Hey guys - I've been lurking around the board for a while, but I haven't had a new project recently to post any pics of. Well, I've always been a big fan of early 50's Cadillacs, and this is one that my younger brother and I got started on this morning. It's more of a project than I wanted to take on right now, but he convinced me to stop whining. What is has going for it is: 2-door hardtop, extremely original/complete, and a good price ($1850). What's bad is: hasn't run in at least 20 years, last registration in 1973, frozen up motor (we discovered today). I'm proud to say after 10 hours of work, we actually got it to run for about, oh, 10 seconds. Even after pulling the plugs, soaking the cylinders in Marvel Mystery Oil for a few hours and removing all belts, we still couldn't get the motor to budge. Worried that we would strip the crankshaft bolt with the breaker bar we were using, we wound up looping one end of a rope around the crankshaft pulley outboard-motor-style, then hoisting the other end up on the A-frame just enough to barely lift the front bumper, and he worked the breaker bar while I bounced the fender. I knew it was stressful on the crank/pulley, but without a manual transmission we were all out of ideas. Still never got it to do more than spit and sputter, despite new plugs, wires, points, cap, and rotor, and I can't check the timing yet, but I'm gonna rebuild the carb this week and get some better gauges to fine tune the points--something is still off and it's frustrating as hell. Didn't mean to write a novel, so here's a couple of shots. Amazingly, all of the lights work (even the dome light and radio light), and all of the parts are there down to the skirts, hubcaps, and complete interior including perfect dash pad and seat covers. Due to the shape of the body, I'm just gonna get some satin black on it for the time being and put it on the road after I redo the brakes, cooling system, etc.
I'm jealous. I love trying to get something old to run again. I am trying to get a 1940 Flathead unsiezed right now. i've had penatrating oil in the cylinders for a couple months now and once a week i try to break it free but it still wont budge
Very cool car... Caddies are the best. I would replace the motor and trans. Cadillac 331 and 365 motors are very easy to find becuase they last forever and usually outlast the cars. Too bad you are not closer, I have a rebuilt motor and trans sittin in the garage. I have seen pulled motors in the locals about one a month or so... Keep an eye out. Keep us updated.... Looks great and very complete. Hyfire
Keep working on it, unless it has something really broken inside you will eventually get it running, then you will be in a better position to evaluate its condition. Don't be too hasty about just sticking in another old engine, the one you find might even need more repairs than what you got. Just my personal opinion, stay with the classic early Cadillac power, and don't let anyone sucker you into swapping in a SBC or a latter "BIG' Cadillac engine.
Decent looking '54 ya got...personally I like the patina...but tell me, why oh why does everything have to be flat blak? Where the hell is your individualism? The whole damned crowd does flat blak...no balls to do anything different? I'd be glad to send you some pix of my bro's '54 if you'd like to see it. R-
Well, no offense, but I guess I've just seen too many pink ones and heard too many Elvis references....Your car looks good though! As for me, I like my Caddys black.....here's mine...
If I ever (and this seems like a big "if" right now) get it to the point where I can think about nothing but cosmetics, I would actually love to paint it a really dark blue. After yesterday's marathon session, I don't even want to think about Cadillacs today, but I am incredibly relieved that the motor finally broke loose. I'm still skeptical of the transmission and/or rod bearings once we finally get it going, but we'll get there. Thanks for the words of encouragement--
Maybe I'm sick, but I kinda like it the way it is.......make it run, make it safe, and wash it.........then hit the road. I think that would be kinda cool for a while.
Wait... Just a minute. Patina belongs on Fords not Cadillacs... Caddys are supposed to be Black and shiney!
Well, I do love black, but i'd still drive the crap outta that car of his just the way it is! You can have alot of fun with something when you don't have to worry about screwing up paint....
Sounds like you need a 500CID motor swap. As far as satin black, do you mean primer? I agree as far as protection goes. Does epoxy primer come in black? Lacquer primer is almost useless. The important thing is you don't want any more of that metal to disappear.
I'm JEALOUS! I love 54s.....Good luck with getting it running again. Glad you got one so complete. Looks like a shattered back window though....?? I don't care what colour you paint it....just stay away from the tacky shit like lake pipes and big mags! I came SO close to buying this a few years back.....financial reality got in the way!
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