70 442 W-30... restoration
June 23rd, 2015, 07:58 PM
#763
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: crawfordville, florida
Posts: 857
When I first drove my 70' F85 W31 I noticed how tight the car was , no rattles, and how the suspension was so precise and taught. My buddy with me said "well after a 15 year restoration of every nut, bolt, washer, and anything else you can think of, it was a hand assembled car, it should be"!
July 26th, 2015, 10:41 AM
#765
2015 Oldsmobile Nationals
Eric,
Congrats on your well deserved award.
Your W-Machine is outstanding and please accept the invitation to join us at MCACN, with your car, you will not be disappointed.
Congrats on your well deserved award.
Your W-Machine is outstanding and please accept the invitation to join us at MCACN, with your car, you will not be disappointed.
Last edited by Stefano; July 26th, 2015 at 01:56 PM.
. Thanks also for all the help!
July 27th, 2015, 03:21 PM
#776
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Battle Creek, Michigan
Posts: 2,236
Congratulations Eric, awesome job. As I mentioned when we spoke Saturday...good things happen to good people.
Only thing to make it better....would be if it was parked in my garage
Brett
Only thing to make it better....would be if it was parked in my garage
Brett
July 27th, 2015, 03:32 PM
#777
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Brazil Indiana
Posts: 11,498
July 28th, 2015, 06:25 AM
#778
Eric, it was great getting to finally meet you in person - the same stand up, honest, great guy every said you were. Your car is ten kinds of awesome, and I'm sure the Jetfire will be the same.
Your fellow ISIS comrade,
Joe
Your fellow ISIS comrade,
Joe
August 4th, 2015, 07:46 PM
#779
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: suburbs of Chicago
Posts: 1,620
Congrats Eric!!!! a BEAUTIFUL car!!!!
If you are into musclecars, MCACN is OUTSTANDING and your car would fit in easily. I wouldn't recommended driving it up to Chicago the weekend before Thanksgiving though because you never know on the whether, so line up that trailer again.
If you are into musclecars, MCACN is OUTSTANDING and your car would fit in easily. I wouldn't recommended driving it up to Chicago the weekend before Thanksgiving though because you never know on the whether, so line up that trailer again.
August 19th, 2015, 04:29 PM
#781
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Brazil Indiana
Posts: 11,498
Thanks for the invitation Stefano. I will be there for sure now, my buddy just got "permission" from his wife to go with me. That will help with the room cost. We are very excited to go!
August 30th, 2015, 09:46 AM
#783
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Brazil Indiana
Posts: 11,498
I have just under 460 miles on this now and had my first issue. On our way home from Indianapolis last night we had the A/C on and running 70 MPH down I-70. Performing great and started bragging to my wife how happy I was with the car and how perfect the engine temperature was with the A/C on and driving that fast. The temp would fluctuate between the first mark and a needle width above the first mark. Then about 30 miles farther I noticed the temp was climbing and then very fast started going up. I turned the A/C off and the engine off and coasted to a stop on the shoulder. It started right back up but the temp did not come down at all. I thought after coasting it should have come done a little. There was some antifreeze coming out the overflow hose so I knew it was hot. After 15 minutes I started it up and the temp went right back up. There was no water in the oil and nothing out the exhaust so I was about 90% sure the thermostat was bad. With being on I-70 I called 911 and had them send a tow truck out to get us.
I went out this morning and started it up and the engine still runs like a top but after about 10 minutes of idling it went to just under the second notch on the temp gauge and the radiator hose was still cold. Now I know for sure it is the thermostat. It is one of only a couple parts I got from the local parts store and should have known better! JUNK CHINA PARTS MAKE ME SO MAD!!!! I have an NOS one ordered from ebay and going to test and install it.
I went out this morning and started it up and the engine still runs like a top but after about 10 minutes of idling it went to just under the second notch on the temp gauge and the radiator hose was still cold. Now I know for sure it is the thermostat. It is one of only a couple parts I got from the local parts store and should have known better! JUNK CHINA PARTS MAKE ME SO MAD!!!! I have an NOS one ordered from ebay and going to test and install it.
August 31st, 2015, 09:32 AM
#785
Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 62
I'll second that Robertshaw t-stat recommendation. If you get an NOS one, test it to be sure it opens when it is supposed to.
My Dad used to design t-stats and we always had a pile to choose from and he ALWAYS made sure they opened when they should. To test it, open the t-stat and slip a piece of string into it and allow it to close again. Then hold the stat by the string in a pot of water with a thermometer. As soon as it starts to open it will fall off of the string and that is your opening temp.
When he moved he tossed "all that old junk" and I have been forced to buy thermostats since...
My Dad used to design t-stats and we always had a pile to choose from and he ALWAYS made sure they opened when they should. To test it, open the t-stat and slip a piece of string into it and allow it to close again. Then hold the stat by the string in a pot of water with a thermometer. As soon as it starts to open it will fall off of the string and that is your opening temp.
When he moved he tossed "all that old junk" and I have been forced to buy thermostats since...
August 31st, 2015, 02:56 PM
#786
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Brazil Indiana
Posts: 11,498
I ended up finding a 1969 date coded thermostat I took out of a 455 engine. it was a 180 so I tested it and tested good. I changed it out and started it up. It was a little hotter than normal but I was running it inside the garage with little air flow. Didn't think to much about it but then tested the bad thermostat and it opened like it should. I have been sick all night thinking the worst and that I had a bigger issue. I got off work today and went back to where the car is located and pulled it out of the garage and it run the perfect temperature. I went ahead and tested for exhaust gas in the radiator and did not even have a hint of exhaust gas in it. The fluid in the tester stayed the perfect blue/purple color. I get myself so worked up sometimes over nothing.... Talked to joesw31 last night and he was more confident that it was fine than I was. He was right! I knew I built it right but just couldn't get the worst out of my mind.
