Author Topic: My 57 Fleetwood restorations photos with questions. (Read 9264 times)

57flw · « **on:** September 25, 2009, 07:36:44 PM »

Body ready to come off.

Body off with the aid of a hoist. Easy as.

Questions to follow next thread.

Ken

57flw · « **Reply #1 on:** October 23, 2009, 04:04:42 AM »

Just a bit more of an update of what I have been up to.

Chassis sand blasted and primed.

I have organised the following new bits and pieces.

New headliner made and on its way.
New Heavy Duty Springs.
New exhaust system.
New hood pad.
New Deluxe front end kit.
New Shock absorbers.
New hub caps and medallions.
New hood crest and bezel.

Overhauled the following.

Starter Motor.
Hydrovac.
Wheel cylinders.

Working on the engine at the moment.

Currently trying to organise new Rubbers, grommets, seals etc for everywhere.

I have been using the big list of suppliers that Forrest, with the help of his friends, produced.
I have a friend who is bringing in a container to Australia out of Wilmington CA. and I have been lucky enough to be able to hitch a ride for my new goodies.

I can't believe how much everything costs. OOPS I forgot I answer my wife with, Not Much It Was a Bargain, whenever she asks.
Anyway I hope I can do all these purchases justice and turn this car from a sh**allac into a Cadillac.

More to come

Ken

57flw · « **Reply #2 on:** October 23, 2009, 04:15:45 AM »

Heres more.

Whilst I am waiting on all the bits to rebuild the chassis I am working on the engine and have sent the body off to the guy who is going to make it beautifull, once again.

I have a question about the park brake. Please check out my next thread because I can only show two photos at a time.

Ken

57flw · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2009, 04:41:18 AM »

Now for the park brake.

When I first got the car I rolled it off the truck and applied the park brake.
I have never been able to get it off since.
Big pedal on, small pedal off. This is how it is done?
I have never had a car with this type of setup.

I had to release the cable to get the brakes off before I could start the strip down process.

Here is a couple of photos of the brake before I pulled it out of the car.

Does a problem jump out at anyone?

Ken

57flw · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2009, 04:48:44 AM »

Same picture twice.

I am a retired soldier not a computer person.

Try this one.

Ken

jaxops · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2009, 06:05:13 AM »

great pictures! Keep them coming and keep up the great work!

Ken Francis · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2009, 06:34:32 AM »

For those with a keen eye.

Look the top left hand ball joint. It is an original one from 1957.
It still has the rivets in it.
All the rest have been changed at some time. They are held in place with nuts and bolts.
I will be replacing them all.

I will even be doing something about the upholstery.

Ken

Otto Skorzeny · « **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2009, 08:28:10 AM »

Hi Ken,

That looks great.

SMS Fabrics will have all the material you need for your interior. Their contact info is on The List.

I've recently updated it with some additional vendors. You can click on the link below my name since it's no longer on this forum.

57flw · « **Reply #8 on:** October 23, 2009, 05:25:51 PM »

Hi Forrest,

Thanks for that mate.

I have obtained the correct material for the seats from SMS.
They have also made me a new headliner and provided a little extra material so I can re-do the sun visors.

Have also finally got hold of the formula for mixing the Mountain Laurel paint.

Ken

57flw · « **Reply #9 on:** October 25, 2009, 06:40:54 PM »

Hi All,

Is there any suggestions on why I cannot get the park brake to release.

Check out the photos of the brake set up.

Ken

57flw · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2009, 08:28:45 PM »

Forget the park brake for the time being.

I have found a crack in the right hand head.
My local machine shop guy said he cannont fix it due to it's location.

Have a look at the photo.

Where do I get another good head or two from that are free of cracks and perhaps even with hardened valve seats.

Were the exhaust valve seats Induction Hardened at the time of build?

If not what diameter should the Valve Seat Inserts be?

I am in Australia but have access to a container out of Wilmington, CA.

Ken

The Tassie Devil(le) · « **Reply #11 on:** November 17, 2009, 03:48:45 AM »

G'day Ken,

Have a chat to Keith Deen in Brisbane. If anyone knows where there will be replacement parts in Australia, it will be him.

He is a Member of the Aussie CLC, and his phone number is in the Aussie Membership Directory.

If you can't find it, email me, and I will give you his Number.

Bruce.

dave_wa · « **Reply #12 on:** November 17, 2009, 07:18:20 AM »

Ken

I have a head, you can have. BUT I do not know the condition of it. I will also be traveling to Bundy (QLD) for Christmas, and can bring it with me. Give me a cal 0401 100 288

Dave

william bradley · « **Reply #13 on:** November 17, 2009, 11:07:01 AM »

Quote from: dave_wa on November 17, 2009, 07:18:20 AM

Ken

I have a head, you can have. BUT I do not know the condition of it. I will also be traveling to Bundy (QLD) for Christmas, and can bring it with me. Give me a cal 0401 100 288

Dave

if the head you get locally is no good -after you get it magnafluxed-let me know-
i have over 350 caddys -for parts and am sure i can find one w/o cracks.
also contact me when you are needing any advise on your FROFEN PARKING BRAKE CABLES

57flw · « **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2009, 07:04:33 PM »

I found a head with the help of this forum but unfortunately when the owner checked it out it showed it was no good.
So back to the drawing board.
I still need a R/H Head.

Do any of the other years fit my 365 engine?
I have a 1957. Will 1958, 1959 and 1960 fit?
I may have found a 1959 in Brisbane.

Ken

Walter Youshock · « **Reply #15 on:** November 23, 2009, 07:06:15 PM »

LATE 1956 might be correct and ALL 1957. In 1958, they opened up the rod holes to allow the removal of the hydraulic valve lifters without having to remove the intake and valley pan. Other than that, they should be the same.

If you had a set of '58 heads rebuilt and put them on the car, nobody but you would know.

57flw · « **Reply #16 on:** November 23, 2009, 07:33:03 PM »

Quote from: Walter Youshock on November 23, 2009, 07:06:15 PM

LATE 1956 might be correct and ALL 1957. In 1958, they opened up the rod holes to allow the removal of the hydraulic valve lifters without having to remove the intake and valley pan. Other than that, they should be the same.

Thanks for that Walter,

I may be able to get hold of a 1959 head. Will that fit?

Regards
Ken

Walter Youshock · « **Reply #17 on:** November 23, 2009, 08:40:00 PM »

Not sure. The '59 was a 390. It SHOULD, but, unless you change both sides, it may not work.

You are safest to stick with the same BLOCK displacement--365 through 1958.

57flw · « **Reply #18 on:** November 23, 2009, 10:47:48 PM »

Walter,

Many thanks for your input.
My engine is original and I have matching numbers so I will definately stay with my block. I will keep looking for another head up to 1958.
As a last resort I will attempt to weld or perhaps stitch the crack.

Ken

Roger Zimmermann · « **Reply #19 on:** November 24, 2009, 02:03:56 AM »

Quote from: 57flw on October 25, 2009, 06:40:54 PM

Is there any suggestions on why I cannot get the park brake to release.

Ken, when the parking brake was applied, did you push on the small pedal? It's the release "lever".

Roger

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Author Topic: My 57 Fleetwood restorations photos with questions. (Read 9264 times)

Ken Francis

william bradley