dei Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 4 hours ago, Pilgrim65 said: Doug , as I stated recently you American / Canadian guys sure are committed to hobby the miles you drive to meets are amazing. Have read on here some members travelling lists , been surprised , but understand now why you go so prepared , old cars are temperamental any long journeys tend to bring problems to the fore. I think part of that is because of the size of our countries. I remember driving to Pheonix Arizona to help bring my sister home when she graduated from ASU. It was a 2,200 mile trip one way and did it leaving on Saturday morning early (1am) and arriving on Monday morning at 3am. That was in 1977 and in Dad's 1968 Meteor station wagon, a 9 year old car at that time. Talk about an adventure! Didn't think to bring spare parts then and as it turned out, didn't need to. Different story today with 50 plus year old cars..... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 1 hour ago, EmTee said: Doug, if you can get Cindy or someone else to assist, you can put a voltmeter across the battery terminals and check the voltage while cranking. If it's 10 volts or better you should be fine. 9 volts is starting to get iffy, If battery voltage is good but cranking is slow, then I'd repeat the test only measuring voltage at the starter. Also check the voltage drop between the starter case (ground) and the negative battery terminal. High resistance in the ground circuit will reduce the voltage available at the starter motor. I added a separate ground strap between the engine block and body on my '56 Bel Air to ensure a good ground. Appreciate the advice, thanks. Will get my son to help with that. Going to go over all the electrical connections as I find time. Noticing the tail light being dim, can only imagine the condition of things that might be weak after all these years.... Meantime, doing things ones self does have it's rewards when things go right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 16, 2017 Author Share Posted July 16, 2017 I quit early today as it is a bit of a work anniversary celebration (for me) and went over to the Special. Finding the battery holding a charge backed her out. Spent some time cleaning up the tires first as I had gone through some puddles on our last drive and the whitewalls needed to be cleaned up. A friend of mine who owns a 1957 Buick Century which has been in storage for a long time too just happened to come by and easily convinced him to go for a short ride. I think the smile on his face says it all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 16, 2017 Author Share Posted July 16, 2017 Before heading home for supper I decided to capture a memorable shot at Mom's. While not the same car, about the same spot the original Limited sat before Dad decided to give it to me with a broken U joint when I was wanting a car and turning 16 in 1971. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 16, 2017 Author Share Posted July 16, 2017 After supper my wife and I went for a drive out to historic Amherstburg and had to capture a shot or two. This is at the mouth of the Detroit River emptying into Lake Erie. The two towers just to the right of the Lake freighter are the cooling towers of the Monroe, Michigan Nuclear Station. Battery seems to be holding and she is performing fine, life is good! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 18, 2017 Author Share Posted July 18, 2017 (edited) Having stated I'm an ex boater since I sold my boat, I did not sell it with everything. Kept our directors chair and with the canvas being well sun worn and the stitching starting to come apart, took it to a customer of mine and had new seat and back made to put in the trunk of the car planning for use while at car events. I got the call today that it was finished so picked it up and called Cindy to see if she was interested in going to the Monday evening Cruise night and dinner. A little urethane on the wood and with the table and the other chair, keeps my boating memories alive! The best of both worlds! Edited July 18, 2017 by dei (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 18, 2017 Author Share Posted July 18, 2017 Came real close on the 50/50 but no cigar! Close only counts with horse shoes and hand grenades. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 21, 2017 Author Share Posted July 21, 2017 Last nights short ride brought to light a problem with the turn signal collar. It is loose / sloppy and obviously creating a short as the ammeter flops from charge to discharge. Brought it back and fully disconnected the battery and suspect that might have been my low battery issue? Will be pulling the steering wheel tonight after work and look inside to see what has happened...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Are you using a thermal flasher still? Might try a solid state one. I had similar issues with my flasher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 22, 2017 Author Share Posted July 22, 2017 To answer your question Ben, Yes it is a thermal unit. Funny to say this but I have not replaced one in this car in over thirty years... They actually flash OK but the housing is (was) really loose and added to the fact I happened to hit the horn while my arm was resting on the metal door sill, I GOT A POKE ON MY ARM! So I went to the garage about 4:30 and started to get into it. This is how much play that is going on. Once three screws were out the horn ring lifts off exposing the horn contact housing (correct term?). Now, I knew full well there is a spring in there basically holding the ring so there is no contact till one presses on the chrome horn ring and having gone