Chuck in Canada - 1966 Buick Wildcat

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by Chuck Bridges, Jul 23, 2019.

  1. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Hello All:

    I am a retired telecommunications technician that is more at home installing a DSLAM (Internet providing equipment), a -48 DC Volt power plant, or other telecommunications office equipment. I have very little experience with automotive equipment, although my Dad really tried to teach me. (My fault, wish I had been smarter and paid attention). My brother-in-law, Ray, gifted me his 1966 Buick Wildcat with a 425 Nailhead. It is in good overall shape, having just been through an Out Of Province Inspection (almost passed, bushings, license plate and exhaust pipe bent (my fault, backing it off a trailer, tailpipe caught the ground), and a heater core leak). I get her back Thursday or Friday. I already have Insurance and a Plate for her. Can't wait to get her back. I look forward to learning from the people on this forum.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2019
  2. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    It's all the same. :D

    Most wiring is POTS, the engine is multiplex cylinders, with a media converter between the engine and rear end.

    The firewall only needs ports opened if you add gauges or stuff.
     
  3. gsfred

    gsfred Founders Club Member

    Welcome aboard from NY.
    Fred
     
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  4. Michael_G

    Michael_G Living the Dream... Fast with Class...

    Welcome to the family! We're looking forward to seeing some photos of your new treasure... :D
    -MIG
     
  5. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Here are some pictures of my girl. I have started the repairs, but have a long way to go. I have replaced the motor mount, battery, and a whole bunch of small things. The lights needed some work (High beam burn't out as I watch checking for the inspection, side signals didn't work, brake light, front markers) I checked out all the lights.... except the license plate (felt stupid when it was caught by the mechanic) The bushings in the front end I couldn't have caught, not knowing what to look for. I asked the mechanic what shape the car was in overall. He said the body is in really good shape and it drives and runs very well. Considering it is 53 years old, I can't ask for more.
     

    Attached Files:

  6. Michael_G

    Michael_G Living the Dream... Fast with Class...

    NICE!!! Love those body lines...
    -MIG
     
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  7. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    I went to "Street Wheelers" weekend two weekends ago and purposely searched for another Wildcat, just to get ideas. There were around 350 cars on show, but not a single Wildcat. The closest I came was an Electra. It seems that my Wildcat is not as common as I first assumed. There were Chevelles, Corvettes, GTO's, Mustangs, and a multitude of other cars and trucks. Some were restored original, as I plan, some were untouched, at least on the surface, and some were heavily modified. I am working on trying to bring her back to as close to factory as possible. The paint scheme my wife has chose is close, but the blue will be more of a robins egg blue than the original.
     
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  8. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Yes. It was actually only the second one I had attended. The first, around 5 years ago, was because my older brother attended with his 1964 Ford Fairlane. This one, beause my wife wanted to see if there was another Wildcat. There were a lot of nice vehicles. Being Post-Concussion, with headaches light and sound sensitivity, I had to wear earplugs and sunglasses. Made the rounds though.
     
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  9. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Yes, I have lived in Lethbridge for almost 20 years. I moved here in 2000 for a career with TELUS. My 'Cat is a regular "Wildcat" with the front bench seat that the center section folds down. It has the power antenna (That I had to oil and coax back into the living).
     
  10. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Lethbridge is a good city to live in, except for the crime that has sprung up since the "Supervised Consumption Site". The Blood Tribe kicked all of the dealers, addicts off their territory, and now, they came to Lethbridge. Recently, we have had a strong uptick in property crime and violent crime. My travel trailer has been broken into 5 times. I quit locking the doors, they just break them. It actually makes me nervous, having the Wildcat. I might have to find a fenced, locked compound to store her in. My girl is definitely not "show ready". I can only do the work as I can afford it. Next year, after I finally get a settlement for the accident I was in 4 years ago, I will be able to give her a paint job and re-chrome the trim. Until then, I will just keep plunking away at the parts I can fix, such as body work.
     
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2019
  11. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    I have a '66 Wildcat 2dr. hdtp. (not custom) I'm parting out IF you need anything I may have it.

    Tom T.
     
  12. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Interesting take on telecom/automotive. The wiring, I have down. To repair broken wires I either replace, or soldier and heat shrink. It is the engine and drivetrain that I need help with. Luckily, so far, the engine runs fairly well, needs a carb kit. That, I have purchased. The engine is leaking somewhere. I have cleaned it off as well as I can so when I start running it I can see where it is leaking. The transmission has a leak in the line, so that needs to be replaced as well. I was planning on having the transmission serviced so when they do that I will have them replace the line. I have the original service manual for the car and the body on DVD. What I would really like is a Haynes or Chiltons manual for it. They are easier to follow. Sort of "Cars For Dummies", that's what I need. On the other hand, these old cars don't have all the computer equipment in them so are easier to work on. You can actually see the spark plugs, unlike my F150.

