dei
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Posts posted by dei
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Today Friday March 12th started out with a call as instructed to Hagerty roadside Service about 8:50 Am to start the process getting a tow for the Nash.
I'll save ALL the detail but to say what was promised to get the Nash home today was an ALL DAY cluster ....
Meantime we get a call from my brother-in-law saying his car was at a garage who was telling him that his battery was fried and likely so was the starter and possibly the alternator which could be in the neighbourhood of 700 dollars (plus the mandated 13% tax)!!
I realise not everyone is 'mechanically inclined' and looking it up in the dictionary one would find a picture of my brother-in-law. (sorry - harsh but true).
Fearing he was being taken advantage of I drove across the City and basically confronted the mechanic saying, they were just letting him know the possible outcome...
Most likely having an attitude with the Nash issues already, I asked what they had done to determine this outrageous cost? They said they put a boost on the battery and tried to start it but only got a click on the starter not turning over so most likely could be an old battery and the starter but also could be the alternator also being bad not charging the battery....
I'll remain kind here not describing the individual but just about lost it when he said point blank to me, "Look at that car, it is completely worn out!"
I'm not a licensed mechanic OK, but have owned Buicks (and we all know they need something at sometime or another) and have grade 12 auto shop, so figure this is such a line to scare someone into spending more than they need to!!
Does this look like a car that is worn out with only 80,000 kilometers on it for a 1989?
Because it was towed to this garage across town by CAA (triple A for you US guys) I told them to hold off doing any "service work" and I went to get an inexpensive battery from a shop here that gives a three year full replacement to see if indeed there was a problem with a starter first or.....
When I arrived and replaced it, told my brother-in-law to jump in and try it.
VOILA!
We shut it off, let it sit a minute and tried again looking for any lights on the dash to indicate a not charging issue (it has a gauge anyway) so went to speak with the mechanic who said, Ok so you got it going and went on about his business.
Ya, I did and only for 10 minutes work and 134 dollars!
I HATE A RIP OFF SHOP!
Meantime I had the Nash issue of not home yet and an appointment with Mom for one of her cancer treatments at 3:30...
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After posting my experience with Hagerty Road Service earlier I will start this thread by saying Good Therapy for me is hands on "wax on, wax off" time.
Being inside after supper out of the wind did me (and the Whippet) good.
With a clean micro fibre cloth using clean water I wiped her down a panel at a time and then with another clean cloth used the Mother's Gold wax with this result.
Before long time didn't matter and was able to get this side of her back to show car status again.
Put the lid on the wax can and decided to go at the front tire and wipe down the wood spokes.
I remember dad having a conversation with a car club member who knew he was restoring a Whippet saying to him he had a set of hub caps for a Whippet that he would give to him on condition that if he ever sold the car he wanted them back because he thought they were rare but again felt they should be on this car.
Dad had the set that were the script saying 'Whippet' so accepted the condition gratefully.
Thank's so very much Morris. RIP
I slept well.
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I would love to do a leisurely trip in her but screwing 5 hours away today when I still have the old garage to clean out and a late after noon Dr's appointment with mom tomorrow is time I won't get back.
Once that job is finished I will at least be dealing at home and not dividing my time in two places!
The thread is just about ready to break...
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Going into the home garage soon to continue getting more things off the floor in preparation to get the back overhead door working.
Thank heavens the Whippet is such a small girl.
I always knew good things come in small packages.
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4 hours ago, lancemb said:
Ahh I see. So there was probably some abnormal wear to the gear set, which is original. Without changing the gear set not sure how long it will last. If lucky, they will mesh again and be okay. Changing the gear oil a couple times after driving it to break them back in would be best chance of survival.
Just got back from test driving the Nash, settling up and see your post Lance.
Met Don, talked for a bit and then we went for a test drive 5 kms down the local hwy at about 45 mph.
The rear end has a bit of sound but honestly isn't what I would think is going to lay down any time soon.
Yes they would have changed the gear set out but locating parts for this thing is all about time (and money) so set things up as close as could be and frankly I'm not panicked about it right now. In a perfect world sure, get even a good used set but I'd be into storage from them till something was located. At least she is movable now and with the new fuel line it started even better than the Special (should I have said that?).
I forgot to bring along that well used hub cap to at least balance the look some since they obviously washed her up some...
Spent a ridiculous amount of time on the phone with the Hagerty Drivers Club till just now to set up a time to flat bed her home in the morning!
