Smartin Posted April 6, 2013 Author Share Posted April 6, 2013 FINALLY, after 5 days of 12-14 hour shifts at work...I have begun the disassembly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Let the Smartinizing begin!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 FINALLY, after 5 days of 12-14 hour shifts at work...I have begun the disassembly. WHY?? Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 6, 2013 Author Share Posted April 6, 2013 Because I can't stand a dirty engine compartment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 4bigben Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Because I can't stand a dirty engine compartment!What is your process for cleaning a Dirty Engine Compartment. Never did one before. i have a 1954 Buick Special 46r.Thanks 4bigben. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 6, 2013 Author Share Posted April 6, 2013 It's pretty straight-forward, really. Step 1 - Disassemble everything and bag/tag all nuts and bolts with proper location.Step 2 - Clean and/or paint everything you can possibly get to in the engine compartment. Same goes for all parts that were removed during disassembly process.Step 3 - Reassemble in reverse order.I usually just take the engine down to the short block and have the heads rebuilt. I also have the radiator cleaned or recored, as well as the heater core. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Because I can't stand a dirty engine compartment! OKAY, understood. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 7, 2013 Author Share Posted April 7, 2013 I'm trying to restore parts as I take them off...at least the small stuff anyway. I have a pile of brackets and other misc items sitting next to the car on a rolling cart waiting to be cleaned up.Now for the obligatory "table of clean parts" photo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted April 7, 2013 Share Posted April 7, 2013 Guys, all he's really doing is trying to catch up to his avatar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Hey Adam,I want to pick your memory about something.I'm in the process of taking out both the front and rear windows on my Limited parts car which has the same trim as your Roadmaster (and your Limited). Sadly, the car has been sitting outside waaay too long (it was well past restoring) but I have the lower trim off due to rusted clips and can't figure out how to remove the top rear trim. Any chance you have pictures when you did the Limited? or can talk me through the process?I just do not want to destroy the trim by too much force. I have the corner moldings off also but.... can't figure how to do the rest. Since you are the 58 Buick man, figured I'd ask.Any help appreciated here.DougBCA# 35039 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 10, 2013 Author Share Posted April 10, 2013 Doug, the trim is held in place with nuts from the inside. The Interior window trim needs to come off and I believe you can access it without removing the headliner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 THANKS ADAM!I figured you would know. I don't have to worry about the headliner as a few critters have been in the old girl. I just need to take caution working inside (a hazmat suit would be in order). Fortunately I took the dash out a long time ago and it sits on a shelf over top of my other Limited nice and dry.Does this follow the front windshield clips are held by bolts also?DougBCA# 35039 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 10, 2013 Author Share Posted April 10, 2013 Yes...correct. The upper molding only, on the front. I think the front is held on with 11/32 nuts. You will need a deep well 1/4" socket to get them off. Rears are 3/8, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Once again, Thanks for taking the time on this.Guess I might have to start my own thread regarding my 58's and not hijack yours as I just got orders from City Hall (Mayor Wife that is) that "this car goes or "I" might have to!" So...... have been starting, between rain this weekend and taking lots of pictures. I also have been truly inspired by your 58's over these past few years (way too easy though to sit and just read about the work - ha ha). I know I can't keep the pace you and a few others have made but.. will just get started and see how things go with a few questions here and there.DougBCA# 35039 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 13, 2013 Author Share Posted April 13, 2013 Some shiny bits...Not a ton of progress this week so far, but I have only worked for about an hour a few nights after work. Tomorrow morning I should be able to get some decent progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 15, 2013 Author Share Posted April 15, 2013 My weekend progress report...I didn't get a photo tonight, but this was earlier today during the thrash session.Here are some shiny new bits from the weekend...Why must every heater core I pull out look like this? ...never fails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 I have to wonder what people did to get the last (rear) pushrod out of the engine with it still in the car. I still have the vent cover on the drivers side and it hits before I can remove it. Did they unbolt the mounts and jack the engine up on its side a bit? Same thing with the rear most head bolt...I got them out, but I pulled the head off and nearly ruined the pushrod in doing so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 19, 2013 Author Share Posted April 19, 2013 I figured out why I had so much play in the steering. The rag joint was completely crumbled to bits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan at larescorp Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 I figured out why I had so much play in the steering. The rag joint was completely crumbled to bits.Thats one ugly coupler! