Projects 1953 Cadillac - new custom build!

Congrats on your Caddy.Good luck and enjoy!

 

God bless you Ted, you have a lot on your plate, the car will give you something to escape the heavy pressures that you deal with day to day, I've been there and done that, Having the project gives you something to look forward to.

Keep us up to date. HRP

 

Today was quite an adventure for this novice mechanic. I woke up at 4am and took this *****in photograph in my garage. My goal was just to get the motor to turn over and hopefully run. But I knew that was a long shot. About 4 years ago this car went in for a full restoration by the previous owner: motor & trans rebuilt, a**** many other things. But then the owner died and the car sat for over 4 years. I got it home yesterday and immediately started on it. Here are all the ups & downs from today: I drained the oil and put in fresh oil with Lucas zinc additive. I put a tables****-ish of motor oil down each spark plug hole. I noticed the neutral safety switch was just hanging on a clip. 2 blue wires going to it then 2 cloth wires that were cut. I decided to just pull it out and continue with my motor test without it. Car definitely in neutral and park brake on. You can see in the photo my engine bay is super clean. I love that. No power steering but man i tell ya the wheel is super easy to turn even when sitting still. When my friends helped me push it up the driveway and into the garage the steering wheel turning is not problem at all. Going to run without power steering. I’m super minimal. My goal is to turn this into a very reliable daily driver. It has literally no interior and no wiring. No problem. I’ll wrap some black vinyl and i like wiring. Also the heater cores were in the trunk. Not going to install any of that until winter. I bought a Pertronix ignition coil but not install it yet. I crazy eager to just see if she’ll cough or even run. I also bought a 1 wire alternator but not install it. I realize 2 brackets will need to be fabricated. Will get to that later. The battery looks new but its shot. Only 7 volts after charging over night. So i pulled up a friend Prius to jump my Cadillac for this test. I connected the positive jumper cable to the positive cable going to my starter. The starter & solenoid were already wired correctly so i didn’t touch it. And i hooked the negative jumper cable to my ground strap. My jumper cables are only rated at 200amp. Kinda low so i found a second set that are also kinda weak so i used both for the jump. I pulled all the spark plugs. I hooked up my remote ignition trigger. Started the jumper car and pulled the trigger for 15 seconds. Let it rest for 30 seconds, then pulled the trigger for 15 seconds. I was told this is a good way to prime the motor. The motor turned pretty slow. I was surprised. With less compression from the pulled plugs i thought it would crank a little more aggressively. I put a volt meter on my jumper cables and it said 13volts. Oh…i forgot to mention…..my ignition key cylinder is frozen. Key won’t turn. So i used a jumper wire from the battery positive to the input side of the ballast resister. I think a 10ga wire. Then i put the spark plugs back in and ready for the first test fire. No gasoline hooked up because I had to pull the gas tank. Smelled like varnish and was leaking at the front. Damn. I do not have money for a new tank. Disregard that for now. I started the jumper car and pulled the trigger. The motor turned a little slower than before. Had no thoughts of coughing or turning over. I pulled off one spark plug and held it about a 1/4” from some surfaces in the motor to see if i could see a spark. No spark….but i tell ya the manifold was pretty rusty. Maybe too rusty to generate a spark? By this time it was later in the day and 95 degrees and pretty challenging for me. I’m feeling pretty depressed even though i knew it was a long shot. And I’m broke. Honesty i have zero dollars. Any****. As I’m typing this I’m actually super friggin grateful i get to wrench on my holy grail car. I paid only $9k. I learned this morning it has a new Magnaflow exhaust front to back. The brake lines and fuel lines are all new stainless. All the floors are new. I love this thing so much. The Buddha was wrong all this time…..material objects can bring us enlightenment and eternal bliss. So I didn’t mess with the points because opening the distributor kinda scares me. Never done it. I need to just do it. And I’ll install the Petronix ignition coil. My two issues are: is the motor turning too slow? Am i actually getting a proper spark. Long day. I’m pulling the plug. Thank you fellas!

 

Vehicle, check, front axle, check, rear axle, check, brakes, double check, engine, check, transmission, check, seatbelts, check, interior, pending, mufflers, check, badges? You don’t need no stinking badges. Carry on.

 

Sorry to hear about your parents, it’s a tough time I know from experience. Yes a hobby especially cars is excellent therapy.
You do need a good ground on the spark plug you could use one of your jumper cables, one end on the plug the other on the negative battery terminal.
Following
Dan

 

UPDATE: I came across a small bit of money so bought the few things i need:
—new battery, 1-wire alternator, PerTronix coil & triple gauge kit.
A mechanic buddy is coming over to help me clean the points and get her running.
But actually driving….will take a few more weeks. I need to final mount the bumper/grill. All the body panels are just finger tightened & need to be gapped. All the stainless needs to be attached. The brake pedal goes to the floor. It has all new brake lines and I think the previous owner said the brakes were done also. But I’m just super eager to hear that motor run!

