This past Spring, I got involved in a little home remodelling project that I thought would take about a month but has drug on now for 4 and is still isn't quite done. The problem has been that it has taken all my time away from the rag top.
Rather than let the car sit in the garage all summer, I had it taken to a shop and had a couple of core things fixed. I had them look the car over, try to stop the tranny and thermostat cover leak.
In the looking the car over, they discovered a kinked gas line under the car, the rear mount on the drive shaft had been "hand crafted" and welded and they weren't comfortable with the engineering, and finally a valve cover leak as well. I said, go ahead and do that and change the oil, plugs and wires -- I just wanted to get it on the road. I guess it was pretty much an adventure down there, trying to get the right parts for the drive train because the engine, tranny and rear-end have become mix and match over the years.
They were able to stop the 3 leaks, its inspected and it runs fairly well -- although it still does have a mild hesitation when you just jump on it.
Anyway, after a few weeks away from home, its back in the garage.... and if it ever stops raining here; maybe I'll get it out on the road...
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
New Locks
I have lived without having door locks since I bought the car; and so I saw an eBay auction ending that hadn't been bid on yet for a set of 5 repro locks + keys. 2 doors, ignition, glove box and trunk.
Putting them in was pretty straightforward. Of course, I'm jinxing myself because I only had time this weekend to put in 4 of the 5 locks... still have the passenger door to do.
I found the 68 Pontiac Body by Fisher book useful for the doors, trunk and glovebox locks. The ignition lock was documented in the 68 Pontiac Mechanics book.
After having the panel off the drivers side door, I could see that the door itself was in pretty good shape -- no rot holes covered with bondo...
So now the doors match the ignition and the glovebox and trunk match... with a spare set of the early Pontiac keys..
Putting them in was pretty straightforward. Of course, I'm jinxing myself because I only had time this weekend to put in 4 of the 5 locks... still have the passenger door to do.
I found the 68 Pontiac Body by Fisher book useful for the doors, trunk and glovebox locks. The ignition lock was documented in the 68 Pontiac Mechanics book.
After having the panel off the drivers side door, I could see that the door itself was in pretty good shape -- no rot holes covered with bondo...
So now the doors match the ignition and the glovebox and trunk match... with a spare set of the early Pontiac keys..
Monday, July 7, 2008
Electrical Problems
It's been a busy summer and while I haven't had a lot of time to work on the car, I have been enjoying it. In driving it around, I have had several instances where the car would pretend to have a dead battery.
The previous owner had replaced the battery and put a modern alternator with a built-in voltage regulator on it -- the battery is fine and charging system is fine. The cables to the body and starter seems to have developed some corrosion and fail to let enough voltage through to turn the car over.
When the car won't start, I get out, jiggle the negative and positive wires at the body, starter connections and viola. I need to get disconnect, lightly sand the connections, and put some dielectric grease on them to prevent corrosion from building it back up and preventing the starter from turning over.
The previous owner had replaced the battery and put a modern alternator with a built-in voltage regulator on it -- the battery is fine and charging system is fine. The cables to the body and starter seems to have developed some corrosion and fail to let enough voltage through to turn the car over.
When the car won't start, I get out, jiggle the negative and positive wires at the body, starter connections and viola. I need to get disconnect, lightly sand the connections, and put some dielectric grease on them to prevent corrosion from building it back up and preventing the starter from turning over.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Spring Sprung
Had the car out for a few drives this past week and really need to get these leaks stopped. It was just warm enough to have the top down, but windows up; and as long as the sun was out, it was nice. Sure was nice to cruise around again. With 93 octane pushing $4/gallon its a little pricey to drive around.
The battery has needed to be charged a couple of times, and I can't figure out where the drain is.
In the past few months, I've purchased a view things from eBay, I have the 68 Fischer Body Manual, and the 68 Pontiac Service Manual; both original publications, which I purchased for about $20 each. Reprints are going for $30-40. The books are give very good detail, with reasonable assembly diagrams. I couldn't see why I would by reprints when I could get originals for less.
One of these days, I will have to try to do some forensics on the 350 motor that is in it. It is a Chevy, not a Pontiac -- which I really don't have that much of a problem with but it would be nice to know more specifics about it. It doesn't seem like a crate motor, it seems like it was taken out of one car and put into this one. I would not be surprised if this car started life as a 6 cylinder. Actually, for $50, you can get the Pontiac Historical Society to look up the original equipment and copies of the dealer order forms, factory billing history and other information about the car's original configuration, like color, options, hardtop, etc. I could see where that would be important for a correctly restored car, but this Le Mans is unlikely to ever be restored to original condition... and usually, this restoration kind is generally reserved for Le Mans' big brother the GTO.