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 19, 2013 Author Share Posted April 19, 2013 I got my radiator back today...he had to remove the tanks and rod it out. He also replaced the overflow tube. All for $135, which I thought was a good deal. He is rebuilding the heater core for $215. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 Good deal, Adam. You will not be sorry, and, yes that is a great price . I do not understand why others with overheating problems don't get the radiator done as a matter of course. Almost always the main problem. Worth it for peace of mind. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 Got the booster and vent cover off...as well as the steering box. The nut holding the booster on was impossible to turn, so I clamped a set of channel locks onto it and spun the booster off from the outside. Success! Time clean up for a rehearsal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 25, 2013 Author Share Posted April 25, 2013 The degreasing has begun. Ugh. Firewall paint is ordered. I have a few parts I need to get before I can reassemble.I got the heads back today...all ready for install!Finished bits... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Adam,Wish I was at your stage putting things back together! Someday....Love the master cylinder / brake booster! Did you do the paint yourself or the re builder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 25, 2013 Author Share Posted April 25, 2013 I didn't rebuild it...just stripped and painted myself. My little faux cad plating looks pretty good on this one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Adam,I've been wanting to ask what kind of silver finish you were using.It all looks good (but then again, you know I think that). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 25, 2013 Author Share Posted April 25, 2013 Rustoleum "Chrome" paint as a base, with a light powdering of their "brass" paint. Voila! The chrome paint is nice and thick, and has a really reflective finish. It also hides a lot of pits and imperfections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 28, 2013 Author Share Posted April 28, 2013 Idiot move of the day: Do not try to beat the pulley off the power steering pump. The shaft will come out with it if you try hard enough. I now have a power steering doorstop.Couple photos to follow...I just needed to come in from the garage and simmer after that bonehead move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhclark Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 DOH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 28, 2013 Author Share Posted April 28, 2013 Ok, it looks like I might be able to save the pump, as long as I can find a C-clip that will hold the shaft in. When I initially pulled the pump apart, it just fell into pieces, and I was unsure of how to reassemble it. I think I have it now.Generator, steering pump bracket, fan, and trans cooling line ends are done.Oh yeah, after I scratched my head about the pump shaft for a bit, I resumed cleanup on the pulley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 AdamThat 'bigger hammer' gets me in trouble all the time...and walking away is the best solution.Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 Adam,Glad you can save the pump!I noticed the lid, are you planning on replacing the gasket? I have a car or two that unless you really reef on the bolt (not a good practice), fluid seeps down the pump and... that messy under the hood thing starts to show. Any suggestion on where to get that gasket or what to use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 28, 2013 Author Share Posted April 28, 2013 That is a good question...I have no idea what to do with that gasket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 28, 2013 Author Share Posted April 28, 2013 Not much to report today. I'm in sloth mode...it seems I can't get more than a couple hours of work in every time I go out to the garage to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 ADAM, you do not know the meaning of sloth mode. Look it up in the dictionary - it might include a picture of me. This comfortable old Roady never knew what was coming, when you took possession of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 That is a good question...I have no idea what to do with that gasket.make it: cork rubber gasket material Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 29, 2013 Author Share Posted April 29, 2013 That was my first thought. Thanks:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share Posted April 30, 2013 Opinions: Should I put french locks on the exhaust manifold bolts? Most of the nailheads I've worked on have them, but I would rather not have to wait for another order from CARS if I didn't have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 (edited) ADAM, that would depend... On the one hand they might be a little ornate for under the hood or on the other, they're probably needed to keep the hot/cold cycles from loosening-off the manifold nuts. Not sure which ones you mean. Edited April 30, 2013 by Rob McDonald (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share Posted April 30, 2013 Har Har Rob!!I guess I'm asking if it's "correct" or not to have them on there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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