Smartin Posted April 20, 2011 Author Share Posted April 20, 2011 The body is not coming off again...I'll just have to keep everything covered well, so I don't get any (more) dust or overspray all over everything.Next on the list is to get the trunk floor and interior floor cleaned and painted. Then to body shell work. Woot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BJM Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 The most impressive thing is that I see NO COMPROMISE. The photos are high resolution and everything either looks factory fresh or over-restoration. Perfect. Eye candy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Buick 80C Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 Adam, Y'all OK out there with the storms?? I've heard at least on BCA'er had some issues. Let us know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 Adam was heard from, everything OK with him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 24, 2011 Author Share Posted April 24, 2011 Yes, thanks guys.One of our members (that I can confirm) had some very significant damage, but is managing...no one was hurt. Last night's storms were some of the worst I've ever seen. If the tornado had stayed on the ground the whole time, it might've been a different story. I was only a couple miles from its path. Tonight, I have already had more hail. We're supposed to get something like 8" of rain in the next 5 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wildcat465 Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 Good to hear that you and many other friends in St. Louis area are OK. You gonna be up for some ice cream stand burn outs this August? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 24, 2011 Author Share Posted April 24, 2011 Possibly, but I sold the Centurion 2 weeks ago, so I will need to find a new burnout maker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest John Chapman Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 Possibly, but I sold the Centurion 2 weeks ago, so I will need to find a new burnout maker.Adam, nice work you've done... I could probably scare up another Centurion out here... I happen to know where a red '72? convertible is wasting away in a driveway... Probably needs a new top...Cheers,JMC/San Diego Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 27, 2011 Author Share Posted April 27, 2011 Thanks John,I have a target on an unknown 71 convertible about an hour from me...it's been tough to get out there and seek out the owner, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 I haven't had much time to work on the car lately...those 60+ hour weeks are not conducive to progress here. Over the last couple days, I've done a few things...I pulled out the chrome dash control cluster to see if it would clean up without having a rechrome. I believe I succeeded. This piece looks good enough without $$$ in rechroming. I had to disassemble those parts with the plastic inserts so I could clean up and polish the plastic. There was a lot of dust and old chrome polish in the cracks of these dealies. Same story with the A/C control.I've had the gas tank sitting in the back of my Yukon for 2 weeks in an attempt to get it to the blaster, and finally got it there on Saturday. I picked it back up this afternoon and cleaned it out, and mounted it. Turned out nice. Pictures don't do it justice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Looking good Adam! Did you ever find a gas pedal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 Nope...still on the prowl. I haven't looked on Bob's site yet. Haven't thought about it since I saw your response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 (edited) I would think either would have them. The hinge and the pedal are all molded together. There is a steel plate that is overmolded with rubber. There is no hinge per se. Just a rubber "living" hinge between the two metal substrates. At least on my 57 that's what it is. Edited May 18, 2011 by 1957buickjim added picture (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Just looked in Bobs catalog. They don't go past 56 in the gas pedal department. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobravii Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Hi Adam, I don't know how I missed this thread all along!! I just spent the last 2 hours going through it and it has truly been inspiring to me as I am doing the same thing.I have a 1964 Buick Electra convertible that I am doing a a body off resto on and I gotta tellyou that sometimes I wonder if it's all worth it or if I'll ever get the dam thing back together!it's nice to see confirmation that "it can be done"Here's a couple of pic's of mine....I am now at the body off stage and have replaced all the springs, shocks complete steering inccluding steering box. Now to run all the brake lines and restore all the brakes.Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 12, 2011 Author Share Posted June 12, 2011 I fired it up tonight. As soon as I fixed the fuel leak at the glass filter, it started right up and idled without a hitch. I only let it run for 10 seconds....just wanted to make sure it would actually run before I started throwing parts back on. I have a video, but it was on the 3rd or 4th startup, and it needs the timing adjusted...plus, I didn't want to run it long without coolant. I'll see if I can upload the video tonight.I was startled when it fired up so fast...had to hit the kill switch! Fuel was still seeping out of the filter seal.No crossed plug wires or other gremlins:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 12, 2011 Author Share Posted June 12, 2011 This is as good as it gets for now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Way to go, Adam. Sounded GOOOOD! Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Come on, tell that truth. It sounds like you just drove it home from Walmart. I could tell from the little, "ha ha" that you were plenty excited and probably grinning like a happy idiot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 Oh yeah...was on cloud nine last night!I tackled the booster/master cylinder today. All went well. Interesting series of seals and other "stuff" on that beastie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Lookin and soundin good Adam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Buick 80C Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Nice!!! It's a great feeling knowing you actually managed to get it back together and make it run, well at least for me that was what I was thinking when I got my '38 running for the first time in 15 years after taking it all the way apart and back together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackofalltrades70 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Congrats Adam! Moving along and making progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Adam..nice!!!!!!! Especially like the laugh in the video, like you were thinking that this thing will never work, but hey, it started and ran like it should! The car is looking better and better. Nothing beats the feeling of putting the parts back on one by one after you have meticulously restored each one..Very cool. Keep the pictures coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 19, 2011 Author Share Posted June 19, 2011 I finally cleaned up all the AC lines and mufflers and that big ugly valve on top of the compressor today.The radiator is being recored in the next week or so, and I found that the heater core I got out of the parts car Super I bought is basically new...so that was nice to know.I installed the parking brake pedal assembly...although it seems that I can't get the pedal to come back up all the way by itself when I release it. I played with the brake adjustments and the spring at the rear end, but eventually gave up on it to look at it another day. I don't need it right now, anyway:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 Wow.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 What he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^Those accessories sure fill out the engine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rayne Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 I just joined the forrums here and found this thread. It took me a while to make it through, but you've realy given me hope for a brighter future. Your project is breathtaking. It helps me a ton, knowing that what I'm about to undertake is not only possible, but there are people here that have walked the path before me. Looking forward to further progress on this beautiful car. Realy well done, and something to be proud of! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TallGuyJoe Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 Looking and sounding great Adam! Can't wait to see it rolling down the street.Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serb Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Yah baby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cardinal905 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Have not checked in for a while, glad to hear you are still making progress Adam--everytime I do have a couple minutes to look here, for some reason I cant wait to get home and work on my junk ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 It's tough to get any real time to work on this stuff, that's for sure!Looks like I'll have a nice shiny new radiator and heater core in the next week or so. Only $800 for both. Sigh... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 Ahhhh, after all, what's money anyhow? Especially when you have a brand new shiney 58 Buick Limited. Great work on the car and this thread. Thanks man... you give me hope too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 I got the radiator and heater core back this evening...He replaced the 2 row core with a 3 row, without my permission. Thank God! He also said that they had to rebuild some of the parts from scratch...which doesn't surprise me. That radiator was literally falling apart - tanks, support brackets, and core.I fitted the heater core back into the box and sealed it up. But I still have to get that side of the cowl cleaned up and painted before I install it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotWheels Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 (edited) Hey Adam.It's not original...but... Edited July 12, 2011 by Electra 59 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 It looks Bad @ss to me!I like original but some mild Mods sure do look hot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted July 11, 2011 Author Share Posted July 11, 2011 That is a sleek lookin' 58! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Heater box is installed...with a shiny new heater core.Shiny new radiator ready for install! I got the core support blasted today. It was a mess. I have a little bit of metal work to do at the bottom of it, but it's not a real important area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 MARTIN, you will never regret that the rad shop chose to upgrade your radiator. Sure, some hot summer day, it might cost you a point at a car show. But hey, you'll have driven to the event with the cold air blowing, the windows rolled up tight, and the temperature gauge sitting happily in the N zone.Have you figured out a way to restore the missing bits of spongey, smooth-skinned rubber insulation on the evaporator box? Yours looks to be in about the same condition as mine - clean but a bit patchy. Although I'm not going for show quality, these front-and-centre flaws do detract from the overall appearance under the hood. Any suggestions out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IV Porte Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Hi Adam, great looking car you got. I own a couple of 1956-57 Special 4 doors hard top. Not as great as yours but nice anyway. Is there any walue in the Specials you think, though they are not to compare to the one you got.RegardsMichael, Sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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