through my chassis service manual and finding nothing of an expanded view at all, carefully undid what looks like a bolt. It actually is a cast piece which threads into the three pronged unit. There is some tension with the spring under that cap and.... off came the top, spring, two insulating washers alright in my lap and on the black carpet! After collecting things and laying them out so as to ensure they go together correctly I now have to take off the nut holding the steering wheel on. Again, with no diagram to follow, I see that inside that nut is the horn wire but that black somewhat sticky mess is it supposed to be a rubber insulator / gasket or not? If so, I'm going to need one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 22, 2017 Author Share Posted July 22, 2017 PB Blaster is my new best friend! I don't have a hub puller small enough to work on this wheel so after spraying the nut and giving it time to work, it came off nicely. Sprayed a bit more on the wheel hoping it would go into the splines and jumped into the seat. I was able to get my knees under the wheel and with some tapping it started to move. With the steering wheel off I can now see the problem with the loose housing. The two phillips-head screws were just about fully out! Got the call pizza was to be picked up and here is where I'm at: 1- Should I continue to take the turn signal yoke out and clean things up? Are there places that should be lubed? 2 - Is there supposed to be an insulator of some kind at the steering wheel nut? Are there sources for this if so? Doesn't look like I will be taking the car to the Fund Raiser tomorrow but that is OK. I really don't want to put in a claim for a burnt wiring harness anytime soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 23, 2017 Author Share Posted July 23, 2017 With getting some responses to my post in the Post War section and believing now this is going to require some parts and a bit more than just re-assembly, going at desk work for the business today and wait to tackle anything further for now. I have family coming into town till only Wednesday so will need to fit time in after work for them. Guess I won't be able to take them for a top down cruise this time..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 26, 2017 Author Share Posted July 26, 2017 Phew! Short whirl wind visit from my sister, her husband and daughter but they left today for home (Tennessee) and if we get the rain tomorrow predicted, might get in the garage and look at the turn signal mechanism further. It is a bit tight to turn on and off now that I have tightened those two screws but they worked before taking things apart this far and investigate further. I'd like to be mobile again this weekend if possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 27, 2017 Author Share Posted July 27, 2017 Right after work I stopped at one of our local automotive paint suppliers who has camera that supposedly can capture paint colour codes to be made to repainting. I wanted to see if they could get the white on the steering column right. PLUS, they can put it in spray cans which would save me setting up my cheap spray gun, thinning and then having to clean up for the little bit I want to paint. Going to try the smallest trim piece on top of the turn signal column first and will see. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 28, 2017 Author Share Posted July 28, 2017 (edited) With the phone ringing off the wall this week (work is a good thing ) and family obligations over I was hoping to spend the evening on the car but received an email that the Canadian Coasters Car Club is making a stop to our Museum tonight for a BBQ. I understand this group is celebrating it's 50th year of travelling from coast to coast so just have to see what it is all about. I'm curious to see if there are any '58 Buick's on this tour? Since I have been around the Museum / Car Club here since 1967 guess I deserve a night off to celebrate too. Edited July 28, 2017 by dei (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 29, 2017 Author Share Posted July 29, 2017 (edited) WHAT A NIGHT! After stopping at the office and being told there were about 75 trailered units parked out back of the 155 registered group travelling across Canada, I saw this. This is an amazing group of people dedicated to driving, enjoying their cars and experiencing the cross country experience! Some were from Newfoundland who drove out to British Columbia first to start this adventure and others will be faced with having to return home after this tour is finished! The diversity of cars and trucks was amazing! This particular car was one that had it not been a convertible, was so rotten with rust that it would have been SCRAPED OUT but he put her together and yes, it has a front clip and new engine (you know what) but it is on the road and he likes it! Looks sweet to me with her Hartz cloth top... Who drives an ambulance across Canada towing a trailer? A very rare stock Monarch doing her thing. A stock '55 Olds 98. When was the last time you saw a muscle car towing a trailer? Then.... Can't remember when I saw a Mustang towing something. And on it went.... Then there were two Highway Coaches that were converted to motor homes, one with solar panels and both towing vehicles for local travel. A few of the local car guys came out to support this meet too and I just had to capture a shot of my friends Continental as the night came to a close. Just A Super Event! Edited July 29, 2017 by dei (see edit history) 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 31, 2017 Author Share Posted July 31, 2017 With the steering wheel and the small collar sitting on the deck this past week, refilled my coffee cup and went at them with some sand paper. That was taking too long so brought out the electric drill with a brass wire brush and made progress. Went at the steering wheel too. I was getting anxious to see just how the colour match was and proceeded to tape the wheel and then prime these parts to then at least shoot some paint on the collar..... Primed. Two coats of paint, two coats of clear and..... Maybe not easy to see here but put it on the column to compare. Will be taking the cans back and bring the glove box lid with me this time to see if they can get it closer as this is too cream coloured for me to live with. I believe the interior white is called antique white? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackofalltrades70 Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 On 7/29/2017 at 2:08 AM, dei said: WHAT A NIGHT! After stopping at the office and being told there were about 75 trailered units parked out back of the 155 registered group travelling across Canada, I saw this. This is an amazing group of people dedicated to driving, enjoying their cars and experiencing the cross country experience! Some were from Newfoundland who drove out to British Columbia first to start this adventure and others will be faced with having to return home after this tour is finished! The diversity of cars and trucks was amazing! This particular car was one that had it not been a convertible, was so rotten with rust that it would have been SCRAPED OUT but he put her together and yes, it has a front clip and new engine (you know what) but it is on the road and he likes it! Looks sweet to me with her Hartz cloth top... Who drives an ambulance across Canada towing a trailer? A very rare stock Monarch doing her thing. A stock '55 Olds 98. When was the last time you saw a muscle car towing a trailer? Then.... Can't remember when I saw a Mustang towing something. And on it went.... Then there were two Highway Coaches that were converted to motor homes, one with solar panels and both towing vehicles for local travel. A few of the local car guys came out to support this meet too and I just had to capture a shot of my friends Continental as the night came to a close. Just A Super Event! Lamar, There are some 50's cars in that group hauling trailers....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I have some good friends that are on that "Coasters" trip this year. It is run this year in honour of our country's 150th. Love to do that trip sometime, coast to coast once is a major trip, but on this one, basically you have to do it twice, no matter where you live. It is run every 5 or 10 years, I believe. Thanks for the pictures, Doug. Keith 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 5, 2017 Author Share Posted August 5, 2017 (edited) On 01/08/2017 at 9:04 AM, Buicknutty said: I have some good friends that are on that "Coasters" trip this year. It is run this year in honour of our country's 150th. Love to do that trip sometime, coast to coast once is a major trip, but on this one, basically you have to do it twice, no matter where you live. It is run every 5 or 10 years, I believe. Knowing people in this tour Keith somewhat exemplifies the world is getting smaller..... It would be a fantastic journey for sure! It started in 1967, our counties Confederation year, from BC and stopped here in Windsor. Dad having only had the Overland for a year would love to have picked up with them and go east but back then with having a family of three children and the only bread winner (ONE COULD DO THAT BACK THEN) it was too much to be able for him to do. However... In our Museum is a 1913 Studebaker that the owner did pick up with the tour and made it to Montreal before heading back home. Interestingly his son had a 1928 Studebaker Twin Six touring that went also. Sadly it developed a cracked manifold and had be brought home on a trailer. That car eventually went to Hershey and was sold. Not a great shot but one showing the Studebaker with dad's Overland about 1975 when the gang used to use their cars for weddings. Edited August 5, 2017 by dei (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 5, 2017 Author Share Posted August 5, 2017 Back to the Special...... During the week I went back to the paint supplier and brought with me paint codes my son found on the internet for 1958 Buick interior white. The fellow looked up what was on his computer trying to cross reference the numbers with no success. He said with the change in paint from enamels to base clear the codes don't always work??? I had also brought my glove box to provide a bigger area for his camera to see if it would get a closer match. What a process. So hard to tell with a flat test area against a finished spray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 5, 2017 Author Share Posted August 5, 2017 Yesterday I took the turn signal switch plate off as I noticed it was broken on one side and decided to try some JB Weld on it before putting things back together. Mixed up a small batch and left it to dry. Went back to the steering column to clean up that sticky crap and while poking around saw that there was electrical tape just under the horn wire plate. Pulled it off and low and behold, there is the spring and two insulator washers! SHOULD THOSE WASHERS BE LARGE ENOUGH TO SIT ON THE END OF THE COLUMN OR IS THERE A SHOULDER INSIDE THAT HOLE? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 5, 2017 Author Share Posted August 5, 2017 I checked the JB Weld to make sure it was dry and decided to reinstall the turn signal plate. After struggling attaching the turn signal arm, connected the battery and tested the signals. They worked as before so went ahead and put the steering wheel on with the base of the horn / ring assembly. I reconnected the battery and with the wire flopping around sounding the horn (slightly alarming) wondered about the electrical tape so found some plastic insulators used on the ends of house romex cable used to prevent chaffing the wires. With a bit of trimming cured the horn blowing and fit nicely. Went ahead and finished assembling the spring, insulators and top which is fun trying to compress that spring and thread the top... NO HORN AT ALL! Took it apart and reassembled three more times and nothing! So here I sit again. With Monday being a Civic Holiday, guess I will be taking the Limited horn apart to see where I have gone wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted August 6, 2017 Share Posted August 6, 2017 What order do the cups-washers-spring go in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 6, 2017 Author Share Posted August 6, 2017 (edited) To be honest John, they fell apart on me when I took things apart not realising the cap had that much pressure from the spring and without a schematic have tried several combinations with no success. Once I get a second cup of coffee and finish a bit of paperwork this morning plan on moving a few things around the Limited to be able to open a door and take her horn apart (now that I know to watch that Spring Pressure ). It can't be too much wrong... but will see. Edited August 9, 2017 by dei (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 8, 2017 Author Share Posted August 8, 2017 (edited) My long weekend seemed to fly by but still made the effort to get at my Limited horn. She has been buried in the garage and with my son being a hands on guy soon to have his Masters in Mechanical Engineering, currently has his Mustang rear axle completely out with plans to totally rebuild as he puts it "a bullet proof rear end". Consequently his stuff has to be moved out of the way before I can open a door on the Limited. Large card board boxes opened up have saved the paint on her being so tight in there. (I need a bigger garage...) Once inside with the proper tools I took off the horn ring which has three screws but only found there were two holding it. Edited August 8, 2017 by dei (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 8, 2017 Author Share Posted August 8, 2017 (edited) Knowing that top plate is what holds the big spring, was careful to unscrew it so I could see just what order the washer / insulators are required to be. I figure I did not get the order right on the Special but then looked at the horn wire and noticed this. I'm missing that fibre washer that is under the spring and indeed rests on top of the column. There are two smaller washers that are under that washer (which is on the Special). I figure I can fabricate something out of plastic strong enough to make it work solving that problem. Guessing at this point the wire in the Special wasn't sitting high enough to make contact in that horn assembly and will see if I'm right?? Then I noticed the turn signal column section wasn't the same colour as the rest of the column. It was Black and the turn signal arm has a different black plastic designed knob being pointed compared to the gear shift knob design. I shot the flashlight in to see the turn signal mechanism and noticed it has what appears to be a pressure strip and is different than the Special. Guessing that this car had a problem at some time and the whole unit was changed out from maybe a "57 Buick based on that knob? Edited August 8, 2017 by dei (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 8, 2017 Author Share Posted August 8, 2017 (edited) I reassembled the horn mechanism on the Limited and brought the horn ring in to clean it up and compare it with the Special to see if one was better than the other and put the better one on the Special for now. That metal polish is just amazing stuff! While comparing them I saw something I never noticed before. The one on the left (from the Special) has writing in silver with the emblem encased in silver while the one on the right (from the Limited) has writing in gold with the emblem encased in gold. I've never noticed this before and guess it might make sense with the Limited being a one year only model, might have that small detail to signify something top of the line? I don't see one being any better condition chrome wise but if I do put the gold one on the Special, since it is the only one on the road for now (or soon to be again) and not planning to sell any of them soon, will make a note for the boys for sometime in the future when they inherit them. Since I have to go to the Special and wait for a service call on the house there from 10am till 2pm for the tech, will get an early coffee and put the horn back together while I wait and keep my figures crossed! Edited August 8, 2017 by dei (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 8, 2017 Author Share Posted August 8, 2017 With coffee and muffin in hand, while waiting for the Service Guy, grabbed a Tupperware lid and marked out the size I needed to make up a washer for that horn wire spring. Where the original went and who ever put that black crap and electrical tape in there I don't know but suffice it to say, after all these years I'm lucky it did not short out and burn the wiring harness. To get it on I cut a slot to the centre and carefully managed to get it on the wire under the spring rather than disconnect the whole wire in the column and have to fish it back in. Assembling carefully the spring and rubber insulators in the 'correct order', I reconnected the battery and tested the horn before putting on the horn ring. WOW! It now works like it should and NO shock! Went ahead and installed the horn ring from the Limited ("for now") and went out for a short ride. Next...... Seems the battery is taking a charge but.... will not hold it for very long, but that was kind of expected. