My Limited Four Door Project

[Dynastar]

Adam,
just a quick message to say how much I'm enjoying following your progress, makes me want to go out to the garage and launch in to my Roadmaster resto!!!Keep up the good work!

[Smartin]

After what seems like forever, I was able to get in the garage today. I rejetted the carburetor for the Centurion and tuned it before I did any work on the 58. I'm close to being happy with that car now:D

I started pulling a few random parts off the engine and cleaned/painted them before I stored them in the basement.

I made some decent progress, although looking at the car as it sits, I've only scratched the "complete" surface.

[Smartin]

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I posted an update. I've been working some insane hours lately.

I'm trying to get the body ready to come off the frame, so I've been cutting an welding today. I got the rear passenger side rocker panel repaired, but the front is going to be another fun job. I also need to get the passenger side floors repaired. Then I'll be ready to pull it off the frame.







I forgot to post a photo of my speedometer that I cleaned up and put together from my last update:

[Smartin]

I needed to get away from the rust, so I went for the greasy part!

I pulled the A/C compressor (all 400 lbs of it) and took it apart to detail and paint it. I also cleaned up the generator.

I've been working on the air cleaner lid for a couple days due to the pitting that was present...quite a bit of "body work" to do on such a small part...but it turned out smooth. I'm a little disappointed in the level of gloss on the air cleaner itself. I think the humidity messed with the paint today.

The other parts look nice, as I actually used a semigloss on them.

Here's a shot of the compressor after I knocked off all the heavy chunks of grease and dirt:




These 3 parts took me about 6 hours to complete (not counting the air cleaner lid!)

[Smartin]

This was an interesting little part I pulled off the car this evening. It looks to be some sort of proportioning valve for the air poise setup. There was a cable connected to it at one point, but I can't imagine what it would hook to. I was thinking it might've gone to a spot on the suspension that would move the cable back and forth depending on load condition.

I dunno....but it's clean now. I'm going to install it like it was, I think. Either that, or completely hook up the air poise suspension to look like it's actually there. I like the idea of leaving it the way I found it (pinched off cable and hoses) to preserve the fact that the factory system was abandoned, but they left the majority of the mechanical parts on the car.

[58limited]

That is the manual override valve. The cable connected to a lever under the center of the dash. It would raise the car four inches to facilitate tire removal. The entire set up is still on my car, less the air bags.

[Smartin]

Makes perfect sense...thanks!

Where did the two flexible lines run? They appear to have run to the compressor? One of mine was completely broken off, and the other was half gone.

[58limited]

If you mean the rubber lines, one came from the air tank under the front splash pan. Air from the compressor is stored in this tank at about 280 psi. The manual override valve then receives the air from the tank and reduces the pressure to about 140 psi and distributes the air to the four air bags. The other hose went to the air cleaner to exhaust return air from the air bags.

Do you have a shop manual for the '58 Buick? It is a great asset for restoring the car, plus the Air Poise system is described in detail in it.

[Smartin]

I do have one....I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

[Smartin]

This thing was a several-hour extravaganza. The air pump alone was a major PITA to get all the dried on grease and dirt out of the fins of the aluminum. And the fluid never seems to drain 100% out of these things.

[Smartin]

I was selfish today and turned off my phone so I could work in the garage...

I tackled the front passenger floor. I also removed my first attempt at welding ...it wasn't pretty.

I didn't get finished with it, but I made some good progress.

[dvonk]

i love seeing others' progress on their vehicles, it inspires me to push onward as well.

Adam, i was looking at your pictures from a couple updates back, and i really like how your black semi-gloss air cleaner looks. working on my Buick tonight reminded me that mine is in dire need of a makeover, but i am not sure the best way to proceed. what processes did you use for metal prep and painting?

ive never had any auto repair schooling or professional experience, so im all self-taught from my own experiences (and mistakes ) and tips i can glean from repair manuals, the internet, and other car enthusiasts. i view challenges as learning experiences instead of 'inconveniences.'

so anyway, any tips or info you (or anyone else) might have would be helpful. thanks!

-David

[Smartin]

The air cleaner lid was really pitted, and required several hours of "body work" to get it right. It was a bit too humid the day I was painting the black, and it turned out hazy (looks semi gloss). I was going for more of a gloos look. I will probably wet sand it again once more and shoot another coat on it to see if I can brighten it up a bit. It is supposed to be gloss black.

I completely removed all paint. I used a DA sender on the large spots, and then a wire wheel or hand sanded the tight spots. I cleaned it up with Acetone and then shot primer and black paint afterwards.

[dvonk]

excellent. thanks for the info... did you use an air paint gun?

also, did you replace the gasket inside the lid of the air cleaner? if so, what did you use?

[Smartin]

I used Duplicolor engine paints. They make some excellent stuff...