MyhreMade

Thanks for all the help everyone. I’ll take a look at the manual and get under the car and see what’s going on. Now I know where to start.

That’s looking great. Are you taking it to back to the 50’s this weekend? Did you have the headliner made or did you get it somewhere?

I’ve been taking the powerglide Pontiac on short drives not that the snow is gone. I need to look at the steering. Seems like there is a lot of play in the wheel. You can see in the video the orientation of the wheel yet the car is going straight. Doesn’t seem right.

I’ll take a look at making these. I have one of them on my car.

Back working on the second non running 53. Started the floor replacement. Had bought patch panels from eBay but the were junk. Not even close to being correct fit. Decided to make my own.

Sorry. Yeah my posts are kinda jumping around. This is the original one that has the powerglide that was seized when I got it. Then plan now that this one is running is to sell it to help fund a motor rebuild on the other. If it was up to me I’d keep both but my wife wants her parking spot back in the garage for the MN winter.

It was an exciting day yesterday. I’ve been making progress and got to drive the car yesterday under its own power. This car has sat for probably 35 years. Here’s a video of the first drive.

Started working on installing all new brakes and new lines. Ended up having to rebuild the master cylinder. What a nightmare that was to get out. Ended up removing the pedal and master cylinder together as everything was seized together.

Have been doing some more work on the powerglide 53. Got the gas tank removed and cleaned. Installed a new sending unit.

Oh awesome. Thanks for the heads up. I will have to check them out. Couple of little things I need for mine.

Well I originally picked it up with that in mind but it’s in much better shape than the other one as far as the body. I may sell the powerglide one and just focus on this one. Would like to get the powerglide car running and driving first if possible before selling it. I’d like to keep them both but my wife wants her spot back in the garage before the MN winter.

Here is a picture of the other 53.

I put a jumper wire between the two connections on the neutral safety switch. Turn the key and it finally cranks over. I’m going to try cleaning the connections and see if I can get it to work without the jumper.

I’m curious should the car be in park or in neutral when trying to start. I’ve tried both and nether worked. I also tried holding the shift lever up. It doesn’t make any noise at all when I turn the key. I just see my battery gauge go down when I turn the key. What kinds of transmission were in these cars. This one I’m trying to start I know has a powerglide. I’m trying to figure out what my other car has. Was it only Hydramatic or was there another transmission. The other car doesn’t say Hydramatic on the shifter like I’ve seen on others. this is the one I’m trying to start. this is the other one.

Now that I got the car running I’m trying to figure out why the key switch doesn’t crank the engine. When I turn the key I get power to the headlights and the radio. My gauges move also. When I turn the key to try and start it nothing happens. I can see the gauges go down like there is a power draw but it does nothing with the starter. Anyone have ideas where to start. I looked over the wiring and fixed any obvious bad connections. I also replaced all the fuses. Wondering if there is maybe something obvious I’m missing?

Is there a good way to go about testing the radiator?

I was repainting my radiator before putting it back in the car and noticed two cracks in the top. Is this an area it can leak from? What would be the best way to fix it? Brazing?

Exciting day today. Got the original 53 started up today. This was seized and had broken valves when I got it. Here is a before and after picture. Still need a lot of work but it’s fun to hear it run. Hadn’t run in probably 20 years.

Yes the choke butterfly is in the open position.

I’ve been trying to get it started. It’s really close but I can’t get it to take off and keep going. I put new points and condenser in and have spark. Put new wires and plugs. Adjusted points gap. Put fresh professional rebuilt carburetor on it. I believe I have the #1 plug in the right spot on the distributor. And then the rest of the plugs in firing order going counter clockwise. Cleaned fuel pump bowl and plumbed fresh gas to the pump. Kind of at a loss at what else to try.

Started cleaning it up a little bit. The body is in really good shape. Needs new floors in the front. Rear looks good.

Had an interesting 4th of July weekend. I ended up picking up another 53. I saw it for sale but it was already marked sold when I saw it. The family and I were on our way home from Rochester MN on the weekend and I saw the add wasn’t marked sold anymore. We happened to be driving right by the guys place heading back to the cities. Stopped by to check it out and made a deal. Came back the next day and picked it up. The guy I got it from has a nice 53 he had been working on too.

I’m waiting on a few things but I’m wondering if maybe I can try starting it. The generator is out being rebuilt right now and I need to work on the radiator. Still have to look at the wiring and figure out that mess. What would be the easiest quick wiring to try and start it? I plan to bypass the fuel tank for now and just hook a bottle or something up.

That’s a good idea. I mounted it back on the car last night. I had to try it out today to see if it actually moved the wipers and to see that the switch in the car worked. Definitely needs some new wiper blades but it moves the wipers. https://youtube.com/shorts/kpCtZyXxquo?feature=share