1958 Country Sedan project

The wagon is looking good. I love the fact that it's your DD
We are a little further north, so only got about 97% coverage during the eclipse. We experienced the neat shadows too. They were quite startling at first.

 

While changing the oil a few weeks ago I spotted the front tires wearing badly on the inside. Usually check this weekly, but while under the car noticed the wear on the inner edge has exposed the first layer of steel belts.
Well, that parked the Surf Rat. And I placed a call to buy two new front tires and set up an appointment Friday for a full front-end alignment.
So I am with-out wheels for a couple days.

[rant]I blame this stupid town and their failure to fix all the damn potholes.
I live in the capitol city with the Department of Transportation marble building located along one of the worst maintained and busiest streets in Salem, Center Street! Oregon's roads and bridges have been falling apart for the last 40 years with only band-aid fixes while they spend billions on feel good social programs. Yet, the roads have become some of the worst in the Pacific Northwest.
Idaho, Washington state and California now have better roads than we do.

Don't want to get too political, but I feel very strongly that it's time for a change after 28 years of Democrat rule.
Oh... and governor Brown just passed a new "Transportation Bill" which doubles the trucking mileage tax which is roughly 1/3 of the total Transportation budget.
Billions will be added to the budget, prices of EVERYTHING will be increased and what do you think our bloated Oregon legislature will spend the billions on? Bet it's not roads and bridges...
[/rant]

 

Well, Surf Rat has two new front tires and corrected front end alignment. They even checked the rear axle too!
So, two new front skins $202.00.
Alignment $60.
Excellent handling for a 59 year old car.... PRICELESS!

 

Looking Good. Now that you got the tires and alignment sorted out, why don't you cruise on up to Yakima? We'll take the surf rat and the 59 convertible out for lunch. My treat.

 

I'll have to let you know sir. It's very tempting.

Had a great Sunday today. Saw my son and daughter in law in service and got a hug.
Took my youngest daughter out for brunch for her birthday today and got a couple hugs.
Then out of the blue, my oldest daughter brought the grand daughters over with a couple pizzas.
Yeah, got a hug from all of them.
Car ran flawless all over town.
Squeek in the front end is gone and Russ at Chassis Dynamics even tightened up my parking brake!
(Tho... In my defense I did ask if he could tighten up any thing he saw loose so....)

So, if anyone is looking for a good front end alignment, RJ Chassis Dynamics is the best in town in my humble opinion!

 

The loosest thing in my rig is the big nut between the steering wheel and gas pedal.

That's cool that you've found a shop you can trust and, more importantly, recommend to others.

 

Consider it an open invitation.

Glad to hear you had a good day with family.

 

I'm sure Orth J and his kids will hug you too.

 

Yep, we all like to give hugs. Especially my youngest son.

 

Well Jairus I've read all 29 pages of your posts and its 12 am here in Windsor Ontario. Great reading and I love the wagon. Makes me want to make mine a daily driver when there is no salt on the roads. Keep up to great job

 

You are a glutton for punishment my friend.
But thank you for the compliment.
Soon I hope to get her to a decent bodyman and straight'n out all the hundreds of dents and paint something cool on her flanks. Till then.. it is what it is.

 

Update:
Been driving the wagon almost daily.

No problems, but I do smell tiny hints of antifreeze soon as she hits max temp. No leaking in evidence anywhere in the engine compartment so it must be that free heater core. [eyeroll*] Yet the carpet is dry so the leak is burning and evaporating quickly. But, it could be just the overflow bottle venting.
However the smell is getting more and more prevalent.
Already bought few brand new heater control pieces. Only thing lacking is a new heater core and then time to tear her down. AGAIN!

As an aside, I've been helping a friend working on his '78 Pinto panel wagon with the portholes. Pretty neat piece with a 302 for power, even if it's been sitting for years in the driveway.
New tires on the slotted aluminum wheels.
New battery, new ignition cylinder and new solenoid.
Used Edelbrock swapped for the crappy Holley 750.

Got her running yesterday and the sound is fantastic!
I love it when stuff works and that engine is solid. Tranny works in forward and reverse and brakes good.
Now he needs to get it legal for the street again.
I'll take pictures next time we go over, but it looks pretty darned rough. (fair warning)

Respectfully submitted,
Jairus

P.S. heading to the Portland Roadster Show tomorrow. Will post pictures in a separate thread of all the wagons there.

 

Sounds like the 58 is providing you with reliable transportation.

The pinto sounds like a groovy little car too.

 

My '77 was just the regular Pinto wagon, but it had the V-6 and the pony mag wheels, with a beautiful original red hue. It was tight upfront, so it was like driving a slot car.

 

I'll take the camera next trip. But the car is pretty rough. I've tried to convince the owner to stay the course and "eat the elephant" one bite at a time. But he keeps jumping around.
At least it starts and runs. Next trip we plan to adjust the ignition switch on the column and give it run around the block.