1966 deville convertible

[spolij]

Took the lady for a ride today. Running 99%. Boy thoes breaks take getting used too if you don't drive them too long.

[James Landi]

John--- if you're saying that drum brakes are kind of scary, I hear you.  Back in the early 70's when I commuted in my '67 Eldorado, I decided to find out just how fast it would go on a limited  access road one evening.   I topped out at over 100 mph, and then "tested" braking at that speed--- talking serious brake fade!  These heavy cars simply did not have great brakes, especially considering how quietly and comfortably  they ride at illegal speeds.  My '72 Eldorado with front discs was an entirely different story--- amazingly strong braking.    James

[hornetball]

John--- if you're saying that drum brakes are kind of scary, I hear you.  Back in the early 70's when I commuted in my '67 Eldorado, I decided to find out just how fast it would go on a limited  access road one evening.   I topped out at over 100 mph, and then "tested" braking at that speed--- talking serious brake fade!  These heavy cars simply did not have great brakes, especially considering how quietly and comfortably  they ride at illegal speeds.  My '72 Eldorado with front discs was an entirely different story--- amazingly strong braking.    James

Did the same thing in my 1966 Sport Fury decades ago.  Big-block, 4 barrel, dual exhaust, hot cam.  Car is a 130mph+ beast . . . originally with 4-wheel MANUAL drum brakes.  Long story short, car wouldn't stop until I put it in neutral and found a hill.

Found a 1973 Fury wagon with trailer tow brake package (front disc, rear ventilated drums + dual brake circuit) in a yard.  It was a direct bolt-on and I didn't hesitate.  Unless I had a 100-point show car, I would highly recommend doing a disc swap from a later year car that bolts up.  Either that, or drive accordingly.  Preferably both.

[spolij]

Did pretty good today. Getting used to them.

[spolij]

jAMES  wHAT I MENT WAS IF YOUR NOT USED TO THEM YOU'LL PUT YOURSELF THRU THE WINDSHIELD AT 10 MPH

[spolij]

This conv. top is still giving me problems. Just can't get the window material to flatten out. I'll have to sacrivise some look for a vehicle that is road worthy. It's been in my garage for about 2 months. I'm so frustrated.
I can't afford to have a shop fix it. $1200. I replaced all the bolts for the top. I still have tires to buy. The engine is still running at say 98%. Of course i haven't touched it since i  got it running right! lol.
The breaks are great now that i drive it more often. Sunny warm days. Say once a month! lol (Ohio). The next part of the project is the climate control. It's hard to believe sitting around for a couple of years would do so much damage to a car.
Can't wait for summer when i can paint the car.
Hoping to be able to put in some led lights. But there is always the problem of which works where. I replaced the bolts in the top.
So far every thing i fixed still works. Three times i took it to certified mechanics. Two of them work on my family cars. Who couldn't wait to get  at it. It came back worse than before. I couldn't fix it myself, sent it out, came back worse, i fixed it. And it's still fixed.
This is not a poor mans hobby. Or a sane one's either.

[spolij]

Sitting here wondering about some tires I have laying around. I guess I'll ask someone on the technical forum LOL

I thought my dashboard looked pretty good until one day, I guess the sun was shining right, and I noticed some depressions and so I pulled the leather off underneath it was a plastic shell[/u it had all sorts of cracks it's funny that they didn't show through the leather before. So now I've pulled off all the leather, the plastic coating, all the foam and starting over.
I'll post pictures in a little while.

[James Landi]

John,

It's frustrating and, at times, painful to get even minor elements of a half century old car to look and work as it should.  I came to the conclusion with one of my convertibles that I would use it only when there was an appropriate weather window, when not having ac was not an issue, and then I'd shine and clean it up and enjoy it without everything perfect.  Of course, taking my approach to an extreme is the following: https://www.nytimes.com/news/the-lives-they-lived/2013/12/21/james-gandolfini/

[spolij]

yes James it is frustrating nice pic how many cars do you have. I want to get mine all fixed up and drive it in almost any weather. it's been a month I've been trying to get the top put on. I've tried so many times I finally ruined The back window skirt so I have to get a new one which should happen just after Father's Day LOL. Nice pic of a Sopranos car.
Have fun with your car hope there is a lot of sunshine wherever you are.

[spolij]

Not much to say. I decided to start at the beginning and fix all the little things that I rushed through. I used to have a lot of patience, getting old I guess LOL. I should have the new rear window next week and start all over on the top. Hopefully I won't make same mistakes that I did with the first one.
I snapped two bolts off I'm not very good at removing snapped bolts. Must have watched about 10 videos on YouTube. Some of them were informative. So I'll try again.
Can't wait to get all this done and paint the car.

[James Landi]

"Patience and fortitude will conquer all things."   I think there's and intellectual and spiritual growth process that occurs when you set yourself to a task and, over time, master all of the great and subtle challenges.   At the end of the process, I'd like to think we're all better people for having the discipline of working through each challenge.  The reward is not only a restored car, but more important, a renewed sense of self worth.    James

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

There is no doubt in my mind that these cars have been put in my life for my spiritual growth
Greg Surfas

[spolij]

Words to live by.

[spolij]

Still waiting on the die to finish a door panel and the dashboard.
I'm having a problem with the front seats they are rubbing against the side door panel. I had covered them in leather, originally they were painted. So on the passenger seat I took the leather off and I'll be repainting it. But after I took the leather off and put the panel back on it was still rubbing against the decorative frame on the back rest. The front seat is as far left as it can go. I am hoping the drivers seat doesn't have the same problem.
I'm at a loss, I don't know what to do.

[spolij]

Setting up my winter tent in the garage. Surrounds the whole car and i can have heat inside it. Now i can get back to working on the heat.

[spolij]

Got an estimate to put the top on for $1300 and i supply the parts. Sounded very high but when he explained the procedure it seemed fair.

[James Landi]

Many years ago, I had the convertible replaced on my 1961--- he gave me the estimate in writing, and I had him add  a line about "satisfaction guaranteed."   I am almost certain, as I recall this fiasco, that he had to do it FOUR times...Can't recall the order of the failed attempts, but I vividly recall the following:  one attempt the material was slightly crooked, another attempt involved a top that was too large, so the windows needed to be opened to get in, another attempt, and the top would not lock because it was tootight.  I think he finally got it right on the fourth try.  Just a cautionary tale

[spolij]

]Points good to know. Thanks James.

[spolij]

received the remanufactured part for the cruise control (gear rack) last week. I just have to fit the cable to the gear rack. But first I have to find out the proper orientation in the bend of the wire.

[spolij]

was adjusting the accelerator rod and some how dislodged the accelerator pump. Had to pull the top of the carb and reset it. Hope i did it right. I was so careful with putting the parts in a tray. When i went to screw the top down i was missing 2 bolts. grrr luckily i had an extra carb.