Smartin Posted June 18, 2019 Author Share Posted June 18, 2019 I thought I remembered there being directions inside our registration bags about sending self-addressed stamped envelopes to the office...but since Cornerstone is now the office, it may change. Will probably need to call them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caballero2 Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 On 4/23/2019 at 8:51 AM, Smartin said: It does have a clutch fan. I’ll have to check to see if it works anymore. Installed a thermal lock-up clutch on my Roadmaster today. I will test it before the Saturday Club Show. Temps this week will be in the lower 90s. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caballero2 Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 On 6/25/2019 at 7:04 PM, Caballero2 said: Installed a thermal lock-up clutch on my Roadmaster today. I will test it before the Saturday Club Show. Temps this week will be in the lower 90s. Today's temperature is 92 degrees now. Temperature on the highway is dead center on the 'N'. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted June 28, 2019 Author Share Posted June 28, 2019 Thanks for reporting on that...I really need to dive into this and work out the kinks. Side note, I think I ran the car about a half dozen times over the course of the national meet to demonstrate the ICE cold air conditioning 😆 ...it is amazingly cold. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted July 4, 2019 Author Share Posted July 4, 2019 Bound and determined for a gold award on the next round of judging, I have to open up the check book. Pretty sizeable order to CARS, Antique Auto Battery, and Auto Zone (for brake parts). The bummer about points being deducted on certain original items like trunk material and hood insulation, is that it's the original stuff. Not that it's in terrible condition, it just isn't great. So, since condition plays a role in point value, I have to replace these original items to clean things up a bit. Things I need to focus on for next time - rechrome fuel door, clean up outside of fuel tank, clean spare tire (oops), install plastic valve stem caps (someone told me to put on metal ones previously), engine compartment general condition (needs a virtual gut job without messing with the AC), clean up all wires in engine bay that are coated in paint, original style battery, replace hood insulation, clean up small stain on driver front seat, somehow procure an orange/brown power brake pedal pad that isn't worn, replace trunk lining material...and I think that's about all I can do at this point. This year's judging score was 375. If I fix all this stuff, it will be around 388 with no mandatory deductions. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KongaMan Posted July 4, 2019 Share Posted July 4, 2019 Those points sure get expensive. How much are you paying for each one? And is it worth it? It's only original once. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted July 4, 2019 Share Posted July 4, 2019 I thought the battery just needed to be a Delco branded, not an original style. Although there may not be that much difference in price any more. It is too bad the original parts have to come out in the quest. But for 400 points that is what it takes. I just hope it doesn't make you think twice about driving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted July 4, 2019 Author Share Posted July 4, 2019 I have no problem driving the car. As far as the battery is concerned, I think the look of the original style is great...and seems to be the only way I can find a battery that will fit with the original style hold-down bracket. Since the majority of the car has been worked over, (ie. new paint and upholstery), I am more apt to change out the old tattered hood insulation and trunk lining. Most of the engine compartment has been spray bombed, too...so originality has gone out the window pretty much completely. Time to spruce it up the right way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caballero2 Posted July 4, 2019 Share Posted July 4, 2019 (edited) 56 minutes ago, Smartin said: I have no problem driving the car. As far as the battery is concerned, I think the look of the original style is great...and seems to be the only way I can find a battery that will fit with the original style hold-down bracket. Since the majority of the car has been worked over, (ie. new paint and upholstery), I am more apt to change out the old tattered hood insulation and trunk lining. Most of the engine compartment has been spray bombed, too...so originality has gone out the window pretty much completely. Time to spruce it up the right way. Adam: As far as the battery is concerned, I have a reproduction Delco battery (attached photos)sans electrolite which I am willing to make available to you. Also I have a fan clutch that was NOS one thousand miles back. Dan (Caballero2) Edited July 4, 2019 by Caballero2 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted July 4, 2019 Author Share Posted July 4, 2019 I have the ball rolling on a new battery already, but thank you for the offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted July 4, 2019 Share Posted July 4, 2019 7 hours ago, Smartin said: Since the majority of the car has been worked over, (ie. new paint and upholstery), I am more apt to change out the old tattered hood insulation and trunk lining. Are you changing the trunk boards or just the fabric? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted July 4, 2019 Author Share Posted July 4, 2019 Just the fabric...I think the cardboard side pieces are in ok shape. Are there reproductions available for the boards? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted July 4, 2019 Share Posted July 4, 2019 2 hours ago, Smartin said: Just the fabric...I think the cardboard side pieces are in ok shape. Are there reproductions available for the boards? There are, but they don't have the pattern in them. However, it can be reproduced pretty well such as I did for coupe. However, I wanted to do it again with a larger sample to make it even better. That's kinda why I was asking, in case you were going to replace them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted August 27, 2019 Author Share Posted August 27, 2019 Months ago when I made the order to CARS for some stuff, I ordered trunk fabric. Low and behold, it is NLA. I'm going to just leave it for now...as I might have to let this car go sooner than expected. I am still trying to hold out for Strongsville to have it judged again, but I also need to free up some cash for this building I'm putting up. I'll chip away at what I can on this car to keep correcting issues, but don't see the whole list getting rectified. One small victory this evening...I was not in a mood to roll around in rust and grind on metal, so I decided to replace the hood insulation. Lance was kind enough to send me the dimensions and I got a full sheet to cut on my own. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 27, 2020 Author Share Posted January 27, 2020 Time to get a few things squared away while I wait for some parts for the 70 convertible... Transmission park issue Wiper transmission issue Crappy brakes Swap battery with new reproduction unit Clean up any loose ends Sell car 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 I'm sure you will have the issues you listed sorted out in no time Adam. I'm curious regarding the transmission Park issue. Is it not going into the lock position? I tried adjusting the linkage with no success on my Special only to find later when I swapped out the transmission for a total rebuilt unit the the transmission mount had separated not allowing the linkage enough adjustment to engage properly. Let us know when you get into it please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 27, 2020 Author Share Posted January 27, 2020 When I first found out that there was an issue with the car going into gear (when I bought it) I immediately checked the linkage. Everything lined up perfectly, and I even removed the linkage from the trans and shifted it manually there. No dice. The speedometer isn't working either, which leads me to believe there is a bigger problem in the ass end of the trans. I have a rebuilt one sitting here, but I will try to fix this one first. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 28, 2020 Author Share Posted January 28, 2020 Transmission is out. Both mounts were broken...but even when I manually put it in park I can still turn the shaft. The speedometer cable was sheared off at the transmission. Wipers were all boogered up, but that was a fairly easy fix. I have ordered torque ball seal, mounts, and speedo cable...so while I wait for parts, I will tackle brakes tomorrow. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 I don't know how those mounts are so bad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 @SmartinLooking past the homemade duct connector, is that a deck board in place of the foam pad for the padded dash? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 1 hour ago, JohnD1956 said: @SmartinLooking past the homemade duct connector, is that a deck board in place of the foam pad for the padded dash? It looks to me like the original fiberglass insulation I've seen on all 57 Buicks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 Just now, lancemb said: It looks to me like the original fiberglass insulation I've seen on all 57 Buicks... I see that now that you point it out. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 28, 2020 Author Share Posted January 28, 2020 Well, I replaced all wheel cylinders and soft hoses, bled, and adjusted brakes. It's in the air with the transmission dropped out of it right now, so I can't test. I felt the pedal....doesn't feel any different. Seems soft. Maybe I'll bleed again tomorrow. The transmission mounts and speedo cable will be here Friday-ish. Hopefully I can get the car on the ground this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 29, 2020 Author Share Posted January 29, 2020 Without anything else I can do mechanically right now, I have the bright idea to start cleaning the front suspension...or excavating, as Lance calls it. That's an accurate term when referring to the front end. Probably one of the dirtiest jobs to be done...it requires a pan or bucket of diesel fuel and various scrapers and brushes. At least I can put to bed the issue of "what color are the control arms supposed to be?" question. They're as bare as the day is long. It appears that most of the other suspension parts are, too. I notice a little bit of bluing on the sway bar. The springs are bare. Backing plates are as suspected...kind of a gold-silver plating. Ball joints have been replaced, as have the inner and outer tie rods...according to old receipts. Question for the gallery - would it be worth it for me to spend another day or two cleaning up the undercarriage of this car to increase possible sale price? This was about 4 hours of work...and it's a horrible job. I sure do like the look when I stick my head under the front bumper and see clean parts, though. