Okay, today has been a fun day. We had our Grandchildren over for their Friday night sleepover. That was fun! Luke (3) gets up at 12:30 AM and I woke up to the sound of his voice as he played in the hall outside our room. I got up, got him a drink, put him on the potty and crawled in his bed with him to get him back to sleep. Around 1:30 AM, he was still awake, so, I had to pull out the heavy guns. I told him that if he didn't go back to sleep, I would get Nana to put him back to sleep. That worked, 5 minutes later he was snoring. He woke up again at 5:30 AM and was ready for the day, "I want you Gampy." Morning comes early on Saturday's. We are expecting snow on Monday, so we changed the oil in William's and Michael's cars. I then washed all of the vehicles, cleaned up the interior (around their car seats, that's messy), and then settled in to watch some YouTube. I watched so Kiwi's Classics and Customs, Uncle Tony's Garage, and some auto wrecking yards. There was one where they had a 1965 Wildcat, in very poor shape, definitely not able to drive on it's own, and they wanted $5,000 for it. What the ****! I decided to look online and get a general idea what my '66 is worth. Here is an average on what I found 1966 Buick Wildcat Valuation Average Sale Value USD$21,824 Lowest Sale Value USD$5,100 Highest Sale Value USD$59,940 https://www.conceptcarz.com/valuation/10943/buick-wildcat.aspx Now, I know that my girl has issues that I am addressing but.... As a daily driver with no rust left, I would assume that it is average value. $21,824 comes out to $29,293 Canadian. . I told my wife and she asked if we had proper insurance on it. I told her we have to get the car appraised before the Insurance company will insure it for a fair value. I am going to have to find out how an appraisal costs and budget that amount.
So, yesterday my Brother-in-laws, Ray and Gordy drove down 7 hours to replace both of the transaxles in my wife's 2008 Escape 4x4. I took the insurance off of my F150 and parked it with my trailer in storage. I need to remove the battery, but I didn't have a socket set to remove the bolt holding the battery. We had a conversation about which vehicles to keep insured through the winter. The Wildcat wasn't even part of the conversation. That's my baby. This morning, The guys got up, had breakfast, and then went home. I thought they were going to visit for a few days but, nope, just came to fix their sisters vehicle. Is it any wonder I love my in-laws? I asked Luke if he wanted to go for a ride in the "Muscle Car" today. First, he wanted the truck, but, sorry, the truck is parked for the winter Luke. Then he wanted "Nana's Car". Okay, but, but, but, I want to drive my car. Ah well, As C3PO said "I suggest a new strategy, let the Wookie win. (Luke's nickname is Wookie). I don't expect the infatuation with the Escape to last too long.
Well, I decided to take the Wildcat in to the muffler shop to get a quote on replacing what needed replacing. Which, it turns out, is pretty muc h everything from the manifold pipes...... back. Hmm. Okay then, how much, I asked. Well he said, if you desire quiet, we can replace your exhaust system with a dual pipe syst4em for $1426.00. I just about swallowed my denture. . Jenny was up in arms, demanding more quotes, or, do it ourselves. Never works out well. Hmmm, have to see. They said to build the crossover pipe and replace the single exhaust would be the same cost as a dual exhaust system.