First thing after all information confirmed, was to say I had to call 1 hour before I wanted a tow as they do not make appointments! I was given a reference # to tell them when I call tomorrow so said thank you and goodbye.... I was planning on that when my phone rang again and it was the fellow I spoke with saying that because it was at a repair shop they supposedly called and spoke with Sharon & Ernie who said it was driveable, so because of that I was excluded from the tow.
Told them they needed to speak with Don the Shop Supervisor who said he would not recommend putting it on the Highway the 49 miles at anywhere near the posted speed limits for the next while till the gears settle in some. (Made sense to me hence the call to the HDC for help.)
Was told to wait (again!!) while he spoke with his supervisor and FINALLY came on to say he was unavailable so would have to call me back...
Fifteen minutes later the call came and was told that they had spoken with Don who confirmed what I had said so I was good to call tomorrow and reference the job number he gave me earlier to set up a tow.
Good Gawd!!
Had this been a break down in Michigan on the side of the road, the time they farted around with me and the roaming charges on my cell, is this "service" really that good for me!
Oh, and the unlimited number of times and the distance I can be towed charge free for one year is only 80 kms. That is only 45 miles with the plan I have at the 2nd level they offer.
OK, ending the rant and will call tomorrow to get her here before I think about it more and cancel the whole thing and then drive her the very back roads home slowly, take some refreshments, stopping to smell the roses...
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Heading up to investigate as the conversation went like this,
bearings were finally located and installed after checking wheel bearings and seals. The ring and pinion showed some marks due to the carrier having slopped around due to the almost non existent carrier bearings.
It's going to be an interesting conversation to say the least...
Heading out after I fill up the coffee cup. (it's 50 miles)
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Just before 5 tonight I got a call about the Nash.
She needed a new steel gas line as it had been patched with several rubber sections.
What did you do Dad?
They apparently were shot allowing the pump to suck air so that was all replaced with new steel line having only short rubber connections at the fuel pump and the tank.
They drove it for about 20 miles and said engine purrs like it should but there is a bit of rear end gear noise still as expected.
Guess Hagerty will be used to get her home Friday as a 50 mile trip at 55 mph is not what I want to take a chance on and have a further break down.
Will have to see what happens after she is home...
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A bit of progress today.
After working inside the garage at home last night and then this afternoon I had things cleared enough to get the Whippet inside.
Still much to do (is it ever really done?) but with her inside it meant I was able to back the Overland on the trailer under the canopy which with the car cover on her will help keep the rain off the roof and going inside.
This is going to help keep the waters still at home for a bit longer.
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Of no particular importance but I just noticed my thread has hit 101,000 views.
Do I assume (and we all know that assume means) that I have something of interest to post....?
Thank you to all who have followed along and have offered helpful advice during my time here.
It means a lot and making a few new friends along this journey has encouraged me to move forward with my Buick's especially.
Really appreciate being a part of this Forums group!
Doug
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With my antique car parking lot in play and the slight hint for the spouse, I had to dig into the garage (at home) to clear space in order to roll the Whippet inside, then allowing me to park the Overland on the trailer under the canopy freeing up space on the driveway and better hiding the cars for now.
Managed to get a lot done but behind me still needs cleaning up.
98% of what is in here is for the Buick's and has been marked for an unexpected departure (just sayin').
Hopefully will have the Whippet inside by tonight as there is a forecast for rain...
At least it isn't snow!
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Received a call this morning that the Nash rear axle work is completed.
WOW!!!
Seems Nash used a Timken carrier bearing that is metric, not a standard size as other North American car manufactures use....
It took a long time not only to get the proper bearings but after an exhaustive search, there is nothing available as an alternate without major machining.
There was nothing the Nash Club could provide either so with no choice went ahead with the work. I had no success locating a proper complete rear end to swap out and maybe that was a good thing as who knows what condition that would have been in putting me in the same situation down the road...
Making arrangements to have the gas tank flushed and a new gas line put on so hopefully she will be home next week.
Boy is the wife happy about that!
Moving on...
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Today Monday, started out like any other morning with a coffee and petting our 20 year old blind cat trying to stop her constant meowing. Once she sits beside me she quiets down, must be happy to see us up at the crack of day light...
By my second cup I have formed a plan for the day which usually starts by taking me over to the old garage to continue with cleaning stuff out.
Well, that plan was nothing but a flash in my mind as I received a call for an estimate on a job I have not done since 2017. Decided to follow up on it after making sure I put the two garbage cans (my mess) out for today's pickup.
