944 died

well this morning as I went to leave to go snowboarding, I got into the 944 and the clutch was depressed to the floor. Not a good sign. there was also a large puddle under the car. I am hoping that I will not need to replace the entire clutch. I think it may be the master cylinder(since there were no signs of the clutch failing before), but have no idea what kind of cost or work is involved in fixing it. The porsche place I like is in San Rafael, and the car in in Orangevale. (about 150 miles away).

christmas presents

For christmas I got a trickle charger for the 93 Cadillac (to keep the battery charged while it sits) and a carb adjuster tool which is a flexible driver that makes it easier to adjust the carb.

paint class?

Since I have two cars that really need to be painted and two that could stand to be painted. I'm thinking about taking a auto painting class at my local community college. There is an evening class starting in Jan. It would be pretty much every night though. I wish there were shorter more intensive classes somewhere.

more steering column issues

OK So it IS possible to get the switch out without removing the entire column. you just have to go as far as the lockplate (just before the shifting mechanism). Dad came down to my house and helped take it apart. It was a tight squeeze, but we finally got the old switch out of the steering column.

I am concerned about a couple things though... the parts in my steering column do not exactly match the parts (or the order of the parts) in the diagrams from the Master parts book or the Service manual. I'm not sure if I should try to put it back how it's supposed to be, or how it came out.

I will probably try how it came out since it worked before. I do need to try to paint the gear indicator while it's all in pieces so I can clearly see what gear I'm in.

In the near future, I need to get the convertible up to the house. Dad brought a battery charger down and charged up the battery in the '93 Eldo so it starts now(which means I can move it out of the garage to put the convertible in). I need to remember to start it every week or so to keep it going. Or maybe I'll get a trickle charger for it. I'm not sure what to do with the cars when I have four at home, I don't really have space for them. I might just send the '93 off to a mechanic to rebuild the engine that should give me at least a couple months.

steering wheel pulled

The steering wheel is pulled, My dad went down to my house while I was away for the weekend and did it, so I don't know if there were any issues, but know I need to find out if I can replace the switch without pulling the steering column, it doesn't look like it...

I'm a corvette

apparently, if I was a sportscar, I would be a corvette.

I'm a Chevrolet Corvette!

You're a classic - powerful, athletic, and competitive. You're all about winning the race and getting the job done. While you have a practical everyday side, you get wild when anyone pushes your pedal. You hate to lose, but you hardly ever do.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

I'm so crabby...

I went to sears and bought a steering wheel puller/harmonic balancer puller and the older guy(maybe in his 50's or 60's) who rung up my purchase gave me a look and said "you're pulling a harmonic balancer!?" I said, "no, a steering wheel" then asked what kind of car, and I said "a Cadillac." Then he asked me if I knew how to get the nut off, and I just said "yes" even though the answer is really not specifically, because I was tired and I didn't want to listen to an explanation (that I wasn't going to remember any of) about how to do the whole procedure right there in the store with a line of people waiting behind me. I felt bad, because to that he said "oh, I didn't know you were such a consummate mechanic." then he tried to talk me out of buying the tool "ya know you don't really need a specialty tool to pull the steering wheel..." To which I said, "yes, but it makes it easier." afterwards I felt bad because people really like to feel like they can pass on their knowledge to others, but I also didn't, because he was a little chauvinistic.

need a steering wheel puller...

I will swing by Sears and pick one up tonight. I hope they have made advances in the ability to access this kind of thing in newer cars...what a pain.

The switch is here!

I'm so happy that I seem to have a good source for future parts. The parts arrive exactly when they said it would, and in perfect condition. I plugged it in without disassembling the steering wheel, and the brake lights now work! all I need to do know is take the steering wheel apart to replace the switch.

waiting...

Will my package be there when I get home? I hope so!

so small

The 944 is so tiny...I often do not see it on parking lots until I'm right on top of it. you don't even know how many times I've had that "did my car get Stolen?!" jump of the heart before it appeared. I guess i'm just used to the giant boat cars that you can see from the end of the aisle (or further).