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted January 30, 2020 Share Posted January 30, 2020 Finish front end, do a quick wash on the rest. I think you already detailed the rear axle, so should look pretty good! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 30, 2020 Share Posted January 30, 2020 Just cleaning it may not result in a much higher price, but maybe a faster sale. Hard to tell with this hobby. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 30, 2020 Author Share Posted January 30, 2020 (edited) I went and bought a low profile transmission jack yesterday...and it's only about 2" shorter than my regular one. Save yourself the $319. I will have to jack the car up significantly higher in the front so I can slip it in. I remember that when I did the flight pitch in my 58, I was able to slide the trans under the car without a jack, and then shimmy it onto the jack once under the car. This one is WAY too heavy for that. The flight pitch is all aluminum, and much lighter. I could barely get this one onto the jack. At least I had a 20% off coupon. Just waiting on mounts so I can get this thing installed. Edited January 30, 2020 by Smartin (see edit history) 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted February 1, 2020 Author Share Posted February 1, 2020 Mounts came today...got the trans installed. Stupid speedometer cable didn't come in the same box, and is late on shipping. So it will be here tomorrow. Hopfeully I'll have it test driven tomorrow sometime. If not then, Sunday for sure. It's supposed to be 61 here Sunday. In other news, it's for sale: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted February 2, 2020 Author Share Posted February 2, 2020 Test drive went well yesterday...the transmission took almost 3 gallons of fluid. Woof. I tried to spin the speedometer by hand before hooking up the cable....it was really stiff. I didn't want to risk breaking something else, so I am leaving it disconnected. I have a local person coming out to inspect the car this morning for possible sale. Fingers crossed! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95Cardinal Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 Good luck with the sale, Adam. Someone's going to get a great car! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted February 3, 2020 Author Share Posted February 3, 2020 (edited) Thanks, Joe. I am continuing to work on these brakes. Replacing rear shoes this week, and swapping the check valve with one I know that works. I don't think I looked at that yet. Aside from that, there isn't anything else besides hard brake lines that I haven't replaced. With the exception of the pedal itself. I also have to look into the speedometer issue. I'm hoping that is just a lubrication issue. Edited February 3, 2020 by Smartin (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted February 3, 2020 Author Share Posted February 3, 2020 Sale pending... Speedometer is fixed. The input for the cable was really gummed up. had to dissect the entire instrument cluster and remove the drum...got it all lubed up and it works really great now. I will probably be removing the radio for the new owner so they can get it sent off to be fitted with modern guts. I believe I will be housing the car for the next few weeks while all of this stuff is sorted out. Plus the weather is going to turn to crap in the next 24 hours. I have brake shoes coming tomorrow morning. Also looking at fixing the intermittent power seat switch. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted March 17, 2020 Author Share Posted March 17, 2020 The new owner picked up the car on Sunday. While working on the brake issues, we decided to go through the cooling system and clean out the radiator, and replace the water pump. They intend to drive this car a lot, so we wanted to make sure there were no hidden problems that I never really got to sort out. The radio is still out at the shop doing the conversion, so once that gets back here, I'll install it for him at his place. He also indicated last night that the dash lights aren't working. So I am on the hunt for a headlight switch if anyone has one handy. They had intentions of bringing it out to the big Easter car show on Easter Sunday, but it's been canceled...big bummer all around. I have a video of the car driving away...will post when it uploads to YouTube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted March 17, 2020 Author Share Posted March 17, 2020 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 Hey, it's back! New owner needs seat belts installed, electric wiper motor, and speedometer repair. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 Gawd -- that's still a beautiful Buick!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted November 8, 2020 Author Share Posted November 8, 2020 ... 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbaker9323 Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 Hello Buick Lovers~! I am very happy to say that SMartin sold this car to a friend recently, who then sold it to us a couple of months ago! It is Beautiful and was perfected by Adam! David Baker and Craig Seekamp 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted November 10, 2020 Author Share Posted November 10, 2020 I'll continue any progress on your thread for this car. Glad to see you here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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