    The only concession I am making to Modern times is a new stereo, with a touch screen, mp3, SD card, USB, controls on the steering wheel and a backup camera. I would rather be safe than sorry backing up.
     
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  13. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    Welcome to the club! Purchased my Wildcat out of Canada about this time last year. For a car that lived in your climate most of its life, it is in surprisingly good condition. I also have parts left from a 66 2 door hardtop if you need any small stuff.

    44550215_10216374890338574_554437779212206080_o.jpg
     
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  14. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Thank you. I will definitely remember if I find I need any parts. As for the shape of our cars, it all depends on the location of Canada where they came from and if they were winter drivers. some parts of Canada go heavy on the road salt, some areas, such as Vancouver, don't need it. I like the look of your "cat. Very clean.
     
  15. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    I was forced into retirement after an accident left me with permanent headaches and vertigo. As an equipment installation tech, I was constantly up on the framework or runways pulling cable or constructing it. Can't do that anymore as my specialist said, basically, don't leave the ground. No ladders. That put an end to my career. Luckily, TELUS offered a package to leave, so I took it and applied for a disability pension. Took some proving to get it, but, here I am, missing my job. We saw our manager about 3 times a year. Best situation I could have asked for! Now, my wife told me to get a hobby when I retired. I started with drones (quickly gets expensive), then this year Ray gave me my Wildcat (quickly got expensive!). Between the two, I am kept busy.

    I only worked on cars, well, when I had to. For years I drove clunkers as I couldn't afford anything better. In 2008 I bought my first new vehicle and didn't look back. Now I wish I would have paid closer attention to what my Dad (backyard heavy mechanic, self taught) tried to teach me. I was always a nerd, so electronics was my cup of tea. Looking back, well, hindsight is 20/20. Dad was right when he said "You will need to know this.". Now, I get to learn the hard way with my Wildcat.
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2019
  16. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    I feel your pain. The heavy lifting that I had to do on my job have left me with arthritis. I also was a cable splicer for Nortwestel in the Northwest Territories and was constantly working outside in the winter, in the dark all day. I put a feed horn on a large satellite dish at 44 Celcius below with a 60 Khp wind. I couldn't use gloves as the screws were tiny. After I completed it I couldn't feel my hands and they had to be warmed by the nurse. she gave me S**t and told me I should have just said no. Young and stupid, or eager to please, I guess. I attribute that time for the cold sensitivity and arthritis in my hands. So, yes, I feel your pain. With TELUS as a Equipment Installation tech, I was constantly working alone. I was told to have a second person for lifting, but, if there is no one around, what do you do? The job had to be completed.

    On the up side, I can take as long as I want to work on my car, except the time I spend watching my Granddaughter, Aria. I get to watch her while they work. Someday maybe she will have the car? At 2 years old, this is a long was off.

    I am a little bitter about the driver who T-Boned me. She ran a yield sign and didn't slow down at all. Hit me on the drivers front tire and shoved my truck sideways. I hit my head on the windows and, at first, shook it off after a minute. My wife, a nurse, asked me how I felt. I said fine and she went to check on the other driver. A senior lady who most likely had whiplash. It wasn't for about 2 hours before the headache started, and hasn't left yet. The ER doctor, try Tylenol. What a joke. A 4 year headache, that I wouldn't wish on anyone.

    I wish you all the best from another former TCOM tech.
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2019
  17. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    You know, @Electra man, I had a district manager that came in, sat us all down and told us how easy our job was. He stated that our job was "90% Rack and Stack". He quickly regretted those words when some of the senior techs started in on him. How do you assign numbers and services on a POTS line? "I don't know." How do you program a new DSLAM? How do you set up a fibre shelf? After about 3 minutes of questions he said that he never worked as a tech in our field so these were not fair questions. Well then, how do you know our job is 90% Rack and Stack? One of the most senior techs told him to "Never tell us how our jobs are easy!"

    Not the most comfortable meeting we ever had. After, our manager was upset that we berated him. Too bad he was told. After the bean counters took over the company, things went downhill. Then we had Darren Entwhistle take over, sell off most of our assets to make the balance sheet look good. He destroyed the moral of the members, cut benefits. In some ways, I am glad I am gone, although I do miss the work, and the other techs I worked with. Good guys all.
     
  18. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    I&R had a manager named Rosie. During September 11, 2001, we went into condition Orange Plus one, meaning, as you know, touch nothing. Spent 2 days counting our stock and cleaning our trucks. Anyways. Rosie went running around our Lethbridge CO, third floor where the equipment was shouting "Close the curtains, close the curtains." I informed her that there were no curtains, this is an equipment floor. She then told us to tape up garbage bags over the windows. She was informed that if anything was going to hit the buildings, garbage bags would do absolutely nothing. Also Calgary or Edmonton would be the logical targets, not a town of 95,000 people.

