1939 Cadillac Convertible Sedan #23 of 36 Built

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

What a shame.

Sometimes one just has to toss out something that is not worth working on, and realistically, that engine block looks like one of those things that is beyond, not only economical repair but actual repair, as being a basic engine, you should be able to find a replacement, even if the replacement requires a total rebuild.

Bruce.

PS.  In this case, the slide hammer probably would not have been enough to get the valves free.

Bruce that was a great idea about the slide hammer.....I had one valve that was stuck in the up position already.....It just would not move, so I cut the valve off and used a 3 lb hand sledge to pound it down....

When I was done pounding, the valve moved down but finally the pressed in valve guide popped out of the block.....I barely could hold the hammer, my hand was so tired....

Mike

[DaveZ]

That's depressing, but would explain why they stopped using it:-( Be wary of "running" 364 engines. Just because they are running doesn't mean they don't have issues:-(

[harry s]

Sorry to hear that Mike but looking at the pictures I agree it is "time".    Harry

[James Landi]

Hi Mike,. So sorry to hear that the engine is not salvageable.  Looking at the bright side of this, having in block valves that are irrevocably stuck may have saved you the heartbreaking possibly that an internal crack could have been discovered much farther along in the " might as Wells" opera.  There are good reasons why engineers put valves in removable heads... perhaps a modern conversion is in order? Something to consider while you search out a good running '39 one.  James

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

Thanks guys...yea the bright side is I probably dodged a bullet here....

Instead of shoveling big money to turn this motor around, I can move on with a motor that is in way better shape and spend those funds elsewhere on the car.....

While I'm waiting for the right direction to go on, I'm pulling the trim off the car and I found this small monogram on both the rear doors....this guy was probably the boss.....Car was delivered to Brooklyn, NY....somebody's uncle??....Some politician??

Also while I'm here, does anybody know where I can get these push type pins?....They came off the side exterior trim....At the factory it must have been easy to install the trim, just line it up to the hole and punch it on.

I'm going to post this in the technical section also.....

Mike

[Roger Zimmermann]

Maybe at the Restoration Specialties & supply: www.restorationspecialties.com
You can send a sample too, in case. But discuss with them first.

[Jeff Hansen]

I concur with Roger, Restoration Specialties would be the place to start.  Another place I have had good luck finding rare Cadillac clips and bolts is Steel Craft Canada in Caledon, Ontario.  http://www.steelcraftcanada.com/

The clip is Cadillac part number 4083831 (group B1.0570/31.0570, Clip - Belt Molding to Body).  They were used on the belt moldings of series 72, 75, and 90 cars from 1938 through 1949.

If you find any, please let us know since they fit a broad number of years.

Jeff

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

Thanks Roger & Jeff,

I've emailed pictures of the clips to both of the businesses and, I will let you guys know when they get back to me...

I saw these at Fusick....close but I don't know....I'm going to call to get a size....$3 each...ouch!!

http://www.fusickautomotiveproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BMC37

Mike

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Looking at the pictures of the clip, I used a similar style clip on the restoration of my 1970 Ranchero Squire for retaining the Fibre Glass mouldings

Bruce.

PS.   I know it is a Ford, but if these parts help, then they need to be shown.

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

Bruce those clips look good....do you remember where you got those or did you reuse what was there?

Mike

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I had to purchase new ones, as some were rusted and broken, plus I had to replace some mounts, which you can see in one picture.

I got mine from eBay, via Altha Fastener in Florida, but here is another supplier on eBay.   Mine came without the rubber seals, which was good, as I had to bend mine right out to get them to straddle the original mounts.   If one had to fit the original flat steel mounts, then the rubber could still be used.
Altha called them 68 69 70 71 72 Country Squire Wagon side moulding clips

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-pcs-NOS-side-moulding-clips-sealer-fits-1968-1972-Ford-Country-Squire-Wagon/131766922369?fits=Model%3ACountry+Squire&hash=item1eadebac81:g:2lcAAOSwk6ZZqVd4

Back in 2012, mine cost US$9.99, plus postage of US$7.95.   I think there was 20 in the packet

Bruce.

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

Thanks Bruce,

These look good....a little trimming of the bottom tabs and they should work....I'll try a set.

Mike

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

I ordered the clips Bruce suggested and also the Fusick clips...

Once you see the cost of these little clips it sharpens the mind to remove the ones you have with care.....This piece of trim came out without damage....

With shipping and taxes Fusick's were $4.50 each!....The eBay ones were about $2.50 each...

I'm hoping that these will be enough to replace the broken ones I have...

Mike

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

I received the exhaust from Waldron yesterday....I wish I had a motor to hook up the pipes....

So I laid out the old and the new side by side....looks like I need a piece....the left hand turn it takes thru the frame before heading back to the mufflers looks to be missing......I got a call into Waldron and emailed these pictures to show what looks to be wrong......They will make this right....they always have.....

The shop manual doesn't have a good layout of the exhaust system....does anybody have a diagram or a picture of the total system...series 75...1939...wheel base is 141" ?....

Please post them here if you can...

Thanks,    Mike

[Kurt Weess]

Mike,

Attached is a picture of the chassis of a 1938 Cadillac 90 Series.  Frames between the 75 and 90 series were not that different and didn't change much from 1938 to 1940.  You can see the exhaust routing is close to what you've received from Waldron (except for the through the frame section).  Hope this helps.

Kurt

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

Mike,

Attached is a picture of the chassis of a 1938 Cadillac 90 Series.  Frames between the 75 and 90 series were not that different and didn't change much from 1938 to 1940.  You can see the exhaust routing is close to what you've received from Waldron (except for the through the frame section).  Hope this helps.

Kurt

This is a big help Kurt...Thank you!

Mike

[Tom Boehm]

Hello Mike, The lubrication chart is from the 1940 shop manual. The complete exhaust system with parts list is from the Master Parts Book. The exhaust detail picture is from the  1940 Manufacturing Information Book. The MPB picture is backwards. The correct view is a mirror image. That is the way it was printed. On the car, the head pipe is on the left side of the engine and the tail pipe tip is on the right side of the car.

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

Fantastic!!

I forwarded the picture and the diagrams to Waldron

Thank you Kurt & Tom !!

Mike

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Thanks Bruce,  these look good....a little trimming of the bottom tabs and they should work....I'll try a set.

As I was laying in bed last night I thought that I should send you a couple so you could play with them, instead of ordering any, but upon waking up this morning, which by the way is a good thing, I see that you have ordered some.

The clips are "trim-able" as I had to do a bit of trimming when came time to fit, but in the Ford application, the bottoms fit all the way under the mounting plate, and where they touch in the centre, this gives them the side retention springing at the point of going through the holes in the body.

One thing you might be able to do to aid retention if there is no slot under the mounting lug, is to create one with a Dremel style tool, and then trim the clips to suit.

I used a good pair of Aircraft tin snips (Wiss) but only had to trim a bit which I could reach with the points of the snips.   Any closer to the outside, and I would have needed a small cut-off wheel, in said Dremel tool.

Bruce.

[z3skybolt]

There is a 322 flathead bored out to 346 with new pistons for sale in the latest SELF STARTER.  Might want to consider it as a replacement. Have no idea of it's condition otherwise.  The add says...."fair price".

Bob R.