Smartin Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 I’ve started on the laundry list of things that need to be done on Lucille…first up is one of my many favorite jobs! Torque tube/rear end removal. Torque ball seal, pinion seal, and everything between. New axle bearings were pressed on today…I was going to cheat and just replace the o-rings but I didn’t like the slop/noise when I ran them by hand. Many more fun adventures to come! 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 I am so envious of your shop... And please tell me that those exhaust tips will disappear ☢️ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted February 9, 2022 Author Share Posted February 9, 2022 They're going nigh nigh when I get this thing drive-able! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 What the... is this one yours too? I thought you were stuck in 1958! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted February 9, 2022 Author Share Posted February 9, 2022 No, it’s Brian Clark’s…I wouldn’t kick a 59 out of my garage, though. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted February 10, 2022 Author Share Posted February 10, 2022 Gathering parts back together after a couple days of scraping, blasting, and painting. I had to install a new breather tube, as the original was completely flattened and bent to oblivion. Not the cleanest bends in the world, but it does the job. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 I like the steel look on the brake backing plates- what did you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted February 11, 2022 Author Share Posted February 11, 2022 Ancient Chinese secret. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 Calgon...? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fBDaJi0TbI 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 Following. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted February 25, 2022 Author Share Posted February 25, 2022 The pinion nut was damaged enough to need replacement, and the only one I could find was an NOS one with the seal on eBay. So that delayed the install for over a week. Today I got the whole setup put back together and ready for install….minus the brakes. I’ll get this popped on before the rear goes in. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 Just like new! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted February 28, 2022 Author Share Posted February 28, 2022 It’s back in the car…and on to the next project. Oil pan seal, rear main seal “patch,” and trans pan seal. Matt Martin has a nice blog on the rear main patch, and I followed that method of repacking the seal. Im currently letting the oil pan dry, and will reinstall everything tomorrow PM. Oh yeah, as part of the rear end extravaganza, I went through the brake system and finished connecting the new lines. I also replaced the front hoses, as they were toast. We have a nice firm pedal now. Also adjusted all shoes and anchor pins. 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 28, 2022 Share Posted February 28, 2022 Boy, it's really clean under there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted March 2, 2022 Author Share Posted March 2, 2022 (edited) Oil pan, inspection cover, and trans pan were dropped out on Sunday. I performed the Matt Martin "rear main seal patch" ...hopefully it takes care of any seepage. I blasted all 3 parts and cleaned/painted before reinstalling. I recorded the process, but it will take me hours to get it edited and loaded. Edited March 2, 2022 by Smartin (see edit history) 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted March 3, 2022 Author Share Posted March 3, 2022 I just realized that I posted that pic twice....oh well! Here's the video of the pan/pan/seal swap. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodneybeauchamp Posted March 6, 2022 Share Posted March 6, 2022 Hi Martin, great video again. Always enjoy watching what you do. I’m thinking the factory used the studs as a locator for the metal pan and more importantly the pan gasket. Otherwise on the line it may be easy for the gasket to slip out of place under the pan and not be noticed until it was filled. I was going to suggest that with the engine oil pan, a good way to help the install is to put in a small number of studs (perhaps four) to instantly locate the pan and the gasket first try without it slipping around. Then simply remove them once a small number of bolts are screwed in. I make up the studs by cutting the heads off some bolts and removing the burrs with a file and a wire wheel. Adding a small taper on the end using a bench grinder will help the pan locate quickly. I have been using locator studs for a while now and it makes the install process much simpler. Just my two bobs worth. Rodney 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted March 6, 2022 Author Share Posted March 6, 2022 The stud theory makes sense, and that was my thought as well…it definitely was easier to snap that pan in with them in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted March 20, 2022 Author Share Posted March 20, 2022 I haven’t done much lately…trying to keep the car in one piece since I need to get it to the exhaust guy when he calls with an open spot. But I did manage to adjust the door glass. Also replaced both vent window regulators. The shafts wanted to walk out when you turned them…like unscrewing themselves out of the housing. It turns out that both of them had fallen apart. These plates were sitting in the bottoms of the doors. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted March 20, 2022 Share Posted March 20, 2022 That's crazy... never heard of that happening Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted March 20, 2022 Share Posted March 20, 2022 11 hours ago, Smartin said: I haven’t done much lately…trying to keep the car in one piece since I need to get it to the exhaust guy when he calls with an open spot. But I did manage to adjust the door glass. Also replaced both vent window regulators. The shafts wanted to walk out when you turned them…like unscrewing themselves out of the housing. It turns out that both of them had fallen apart. These plates were sitting in the bottoms of the doors. Probably broke some sort of clip on the other side and pushed the backs off when closed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted March 20, 2022 Author Share Posted March 20, 2022 Those covers are peened onto the housings via the pot metal rivet/studs on the back side. I put one back on, and peened it back in place...but I don't trust it. That metal is so soft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted March 20, 2022 Share Posted March 20, 2022 26 minutes ago, Smartin said: Those covers are peened onto the housings via the pot metal rivet/studs on the back side. I put one back on, and peened it back in place...but I don't trust it. That metal is so soft. Just drill and tap for a machine screw. Common problem on my 55's when the old lube gets stiff. Clean, lube, assemble and you will never see it again! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted March 20, 2022 Share Posted March 20, 2022 Vent window in my 60 did the same. Fished parts at the bottom of the door. Sort metal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted March 21, 2022 Author Share Posted March 21, 2022 Good call on the screws. Thanks for the tip! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 One good thing about them coming apart- you can clean them and lube properly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted March 25, 2022 Author Share Posted March 25, 2022 It's going in for exhaust on Sunday. Will likely be done mid week. After I get it back, I'll freshen up the engine compartment a little bit, then take care of any other little things we can. Plus paint correction. This black car needs it bad. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 10, 2022 Author Share Posted April 10, 2022 New exhaust is on. Sorry, no videos or pics of that. It’s doesn’t sound like a tractor anymore, though! I did a quick refresh of the engine compartment. Basically stripped the accessories off the engine and painted it the right color. Replaced the valve cover gaskets. Blasted and hosed some paint on the air cleaner. I did the best I could with the paint…turned out decent. 10 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 Impressed with all the badges on the grille. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted April 12, 2022 Share Posted April 12, 2022 Impressed with the entire car! Looks GREAT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 Those are driven badges. He has driven that car to a lot of National Meets. The engine compartment sure looks empty without AC. No compressor or hoses needed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 13, 2022 Author Share Posted April 13, 2022 We have reverse lightage. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted April 14, 2022 Share Posted April 14, 2022 Superb work and beautiful Buick , I love it . I would love to have a Buick 59/60 one day 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted April 14, 2022 Share Posted April 14, 2022 14 hours ago, Smartin said: We have reverse lightage. I [still] need to do that on my GP... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 Looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 20, 2022 Author Share Posted April 20, 2022 While shuffling cars around the other day (it has become quite an event due to the qty I have to move), I noticed the amp gauge reading either 0 or slightly discharging. I kicked the throttle up and it didn't move a stitch. I probed the battery while it was running, and it read 12.2v. Revving the engine did nothing. So I pulled the generator and took it to Eljay (local rebuilder who has been doing it for 800 years). While that is being sorted, I took care of the fuel sending unit situation. It now has a working fuel gauge. The only thing left is to pop the generator back in and clean up the car a bit. Then it's ready for the drive home! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted April 20, 2022 Share Posted April 20, 2022 Will it be in Lisle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 20, 2022 Author Share Posted April 20, 2022 That is the plan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted May 3, 2022 Author Share Posted May 3, 2022 (edited) The generator armature was toast...got it rebuilt and installed. Had a couple charging gremlins to work out...waiting on a new VR fuse. We decided to add a couple loose ends to the list. I reinstalled the rear lower seat cover due to being installed a bit wonky the first time. I had a wild thought about doing some stainless polishing, and figured I would try to do it while it was still installed on the car. It would take me the better part of a week just to remove and reinstall all of it...and there is a good chance some of the fasteners aren't even accessible unless the car is significantly disassembled. So I bought some cotton polishing wheels that mount on an angle grinder and tested out a spot. It would likely be fine, but the stainless on this car has been 100% sanded on with a DA sander, and those scratches will not come out with a polishing wheel. So, bummer there, but we are moving forward with the last remaining little bits. Edited May 3, 2022 by Smartin (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted May 4, 2022 Share Posted May 4, 2022 What's the situation with the RR door panel? Is the backing wrinkled due to previous moisture? Is the vinyl in decent shape (not too dry/hard)? I guess what i'm asking is whether replacing the backer board and reinstalling the cover is an option. Seems a shame given how nice the rest of the car is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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