The battery has needed to be charged a couple of times, and I can't figure out where the drain is.
In the past few months, I've purchased a view things from eBay, I have the 68 Fischer Body Manual, and the 68 Pontiac Service Manual; both original publications, which I purchased for about $20 each. Reprints are going for $30-40. The books are give very good detail, with reasonable assembly diagrams. I couldn't see why I would by reprints when I could get originals for less.
One of these days, I will have to try to do some forensics on the 350 motor that is in it. It is a Chevy, not a Pontiac -- which I really don't have that much of a problem with but it would be nice to know more specifics about it. It doesn't seem like a crate motor, it seems like it was taken out of one car and put into this one. I would not be surprised if this car started life as a 6 cylinder. Actually, for $50, you can get the Pontiac Historical Society to look up the original equipment and copies of the dealer order forms, factory billing history and other information about the car's original configuration, like color, options, hardtop, etc. I could see where that would be important for a correctly restored car, but this Le Mans is unlikely to ever be restored to original condition... and usually, this restoration kind is generally reserved for Le Mans' big brother the GTO.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Winter Time is Forever in the East
Winter has never been longer than this past winter.... The convertible has been just sitting in the garage looking at me the whole of winter. Even so, it has been tough to find the time (or desire) to go out in the freezing garage and poke around.
I find it hard to get started on a project that you don't see immediate benefit from. Maybe I'll be more likely to start working on getting her back out on the road. I literally have done nothing but start it in January. I did try to start it last week and the battery is dead. Early spring time, I want to address the transmission leak -- jeeze, seems like deja vu from last spring; give it a tune up and oil change and enjoy it this summer.
Here's looking to April and May and the end of being in limbo.
I find it hard to get started on a project that you don't see immediate benefit from. Maybe I'll be more likely to start working on getting her back out on the road. I literally have done nothing but start it in January. I did try to start it last week and the battery is dead. Early spring time, I want to address the transmission leak -- jeeze, seems like deja vu from last spring; give it a tune up and oil change and enjoy it this summer.
Here's looking to April and May and the end of being in limbo.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Old cars for Turkey Day
Took a ride out with the kids to Tipp City Ohio to spend the Thanksgiving weekend with grandma. She has an old farmhouse with a barn, and in the barn her son-in-law has stashed a '67 GTO. Its in pretty rough shape -- he had bought it for its interior and put it in the barn to store it until he could get at swapping interiors. Unfortunately, he left one of the windows down and a raccoon took up residence in it. The raccoon was found dead in the car, having destroyed and eating most of the car's interior. About a month later, a possum was found next to the raccoon.
Her son-in-law does have a '66 GTO in his garage that is in very drivable shape. Red with black interior, it is a 400CI 4-speed and really sharp. He also has a 25th anne. Vette in the garage.
On the way back from visiting those cars, we stopped at a family friends house to look at his '56 Chevy 210 2-door hardtop. This car was beyond immaculate; absolutely top-dog show car. He gave $30,000 but you couldn't built it for that.... car must have been in the $60,000 range. Even the undercarriage had full paint. 327 with dual 4 barrel carbs; chrome everywhere. I couldn't even start to remember every upgrade -- but things were just as new on the car. I personally wouldn't ever wanted to have a car like that because you can never drive it anywhere for fear of rocks, dings and even getting it dirty for that matter.
All-in-all really fun to talk cars with these guys.
Her son-in-law does have a '66 GTO in his garage that is in very drivable shape. Red with black interior, it is a 400CI 4-speed and really sharp. He also has a 25th anne. Vette in the garage.
On the way back from visiting those cars, we stopped at a family friends house to look at his '56 Chevy 210 2-door hardtop. This car was beyond immaculate; absolutely top-dog show car. He gave $30,000 but you couldn't built it for that.... car must have been in the $60,000 range. Even the undercarriage had full paint. 327 with dual 4 barrel carbs; chrome everywhere. I couldn't even start to remember every upgrade -- but things were just as new on the car. I personally wouldn't ever wanted to have a car like that because you can never drive it anywhere for fear of rocks, dings and even getting it dirty for that matter.
All-in-all really fun to talk cars with these guys.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Washed and put away
I washed the car, took it around the block for what I think will be the last time until Spring. Sad time in North East. :-) Anyway, for this winter, I'd like to get the intake manifold leaks and the tranny leak fixed. I have been so tempted to buy a GM A-Body power disc conversion kit on eBay -- but that will have to wait for next year I think.
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