After a site visit and some discussion headed back home to look up the info and figure what to quote. This looks like a price shopping expedition for them but you never know. Should things click, helps keep me from a full retirement. (and the money does help too)
Plan two then was to go into the garage at home and get some information on a spare nail head that Buicknutty might be interested in.
It's on a dolly that I built a small work table over but managed to get what I thought was needed to help him identify it.
I then went over to the old garage to check out a second nail head there that has it's possible ending at the scrap yard should nothing come of the interest.
Sacrilege I know, but I just don't have any more room now....
It's going to be tough as it is locked up tighter than a snare drum and because of that still has the dynaflow attached.
Came home for supper and started clearing up things to get the Whippet inside soon and finish getting the back overhead door working.
Tomorrows plan? Will see what the second cup of coffee brings...
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Really John?
The ones right around me have no issues with the antique cars and have given them my history with them so they understand how important they are to me. The current situation will be only for a short period and will then be under cover out of sight so thinking it will be OK.
Time will tell I guess...
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Between the rope blocks and the manual hand crank on the trailer, correcting the steering to be centred on the trailer I took it slow and easy (no real choice) and then strapped her down for the ride home.
Figured I might as well drive by mom's and check in to see how she was doing today and ask her to look out the front window again. I think it's starting to dawn on her just what work all this has been...
Took this shot before putting a big car cover on to keep the night air off her then went in for supper.
I'll bet the neighbours are starting to think there is an Old Car Show going on here this week.
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Today plans changed a bit as I decided I wanted to bring the Overland home knowing it was way at the back of the garage and had to be wenched outside 1st before attempting to load her on the trailer.
I then had to unload the Whippet putting her on her feet to be able to use the trailer for the Overland.
By cranking up the trailer jack raising the front it made it easy to slowly let gravity do it's thing with a controlled offload.
The first thing I had to do when I got there was to move my other trailer back beside the Overland to be able to pull her froward. With what stuff was in there I was surprised how much effort it took.
I then hooked up my trusty block & tackle to pull the Overland forward.
I also remembered I had to watch the garage door as it doesn't go up as high as needed for the car to clear without rubbing the top.
That required me to take a 2x4, push the door up and back wedging the wood for it stay up and allow clearance. It also meant I had to put bungee cords on the now loose cable to keep it from slipping off the cable drum which created more problems back then...
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Continuing with moving the collection home.
Moving, sorting parts and discarding things not going to be used is a major play to make room...
Always a bit more work when they aren't running.
Two down, one more to go (or is that come here)....
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Managed to get the rig backed into the driveway at home after checking and double checking my clearances. After all, while the rig is special to me (no pun intended) my 'prised Limited' is right there in a precarious spot...
The objective for the day was to get the Whippet home and under cover for now so with having a sigh of relief I unhooked the trailer, poured a drink and started looking things over.
Sure fits like a glove!
I had always given dad grief for not having clean white walls especially those wide whites so just had to grab some cleaning equipment and have at them.
The way they looked from what you can see where I stopped and took this shot I wasn't sure if they would clean up OK but turns out they will be nice when I get them all done.
Sundays plan is to clear things up inside the garage here and drop the Whippet off the trailer, push her inside and if time bring the trailer back over to load up the Overland.
She might have to sit on the trailer under this cover for a while till I get a ramp built for the transition to the pad out back.
Time, it moves on so quickly...
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It was getting on lunch time so they said good bye and I finished up putting on the tie down straps plus topping up the master cylinder for the surge brakes. It did not take that much but think I will have to pull the drums (all four) and check the wheel cylinders before any major road trip. This trip to my home isn't but a 15 minute drive on city streets.
With Mom knowing what has been going on I stopped over at her place on the way to say," Hey, take a look out the front window".
She never actually rode in this car for some reason but was happy for me seeing it there.
Have to ask her about that..
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Still quite early I stopped for another coffee on the way thinking over the things I needed to check before getting on the road. Once there I hookup up, pulled the tire stops out of the way and pulled it out of the carport for better light and access to the four tires knowing before I even looked they would be under pressured.
In the still of this morning there were many thoughts going through my mind as I went down the check list, not the least of which was this particular day at the Ypsilanti Orphan Car Show held annually in Michigan.
With the noise from my portable air compressor charging up frequently I didn't hear a "Hello Doug" till it finally charged up and shut off. It was my neighbour from across the road, young Conner and his Dad, who had to come over to take some pictures before the car left the property.
