My father in law bought a 1953 Oldsmobile 88 from some guy...we'll call him Mr. Jack Wagon.
Here is how it sat as it was purchased:
It had had a few mods, all done correctly according to Mr. Wagon, including being lowered, the side pipes, a Chev 350/TH350, and a 1956 Olds steering wheel. But of course it was well maintained. Aren't they all?
Now, it is a great stance for looking at, but not for looking under. After getting the car in the garage ad up in the air a bit the raw steel 2x4 box tubing that our buddy Jack used to drop the rear as well as the over heated front coils (to the point of pancaking the bump stops) almost kept all the attention away from the oil pan that had lost a quart worth of capacity from being smashed up (no suspension travel tends to do that), the transmission leaking from every orifice possible, and the steering gear box that loses oil faster than you can add it. Spot on sales descriptions are always appreciated.
But hey, as is right? Well, nothing that can't be repaired, modified, and improved. First off the suspension. Remove unsafe garbage and re-install new and correct components. For future reference, don't trust a Les Schwab if they say "Sure, we'll order the correct springs, check the brakes, and re-grease the bearings and chassis parts!" because it will not be done correctly if at all. If you want a job done right...
So off with the over tightened drums you couldn't turn by hand and down to work to resurface them. For those of you who have corporate "shops" repair things, have it checked a time or two.
*Tech note: Smearing new grease on a spindle nut might cover the outside but the hard as rubber grease inside the hub and 40 year old grease seals are usually an indication you did not do the job you charged for...punks.
Anyway...with the drums resurfaced, bearings repacked, new seals installed and shoes properly adjusted it was onto the next project, Trans leakage.
Drop the driveshaft and let the games begin.
Remember that our buddy Jack said "well maintained" as you note the transmission filter as removed and accompanying sludge:
What kind of son in law puts the nasty thrashed pan back on? I don't know but it's not the kind I am.
And since it was missing the torque converter cover, might as well get the matching cover...right?
Of course. And then we'll do the oil pan that matches to get rid of this:
That, however, is a task for another day. The last event in this weeks repair order was a cap and rotor. If you have an engine that is Chevy Orange with polished aluminum accents, why would you buy a blue distributor cap?
Now for those of you at home who have never dealt with this style HEI system the replacement caps some with pictures to follow if you don't know what you are doing. Apparently some people can't follow directions.
This causes the carbon brush to be recessed into the cap unlike this (I did this one):
and having the brush recessed means there is an absence of contact between the cap and rotor causing the electricity to have to jump the gap causing this:
and melting this:
Well, that's all we have time for today kids. Tune in next week to see more of my father in law and I fixing dumbasses "custom tricks".
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