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KongaMan Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 (edited) 22 hours ago, dei said: Large card board boxes opened up have saved the paint on her being so tight in there. (I need a bigger garage... I would respectfully suggest that you need a dumpster first. Edited August 9, 2017 by KongaMan (see edit history) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 If I am not mistaken, the horn wire at the steering wheel is a GROUND wire. That is why the horn would blow without the washer you made. I had to do the same on my '50. Hope the wife does not miss the tupperware . I believe I used a coffee "can" lid. Glad it is working. Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 9, 2017 Author Share Posted August 9, 2017 9 hours ago, KongaMan said: I would respectfully suggest that you need a dumpster first. SHHHHH! My wife has already had a conversation with my neighbour who is in construction and has two bins and told her to just let him know.... You know that saying, One mans junk....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 9, 2017 Author Share Posted August 9, 2017 8 hours ago, Ben Bruce aka First Born said: Hope the wife does not miss the tupperware . Ben, I know enough to leave the wife's stuff alone. I just went to one of our many $1 Stores and bought the smallest one I could find. I can still use it for small parts. I cut it in such a way the lid will still go on. It just has a round hole in the top. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 9, 2017 Author Share Posted August 9, 2017 Mission: Purchase a new battery this week as it will take a charge but sitting for about a week disconnected by the battery disconnect switch, barely has enough power to roll the engine a few times and then it dies. With the Woodward Cruise coming up and a few pre-cruise events locally, need to be ready to roll without needing to be boosted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale's Buick Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 Dei, I had to do the same thing. I had also been using a 30 year old trickle charger, but was always afraid to leave it hooked up overnight. Now I am using a battery "tender" which I hooked the connector to the terminals permanently. Now she is fully charged at all times, and I just connect the tender when I put her up for the night. Dale in Kentucky 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 9, 2017 Author Share Posted August 9, 2017 Dale, I have a new trickle charger on too which like you say keeps the battery up, but every now and then when I don't put it on after putting her away, that is when the battery starts to go flat so thinking it is time for a new one. For the heck of it I'm going to change out the voltage regulator with a new one I have on the shelf and see if I possibly have an issue there since it will discharge slightly when at idle. Heck, it's only 45 years old on the car to me.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 10, 2017 Author Share Posted August 10, 2017 Took a chance on the battery tonight. Every Wednesday there is a Cruise-In on the other side of Town and since I have not been out for awhile thought it was a good time to go even though a bit late. Even though it started to get dark enough I needed the headlights on for the trip home, the ammeter would show a bit of charge when driving but discharge slightly at idle so.... will change out the voltage regulator next and see if there is a difference. By the time I got back I noticed a rattle just before I shut her off in the garage. Sounds like it is coming from the power steering pump.... Who was it here in the Forums that said, "Drive them, fix them, then Drive them"? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 12, 2017 Author Share Posted August 12, 2017 (edited) Went to a Swap Meet in Bothwell, Ontario yesterday with three other car guys and because it was about a 175 mile round trip decided not to drive the Special (this time). It was a good thing too as it rained off and on most of the day and hard at times too! Hard to view parts covered over for protection from the rain but some were smart by using clear plastic which offered some chance at seeing what they had for sale. There is always a car coral and deserves time to see what is available. This was the only Buick but a nice one too being an Electra. My son might like to look at this one which appeared rather nice and not bad priced at $4,200 or best offer (but I didn't look underneath or hear it running). There was nothing there '58 Buick specific but did see an pair of '57 tail lights complete but with slightly pitted housings which are not often seen. I did pick up something of a detailing item for mine which I will post later but liked this (did not buy it @ $160.00). There is a car show on Saturday which will get about 1,200 cars and trucks and has a 50/50 that usually builds to around 20,000 (Not a typo!) each way! Will make it next year with the Special for sure. Edited August 12, 2017 by dei (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 12, 2017 Author Share Posted August 12, 2017 I brought the Special home to clean up the white walls on the passenger side (hugged a curb....) and shot some pictures of my new accessory. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Nice head on that rootbeer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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