Torchie
Well-known member
So, --- I have to leave you up on the 'inventor' pedestal.
Only if you want too.
Torchie
Elegant decay aka the "Ratty Caddy."
- Thread starter Torchie
- Start date
Help Support Rat Rods Rule:
Only if you want too.
Torchie
Torchie
Well-known member
I'd have never thought of doing that.
[cl
Now you don't have t
One of these days i may try messing with some metallic paint to see how it will turn out.
I am still refining The process. At least in my mind.....
Torchie
Torchie
Well-known member
Slow day today.
I did get out to the shop and worked on the DS rear area floor.
No pictures as it boring .
I hooked up with a guythat is parting out a 50 just like mine.
I picked up a bunch of small stuff that i am missing.
I got a complete set of keys and the door handles/ ignition/ trunk lock. Cigarette lighter.
I am missing the trunk lock.
I have no keys.
Once I swap everything over i will be able to lock the doors. Use a key to get in the trunk. And have a working ignition. I can even lock the glove box.
Good score i believe.
I looked into finding a locksmith that would make key’s from the lock tumblers. This way will be much cheaper.
Keep on keeping on.
Torchie
I did get out to the shop and worked on the DS rear area floor.
No pictures as it boring .
I hooked up with a guythat is parting out a 50 just like mine.
I picked up a bunch of small stuff that i am missing.
I got a complete set of keys and the door handles/ ignition/ trunk lock. Cigarette lighter.
I am missing the trunk lock.
I have no keys.
Once I swap everything over i will be able to lock the doors. Use a key to get in the trunk. And have a working ignition. I can even lock the glove box.
Good score i believe.
I looked into finding a locksmith that would make key’s from the lock tumblers. This way will be much cheaper.
Keep on keeping on.
Torchie
BillM
Well-known member
That does sound like a good score Torchie - sometimes those little naggly items can stall a project right when you are between third base and home, so it's best to grab them when you have the opportunity! Thanks for the update.
Old Iron
Well-known member
Great score, can't always find a donor for the parts.
soltz
The Rat Captain
Good score [cl
Next [P
Next [P
Torchie
Well-known member
Thanks all.
Brother Steve and Friend Jon came over today so we worked on the Cadillac.
First job was too re install the hood spring hinges.
If you have worked with the early 50's GM hood springs you know what a PITA they can be.
The top hooks to the hinge and the bottom hooks to the very bottom of the cowl. It's a long stretch.
Leverage is the key as the manual shows this being done on a lift with a long bar.
We managed to get them both on. Nobody lost any body parts.
When we went to close the hood this happens. Instead of going down and back the hinges are going forward and down.
I had read about this and about all the front sheet metal damage that it can cause. We were cautious when closing the hood. NO damage.
The question is why is it doing this. I researched where this happened and people got so fed up trying to fix it that they just took off the springs and used a rod to hold up the hood.
I now consider it a personal challenge to make this hood work right.
After 3 times of taking off and putting back on the springs we left it. For now.
On to the front seat.
Since I had the help we pulled the front seat out. [ [ [ [
Darn thing is heavy.
Now I have a clear shot at the floor. I liked it better with the seat in.
Please remember that the DS is the worst side. I think......[ddd
Going to be a busy week. 3 trips to 3 different Drs.
Unless I get fed up and skip one.[ddd
Supposed to be into the 90's here by mid week.
I need to get back to stripping the donor Dodge as I want it out of here before July.
Any ideas on the hood are appreciated. The hinges are not worn. According to some of the Caddy sites this is not an uncommon problem.
Keep on keeping on......
Torchie
Brother Steve and Friend Jon came over today so we worked on the Cadillac.
First job was too re install the hood spring hinges.
If you have worked with the early 50's GM hood springs you know what a PITA they can be.
The top hooks to the hinge and the bottom hooks to the very bottom of the cowl. It's a long stretch.
Leverage is the key as the manual shows this being done on a lift with a long bar.
We managed to get them both on. Nobody lost any body parts.
When we went to close the hood this happens. Instead of going down and back the hinges are going forward and down.
I had read about this and about all the front sheet metal damage that it can cause. We were cautious when closing the hood. NO damage.
The question is why is it doing this. I researched where this happened and people got so fed up trying to fix it that they just took off the springs and used a rod to hold up the hood.
I now consider it a personal challenge to make this hood work right.
After 3 times of taking off and putting back on the springs we left it. For now.
On to the front seat.
Since I had the help we pulled the front seat out.
[ [ [ [Darn thing is heavy.
Now I have a clear shot at the floor. I liked it better with the seat in.
