Carl 61 Fleetwood Phyllis

[Clewisiii]

I spoke to the chrome shop today. My first batch should be ready mid October. I will try to drop off my second batch sooner so that I do not have to wait the full 28 weeks after mid October.

[Clewisiii]

Success. Buy them when you find them.

I found someone on Facebook who was selling some Cadillac emblems. I saw the large Fleetwood logo and thought it might be the same size as the 61 trunk logo. Well it was not. He did not know what logos or years he had them for. But it was a little over an hour drive to him. So I bought some random things just to justify my drive. I spent $100 on these. Not a deal, but whatever.

But I noticed he had two wiper escutcheon nuts. Mine were damaged removing them. And all of them I have bought since which say they fit are actually a hair to small. So I took a chance and bought these from him. They fit. They are actually the right size. I am so happy. Those new back four in this picture are wrong. But the front new pair from him are correct. Made the whole 2.5 hour round trip worth it. Now I need to find the proper tool to install them. I bought one. But of course it fits the smaller size.

[Clewisiii]

I took a big step today. I finally had the painter at my shop. The plan is for him to paint the firewall in my shop at the end of October. After that I will get the body back on the frame and drive able. Then mid to end of next year I can have it in his shop for the rest of the paint and bodywork.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Now I need to find the proper tool to install them. I bought one. But of course it fits the smaller size. 

Congratulations on your purchase.

I make my own tools for fitting escutcheon nuts.   Just a simple tool from a piece of piping.

Bruce.

[Clewisiii]

Now that I am on the clock for Firewall paint in October, I am finally digging into that structure.  I have cut out as much as I will. I need to sandblast more and spray in a rust encapsulator.

These are the pieces I need to rebuild. I hope to get all but the rocker outer done this weekend.

I need to sand a bunch of the body down again. This was last primed 7 years ago before my delay to rebuild my shop.

[Clewisiii]

Preparing the first patch panel now. This one was an easy bend. The next will be harder.

[Clewisiii]

Inner patch is in and I am happy enough with it. There are still two layers of patches to go. I middle layer tomorrow. It will be the hardest shape for me to make.

[Clewisiii]

That midpanel is going quicker then I thought. I need to reshape the nose a bit so the front outer support can be reinstalled. I still will not finish till tomorrow.

[Clewisiii]

There are two pieces here that I just need to weld backbin. I then need to cut a patch out of my rocker patch panel. Then one more patch that I actually need to make.

[Clewisiii]

I didn't expect these patches to go this quick. A little adjustment to this one and I can tack it into place. That will just leave a piece of the rocker outer. I can easily get that done between today and tomorrow, unless I actually want one relaxing day on the labor day weekend. Thankfully everything but the rocker outer is hidden. So I am giving myself some slack in my quality. But i still think I am doing pretty good for what it is.

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

Carl, That's more than pretty good.

[Clewisiii]

So because it was so cheap. I ordered a 4 Door RH rocker panel. 8 years ago when I fixed this rocker the first time they only had 2 Door versions. It did not properly line up so I used more filler then I wanted. I will use the patch I have now to fix it. But I will give the new rocker to the body shop and let them decide if they want to use it. It may be easier for the. To do a whole rocker with body on frame and fenders to align.

[Clewisiii]

Just for inspiration a throw back photo of where I started.
Looks good from 50 ft away and wet. But honestly barely better then a parts car.

[Clewisiii]

On the right is a bumper filler panel that I cleaned up a bit. On the left is a spray out panel I made to test a paint supplier 5 years ago. I did not give them a panel to match. I just told them 1961 Cadillac code 26 and they made this from formula.

I need to work with the painter to get paint mixed for the firewall in October. He suggested I buy all the paint up front to avoid the risk of color match issues next year.

[Clewisiii]

Gathering supplies to sand and clean up hard to reach areas like door jambs window openings and etc.

This is mostly to clean out 7 years of dust dirt and debry. Not prep sanding for paint yet.




The goal is still to have the firewall painted at the end of October.

Finish the rear brakes.
Put oil in the differential.
Install shocks.
Put body on frame over New Years.

Buy gas tank.
Rebuild neutral safety switch.
Install steering column.
Install linkage from steering to Trans.
Have 1962 master booster rebuilt to install.
Install brake and throttle linkage.
Switch out radiator water for coolant.

Hopefully I can have that all done by summer so that I can have the car moving under its own power for paint in fall to winter.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I need to work with the painter to get paint mixed for the firewall in October. He suggested I buy all the paint up front to avoid the risk of color match issues next year.   

A very good idea, but don't wait too long between the Firewall painting and completing the rest of the painting.   Just in case the makers, or the authorities, decide that the present paint should be outlawed.   

Bruce.

[Clewisiii]

First time really hitting this rocker with sand paper since I applied filler to it 7 years ago.

[Clewisiii]

A couple of tack welds, then some hammering to finesse into shape. And my attempt of this rocker patch will be done.

This is just my weak attempt to weld to a panel that has already been distorted. If it works great. If not I have a complete new rocker coming that the body shop guy can install if he chooses to.

[Cadman-iac]

Success. Buy them when you find them.

I found someone on Facebook who was selling some Cadillac emblems. I saw the large Fleetwood logo and thought it might be the same size as the 61 trunk logo. Well it was not. He did not know what logos or years he had them for. But it was a little over an hour drive to him. So I bought some random things just to justify my drive. I spent $100 on these. Not a deal, but whatever.

But I noticed he had two wiper escutcheon nuts. Mine were damaged removing them. And all of them I have bought since which say they fit are actually a hair to small. So I took a chance and bought these from him. They fit. They are actually the right size. I am so happy. Those new back four in this picture are wrong. But the front new pair from him are correct. Made the whole 2.5 hour round trip worth it. Now I need to find the proper tool to install them. I bought one. But of course it fits the smaller size.

Carl,

I've been making my own tools for this type of nut. I'll use a good socket that's the right diameter on the outside  so it matches the nut, then I grind off the top of the socket leaving a pair of tabs opposite each other that will engage the slots in the nuts.
I've got a collection of these now for various sizes. Wiper escutcheons, wiper switch retaining nuts, ignition switches, antenna bezels.
I can post a picture if you want tomorrow, I've already retired for the night.

Rick

Edit:
  Here's a picture of the various tools I've made or bought. The 4 on the left are bought, the rest I made. I've had toggle switches that had that type of retainer nut, and finding a tool to work on it was impossible, so making it was the solution. Using bent-nose needlenose pliers just doesn't work most of the time and you end up scratching the paint or the switch bezel/nut, or worse, damaging it.



 Hope this helps.

 Rick

[Clewisiii]

The first time.