To do

I'm trying to figure out what to do this weekend. I originally wanted to swap the intake and carb but I need to send the carb off to be rebuilt, so at least half of that needs to wait. And my brother said the garage is pretty non-functional at the moment, because his jeep is torn apart, so realistically, replacing the intake manifold is not really feasible.

I was also going to try to have the muffler replaced and any exhaust pipes replaced that needed to be. I don't know if it's worth it to bring it up to Sacramento to do that though, there are plenty of places near me I can have that done during the week. Since it's not running right, and I run the risk of blowing another carb gasket out, I'm leaning toward not driving it up. Maybe I will just bring the Carb up and package it up to send to the CarbsOnly rebuilders.

Compliments

I have gotten a lot of compliments on my car. Funny because I think it looks like crap, and I just keep seeing all the work that needs to be done on it. But I guess it still is a unique car even in its partially done condition. One guy said "It's in great shape and is all original" and I was thinking "Did you actually look at it?"

air...etc

I scheduled time on Moday to bring my Eldo to Fremont Air and Electric so they can check out what's wrong with my car's climate control. I may ask them to look at the electric in the seats and doors too. It will probably be there forever.

Today I showed a couple of my coworkers my car, since I've been talking about it so much they wanted to see it. After she saw it, Jeannie said she didn't think I was quite so crazy anymore. I'll take that as a compliment.

Yay! I have real seats!

I picked my car up from the upholsterer tonight, it's so nice to have a car with no holes in the seats, and that doesn't make me want to puke from the smell of death...

I should have listened to myself about calling Napoleon about the direction of the fabric. He ended up putting in it wrong. It doesn't look bad, but it would have been better for it to go the correct direction. Oh well, It's my own fault for not making sure I was clear.

I only had one small section of vinyl repaired and the insets replaced. I'll have to have the interior re-done again at some point as the vinyl doesn't have that much life in it...it's not bad but it's not perfect.

sooo sloooooooww

Why won't this day go by faster! I want my car back.

Since they didn't already have that one I needed in stock, I got a quote from the CarbsOnly guys to rebuild the carb I got from Arizona Vintage. It's not as expensive as I would have thought. I may just send it there.

Interior is done!

I got a call, the seats in the Eldo are finished a whole day early! I go pick it up tonight. I feel so bad though, they found the dead rodent under the back seat. I'm hoping that's why the car smelled so bad.

Climate control

So, I have a confirmed meeting at the end of this week (for when I get my car back) with the air resto guy Rich. I think I'm going to wait to order parts, until he looks it over. I'd like to talk to him about switching to a hydrocarbon refrigerant, and there may be different parts I need for that.

Actual Progress!

I brought the Eldo to Napoleon, he has been working on it this weekend, and is aiming to have it completed by Wednesday. I'm so happy it's going to be done, but when I left it, some of that paranoia about leaving my cars in the hands of other came in...

And as we were driving away, I started thinking about the potential for the car to get a huge scratch down the side if he tried to navigate my giant boat of a car in and out of his little garage very often. Then I started wondering if the smell was really going to be gone when I got it back. and then I started feeling bad about the potential mess inside the seat that he would have to deal with.

I woke up Saturday morning paranoid that I wasn't clear on the fact that the grain in the new material was supposed to go horizontally instead of how the current material goes vertically, and I wanted to call right then to be sure, but it was kind of early, and I thought since his English is not so great, and my Spanish is non-existent, that I didn't want to risk a conversation over the phone that might confuse him more than anything.

Yes, I know, I'm insane, this is why I like to do things myself… it’s so much less stressful.

feels like progress

So, I ordered an intake manifold and a non-rebuilt but correct carburetor from Arizona Vintage Parts they should be here next week. And I've confirmed my appointment and gotten directions to Napoleon's house to drop the car off for upholstery tonight.

I'm working on finding parts for the air conditioning/heating system. I am supposed to take the car in during the week next week for inspection by Fremont Air & Electric. Rich, the guy there seems to do a lot of older cars, so I have high hopes that this will go well.

inspection

I went out to the Eldo last night and found out it has the switches and gears for the power seat, it just isn't working for some reason. I'll have to take the seat out to find out why, I'll probably have to order a new motor or transmission for it, but it's possible that it was just not connected properly. I also got some pet scent eliminator and sprayed that into the seat cushions, hopefully it will help with the smell a bit. My theory is that if I spray that in there, any foam that does not get replaced will at least be neutralized.

I also check the carburetor to see which it was... it turns out to be an aftermarket Holley carb so I'll have to try to find a proper one.

Fabric is Really Here

It was delivered to work today, I now have it in-hand. I want to find some of that pet odor eliminator to put in the seat before I bring it to Napoleon, just to make sure that none of the smell is there when I get it back.

