55 Pontiac Chieftain??

It has been a while since I made a post about what I was up to here, so here goes...

Not a Buick this time...but close!

55 Pontiac Chieftain has several mechanical issues that need attention. The engine was very worn and burning oil like crazy. Out it came, and it's nearly ready for reinstall. .040 over with all new internals. The engine compartment is getting the full detail treatment. All cooling system and heater cores are getting cleaned out. The car sat for 6 years due to the engine issue. Brakes need attention. I've already rebuilt the booster and master cylinder. The undercarriage will get detailed and a new exhaust system installed. Things like broken power antenna, steering wheel recasting, and hood ornament replacement are on the list, too. This has been a fun project so far! It's interesting to be working on something other than Buick.

 

The engine went in this weekend. Next weekend I plan to fire it for the first time. Crossing fingers! No matter how many times I dot my I's and cross T's, it scares the hell out of me when I start a rebuild for the first time.

Still lots of work to do on this one. The owner had me send the steering wheel out to be restored. It cost $905, but it is gorgeous.

www.steeringwheelbob.com

 

Shot of the steering wheel installed in the car... Also some other shots I took while working on it. When I took the valve covers off the first time, this is what I saw on both sides...one rocker had jumped off the pushrod/valve stem on cylinders 1 and 8. The photo of the car is the day it arrived. It would barely drive itself up onto the trailer. Gutless with only 6 cylinders firing.

 

Thanks, Lou. The interior (sans steering wheel) were done before I got the car, and it is in excellent shape.

I am trying to get him to have me paint the car, but I think the money tree needs to regenerate for a season. Maybe next Winter

 

Fired it up today...runs awesome. A plug in the carb was weeping fuel, so it came back off this evening. Will fix this week. It's nice to see this car back on the ground.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXirqsFx2HU

 

The 55 is getting near the end of the project. It will be delivered back home on March 20 in Overland Park, KS. I am currently resurrecting the 30 year-old paint. Once that is complete, it will need a full detail and shakedown on the highway to make sure it doesn't blow up.

I had some leakage on the rebuilt transmission. Had to pull both bottom and side pans to reseal. Otherwise no leaks.

A couple before/after shots of the passenger side fender while doing some paint sprucing...

 

The tires that were on the car were about 10 years old, so the owner bought a set of US Royals and I had them mounted while I finished buffing the paint out. The car really pops with shiny paint We also found a nice used hood ornament, which was one of the hardest parts to find of the whole project.

 

Delivery scheduled for tomorrow!

 

Thanks, guys. The paint looks good, but has its flaws. 30 year old lacquer that is starting to crack and check, especially in the hood area and tops of fenders. It looks better in person. I'll probably end up with this car back in the next year or 2 for a paint job. :Brow: