Yes, sorry, I am still working on terminology and trip over words. I also have had problems with ordinary words since my accident and on-going (eternal) post-concussion. Thank you again Tom. I appreciate people helping keep me on the straight and narrow, especially with my old girl (the car, not the wife just to be clear ).
Yeah, that's something you don't have to worry about Chuck. Going on 34 years since my second divorce & I have NO INTEREST in doing it a 3rd. time, especially with someone who's already spoken for.
Today I took my wife around shopping in the car. I got a lot of looks and smiles. I told my wife that they were checking her out. That made her smile. . Yesterday, while I was out driving, an old gentleman was watching the car as he made a right turn. He almost turned too far into the curb. I guess most of the classics are put to bed for the winter, but, since there is no snow and the temps are in the +5 to the +10 C range (41 F to 50 F), I am driving her. I have rebuilt her as a daily driver, not as my brothers 64 Ford Fairlane is, a trailer queen. He has spent around $110,000 CAN on the car and only drives it in shows.I don't get it, but, it's his car so, whatever floats his boat. My Granddaughter has christened the Wildcat my "Musclecar", and who am I to disagree with a 3 year old. I have a model of the Wildcat, done up the same as the car and that too is "Musclecar". I had to put it up out of reach as she felt it was a great toy to play with. Well, that's all there is today. Have a good, safe day everyone. Chuck
I was driving downtown yesterday to make the deposit for our Condo Association when I heard a high beeping sound behind me. I looked in the lane beside me and a lady with an immaculate 70's VW Bug flashed me a peace sign. I pulled up next to her and gave her a thumbs up. She smiled and flashed another peace sign, then drove off at the green light. Made me feel pretty good that people appreciate the work it takes to get these old girls into shape.
Today I noticed the the rear defog motor in my car that Tom found for me and refurbished (Above and Beyond to help me), seemed to work erratically. It would sometimes not work, sometimes it would work for a while then quit. All right, this seems just like down a technicians alley. Now, I know the motor works properly, I tested it before I installed it in the car. First: test fuse. Found that the fuse is good. Clean the contacts in the fuse panel, still nothing. Second: Test for solid power at the back. Power shows up, but the test light is a little dim. Third: Test grounds. All ground .08 ohms. Grounds good. Finally, that left only the switch. Check it out to see how it comes apart. Two screws, seems easy. Remove the screws and find a weird switch. Now, the switch is stiff, probably a lot of years of corrosion built up since it never worked for Ray and it had sat for years before that. I found some tuner cleaner and lubricant in my stash in the basement. spray liberally and then replace switch cover. Work the switch a little and it loosened right up. Turn the key to ACC and try the defogger. Works. Try high, works. Turn off and on about 10 times, works perfectly each time. Remembering that the car is 54 years old, I am slowly working out the bugs in the system. I love my car!
I took my car out for the first time in three weeks.... whew, finally. It started up fine, had to pump a few more times, but it is a carb, so not surprised. I took my son to work and then drove down to the dog park in the river valley. She ran great and I really enjoyed myself. I took the dog for a 3 km (2 mile) walk and then returned to my car. As I was getting ready to drive away, a gentleman waved me down and then, while distancing hhimelf, asked me a few questions about my car. he then said that he had a '64 Wildcat Coupe with a 425, but lost it in the divorce. I said sorry about that and then he asked if I would sell my Wildcat to him? I told him "Sorry, but no, I love this car and it was a gift." He said that he understands and wished me well with my car. I hope he finds one, just not mine.
Beautiful day here today, so, time to repair a few things on the car. I fixed the underhood lighting that I disconnected last year and never got working right. I repaired the drivers side of the bench seat. It leaned back too far and when I took it apart, found that it wasn't put together quite right when recovered. Now, both seat backs line up properly. I replaced all the trim around the back window fixed the rear speakers and then looked at the rear deck defog motor. It had stopped working and just needed to have all of the wiring cleaned up of course, after I removed it first. All in all, a good day, but, now I really hurt. Time to spend a little time with my Grandchildren for the next hour. Have a good one everyone!
In my quest to keep my old girl as stock as possible, I went in search of a new fuel pump for my Wildcat with a 425 yesterday. Should be easy-peasy, right. Wrong, as I found out. I went to the auto parts stores in Lethbridge in search of someone who could order me one. Since mine has 106,000 miles on it, I thought I would retire it and use it as a backup. I went to 5 dfferent stores, all who could find is an electrical pump. Would I like to convert from a mechaniical pump? Nope still trying to keep her stock, but thanks anyway. The sixth place I went to was my "They haven't failed me yet even if they do charge more" store. The young guy behind the counter called in an older gentleman and they poured over the books, looking. "Are you sure yo don't want an electrical pump? Okay just checking." After around 20 minutes, they chose what they said was their only hope. Would I like it? Yes! 2 days and $96 dollars. Done I said. They took my info and sent me on my merry way. About an hour laster, my phone rings. I am sorry, but that pump was for a 65 and will not fit your car. .... but, we did find a remanufactured pump in Texas for a '66. They expained a remanufactured pump is rebuilt to like new standards, would I like it? Yes please! It is more expensive though.... (sinking feeling...) $120, plus $40 for the cross-border ride. Am I okay with $160? Still yes please. Like I said, these guys are my go to guys if everyone else fails. I should have saved myself the trouble and started there, but I didn't think a fuel pump would be so hard to find. Online 64- 65, plentiful. Pumps for a 67 430/455, plentiful. What is it about the 66? Ah well, as they say "I got mine!".
