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66 DeVille Convertible resto

Started by Chuck Swanson, September 29, 2011, 10:26:12 PM

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Chuck Swanson

#140
Went to transmission shop today.  Need a trans rebuild.  Been sitting for 3 decades+, so kind of expected :(



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Like 65-66 Club: www.facebook.com/6566Cadillac
66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

blugg

a true nut an bolt restoration


Chuck Swanson

#142
Yes, thank you Jeff!   
Updates:

  • Transmission rebuilt,  He reused the switch pitch parts as advised here in the forum.  They test drove and was OK. 

    Also while there, replaced the exhaust manifold with an NOS one I got from Ralph :)  The gaskets blew out the restored one, so figured might as well put the NOS one I bought as spare from him.  They just installed without gaskets and some high temp. 

    Springs reinstalled properly, as my body shop guy did not have the end of the spring lined up according to the shop manual, so the compressed and reinstalled (Took a while as had to remove shocks, etc..)

    Small leak on timing cover they found, so tightened.  Spring clamp heater hose leaking a little, typical, so I need to get next size down spring clamps. 

    Fixed all errors from upholstery shop.  Missing holes, aligned molding better so it is straight.  Fixed incorrectly installed pins on each side (4) as only 2 were lined up.  Took 8 hours.  Aligned on spare doors I had laying around.
    Painted black flat black stripes on wide front re-chromed pieces.  Pain to tape all up :)

    Fixed two pins with epoxy and copper wire, as the stainless guy just missed a couple (he repaired 10-12 pins by soldering on this car and my '65 Eldo)
    Fixed plastic "ramp" on door. Tapped the two round spots carefully and used screws to hold and rectangular tabs broke in front. 

    FYI, marked where the two small screws go on the door panel in case you forget where the go ;)  They are for the chrome bezel for switch

    Picked up regulators from glass shop, as I decided to replace all the rollers.  Took a few hours, but came out great.   Car off to glass shop Mon hopefully, as it is slated for an alignment Fri. 
CLC Lifetime
AACA Lifetime
Like 65-66 Club: www.facebook.com/6566Cadillac
66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Macabry

Those doorcards are beautiful, good work 👍
1952 Series 62 Coupe de Ville
1988 Citroen 2cv Special

Chuck Swanson

Thank you!   I just need to put the NOS crests  and door pull/rechromed base on, but will do that the day of installation on door.  Chuck
CLC Lifetime
AACA Lifetime
Like 65-66 Club: www.facebook.com/6566Cadillac
66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Chuck Swanson

#145
Steering wheel done.  Used PC7 to fill in all cracks.  https://www.pcepoxy.com/products/permanent-repair/pc-7-paste-epoxy/ Lot of sanding.  First time painted, saw some sanding scratches, so redid spots with 320, then painted with SEM plastic paint (prepped with SEM wash and SEM plastic prep spray), then my body shop friend put some clear coat on it.  Sanding was 150, 220, 320.  Came out nice. 
CLC Lifetime
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Like 65-66 Club: www.facebook.com/6566Cadillac
66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

DeVille68

nice, I guess you got lucky that no damage was on top where those thousands rips are!  ;D

Best regards,
Nicolas
1968 Cadillac DeVille Convertible (silver pine green)

Chuck Swanson

#147
Thanks yes , most, if not all, repairs were on bottom on this one!

Windshield installed today!  Pilkington, with correct LOF etching :)  All newly polished stainless around glass also installed. Chuck
CLC Lifetime
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Like 65-66 Club: www.facebook.com/6566Cadillac
66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Chuck Swanson

#148
Found an NOS steering wheel, of course after did all the work on the old one.  Installed the NOS one today.  Will keep restored one as spare :)  Installed all re-chromed steering wheel parts.  Torqued center nut to 35 Ft lbs.  Visors installed.  Restored rear view mirror/bracket installed.  Restored steering wheel center restored with correct looking original thread.  I think mystery solved with orange wires for doors/seat, ignition relay.  Chuck
CLC Lifetime
AACA Lifetime
Like 65-66 Club: www.facebook.com/6566Cadillac
66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Chuck Swanson

#149
Finished restoration last week!  Goal was to finish before Hershey AACA show Saturday.  Got the car back from glass shop two weeks ago, and worked very hard with my son to finish.  Done at 11pm day before show with decals and some final molding pieces.  The first time driving the car completed was the 2 mile drive to the Hershey show field.  We got a first place junior award, and were the only first place award out of 11 cars in our class.  Glad to be finished. Thanks to many here on the forum, especially Ralph Messina, for all of the help!  Paying it forward as I take a few calls a year helping others, so feel free to contact me with any 65-66 question too.  Will post some more detailed pics in future to wrap up the long thread :)  Thanks, Chuck, and son Alex.   
CLC Lifetime
AACA Lifetime
Like 65-66 Club: www.facebook.com/6566Cadillac
66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

The Tassie Devil(le)

G'day Chuck, and not to forget Alex,

Congratulations on your reaching the end, if one can ever call it that, of your restoration.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Chuck Swanson

Quote from: The Tassie Devil(le) on October 11, 2021, 06:13:08 PM
G'day Chuck, and not to forget Alex,

Congratulations on your reaching the end, if one can ever call it that, of your restoration.

Bruce. >:D

Thanks Bruce!  Agree, never really 100% done, as always something else that can be tweaked, added, etc... :)
CLC Lifetime
AACA Lifetime
Like 65-66 Club: www.facebook.com/6566Cadillac
66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Chuck Swanson

Meant to post these before winter hibernation.  This was the second ride in the car, mid October.  Brought it to the Cadillac dealer in Syracuse where my son works as a service tech! They all loved the car, especially the owner!  This '66 was back at a Cadillac dealer again for the first time in decades!
CLC Lifetime
AACA Lifetime
Like 65-66 Club: www.facebook.com/6566Cadillac
66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

OLD PUEBLO RICO

This is one of the best threads I've ever read through. Thank you for the inspiration as I begin my project 1966 CDV!