Turn Signal Switch Found!

One of the guys in my Cadillac group totally saved me...He suggested these guys: Shee Mar they also have an 800 number that does not seem to be listed on their site. 1-800-627-8876.

I got the switch for $104 + $6 shipping, Part #SM229 for a non tilt and telescope steering column (I never thought I'd be happy I didn't have one, but they didn't even have the switches for the tilt and telescope). It should be here Tuesday.

Yay! I've been getting way to used to the little car, I need a big boat to drive around.

-c

more hard to find parts

Aparently the turn signal switch is not being manufactured any more. there do not seem to be any obvious suppliers. I was pointed in the direction of ebay, and to places that might hand-make them. Again, I ask...WHY are these parts so diffucult to find? We are talking about GM parts they should be plentiful and cheap and new.

It's Alive!!!

The convertible starts!! I put a new ground strap and a new positive battery cable on and now it starts! That's what I get for not changing out the easy stuff first...I moved it from the spot it was occupying (which will become a pit of mud as soon as it rains) so it would be easy to access it when I can get a trailer to tow it to my house (could not find one this weekend).

I went to go change the brake pads on the 944, but the pads are not worn (at all) this seems weird to me, I usually go through brakes so quickly, and they have been squeaking so much, I'm worried that they are wearing unevenly and the insides are worn but the outsides are not. Also, I discovered that the locking lug nut on the rear drivers wheel is not letting me unlock it with the key I have. It's like there is something stuck in the lock. I will poke around with a toothpick or something to see if there is something in there.

also, My dad came to my house today and helped me track down the reason for the non-operational brake lights on the 67 Eldo. He suspects the signal switch in the steering column. I'll hunt down a place to order one this week.

so lazy...

I haven't ordered parts for the cadillac yet. I'm supposed to work on some cars the weekend of thanksgiving. But if I have no parts, that's not going to happen...

good leads

My next project will be to replace all the wiring in the '67 eldo as well as the carpet, I got a couple of leads for parts suppliers, and it looks like the carpet will run a little more than $200, and a new wiring harness incl engine harness around $500. it's kind of pricey, so I may just see if I can fix the rear lights only.

here's a place I found that has pretty inexpensive struts for my 93: http://www.actionsalvage.com/airspringeldorado.asp

Great parts catalogs

I just got a catalog in the mail from Automotion who specialize in parts for Porsche. this thing is so complete you can get virtually any part you need for any Porsche made. Not only that but you have a selection of manufacturers. There are like 5 different options for brakes pads for my car in this thing!

WHY does this not exist for Cadillacs? Do you realize how difficult it is to track down parts for Cadillacs? you have to get 20 catalogs from 20 different companies and then many of the parts are STILL not available.

Here is a list of parts catalogs you would need if you have a cadillac:

Rock Auto
Steele Rubber
Cad500 (performance)
New Cadillac Parts
SMS Auto Fabrics
electric window parts
lectriclimited electrical parts
Automotive Carpet
Carpet/Mats

Cad Auto Recycler

List of Stuff to Fix

Things each of my cars need:

1967 Eldo
Tires
Repair on electronics to rear lights
radio installed
new dash face
paint
controls in passenger side door repaired

1984 944
Brakes (maybe rotors too)
oil change DONE
coolant leak find and fix
antannae installed
fix ipod hook up

1993 Eldorado
new engine
new struts
new windsheild

1967 de Ville
body work
paint
engine work, tranny work (unknown)
front suspension work
new convertible top?

1979 de Ville
vinyl top needs to be taken off and rust prevention applied
engine rebuild
tires
suspension work
electrical work (I don't think the windsheild wipers work, or the twilight sentinal)

Giving Up

Maybe because it's winter...or maybe because I moved and now I pay more for rent, but I don't think it's possible to get the convertible done by next summer.

SEMA

the SEMA show was really great, but there is way too much to look at. Also there was a lack of cadillac representation. The theme was american muscle, so maybe they just got edged out by the mustangs, camaros and mopar...