Laurie's 1970 Fleetwood Brougham Restoration

[cadillacmike68]

Yeah that "might" have something to do with it Mike, LOL! Thank you for your service...
I don't have the time now to read 6 pages on your thread, what was the bottom line, what do you
think caused the failure?

What do you mean you don't have time? 

BLUF:

Moisture got into the space between the bottom of the intake manifold and the intake manifold gasket. My intake was not painted on the bottom, it was just bare cast iron. Now it is ceramic coated so this will never happen again. Moisture is a daily fact of life here in FL, and for several years the car was in the shop having a complete body restoration.  I suspect it was never run up to full operating temp which would have boiled off any moisture, The bottom of the intake developed rust droplets which fell onto the gasket which, when I started running it again, burned a fist sized hole into the intake manifold gasket. All that crap went straight into the engine and ate up the bearings, particularly # 6 rod bearing. Pics:

BTW; The only thing "outrageous" about a 1970 Fleetwood Brougham (or any FWB for that matter) is that most undersized garages here in FL cannot fit one!!!

Merry Christmas!

[chrisntam]

Here's my data plate, let's see yours!

I wish mine said 383S and not just 383....   

[cadillacmike68]

It's in the engine compartment base of the windshield drivers side. It's almost a certainty that your car was originally the turquoise, NObody would order the turquoise seats with any other color.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

What do you mean you don't have time? 

BLUF:

Moisture got into the space between the bottom of the intake manifold and the intake manifold gasket. My intake was not painted on the bottom, it was just bare cast iron. Now it is ceramic coated so this will never happen again. Moisture is a daily fact of life here in FL, and for several years the car was in the shop having a complete body restoration.  I suspect it was never run up to full operating temp which would have boiled off any moisture, The bottom of the intake developed rust droplets which fell onto the gasket which, when I started running it again, burned a fist sized hole into the intake manifold gasket. All that crap went straight into the engine and ate up the bearings, particularly # 6 rod bearing. Pics:

BTW; The only thing "outrageous" about a 1970 Fleetwood Brougham (or any FWB for that matter) is that most undersized garages here in FL cannot fit one!!!

Merry Christmas!

Oh Mike, what a disaster! I'm so sorry. I'll be moving to FL soon, next 3 years or so. Good thing I'm a contractor, I can build my own garage to any spec. Merry Christmas to you too!

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

It's in the engine compartment base of the windshield drivers side. It's almost a certainty that your car was originally the turquoise, NObody would order the turquoise seats with any other color.

Bad taste can be expensive Mike. That 028S interior was a 'suggested' option with Adriatic Turquoise and Lucerne Aqua Firemist. Saw photos of car painted Adriatic/Corinthian blue with the 028S interior too. Hey, it was the 70's. And at least it solved the mystery of the blue dash with the green interior. The idea of unwrapping that car ALONE to look for that plate makes me weak in the knees. But it might solve the problem once and for all. My dad's car was Aqua. Laurie

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

This plate under the hood is what you're looking for. Cadillac didn't put anything in the glove box with codes at that time.

You can also.order the build sheet for your car from Allied Vaughn for $50

Great info, thank you! Laurie!

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

This plate under the hood is what you're looking for. Cadillac didn't put anything in the glove box with codes at that time.

You can also.order the build sheet for your car from Allied Vaughn for $50

Dan I Googled 'Allied Vaughn', its a data management company, didn't see anything "Cadillac" there, what am I missing?

[Steve Passmore]

They look after the records for GM. Try this link.

http://www.gmmediaarchive.com/?page=2

[P. Manoogian]

Was that 70 recently for sale on the North Shore of MA? (Danvers I think)?

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Dan I Googled 'Allied Vaughn', its a data management company, didn't see anything "Cadillac" there, what am I missing?

Keep in mind, the only items revealed by the build record that are not already documented on the data plate are the key & dealer outlet codes. Whether having that information is worth $50 is your decision.

