Projects Mild custom '51 Pontiac Chieftain

Couple weeks back I added some solvent then filled the tank.

That sat and stewed for 2 weeks.

Seems to have helped, the gauge is now reading better.

Cold again today. Took a few minutes for all the cylinders to get the memo and join the party.

Phil

 

So you're thinking it was varnish or something on the potentiometer, rather than oxidation? I've never tried fixing a glitchy sender with solvents before, but it sounds like it's worth a try sometimes.

 

Something. Not sure what. It was reading accurately and reliably until it was left parked a while with about 1/4 tank full. Whatever vapors and trash in modern gasoline seems to have killed it. It's gone back to being completely random again.

 

This is one for the books.

 

Golly. It still hasn't stopped.

 

Started up first push of the ****on.

Idled like it was a nice warm July afternoon.

Carburetors are terrible, everything needs fuel injection. Wait, nope!

 

Instead of a malted Phil, I think you should get some hot chocolate!

 

Today's been hot coffee and soup day.

Too many people ended up driving off the street and into the bayou- nobody's got any of the setup or experience needed for driving in compacted dry snow- so the local government enacted a curfew to try and give the emergency services a chance.

A few days stuck at home, oh well. Weatherman says it'll be in the mid sixties by the weekend.

 

We have similar conditions here in SE Alabama, only 15 minutes from the Florida state line and it looks like up north! All of my old stuff is safely stored indoors and will stay there until the unplowed roads are clear and dry, the majority of the other drivers don't have much experience driving in these conditions.

 

I fixed my DA polisher.

Starting to try bring back a bit of shine to the paint.

Only got that far tonight, but it's a start.

 

Hot day today.

Got the light blue on the front of the car with a gloss back to it (where it still will).
Too warm to continue, the cutting compound would flash off faster than I could wet it down.

Phil

 

You've really brought her back to nice shape. She looks great. Brings back memories of my Dad's 51 Chieftan.
The snow video is great with the lights glowing.

 

I always look forward to your updates. Great car, fantastic that you use it so much, and enjoy it so much.

 

The weather's been so variable it's hard to do anything with the car of late.

Phil

 

Cold but dry.

Polished the roof.

Phil

 

Finished polishing it up today.


Good enough for government work.

Phil

 

Mardi gras parade.

Was a fun afternoon.

Mick came along for the ride and enjoyed the attention.

Phil

 

I’d drive it

 

Damned good looking copilot you've got there!!

 

"Dollar for dollar, you can't beat a Pontiac"

 

I've certainly wrung as many miles out of it for the dollars.

I really need to put some work back in.

 

Where were we?

Not sure. Been spending a lot of time in hospitals lately. Wife was diagnosed with cancer and now all the chemo begins.


The car is still going. Just stepped out to get a chocolate malt.

Phil

 

Glad to see the car, best wishes to you and your wife.

 

Phil,
Oh man, I am sorry to hear that about your wife. I was just thinking of you the other day and wondered where you were. Your family will be in our prayers. Greg

 

Phil, so sorry to hear of the diagnosis. My wife had her turn with it and all is well. You can beat it. Best wishes for a complete recovery.

 

Thank you. It means a lot.

Early days yet but we'll see how it all goes.

 

Hard to "like" a post like that, but I'm pulling for your family.

 

Been there man. You will both feel like you are spending all your time jumping through hoops.
Stay as positive as possible and just be everything she needs you to be at the moment, her rock and her anchor.
All my best wishes for a good outcome.

 

Trying to. Today's a better day, you know how that rollercoaster goes.


Nice day to be on the road though. 70f and dry. Rolled all the windows down, turned the heater to LOW and just enjoyed the drive to and from the store.

Now putting decorations up.

 

Yes, know all too well. Valentine's Day, 14th Feb 2020 was diagnosis day for us. Ain't life funny sometimes....NOT!
It takes a while to deal with the fact that, even though you would in a heartbeat, you can't swap places with them and this is a problem that a husband can't fix. Like I did, you are probably feeling that you are absolutely powerless in this situation and that there is nothing you can do to make a difference. I realized after a while that my job was to make everything as h***le-free and do-able as I could for my wife. We had to travel 2 hours each way for surgeries and radiation therapy. I knew my wife was much happier to be home as much as possible while we rode the whirlwind (in 2020 during covid just to make it that much more fun) so that gave me a job I could do. The travel days became "date days" and always included breakfast, lunch or dinner somewhere together. Got to try and keep as much normality as possible. The things that you can do during this time are just as important as the other treatments and care she will get. You can have a huge positive influence on the process. You have a huge role to play. It won't be easy, but no matter how scared you are, alway remember how she must feel. That's your job, man. May you find all the strength you need.