    Rosie went from managing CSR's (Customer Service Representatives), to managing I&R. She kept telling them how to improve their times. They really resented her. My first manager, well, I talked to the crew he worked with in Equipment Installation before becoming a manager. He was the biggest screwup and cheat on his expenses. Two of our guys were working on "The Ridge", a remote satellite/cellular regen station on a mountaintop. They were changing out the power plant, 4 100 Amp rectifiers, new battery string and runway. He came in halfway through and insisted on "changes to make it more efficient". He took a job that was 1 week from completion to one 3 weeks from completion. When questioned by the applicator why it took so long they told him "Ask Larry."

    Larry found out I was a Journeyman Computer technician as well as a Journeyman Electronics tech and a Journeyman Telecommunications Network/Electrician tech (over-educated, I know). From that point on he kept trying to push me to work in NOC (Network Operations Centre) in Calgary. I told him I would transfer or quit first. Where do I see myself in 5 years, "right here". I got my dream job on entering TELUS, I loved it, why would I transfer anywhere else for the same money, in a city where my wage wouldn't ever cover the cost of a home (Calgary). I also told him I wasn't interested in Management, even though he felt I was a good fit. I told him I was happy in the Union, there was security in the union. He found that out about 5 years later when his boss showed up with 2 security guys and gave him 15 minutes to packs up and leave. surprised, now you are retired.

    Anyways, I got out before they changed Health and Safety. According to Don the last Tech in our department left, now you have to prove any accident wasn't your fault up front. Every year, you have to sign a statement that you are responsible for your actions and all things around you. Fine take on "Accountability".

    Enough for Poorly managed telco's. I didn't get my girl back today. I am still waiting, 3 weeks now. I have my new (old) hood springs and stereo/backup camera. All I need now, my Wildcat. I know, I have to wait my turn for the mechanics time. After 3 weeks though, I am starting to get impatient. I have body work to do and beautiful weather to do it in.

    I saw an early 80's Rivera for sale today. I guess there are survivors everywhere. Well, I have mine, a nice '66. It seems strange still to have a car made when I was 4 years old. It is even in better shape than I am. I really don't want them replacing parts on me, as long as I have a choice.

    Well, it has been a long day. I hope everyone has a great, fun/relaxing weekend to recharge for the next week.
     
  19. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Wow, okay, I had better show respect for my elder than. I didn't know you were so much older than I amo_O. I think our careers might have had a lot to do with aging us. You are right though, people do not see, or believe, how arduous our jobs were. From the picture on your avatar, your car is close to the shade my wife and I want on our car.

    I am still waiting for a settlement from my accident (4 years, that seems criminal to me that they can drag it out this long). That is what is holding me up on some of the work I want to do. My pension is only $1250 per month with a $1249 disability pension. So, I make around 60% of my wage. with my wife's wage as a nurse, we do okay, but not "high on the hog". It doesn't leave a whole lot of extra for parts for the car. In the last 8 weeks, I have spent around $1800 on repairs, with the inspection and repairs I had to get the mechanic to do. This is still around $800 for just the parts I have spent. A lot of work, but none of it you can really see unless you knew what I have done. Mostly thinks like motor mounts, vent hoses, wiper blades, heater fan, shift linkage... All necessary things, but not highly visible.

    When I mentioned that the mechanic found that the heater core was leaking, my brother-in-law suggested "Blocking the hoses off". It was this type of thinking that drives me crazy. If there is one thing my Dad and the techs who taught me over the years drove into me "If it isn't perfect, it isn't right!". When I heard this at TELUS, it was like music to my ears. These guys were perfectionists as well. We still used string to tie down cables on the runway, not zap straps. Now, this is the attitude I have with my car. If is isn't perfect (or as close as possible on a 53 year old car), it isn't right.
     
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  20. Chuck Bridges

    Chuck Bridges Well-Known Member

    Since it is going through a thouough out of province inspection, the block it off route wouldn't work. They would fail it and I would be out $160 for the inspection. Once it passes you have 14 days to put plates and insurance on it or, guess what, it needs a new out of province inspection again. Yup, a lot of regulation to bring a car into Alberta from another province. I plan on rebuilding the engine next year when I get my settlement. Until then, I gave a small leak somewhere. It runs really well. The mechanic, when I asked him how the car is overall, told me it runs really good and is in very good condition. Can't ask for more from a birthday gift, can I. I was tempted to tease Ray and ask him if he could afford Walmart for a new gift. Well, time to weed the garden. Have a great day.
     

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