A couple of other things I need to check out before friday; I want to look and see if the seat has the mechanics for power. I also need to get the number off the carberator, so I can verify that it is right for my car, and possibly order another.

climate control

I found a person to do the climate control system in the eldo. I'm not sure what doesn't work yet, but I'll find out next week. I may end up spending a LOT of money to get it fixed.

things left to do:

I still have to do:

-upholstery (lined up for this weekend)
-replace the gas tank
-fix bushing in rear
-get the defrost/air/heat working
-replace carb/intake manifold

things I'd like to do:

paint
replace carpet
get new rearview mirror
replace air ride system for rear suspension
motor mounts(not sure if this is actually the problem?)

Paint?

I'm not sure that I will be able to paint the car before the show, but I want to at least look into it. I got a couple of good leads, one from a friend who is rebuilding his '69 cougar, and one from a guy who was selling a '67 convertible on craigslist.

The fabric is still trying to be delivered, because I walked out of the house this morning with the note with my signature on it, in my organizer. What a dope I am! I called UPS and had the receiving address changed so that it will be delivered to my work tomorrow.

Fabric is here!

I got a note from UPS that my fabric was attempted delivery today. I left my signature, so hopefully, they will leave it in front of the door the next time they come by, otherwise I'll have to have them deliver it to me at work.

Next weekend

I've made arrangements to have the upholstery done next weekend, the fabric should arrive on Monday, and I will bring the car to Napoleon on Friday. So all seems good with that, I can't wait to have a car that doesn't stink!

I am also working on the purchase of a instument cluster/chrome bezel replacement for the convertible from a guy on Ebay. I know, it seem a little unfocused to be buying things for the convertible when it's the Eldorado I'm trying to get done for June, but I could use some of the parts out of this for the Eldo (the clock and the climate control unit) The climate control issue is really the most pressing issue on the Eldo(everytime I drive it the windows fog up and I can't see).

I also need to order a new gas tank, and rear bushings, and possibly new shocks for the rear and motor mounts, when the car is idling, it's very bouncy...

Seats

So I met with the guy, I made arrangements to drop my car off with him this weekend, but I don't think I will be getting the fabric until Monday. I'll have to call him and ask if next weekend is OK. They are ordering the foam for the seats, and it's going to run me $800 for the foam and the labor. I think I might call another place to see if that's a reasonable price.

Found an Upholstery Guy

I think I have anyway, I'm cutting out a little early today to go to the place this afternoon for them to check out the job, and for me to find out if I can order just the fabric inserts for my seats or if I need to order all the vinyl too.

Driving the Massive Cadillac

I picked my car up this morning, really early, because I got a ride from Jim on his way into work. When I started it, it was obviously running better than when I brought it in, but the idle was really high. I drove it home, and about halfway there, it started to calm down. I parked it in the parking spot behind the building (which is very narrow, so if you pull in front end first, you pretty much have to back out the long driveway) what a difference between the Porsche and this Cadillac! It's huge! I had almost forgotten what it was like to drive a car with such a huge front end.

Then I drove it into work. I had a really hard time getting out of the car because I park on the side of the road (parallel to the curb) and the road has been paved so many times there is a slope to the curb from the road so you push your door uphill. It's difficult in the Porsche, because the door doesn't stay open very well and you have to get up off the seat as well as out. But in the Cadillac, I can barely open the door! The weight and gravity combined make it pretty hard. I better start lifting weights. But still it was awesome to be able to drive it around. There are obviously some other things it needs there is still an exhaust leak somewhere, and there is a rattle in the back that sounds like a bad bushing...plus it needs a stereo, but priority number 1 is to get the upholstery done so it's not so smelly...

Done!

The mechanic is finally finished with my car! He ordered the carburetor gasket kit new so avoided working with A&A again...He says it is road-worthy now... we'll see. I can't pick it up until tomorrow morning...But the final price for the work is a little less then I thought it would be, which makes me very happy because I have just realized I don't have as much money as I thought I had. Maybe I will ride my bike to work and then ride to the mechanic to pick the car up. Or hitch a ride with Jim on his way to work tomorrow. Probably the latter.

I never heard back form the upholstery guy I emailed before...I called and left a message today so we'll see if he gets back to me...I'll have to look around and see if I can find someone else.

even more waiting

I contacted the upholstry guy to schedule a time with him sometime next week to see the car, I hope I get the cadillac back by then...I called today and they are looking for a part from A&A. Which doesn't sound like it's going well(those guys are slow up there). I'm tempted to take the car back and fix it myself.

When I called though, they started talking about the car and it sounded weird, something about brassfittings on the line, and I questioned if they were talking about the carborator, and it turns out he thought I was a totally different owner.

more waiting

I still haven't heard from the mechanic. I think he's stolen my car, it's so awesome, I'm suprised he waited this long... I miss it. and I am rapidly losing my motivation to have everything repaired by June.