Today I took my Eldest son, William, out to do some minor maintenance on the car. The drivers side lock was sticking and the mirror was loose. He has claimed the car when I stop driving so he needs to learn how to work on it. I showed him to remove the door arm rests, handle and windows cranks. I then carefully peeled back the plastic I siliconed over the door in place of the paper dust cover. We scraped off the old silicone to where we stopped removing it, about 2/3 of the way down. I then reached in and promptly dropped my flashlight. Yeah!!! At the bottom of the door, I found my flashlight, along with a generous amount of dirt. We scooped all the dirt out to metal and verified that the drain holes were clear. I then took my silicone lubricant spray and lubricated the lock. Now, when I turn the key, it opens every time. The door crank mechanism got fully lubricated, I mean, it was open and just tempting me. The mirror was a bit of a pain. Hard to reach or see, I reached in and found the front nut loose, and the back one missing. Luckily, I had some nuts and washers in my pile of "useful" nuts and bolts. I knew I would find a use for one, sooner or later. We then re-siliconed the edges of the door and replaced the vapour barrier. I then looked at the door panel and decided that I had to fix the loose, hanging carpet on the bottom 1/4 of the door. One spot was a little short to really tuck in properly, so I used some silicone to hold it. We then replaced the inside door panel and replaced all the handles, ranks, and arm rest. Everything works properly, and, more importantly, correctly. I told William that I learn something new every time I work on the car, and he will too. Well, Jenny is saying bed time. Goodnight to all, had a great sleep and a wonderful day tomorow. Chuck
So, I found the missing nut. You won't guess where! In the pile of dirt I scooped out of the door. Go figure! I took the Wildcat out for a trip to the bank this morning. Maybe I shouldn't have, but, dang, I love to drive it. An older couple game me a thumbs up while I drove. Once again, I attracted a small group with questions. All well and good, until I started getting the "You're car should be in a junkyard it pollutes so much. I snidley informed her that: 1: The engine was just rebuilt 1200 km ago, so not burning oil 2: The car was produced in 1966, so all of the pollution required to manufacture it has been completed, long ago. This is unlike those who get a new vehicle every few years, requiring more pollution to make them. Manufacturing produces massive quatities of pollution. 3: My car uses regular fuel, doesn't require premium. 4: My car does not require the strip mining, by poor people and kids, for lithium to produce the humungous batteries. 5: I really don't care what you say, please go away! Okay, that last one was not polite, but it was honest. I simply do not care what the environmentalist say. I have done my part by insulating my house, replacing the windows and doors, bought an Ecoboost truck, bought and environmentally ECO certified trailer, recycle, compost and share with other people the food we grow. All I ask is to be left alone. If that is too big an ask, then I have to say F**k off. My life, my car, my choice. I know that this is out of character for me, but it wasn't the first, or third... time that I have been accosted by people harranging me about my girl. It is not yours, it is mine. Go about your business, leave me alone, or at least inquire why I drive it, without being contentious.
Telling her "please" go away was plenty polite. I haven't drove a classic for ages and if I ever get my TransAm on the road again I won't have plans of adding adding a catalytic converter back on it.. Is this something that happens alot to you guys that drive your old Buicks alot or any old car?? Whats next? are they going to throw paint on your fur coat car??
It doesn't happen all that often, but when it does, it is usually a younger person, mostly female, who rag on me about my car. Like the one girl who said she wouldn't be caught dead in it. I told her that that is great, you weren't going to get a ride anyhow.
Today I had to drive my son to an eye appointment (Scratches the lense on Friday and was told to come back in today for a follow-up.). We took Luke with us to give my wife a break and went to the mall. After the appointment, I took Mike home and then went up to Walmart. I backed into a Handicap stall and went in with Wookie. When we came out, I buckled Wookie into his car seat and got in, turned the key and it turned over slowly. It sped up and turned over and over, no start. Then, no more battery juice. Got out and took the cables out of the trunk, called my Eldest William to come boost me. He came and we put the booster cables on and it boosted for a few minutes. After that, there was lots of speed to turn over, but no firing. What now? I got out again and looked at the fuel filter. Hmm, lots of fuel. Pull the air cleaner, no fuel. Will, turn it over will you please? When he was cranking, I found a leak on the line from the filter to the metal line. Take it off, cut it 3 inches shorter, put it back and... try again. After about 10 seconds it fired right up. Just needed some petroleum products. . I am slowly learning about driving a classic. tomorrow, I will get some new line. It was also good to reinforce to William how to safely boost a vehicle so he doesn't damage his car. About an hour later I had to go and get my Granddaughter Aria and took the car. My wife was, well, sarcastic shall we say. I told her I found out what was wrong and had it on a battery charger to ensure the battery was topped up. Round trip, no problems. Did I say "I told you so!"? Not a chance, 38 years of marriage has taught me far better than that! No win situation, Thank you to all who have, well, patiently nudged me in the proper direction to learn about how to do things myself. Yes, he can be taught, if you are willing to hammer in the information. Chuck B (Since when is watching a 4 year old boy so tiring?)