 

I’m truly godsmacked. It friggin worked. I got the motor running. I’m not a mechanic. I own 2 screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench & and angle grinder. I installed a Pertronix coil & compatible electronic ignition (1183). Wired up a new key ignition switch. New battery. She fired right up. Runs smooth. Sounds perfect. It’s running on just a gravity feed fuel bottle. The gas tank leaks so I pulled that out. It had about 2 gallons of bad gas in it. The tank has lots of rust. I don’t have cash for a new tank so I’m working on that this week. I pulled out the generator and put a 1 wire alternator in its place. Looks like the top mounting bracket works and the pulley seems like it’s spaced properly for the belt. But the bottom mount needs a small plate fabricated. I have a very experienced mechanic friend coming this week to take a look at it. Brakes…the petal goes to the floor. The car has all new brakes lines. I’m not sure about the brake cylinders, pads etc. I got under the car with my flashlight and the master cylinder is a mess, meaning covered in grime. Doesn’t look like it was ever pulled out and restored. This week I’m going to attempt to remove the master cylinder and see what the deal is. I’m hoping to be driving in like 2 weeks?! The car has zero interior and no back seat. The front bench seat is terrible. Totally rotted. The metal frame and springs are ok. But fabric and foam are shot and moldy. Dang. Any****. Man i the happiest I’ve been in a really long time.

 

LOL. We all started out with just blind enthusiasm...and learned from there...you are on the right track.

 

Attached are three photos of slight leaks? I got under the car with my flashlight and saw the drive shaft at both joints is ….moist? Not dripping. And one of the steering arms is wet. Not dripping. This car has been sitting in my garage for a week now and not a single drip on the floor. Before I bought the car it sat for about 4 years. The owner said he drove it to the spot in his workshop and thats where it sat. I haven’t driven the car either. Got the motor to fire up and idle nicely, but that’s it so far. Are these three things something I should address? MANY THANKS fellas!

 

Thay all appear to be seals. steering box, transmission, and rear axle. After long periods of sitting they are prone to leak but may seal back up. Keep an eye on them and the fluid levels. If leakage gets worse replace them. you can now but it is a 50 50 chance they will re-seal Could be leather from the time period.

 

—Right on. Thank you. Love the HAMB.

 

MAJOR UPDATE!… FIRST TEST DRIVE.
3 of my brake drums are stuck in place. I removed the 2 retaining bolts and could not get them to budge. The one hub i could get off,… the cylinder had dust in it. So it was evident I wasn’t going to be able to bleed the brakes for a while. But i was truly eager to go for a short test drive, despite not having brakes.

This is my holy grail car. I found it as an unfinished project. The owner said the motor and transmission were rebuilt. New brake lines and fuel lines. New exhaust front to rear. Zero rust. I somehow successfully installed a new Flamethrower coil, electronic ignition, alternator, new plugs, new oil. I turned the key and it started up perfectly on the first turn of the key. Sounds absolutely perfect. That beautiful warm low rumble. No ticking. No smoking. No leaks. Fuel pump works perfectly. I was truly desperate to just drive to the end of my street and back. I want to hear it change gears and check reverse. So the car has zero brakes. I only have the emergency brake. I’m fully aware of this level of stupidity. My road is flat and very few cars. It still has literally zero interior. I’m sitting on a box. I could not care less. I’m a hotrod / chopper guy. Gotta be a little sketchy. “Measured Stupidity.”

I started the motor, put in Drive and she crawled slowly down my driveway I turned right and slowly hit the gas. She accelerated perfectly and shifted to 2nd. Doing like 15 mph. I swerved to check the steering. All sounds good and feeels good. I’m the happiest man alive. I shifted to Neutral and slowed to an almost stop then pulled the emergency brake 1 click and stopped perfectly. Put in reverse and drove about 30 feet. Turned around and drove back to my garage. ****** hell I’m so happy. I opened the hood to look for any leaks or mishaps. The bracket I fabricated for the alternator worked perfectly. The belt kept its tension and didn’t fly off. Got under the car. No leaks.

I think I bought a great car for $9k. I’m so happy. I still have a lot of little things on the list: brakes would be good, and 4” lowering blocks in the rear and cut coils. Install windshield. (New gasket is in place and stainless is slipped in place along with the rope. Now just waiting for friend to come over and push as i pull.). Mount and wire brake lights. Upholster the front bench seat. Several stainless pieces need to be fasted down. And i desperately need to gap all the panels…everything is just finger tightened and badly gapped. etc.