October 5th, 2015, 06:59 PM
#789
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Brazil Indiana
Posts: 11,498
Just an update. The heating problem turned out to be the impeller came off the water pump. I pulled it off and the guy that rebuilt it took care of it free of charge. he stood by his work with no hesitation. I have it back together and working perfect. So far that is the only bug that I have had. I am very happy with that for the amount of work I had. Well, I guess I did have another bug. Both of the original flashers were not blinking correct. I got them changed now and working great also.
I had taken the car to my body guy last week. He has wanted to do some touching up on it since before the nationals but was not able to work out the time. I picked it up today and WOW!!! It looks better than it did when I first got the body back.
I had taken the car to my body guy last week. He has wanted to do some touching up on it since before the nationals but was not able to work out the time. I picked it up today and WOW!!! It looks better than it did when I first got the body back.
Last edited by jensenracing77; October 5th, 2015 at 07:11 PM.
October 5th, 2015, 07:08 PM
#790
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Brazil Indiana
Posts: 11,498
My wife and I have talked about taking this car through the Smoky Mountains the entire time I was building it. With deciding to sell it I have been a little down about not being able to take my wife through the mountains in it. Well, we have decided to go to the Smoky's this month. We are going to trailer it down and hope for good weather so I can take it out one of the 4 days we will be there.
On our way down we are stopping by the original owners family to show them. The original owner had passed away a couple years back but when I sent his wife some pictures before I took it apart she commented about if that car could talk... She said her husband was a partying type. I am as much excited to show her the car as I am the Smoky Mountains.
On our way down we are stopping by the original owners family to show them. The original owner had passed away a couple years back but when I sent his wife some pictures before I took it apart she commented about if that car could talk... She said her husband was a partying type. I am as much excited to show her the car as I am the Smoky Mountains.
October 6th, 2015, 07:24 AM
#791
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: DELCAMBRE, LOUISIANA
Posts: 530
have a good trip
hope u all have a good and safe trip. I am sure the lady will enjoy seeing the car u have brought back to life and it will be a joyous time of good memories for her. good to see u enjoying your car ,u have done a fantastic job restoring it.
October 6th, 2015, 05:15 PM
#794
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Brazil Indiana
Posts: 11,498
We are getting a new camera for the occasion...
We have been going to the Smoky's for years but never in the Fall colors. We have also wanted to take one of the older cars driving in the mountains. I had been listing some parts for the past two weeks hoping to raise enough for the trip but had not told her what I was doing. I didn't want to get her hopes up. Most of the parts went quicker than I thought so we are off. The kids are on Fall brake at the same time and my parents wanted them to stay for a couple nights. I talked them into taking them longer (that was not hard) so we could take a 4 day trip. The timing all worked out perfect including things at work for me to go.
We have been going to the Smoky's for years but never in the Fall colors. We have also wanted to take one of the older cars driving in the mountains. I had been listing some parts for the past two weeks hoping to raise enough for the trip but had not told her what I was doing. I didn't want to get her hopes up. Most of the parts went quicker than I thought so we are off. The kids are on Fall brake at the same time and my parents wanted them to stay for a couple nights. I talked them into taking them longer (that was not hard) so we could take a 4 day trip. The timing all worked out perfect including things at work for me to go.
October 15th, 2015, 11:23 AM
#795
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Brazil Indiana
Posts: 11,498
Great first half of the day. Went to Cades Cove and seen many Bear also. Headed to Newfound Gap in a while. Car performed perfect and the temp was perfect even in the slow traffic of Cades Cove. My wife already wants to come back with the Jetfire someday.
October 16th, 2015, 01:29 PM
#799
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: High Point, NC
Posts: 214
Way to go Eric!
Eric,
I am glad to see that car on the road where it belongs! She sure looks beautiful with a mountain backdrop. Have a great vacation.
Ross
I am glad to see that car on the road where it belongs! She sure looks beautiful with a mountain backdrop. Have a great vacation.
Ross
October 23rd, 2015, 03:40 PM
#800
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Brazil Indiana
Posts: 11,498
On the way to the Smoky Mountains we stopped by the original owners place. This is the wife and her husband has passed away. We had a great time showing her the car. I met a couple of his friends and was told a couple stories about the car. They were all amazed that the car was never scrapped by now. They were also amazed that it found its way to a barn in the middle of Indiana for so many years.
As it turns out, The guy I got the car from never had the original engine to begin with. These guys told me that the original short block blew up on the way to Florida one time. They helped him pull it out and install the original heads and intake on another short block from a junk yard. The guy I got it from assumed it had the original engine when he pulled it but must have never checked it. He must have assumed it was since it had the correct intake and heads. This explains why we could not find the original engine block when Larry (the guy I got it from) and I was trying to find it in his pile of engine blocks.
We had a great time and very glad we took the time to visit her.
As it turns out, The guy I got the car from never had the original engine to begin with. These guys told me that the original short block blew up on the way to Florida one time. They helped him pull it out and install the original heads and intake on another short block from a junk yard. The guy I got it from assumed it had the original engine when he pulled it but must have never checked it. He must have assumed it was since it had the correct intake and heads. This explains why we could not find the original engine block when Larry (the guy I got it from) and I was trying to find it in his pile of engine blocks.
We had a great time and very glad we took the time to visit her.