I woke up this morning to our Wookie (4 year old Luke) crawling into bed with us. That is how my day started. After the kids went home around 9, I went out to the dog park with William. He offered to put 50 into the tank, so we drove down to Costco. After that, we went to Princess Auto and got some fabric glue for the headliner. Once home, I decided that, today is the day. I washed up the extra seatbelts that Ray gave me (From a 62 Lincoln, I know, not Buick, or ever GM, but it is what I had) yesterday and today was the day to install them. I pulled out the top part of the back seat and a cloud of dust arose. Hmm, a lot of dirt here, I had better remove the bottom and clean up all this mess. So, I merrily go on way way and remove the bottom part (Replacing it was a whole other story) and Man, was there a mess of dirt and surface rust. When Ray had it and the back windows leaked, it leaked into the back seat as well as the trunk. Okay, wire brush, sandpaper and, Crap, the caulking is coming out of the seams. Remove all the caulking that is loose, which was most of it, and wash the back and bottom of the seat area. Then, sand down to metal, not being super nice since no one but me will ever see it. Wash again, dry and silicon the seams. Let that dry for an hour before I spray a coat of rust preventative primer. In the meantime, boy, are those old seatbelts dirty. Off to the washing machine. Since I am in the basement, there is the "Green Machine", I might as well clean the carpets. I vacuumed them, then cleaned all of the front and back. Was there ever a lot of dirt in that carpet! Wash the back deck, walls and glue the parts of the headliner back up again. (Grandkids!). Get the seatbelts back from the washing and install the Lincoln ones on the two outside passenger positions and one spare Buick one in the middle. I took the other Buick one and installed it in the center position of the front seat. Replace the seats and close the car up. It has been 5 hours, one leg scrape, two sore arms and, I am done for the day (So I thought). I came into the house and, the ashtrays from the back seat area were sitting where I put them after scrubbing them clean. Not too pretty inside though. I wonder, Yes, I do have some chrome paint in the basement. Down I go, bring up the paint and voila, almost like new again. Well, that is what I am telling myself anyways. Maybe no one will ever look into the ash trays, but I know they look good. I have my Granddaughter for 3 hours tomorrow, so will probably go for a drive to the park. We will have to see in the morning. Tonight, I am completely done in. Goodnight to all, and if anyone knows how to adjust the seatbelts of a 62 Lincoln Continental, please pipe up. I cannot for the life of me figure it out. There is a curved area at the back of the buckle that says ADJUST, but is doesn't seem to move. I lubricated up the mechanisms, so, maybe tomorrw will work better.
Okay, I know I went overboard, since the plan was just to add the seatbelts, but who here hasn't experienced the "Just one more thing" to the list once you start. It seems to happen to me almost every time.
I worked on those seat belts for about 3 hours. I got the adjust button to move, figured out how the mechanism worked, but, I throw in the towel. I went to Amazon and ordered a set of 2 point 54 inch seatbelts to use. I gave up because I have arthritis in my hands and nerve issues. Hard to pull without a lot of pain. They should be in by the 8th of Dec, so I will install them as soon as I get them. Tomorrow, I have to (Warning... Ford related info ahead) pull the driveshaft off of my wife's 08 Escape and replace both U joints. This, I have done before, on a Ford, but it was a 1969 F250 4X4. No jacking, just sit up and work. The Escape, not so much. I will put a pair of 2 ton jacks under it as well as my floor jack. Yup, I'm a chicken. Dad taught me to be cautious, even if he wasn't. I got underneath with a can of WD40 and sprayed all ofthe bolts that I have to remove, as well as the U Joints. Hopefully, all will go well. I will be assisted by my lovely wife and my 4 year old Grandson. Tools might go missing. It is supposed to be 16 here tomorrow (61 F), so I will be comfortable. I will try my best not to teach Luke any new words, but no promises. Well, goodnight to all. Have a great evening.
Reminds me of my kid sister watching me change the clutch in my 65 Chevelle, in my parents driveway. She's 21 years younger than me. She was probably around Luke's age then. I dropped the cast iron transmission on my arms and she learned the F-bomb that day. It would not have been so bad if she hadn't gone inside and repeated it over and over, and told Mom where she heard it!
Well, Luke didn't learn any new words today. My wife kept him in the house while I pulled the driveshaft. Some of the torx at the transfer case were a little had to remove, but none broke. I brought the shaft to the back deck and Jenny came out with Luke to help me. Luke watched, picked up tools and asked what they were, A little What are you doing Gampy? (Well, a lot really.) We managed to pound out the old U Joints and cleaned up the yokes. Then we put the new ones in and I replaced the shaft. It went back in a lot easier than it came out. Unfortunately, it still goes CLUNK randomly and when it does, you can feel it in the vehicle. Back to the drawing board, with our new U Joints. Tomorrow, they (ford users) say to check and tighten the stablizer at the back and re-check all of the bolts that Ray and Gord removed when they replaced the front transaxles. Tonight, I am tired, sore, and stiff. Well, that's the update for now. On the other hand, my old girl is running great (the car, not the wife). We have been driving it as our main car. It is a little harder on fuel than Jenny's Escape though. Have to fix her Escape as we really cannot afford to drive the Wildcat everywhere. Goodnight all!