 

Enjoying reading the updates on this sir,

Coupla tips though, try to put some paragraph structure to your text as its tough to read a big block of text sometimes.

Second, when posting pics make sure you click the 'Full Image' ****on to get those pics nice and big!

Keep it up!!

 

—DONE. Thank you my friend! Hello from Long Island NY.

 

Happy to hear you were able to take that first quick drive! Nothing like it and the story around it makes it even better. Made me think of one of the first drives I took sitting on a crate with no interior. I wasn't as careful as you though and launched my car falling off the crate. That also made for a good memory. lol

 

Love that you took it for a cruise with no brakes, lmfao. THAT'S hot rodder af...

I drove mine home last weekend from 45 minutes away with a rachet strap holding my right rear suspension together, lol.

 

**** Yeah!!!!!! Im loving it..Had my 58 caddy when i was 16 and drove a coupkle years.... Im REALLY KICKING my own *** for NOT getting this one..And it was 20 miles away..But i have my old 32 to get running and some Corvettes to finish etc...GLAD IT FOUND it YOU and a great Home... Keep us posted ..Love it!!!!

 

Question fellas. I’m about to cut the front coils. Removing the shock….which of these 3 bolts do i remove? Many thanks.

 

1 and 3 if you have the top one removed. DO NOT unbolt the ball joint without a spring compressor or a floor jack supporting the lower a frame. Safest if you do not know what you are doing is a spring compressor. Better yet if you have never done it get some experienced help. Be safe.

 

Thanks for your info. I did this exact proceedure on my 55 Cadillac about 10 years ago.

 

Good to hear that. I didn't want you going in blind and getting hurt. You are well aware those compressed coil springs contain a lot of stored energy.

 

Hey gang. Little help needed. So i installed 3” lowering blocks and took the car out for a VERY gentle slow drive down my street and back. Worked fine. But….it absolutely looks like it’s not lower. I jumped on the rear a bunch to see if anything “settles”. Nope. I don’t have “before” measurements….but it sure looks visually to be the same height.

Question about the angle of the pumpkin/driveshaft. I kinda think maybe it’s angled down a tiny bit more than factory? Unfortunately again i don’t have any “before” shots to compare it to. Is this an issue you think? MANY THANKS!

Man i just gotta say again….after 25 years of lusting after my holy grail car…i can’t believe I finally own it. When I’m cooking in my kitchen i keep the door open to the garage so i can look at it. I’m truly enjoying my healthy obsession.
View attachment 6770757

 

You should get the factory spec pinion angle then set it with some angled shims. It does look low. You should have checked the ride height before as you said. Without an overall picture of the car preferably sitting outside on the level it would be easier to tell. Remember this. Hindsight is always 20 20.

 

Really pleased you have your dream car and thank you for the great read and pictures. While its unrelated to your pinion angle you may want to check the axle u bolt that appears to not have a similar amount of threads engaged on the nut as the others. Fitting a locknut over the top of the nuts or a nyloc would also be a good idea.



Keep up the good work.

 

MAJOR UPDATE!
I discovered my shackles were flipped and thats why the car didn’t sit lower after i installed the 3” lowering blocks. I literally just pryed each shackle with a screwdriver then lowered that side.
Took 2 minutes.
Car sits perfectly in the rear now!!! It just transformed the car.
Next step is to cut a coil in the front. If the nose is lowered by about 3” ….it’ll be a perfect static drop.
So my car still has only the emergency brake in the rear and terrible brakes in the front.
I’m just driving around my block and stay below 25mph.
The car also isn’t registered and insured yet. Therefore i don’t have free AAA towing.
Once that happens I will feel MUCH better about starting to drive around town, then eventually beyond that as I learn the car and see how reliable she is.
My car also has zero interior. I just upholstered the front bench with some batting material.
Eventually I’ll get to luxurious things like an interior and brake lights.
And the body panel gaps are terrible. I tried gapping the car myself….wow. Not my bag. That takes are real special skill/touch.

 

It’s not that hard, get your door to rocker gap and 1/4 panel and work your way forward . You can adjust the Gl*** stops to align it to the roof now adjust the Fender to the door center the hood and align the fenders to match. Remember to start with a fixed panel you can’t move. I hope this helps. Frank

 

How can you work in that tiny garage ?

 

Where there's a Will there's a way. Great car. Gotta stop driving on the box,though. Cost me a lot of money ,when I didn't respect the torque of that Bad Cad. Lessons learned. You got a great deal.