Having been under the car cover the young lad had never really seen much of it and with having sat behind the wheel of the Overland, the truck and the Special now and again didn't he ask politely if he could sit in her too?
He didn't know anything about rumble seats so once I showed him seeing his eyes lit up I asked if he would like to sit in it?
With some contained excitement (he's a good young 9 year old) I showed him the step plates and helped him to get in saying to his dad, "Take a picture please!"
That moment wiped out any melancholy I was having previously and realised I was doing exactly what dad had done ever since owning his first antique car (the Overland).
I've seen some guys get so panicky at shows when kids are around and yes things can happen some times but if shown how to respect one's property, the hands on experience will garner more respect than one can ever expect I think. They will never forget an experience like this and will hold it in their minds forever with fond excitement.
In Conner's case I think he will become another "old car" owner one day...
At least that's how it happened for me and enjoyed sharing.
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Report on the events from Saturday...
After an early coffee decided to pull the Limited out from under momma's normal parking spot to bring the Whippet home.
Started out with a rope hooked to my truck and slowly, carefully pulled her out.
Once out I needed to line her up better so the back end was over so literally put my back against the open door jamb and found it rolled quite easily not having the engine and transmission in her.
With the driveway better than two cars wide this will allow me to bring what ever is needed into the garage.
The next step was to go over to the garage/carport which I'm moving out of and start to hook up the trailer which the Whippet has been sitting on since dad's funeral almost four years to the day...
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After an appointment with mom and a few errands for her I went back the Garage to continue with the clean out. Circumstances have changed again (or been extended) but want to be finished with this part sooner than later.
With the Special out and put away the only car in there is the Overland so carefully backed the trailer past the big container to put park it inside. That is going to save a few steps over the weekend...
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Brought her home and then a road trip to her new temporary storage place till the end of May.
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Had to get the spare engine that went with the sale of my '52 Ford truck ready to be picked up.
That flat head has some weight to it and watched the Ranger truck the new owner drove squat a bit when lowering it onto the tire.
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The second mission was to go and get the Special to fuel up with some 91 octane for the trip out to her new temporary home. That fill up was 52 bucks at 1.41/L but that''s ok. I figure driving the 25 minutes at 55 mph will help clean up the plugs from all that garage idling.
Naturally just had to take a shot of her at home since I realised it has been almost 1 1/2 years since she has been back here... I last drove her October of 2019.
With my wife following behind to drive me back afterwards we took the back roads to avoid traffic/people which thinks with this pandemic the rules of the road have been rescinded. Posted speed limits of 50 mph mean now you can go 65 mph so driving the actual post/legal limit would make me a hindrance on the road right?
The route went smoothly and think I had my wife lost a bit but that was Ok.
With the dash apart like it is I didn't have any brake lights so she was my protection.
Where she is now parked is a fellow I've known for many years and his property has buildings that were made for an egg hatchery business. He spent a lot of effort to clear out the warming ovens, the egg room and the feed building which are heavily insulated and has smooth concrete floors. He has a fantastic what he calls his "Trophy Room" with heat and water.
I paid him till the end of May and will see how it works out for me by then. The Special can stay longer if necessary but hope to be in good shape at home by them.
Meantime she is in with good company as there is everything from brand new 2021 Corvette to a Buick GS in there.
Fred is a Buick guy too. Can you tell?
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ME & MY === 1958 Buick, 1958 Buick, 1958 Buick and……..
in Me and My Buick
Posted · Edited by dei (see edit history)
With my Towing issues waiting to come forth I tried to placate myself with a few things at home in the garage only to realise it is now close to my leaving to bring Mom for her treatment.
I called one more time and was told someone would call me back as I insisted on a status report!
I finally get a call saying he was there and where was I?
What the??
You were instructed to ask for the Shop Manager Don who would get the car out and you could load it to bring to my house HOURS AGO!
I had to leave so my wife, hearing all of this, was prepared to deal with the guy if I didn't make it back before the Nash was dropped off...
The short story,,,,
I was home about 5 minutes before the unit finally arrived at 5:15 PM.
Told him to let her off on the road since I was confident she would fire up and run up in my driveway.
I wasn't asked to sign anything or was handed any paper work for this but looked around to ensure things were as I saw them yesterday.
All good there but....
I WILL be pushing this experience as far up the the Hagerty chain as I can!!!
The company Hagerty bought out here in Canada is NOT the same with this buy out from this experience!
To try and keep this somewhat Buick,
The Limited, now at least has company for the weekend.