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.

More waiting

I still haven't heard if they have found the part for my car. I'm getting kind of antsy. But I'm happy I brought the car in, it feels like a lot more is getting finished than if I had it sitting in the street with my '93.

Never tell your mechanic you're not in a rush...

I finally got a call today, and the new timing cover housing is installed, apparently they patched up the few little places on this "new" one. The timing chain was already new so they did not replace it. they put my oil pump back in because it was in good shape, and they don’t like to switch them out unless they need to because they wear along with the other parts and fit better. It still needs some kind of plate for the carb, which of course they are trying to get from A&A, which will end up costing me $$$. He forgot to check the heat riser valve, so he's going to look at that. I'm bummed I was really hoping to get it to the upholstery guy this week, so I can order the fabric.

Outsourcing

I've maybe got a guy lined up to do the interior in the Eldo, as soon as I get it back, I'm going to meet with him so he can see it. I also have a possible shop for the body work and paint on my convertible, I need to send that guy photos of the work to be done. Or I might try to meet him at his shop so I can check it out. I may bring the convertible to Nielsen Auto in San Carlos first to get it running, then have the cosmetics done after, that might make more sense.

Waiting...

for the mechanic to call with a new list of things that are wrong with the Eldorado. Also waiting for someone to buy the 93. I've got plenty of calls after I put a sign in the window, but once they find out what's wrong with it, they don't want it. I'm thinking I should just fix it and then sell it. Of course if I do that, I won't actually sell it, I'll just drive it.

Timing Cover Housing, etc...

So, I took this morning off of work to drive up to A&A in Brentwood which is an all Cadillac parts yard to pick up a timing cover housing for the Eldo. Apparently, this part is much coveted, and therefore runs some serious cash. I paid $275, and while I was there picked up an "E" for the side emblem that was missing. which ran me another $10. A&A is expensive but they have the parts and they are close. There was one in Arizona for $212 shipped, but it would have taken until the middle of next week to get here and I wouldn't have to car out of the shop until at least the end of the week. At least this way, I may have the car done earlier, plus I got to see the part I was buying before it went on the car.

I have also attempted to contact an upholsterer that advertises on craigslist a lot, he has not replied to me yet. I want to hold off on buying the fabric until I can verify with the upholsterer that I don't need to purchase the vinyl parts of the seat too. If I don't hear back by Monday, I'll try to find a shop in the area.

One the way up to Brentwood, I thought I smelled a burning fluid in the Porsche... At first I thought it was oil, but them I recognized that smell as differential fluid. I'll have to check it when I get home tonight. I need a garage so badly!

pandora's box

So, my mechanic, Jeff called and said my Eldo a Pandora’s Box. The timing cover housing is apparently disintegrated and needs to be built back up or replaced, so that the water pump can be replaced.

I'm looking for the part at various specialty yards around the country and two places have it. one is local and is $275 and one needs to be shipped and is $200, but I don't know what shipping is yet. I should probably just go for the local one. I can see it before I buy it.

$95/hr

It's going to be $611 to replace the water pump and fix some of the vaccum hose routing. This guy charges $95 dollars an hour! What the hell? I think that's insane. I don't think I'll be going back to this guy. I wonder if I could get the Porsche mechanic to look at my Cadillac. He was so much more reasonable, how sad is that?