Please remember that the DS is the worst side. I think......[ddd
Going to be a busy week. 3 trips to 3 different Drs.
Unless I get fed up and skip one.[ddd
Supposed to be into the 90's here by mid week.
I need to get back to stripping the donor Dodge as I want it out of here before July.
Any ideas on the hood are appreciated. The hinges are not worn. According to some of the Caddy sites this is not an uncommon problem.
Keep on keeping on......
Torchie
Attachments
lowbudget50
Creators of all things awesome
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2012
- Messages
- 6,054
Thats crazy about the hood!! Looks like progress in other areas though!!
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2015
- Messages
- 3,254
What`s up with the fan in the floor? Does it really have a heated seat??
Old Iron
Well-known member
Torchie
Well-known member
You are right OI.
The tension if the springs are pilling them forward, instead.
So far in all the posts i have researched no one has figured out why this happens.
One guy claimed that he fixed his by rebuilding his hinges.
Another guy tried that and said it had no effect. Who knows.
I have some ideas but have yet to try any of them.
dutch........
Many of the upper end GM cars of this era had a under the front seat heater. My 50 Buick had one.
This heater helped to warm up the back seat area. If you look at the back of the front seat there is also a rope to hang a car blanket on. One foot in the past and one in the future.
Torchie
The tension if the springs are pilling them forward, instead.
So far in all the posts i have researched no one has figured out why this happens.
One guy claimed that he fixed his by rebuilding his hinges.
Another guy tried that and said it had no effect. Who knows.
I have some ideas but have yet to try any of them.
dutch........
Many of the upper end GM cars of this era had a under the front seat heater. My 50 Buick had one.
This heater helped to warm up the back seat area. If you look at the back of the front seat there is also a rope to hang a car blanket on. One foot in the past and one in the future.
Torchie
lowbudget50
Creators of all things awesome
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2012
- Messages
- 6,054
You are right OI.
The tension if the springs are pilling them forward, instead.
So far in all the posts i have researched no one has figured out why this happens.
One guy claimed that he fixed his by rebuilding his hinges.
Another guy tried that and said it had no effect. Who knows.
I have some ideas but have yet to try any of them.
dutch........
Many of the upper end GM cars of this era had a under the front seat heater. My 50 Buick had one.
This heater helped to warm up the back seat area. If you look at the back of the front seat there is also a rope to hang a car blanket on. One foot in the past and one in the future.
Torchie
My 67 had vends under the front seats blowing right at the back passangers feet!! The tech in these cars is crazy for the time. People think this stuff is new
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2015
- Messages
- 3,254
I love old cars...
soltz
The Rat Captain
I love old cars...
Indeed we do[cl
Torchie
Well-known member
Forward movement today....
We may have fixed the hood issue. I will know for sure once we put the springs back on. Too hot and tired to mess with that today.
Amy came over and did some paracord wrap around the spokes to help clean things up a bit.
That will work just fine.
Keep on keeping on......
Torchie
We may have fixed the hood issue. I will know for sure once we put the springs back on. Too hot and tired to mess with that today.
Amy came over and did some paracord wrap around the spokes to help clean things up a bit.
That will work just fine.
Keep on keeping on......
Torchie
Attachments
soltz
The Rat Captain
!!
Torchie
Well-known member
Floor behind the Drivers seat is all put together.
Now we move to the front. That's a big hole. It willl be bigger by the time I'm done cutting.[ddd
I reinforced the sill just like I did in the back seat.
Some basic pattern work.
That's about it for new metal for me. Other then small pieces.
Time to borrow some from the donor car.
Got hot today and is supposed to be hotter tomorrow. May be a good day just to take it easy.
Enjoy the summer solstice tomorrow too.
Keep on keeping on......
Torchie
Now we move to the front. That's a big hole. It willl be bigger by the time I'm done cutting.
[dddI reinforced the sill just like I did in the back seat.
Some basic pattern work.
That's about it for new metal for me. Other then small pieces.
Time to borrow some from the donor car.
Got hot today and is supposed to be hotter tomorrow. May be a good day just to take it easy.
Enjoy the summer solstice tomorrow too.
Keep on keeping on......
Torchie
Attachments
zzrodder
It ain't grey hair, it's chrome!
It's coming together, you are the Rust Doctor for sure [cl[cl[P[P
[cl[cl[P[P
Torchie
Well-known member
It's coming together, you are the Rust Doctor for sure
Thanks zz..........I think.
Definitely not my best work. It is solid though and will be all sealed up when I am done.
[[Torchie
