expectations

[alzink]

I purchased a 1955 four door last year. It went through a four year "restoration". Absolutely beautiful  paint, rubber gaskets and chrome . Original beautiful interior. After purchase I realized that the mechanicals were never touched. The result... rebuild engine and transmission, brakes, vacuum wiper, clock , exhaust, tires, radio, and a few more. I also installed vintage air.
So this isn't a complaint or regret......... My question is what should one expect for ride quality and wind noise ? Both are good, but there is some resonance on the highway 60 plus MPH. I have new radial tires, balanced driveshaft .
So as loose as this communication is....I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Regards,

Althe drive train

[35-709]

Aftermarket mufflers/exhuast systems that have a little more "grumble" to them than stock can give you a resonance in certain RPM ranges.  I can readily demonstrate that in my 472 powered '35.  At first I liked the sound, but as much as I drive it on trips, it can get annoying.  I may well opt for a quieter set of mufflers next time.  If there is a next time with that car.

[Abe Lugo]

If it was cosmetic only.  I would expect that they at least took the time to add some insulation under the carpet, firewall and headliners if those were changed. That would help with heat and noise.  Also if seal were touched then I would imagine wind noise might be less. 

I bought a 30+ year old restoration/restod about 5 years ago and have done a lot of things beyond what I expected.  But not quite a project car.  Just changes and maintenance that is need for a happier Cadillac owner. 


I guess make a list of the things that bug you and tackle them little by little.  Some might be easy wins. 

Another thing is to see if there is anyone in your area with a a similar year model.  And if you can take a ride and trade notes.

So you can see what your missing or need. 

Also not were a perfect car it would have more expensive of course.  That's what I went in knowing as my Caddy would have easiliy been double the price. If not 3x

[James Landi]

'I guess make a list of the things that bug you and tackle them little by little.  Some might be easy wins.'

I think Abe has a good approach...with a Cadillac, expectations are high.  I spent many hours and miles in two '56 SDV's, and I loved the ride quality, the relative silence, and the design emphasis on comfort. I never inflated my radials to standard 30 psi pressure... kept them around 25 psi, and that took away the harshness.  I add here that these engines absolutely require a thoroughly clean radiator and engine cooling jackets or they burn exhaust valves.  I'd also use 30 weight oil, and I'd make certain to drive the car for at least ten miles rather than short, around town trips or garage idling. Riding in this era Cadillac is very special, so treat the care with care and it will give back a lot of hours of sheer pleasure.

[jwwseville60]

FYI
I put on an original design 1970 FW Waldrons single exhaust with OEM sound on my 70 wagon.
It's still a bit loud! Whats going on at that company? I smell a conspiracy.

Every Caddy or old American car Ive gotten over the decades––project or not–––has a cheap-o dual or single exhaust with one LOUD muffler per pipe. I get the economy option part, but why do so many people love musclecar-loud Caddies and Detroit-built station wagons? ---Rumble in the jungle? Easy low testosterone boost? Setting off parked car alarms for fun?

My "stock" 55 FW sedan? Two hot rod red glass packs and straight pipes. It sounds like it has no mufflers at all! WTF?
Factory exhaust just arrived....I'll give an update soon. It better be quiet and dignified by damn.

Anomaly:  My frame off restored 64 has a single exhaust that is factory correct and very muffled. Nice sound, whisper quiet. But it was the only car that arrived that way.

Heres a pic of my driver quality 65 FW 60S......wow! Going NASCAR racing are we? Sounds like a friggin super stock drag car.
Waldrons single OEM unit on order. 10 year wait.

Over the years Ive put my exhaust guy's 7 kids through college and grad school. He thinks Im nuts to quiet down these cars. Am I?

[jwwseville60]

BTW
I added heat shields to my mufflers on my 63 wagon. This really helped the floor pan heat go down for summer.
Anyone adding aftermarket AC to their car might consider this idea.

https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/muffler-heat-shields

[Cadillac Jack 82]

55s should be whisper quiet.  My 55 CDV was almost silent at 60 mph less the light sound of the engine.

[David Greenburg]

A lot of replacement exhausts will skip the resonator that was there originally. There cars were tight and quiet originally. When cruising my low mileage guy '61 is as tight and quiet as contemporary cars with comparable mileage. In my experience, a lot of "restorations" don't pay enough attention to things like seals, door hardware, window felts etc., that will lead to vibrations, rattles, wind noise etc.

[Clewisiii]

Pricing out all the seals for my car add up to over $2000. And that is not counting the undercoating or spray on membrane material in the doors.