I have been driving Mike to work in the mornings and, as shown above, my wife's Escape is temporarily out of service. Who do I gang press into service. Well, Escape is out, F150 parked with no insurance for the winter. Well, I guess I have to drive the car. The thing is, I have an leaking Y pipe on my car, too much rot in the pipe to fix. It is loud! I find myself saying "Sorry, sorry...) for waking up everyone, Then I reminisce about how I would send out notices asking for volunteers to clean, repair, ever re-surface the parking lot. The same one helper, other than my family, ever. We asked and asked, then, when I started to charge 1/2 the going rate for work around the complex, bang.... complaints about how much I charge. 1/2 the going handyman rate, about $30 an hour, providing my own tools, truck, gas, bags.... So I went limp on them. I don't do anything! The whining started with the hedge. Not my problem. Then the snow in the parking lot... not my problem. Long story short, I think there might be something wrong in the transfer case on the Escape. So.... I drive the car, Not cheap, but, man, what a ride! My new seatbelts have shipped and are supposed to be here on the 8th. They are in Calgary right now, might even get here tomorrow.
I went to a local autowreckers today to pick up a set of seatbelts. The gate was closed, but not locked and partly open, so I tried calling again. No answer. we were just about to leave when a RAM P/U pulled up and asked if he could help us. I shook his hand, introduced myself and asked if he perhaps had any GM seatbelts to fit my car. I told him that colour was not important as I could dye them if it bothers me. He told me there were no mechanics on duty, being a Saturday, but I was free to help myself. My eldest Son, William, and I went out to where he told us and started looking around, I found an old GM with a nice set of lapbelts, in need of a good washing, but fully functional. Of course, the car was perched on top of another car, really close to the next ones, and, the door handle hardware had already been sold. I had to shinny up between the cars and do a "Dukes of Hazzard" thing to get in. I then told Will what tools to hand me and got out the pair. We took them back to the office, paid him and I thanked him profusely. We came home and Will is washing the belts to get the stains out of them and tomorrow I will install them in the car. The 'Cat is coming along nicely. I have, I know, caused a few of the problems that I had, mostly due to ignorance about cars, and mechanics in general, but I have solved far more than I caused. All of the wired that were twisted together sometime in the past have been soldered and heat shrunk. I steam cleaned the carpets, cleaned out the floors around the kids seats, tidied up some of the wires, and put a piece of double-sided tape on the speakers on the back deck, to eliminate a vibration. The car is safe to drive, runs nicely and gets a lot of looks, especially now that other cars have been put away.
The code on my seatbelts corresponds with a 1971 Chevelle. They seem to have cleaned up fairly nicely.
The seatbelts cleaned up nicely. I asked Jenny about dying them a blue colour. She said she would look into dyes. In the meantime, I installed them in the car, cleaned up the milk that my Granddaughter spilled and tried to over up. (I told her we had to clean it up right away or we would get a really bad smell in the car.). Putting the seat back into the car is always a pain by myself, but, done. I pit in the booster seats and, sure enough, they have plenty of room in them. I know that the "Cat's never came with 6 seat belts and some people will vilifey me for it, but, hey, sometimes I have to carry 5 people. Now, we all have seat belts. I really sometime wish that I had kept my very first car, a 1964 Mercury Meteor. 4 doors and a electric back window. We had more fun with that window than anything else. It had the most beautiful dash cluster, green with a floating needle. I loved it but was way to dense to take care of it. Hopefully, now I am not only older, but wiser. Don't know, have to ask the wife. I took my Granddaughter out on a Aria & Grampy date. We went to the Dollar Store, McDonalds Playplace, Walmart and DQ for ice cream. She looked up from her meal in McD's and said "I like going out with you Gampy." "I like going out with you too Aria." I replied. About 3 minutes later, she looked up and said "I love you Gampy." I replied "I love you too.". Sometime, I really love my life! In the meantime, a good day to everyone on the V8Buick site. May you be in heaven 30 minutes before the Devil knows you're dead!
