpected hot spot on the engine.

Best regards,
Nicolas

[DeVille68]

Hello

An update regarding the wrong slip yoke:
I calculated, with help from my co-workers, if a slip sleeve would be feasible. It turns out, that a sleeve would indeed work to give the correct diameter for the bearing and seal. However, we then calculated the twist angle due to the engine torque and ended up with only about safety factor of 1. With the original thicker slip yoke we calculated a safety factor of about 1.6. What this means is that the material can only handle a certain amount of twist before it eventually breaks. A safety factor of 1.6 basically means it never breaks. A safety factor of only 1 is critical.
So, you can see the smaller slip yoke must have been used with a less powerful engine, maybe the 429 version.

I was also working on the ground straps. Had to create my own strap for the passenger side, because the ones they sell are either too long or too short. I had to buy so much material that I can make some for you if you want to. Let me know.

I was also working on the convertible boot. Replaced the worn out snap clips with new ones. Pretty simple if you have the correct tool. I borrowed it from the upholstery guy.

Now I need to replace the old and brittle foam. Does anyone know what color it supposed to be? Is this yellow color correct? The authenticity manual does not mention any foam or color.
Any help appreciated.

Best regards,
Nicolas

[DeVille68]

Hello

Here are a couple of small updates:

A) Engine ground strap: I had to create my own ground strap because there is no correct strap for 68. There is one available for 65 but it is a bit short. I bought mesh copper and the packard 59 crimps. Unfortunately the mesh is not exactly like original, the one I bought is a bit to fine grade. One is 12'' the other about 10''. Turned out good though.

B) Exchanged the trunk emblem with a new one from OPGI. I also bought the wheels cover emblems. The trunk emblem is of better quality than the wheel cover emblems. Color seems to be better on the trunk one. Problem with the trunk emblem is that it is not made to remove and attach a couple of times. It just a stud with a nut without thread on the stud. However, I did manage to mount the lock firmly again.

C) I adjusted the tension of the garter spring of the slip yoke seal on the transmission extension housing. Oil was leaking out just a little bit. So I removed the garter spring, opened it up and cut out a piece of about 3mm (about 1/8''). Reattach the spring and the leak is gone! Yeah 

D) Exchanged the turn signal and light housing along with new led. I bought switchback led from ali express. They are white and blink amber. This is because of the law in Switzerland. You are not allowed to have amber day lights. Someone cut up the original housing and made a wiring mess. So, about 5 years ago I found two very nice housings on ebay for about 40$. I had to repair the wiring. But was easy to fix. Now I have nice bright amber turn signals. Only problem is that the normal white light is much to cold, I guess its about 6000k. The ali express listing did not mention this cold color. Well, I guess I need to find another led with a warmer white light, with the current led it looks kind of strange, especially with the head lights on.

Regarding ground strap: Let me know if you need a piece or two for 68. I had to buy a lot of supply just for one piece.

Best regards,
Nicolas

[DeVille68]

here are the rest of the pictures.

I also created two custom wirings to connect the outside amber day ligths to work as blinker, because amber light is not allowed. Previously, someone cut up the harness and made a mess. I reconnected everything as original and now just plug in my adapter harness. If someone wants to go back later, he can just remove my adapter.

Luckily, I bought a large supply of Packard 56 and 59 crimps and terminals.

Best regards,
Nicolas

[Roger Zimmermann]

Nice ground straps! They are used for many years; my '56 & 57 cars have one at the end of each cylinder head. Maybe shorter than for 1968, but very similar material.
At first I did not understood that carter spring. Then, with the pictures all was clear; it's a Gardner spring!
About amber lights: my DTS has amber day lights; they are also the directional lamps. Parking lamps are white.

[klinebau]

Its called a garter spring.

[DeVille68]

Hi Kurt and Roger

Thanks, yeah I was too confused. Once I found a nice chart with all the spring types, but can't find it anymore. Maybe the word Roger refers to is from another language?

So, if I "label" these lamps as running / day lamps instead of parking lamps its oke for the motor department?

Best regards,
Nicolas

[Roger Zimmermann]

Well, Kurt is right: it's a garter spring. However, Gardner is a company making springs...
About the lamps I only can say what I have on my recent car; you know that some cantons are more difficult than others...If I'm right (my memory is no more what it used to be). some Mustangs have also amber day lamps. You may ask the dealer Senn as he is importing "grey" cars; he sold me that DTS.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

These cars have Park Lights, Indicator Lights, and Head Lights, High and Low, and Tail Lights and Brake Lights.  Plus, in our cases, Cornering Lights

These cars don't have daytime running lights, like modern cars, which are a totally kettle of fish.

Bruce.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Bruce, in Switzerland, cars must have day running lamps (or the headlamps on) when driving. Cars older than 1970 are exempted. If Nicolas want to install them, it's his choice. I should have the headlamps on while driving my car 1972 de Ville, but I don't (I may have to pay a fine if...). I will probably install one day led lamps behind the grille.

[DeVille68]

These cars have Park Lights, Indicator Lights, and Head Lights, High and Low, and Tail Lights and Brake Lights.  Plus, in our cases, Cornering Lights

These cars don't have daytime running lights, like modern cars, which are a totally kettle of fish.

Bruce.

Yes, Bruce you are right. However, I use the parking lights as daytime running lights. I just pull the headlight knob to the first step, this way the two parking lights are one but not the headlights.

Best regards,
Nicolas

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

G'day Nicholas,

I would be running the Head Lights on Low Beam if you have to have Running Lights on during the day, as the Park Lights are not bright enough for daytime use.

Bruce.

[DeVille68]

Plans for this past weekend were changed by the pandemic, instead of meeting people I was working alone in my garage. Removed the seat and basically the complete interior. More pictures than words this time.
As you can see I have a pretty bad rust problem underneath the driver floor / foot area. The original seam sealer is very dry and disintegrated by it self. I have four pretty badly corroded electrical connections. Some look like original splits but one is definitely not correct. Some id*** installed a yellow wire by just wrapping the cooper together. This was luckily wrapped in electrical tape, but still, who does this? Well, I am going to fix these sections.

There is a floor duct for the heater / ac system. There are carpet hold downs that keep the carpet from blocking those outlets. I think my carpet was not installed correctly because there was never any air able to reach the back side of the seat. Now I know why... (picture 7772, on the left side you can see the two metal pieces where the carpet needs to slip under.

On to the seat: I removed the side panels and painted them in my mixed dark green. Turned out great. Not so great is that I discovered that I have the wrong six way power seat switch. Does anyone has a picture of a correct switch for 68? (or can sell me one?)
Seat track restoration is next, the transmission is already done. There is nothing to it, just open it up, clean it, grease it, put it back together.

A lot of pictures below.

Best regards,
Nicoals

[DeVille68]

more pictures

[Roger Zimmermann]

There are a lot of people who are doing such "repairs" at the wiring. They should maybe go directly on the electrical chair just to punish them for so much incompetence!
I'm glad I have a coupe and not a convertible: this body style has by definition much more rust problems than closed bodies.
Did you find some papers under the seat? Or under the carpet, like I did?

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Lovely shot of your fingerprints.

I would suggest removing that picture, and replacing it with one that isn't so detailed as to encourage an individual with devious thoughts to go out and commit crimes, using a copy of those.

Bruce.

PS.   And yes, some people should be hung, drawn and quartered for performing such horrible repairs.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Lovely shot of your fingerprints.

I would suggest removing that picture, and replacing it with one that isn't so detailed as to encourage an individual with devious thoughts to go out and commit crimes, using a copy of those.

But Bruce, that can never happen in Switzerland!