Did they tell you why a 66 pump was different? I cannot see why from a 64 and 65?? Wonder if they changed the arm length of the plunger or the cam it rides on? or venting lines?
I honestly don't know and they didn't tell me what the difference was. They were emphatic that the fuel pump for a '64 to '65 would not work on a '66. This is not the only time I have found that '66 has year specific parts. i guess just to foul up us newbies ( as in mechanically clueless and trying to learn). My old '69 F350 4x4 could use a range of parts from '67 to the mid 70's. I guess Buick decided to be different. MY F150 radio quit. Guess what... yup, 2012 year only. It seems to be my lot in life. Still love my Buick though. An old guy was turning right out of a parking lot as I was turning left. He almost drove up onto the divider looking at my car. My wife freaked out and I thought she was thinking he was going to hit us. Nope, she was worried about him and his toyota.
Chuck, Order one from NAPA online OR Rock Auto. Tom T. OR I could get you one for I'm sure a lot less costly.
Hello Tom: Actually, the only other thing I am looking for is the passenger side wing window crank mechanism. Mine was broken and I screwed it back together, but, it doesn't work properly. I am not certain you want to sell part of the door though. Don't feel pressured, I understand either way. Everyone have a good night, have a good rest and keep safe Chuck
Chuck, Depending on what's broken they CAN be fixed. Send a pic IF you can in a PM. I can get a new pump for around $50.00 or so. Tom T.
Hello All: Yesterday I went out to use the car to go to the dog park and..... nothing. I turn the key and not even a click. Well, must need a boost. I pull my truck over, hook up and...... nothing. Leave it to charge, still nothing. At this point I felt like coming on this site and yelling HELP!. Then I thought, this is nothing but an electrical problem. What can it be? Starter, cables, ignition switch, neutral switch. At this point it was already 32 C (90 F) and I decided to wait until the next day. Today I went out at 7 AM, tried it just for giggles, nope. Jack up and block the car, crawl underneath and take the cable off the starter, clean connections. Go to put the positive post on and, whoa, sparks. We have a draw on the battery. Crawl back under and inspect things closer. Bare wire on the starter cable! I went to Canadian tire, bought a new cable, cut out the old one and put the new one in the sleeve. Connect everything, turn the key.... nothing. Well, lets try a boost again. Hook it up and vroom, the car fires right up. Yippee! I know most of you are thinking, big whoop that was easy, but, as a noob to mechanicals, I enjoy my victories. I even enjoyed the troubleshooting and work replacing. How weird it that? Used to be, decades ago, if I was working on a car, it was because I had to. Now, I want to.
Today I took the car out to perform some errands. I went for my physical and then took my prescription for the Shingles Vaccine to the pharmacy. As I get out of my car a guy comes up and starts asking me questions about the car. He then tells me his Dad had a 64 with the 455 engine, from the factory. I told him it had to be a mistake as they didn't start putting the 455 into the Wildcat until 1967. Nope he says, 1964 had it. We had to agree to disagree. I then said have a great day and went into the pharmacy. Weird how much attention my car gets. Even last weekend, at Street Wheelers (A weekend excuse to show off your cars and mingle), even though I wasn't showing my car a lot of questions about it. Usually "Why are you not entered in the show and shine?" Not interested, just love my car for me, that's all.
So, I drove my wife to the KFC to get a bucket of chicken for supper and on the way back, The car suddenly surged and died. Just stalled right out. We pushed it off the road and then tried to start it, to noavail. I thought that the gas gauge was showing wrong and had my son bring $20 worth of fuel to me. Put it in and, nothing, no fire. I primed the carb and it fired right up, then stalled. Did this 6 times, same result. I then called CAA and got a tow home. Now, there are only 2 things I can think of to block the flow of fuel to the carb, fuel filter and fuel pump. I ordered a new remanufactured fuel pump a month ago and will pick up a new fuel filter. I assume the first thing to do is to replace the filter and see if it spits out fuel when turning over. Don't think it will, but, cross my fingers. If not, then replace the fuel pump (What made me purchase a pump before, I'll put down to an abundance of caution in this rebuild I plan. If anyone has any suggestions, I will try them when I get home again. My Mother-in-law has had her well run dry and while she is alone, we are going up to Northern Saskatchewan to haul water for her. The car, she will have to wait until I get home again in about 3 - 4 weeks. Well, a good night to all and I thank you for any suggestions, or just for reading this. Chuck
Chuck, Before doing any more parts buying check the fuel line hose coming out of the fuel tank. You will notice the hose goes down & then back up. Where the hose is up IF the hose has any cracks in it it will suck air & not fuel. Take it off & have a good look at it. Bend it around a little bit & the cracks may appear. Tom T.
