CrestaMan

Hi Guys, Hope some one can help me find a modern paint formula for my 1950 Cadillac. It is in French Grey paint code 10. I have asked PPG UK but they can't find the code. The car has had a bare metal respray in black in the past so there's not even any original paint left to get it analysed.... Even a very close matching colour from another manufacture would help.. Thanks Adrian

I am in Sittingbourne Kent England

Hi everyone After 15 years of neglecting my 1950 Caddy due to lack of funds (thats what happens when you go self employed) I have got a fantastic full time job with enough spare cash to restart the restoration. The first goal is the get her usable for this coming summer even if this is in full on rat mode. I hope get a couple of years enjoyment before restarting the full on resto. Wish me luck guys CrestaMan

Hi everyone, I am about to start the interior work on my '50 Cadillac and I want to use the old leather as templates. Problem is the leather is now 60 years old and very dry and stiff. How can I soften it up before removal? Regards CrestaMan

Hi Larry, If it is common across GM then I read some where that it can be wound by hand. I will try this afternoon.

Hi Larry, Been offline for a week :-( Yes , I hope to have a look at it this weekend so any advice would be welcome.

Hi everyone, Friend of mine's Firebird tailgate lock has decided to play up. It stopped pulling down the tail gate tight allowing it to rattle and let the wind and rain in. Whilst trying to fix it it went up a down a couple of times but then went all the way down so we can't even just get the tailgate into the lock which will fail the MOT. I would like to try connecting the various wires to the battery to get it to come back up a bit but I don't know which wires are which and the workshop manual is no help. Can any body help?? Regards CrestaMan

I'll borrow one on Monday and see what it says. I'll let you know how I get on.

Hi I have recently purchased a 1998 Chevy/GMC 1500 Express dayvan. It has the 5litre vortex V8 engine. The van was a non runner when I got it and would not start. I have renewed the sparkplugs and ignition coil still nothing. as a last resort I poured some petrol down the air intake and she fired up on the key and runs real good. It will start again whilst still warm but not from cold without a squirt in the air intake. Whilst cold the van has little power but improves when warm. Is this a problem with a sensor making the ECU think the engine is always warm and hence not "choking" the engine for a normal cold start? Regards CrestaMan

Hi all, I need to get a sample made of 1950 Cadillac 'French Grey' (code 10) but I can't find the mix ratios. I have asked PPG and they gave me the mix code 30398 and 33059 as its closest modern equivalent but not the actual mix. Can any one help as I have no idea what French Grey is like as my caddy had been resprayed black when I bought her. Regards CrestaMan

Hi all, I have recently bought this van from from a salvage yard (minor unrelated cosmetic damage) as a non runner. It refuses to start even with a shot of easy start in the air intake. There is a good spark at the plugs (no cross sparking) but still it don't even try to fire up. The previous owner said it just died whilst moving it a few days after the accident (ran for about 5 minutes). The fuel pump can be heard running and there is a strong smell of petrol after it has been turned over several times. It has the V8 5 litre fuel injected petrol engine. Any ideas as I would like to get it running for the coming show season. Regards CrestaMan

Hi all, I have a '84 C4 Corvette which has damage to the passenger side front suspension mounting upright. I believe this is bolt on and also serves as the engine mount, If so how easy is it th replace and where can I get one? Regards CrestaMan

Hi Chrome Jim I have real nice re-chromed 1950 Cadillac bumpers but i made the mistake of using bungee straps to hold down a cover over the car and they have rubbed the chrome off down to the nickel d'oh! Can I get them just plated in chrome or will they need stripping and triple plated all over again? Regards CrestaMan

deleted-ML-239006-ML- Crestaman, based upon another post within the Tech Questions, has been banned. Sent him an e-mail to take a serious look at the intent of this AACA Forum, get back to me if he agrees, and, become more constructive. Peter J. Heizmann

deleted-ML-238960-ML- Sent him an e-mail that he is banned, unless, he reads the purpose of the AACA within the main page. By his own admission, his watering hole nonsense is not in the best interest of our club. Bruce Wheeler: Sorry that you did your usual detailed, time consuming job of intelligently answering Crestaman. Peter J. Heizmann

Hi all, On Sunday I attended the Bromley Pagent of Motoring hoping to sell my '56 Ford Fairlane as an "Upgrade" for the typical Ford MKII Zodiac owner. Whilst perusing the autojumble I can accross many salesmen demonstrating various wonder products to anyone and everyone. One of these actually interested me so I stumped up the £20 asking price and fitted it to my Scimitar Monday evening. The product in question is a little plastic cylinder that fits on the coil HT lead and instead of giving one big spark gives 5 smaller sparks which supposedly give better combustion resulting in more power, better mpg, longer plug life and will still work when plugs are almost totally knackered. Before fitting the thingy my Scimitar would miss and backfire under load at anything over mild acceloration and would be a pig whilst still on choke.. Now she idles lovely under choke and and goes like stink right up to 6K revs Highly recommended Has anyone else had good or bad results with other types of "Miracle Gizmos"??? Best Regards CrestaMan

Hi, Like most vehicle laws they are made with good intent for public safety or curbing illegal practices, which most time they fail, and just make life difficault for joe public. For instance an EU directive from the penpushers in Brussells means to to get a number plate made we have to produce the cars log book, drivers license etc.. This ment that when I hired a trailer and van I couldn't get a rear plate made as I obviously didn't have the van's logbook.. Whilst chatting in the local car accessory shop an old boy came in wanting a plate made up for his son who was stuck in southern France with a broken plate and the local cops wouldn't let him go untill it was replaced. Of course the log book was in his sons name so the shop could not make one. I wonder if his son ever got his car home or did he end up walking...... As for speeding cameras the cops now more interested in catching people doing 33 in a 30 zone or no road tax which all generate huge incomes for the police and government than checking for cars with no insurance, no MOT certificate or even worse drunks as these only cost lives...... Looking of the bright side though at least unleaded is back below 80p ($1.40) a litre... End result taking both a '50 Cad and '56 Ford to car show 120 mile away cost about £90 ($160) plus £10 entry £4 for the toll bridge...And I still didn't sell the ford........

UBB2-ML-226931-ML- Moved to BCA-General Forum...Peter J. Heizmann.

Hi, Ive been told that the same colour red was used for the wheels accross all makes of GM in the 50's. Is this true and if so does anyone know the name and/or paint code of this red? Regards CrestaMan

Hi I am thinking of buying a XR7 and wonder if anyone knows of good sources for spares for this model. Ones with a web site would be ideal. Regards CrestaMan

Shifting into reverse on both is fine, its getting them out that's a struggle.

Hi Randall, Thanks for the link, I have printed out '50 -> '59 providing my printer is close (hope their scanner is true) I will offer them up aganst the paint sunlight permitting. CrestaMan

Hi, Does any know where I can get the paint codes for 1950/3 Cadillacs as mine is in for its repray next month and I want to get it right. Regards CrestaMan

Hi all, I have 2 recently reconditioned hydramatics( both '50 Cads), one done in the US and the other done here in the UK. I have checked the fluid levels in both and have set the engine idle rate as stated in the workshop manual. Both boxes have a nasty habit of sometime being real tight when shifting out from reverse and can actualy snatch the level from my hand. I recall that when I got the first Caddy the box was OK before the rebuild. As both boxes have this same problem is it just that they need a fair time to wear in or do they need a readjustment or is it that they just can't get them as good as they were new???? Best Regards CrestaMan

I used the crank on the rope seal and with a wood drift gently tap the crank to position the seal. I always have trouble with getting a good clean cut and usually end up with the ends frayed.