If you post a close up of your data plate, many here will happy to decipher it for you.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Was that 70 recently for sale on the North Shore of MA? (Danvers I think)?

That's the one! Do you have any info on it?

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Thanks guys, gale force winds out there now, gusting to 70 and a lot of lumber coming off that tree, which is why I put the padding on the trunk and hood. If I try to pull off the tarp/blankets to open the hood now that stuff will take off like the Space Shuttle. Next calm wind day, and if I have help, I'll open the hood and look for the data plate. Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!

[P. Manoogian]

No, but I saw it on CL for some time. I live not too far from where it was. I hope you bring it to Larz Anderson in May or June for Cadillac Day.


Are you pleased with its condition?

[cadillacmike68]

Oh Mike, what a disaster! I'm so sorry. I'll be moving to FL soon, next 3 years or so. Good thing I'm a contractor, I can build my own garage to any spec. Merry Christmas to you too!

Thanks, just finishing up a huge fest - I managed to repel all the invaders and am now trying to relax.

The 1968 is running once again. Went from Tampa to Kissimmee for the Old Town Sat night cruise where I spotted this:

Hey - Don't shoot the messenger. At least they are both Cadillac 500 engines...

Laurie,

Don't forget to download this free data book for 1970:

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits.html

Click on "show" next to Cadillac and then right click and save the PDF for 1970 to your computer.

[cadillacmike68]

Don't rush, we can wait for better weather to solve the mystery of the paint and trim codes. Hope you had a nice (and warm) Christmas. It was 70-75 or so here in WC FL.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

If this question is in the wrong spot, I'm sure it will be moved.

Ok folks, what paint manufacturer to use when the time comes. Again, this is not a car headed for the
Concours de Elegance event, local shows, but its my baby too. Any and all info on paint/clear coat is greatly appreciated. The car is 'probably' going to be done at 1 of 2 vokes, I can supply the parts, labor is free. Looking forward to lots of info, thanks in advance. Laurie!

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Don't rush, we can wait for better weather to solve the mystery of the paint and trim codes. Hope you had a nice (and warm) Christmas. It was 70-75 or so here in WC FL.

I'll be polite and wipe the blood off your knife when I remove it from my back Army....
The mainland got real snow today, 4-8" depending on where you were. I'm 50 miles out to
sea here on Cape Cod. Sunny, then snow showers, then sunny, mid 40's. 70mph winds early,
yikes. Laurie!

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

No, but I saw it on CL for some time. I live not too far from where it was. I hope you bring it to Larz Anderson in May or June for Cadillac Day.


Are you pleased with its condition?

who's Larz Anderson? It will be in the Hyannis Father's Day Car Show on June 18th!
For a 47 year old car I was *THRILLED* with its condition, straight as an arrow, never been hit, engine is 100% and God knows how neglected its been. When it comes out of hybernation, and before paint, Scott is taking down the oil and tranny pans, (no flushing) fresh oils, gaskets, filters. He says the anti-freeze is fine but I want it dumped and refilled, no backflush, and a new thermostat. I'll be doing plugs and wires, all AC Delco, air filter, etc. And I'll change the power steering fluid the old fashioned way. Am I pi$$ing away several hundred dollars, probably. But I'll feel better knowing 'where' the car is on its mntx. And a new battery too. I *REALLY* want to go 'reproduction' on the battery, $500? 

Laurie!

[P. Manoogian]

Larz Anderson is an automobile museum in Brookline that features different "days" such as British Car Day, Japanese Car Day and Cadillac Day. Cadilllac Day is where everyone that is anyone in the Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island Cadillac scene brings their pride and joy or just themselves. You learn a lot,meet great people, and have lots of fun.


PM

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Larz Anderson is an automobile museum in Brookline that features different "days" such as British Car Day, Japanese Car Day and Cadillac Day. Cadilllac Day is where everyone that is anyone in the Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island Cadillac scene brings their pride and joy or just themselves. You learn a lot,meet great people, and have lots of fun.
PM

That sounds like fun! Something to think about going forward, thank you!
Laurie!