What have you done to your wagon lately? (Let's keep the thread going!)

Finally got the Country Squire up and running again. The generator finally bit the dust about two months ago, and after a rebuild it fried all the wires to the regulator. I tracked down another regulator, wires, and generator. Put them all in last weekend and the gen light was still on. I figured it was the generator I bought on ebay. So I sent the original generator out to get rebuilt during the week. Put it in this weekend and the light was still on. Fortunately I have a number of cars around, and pulled the voltage regulator off my Falcon. Stuck it on the CS and everything works fine! Looks like I'll have to find another NOS regulator for the Squire.

I also noticed some rust floating around in the radiator last weekend. So a trip to the local grocery store for some Apple Vinager, put one gallon in on Friday and ran the car to temp. Jump to Sunday and flushed her out until the water was clear. Filled it back up and poured another gallon in for the trip home. Tomorrow I'll flush it all out, and refill with coolant / water.

 

Had not heard of using that before. Interesting.

BTW, your cars. Fantastic. Oh how I wish I had that Mercury. Zeow.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by shelby18
I also noticed some rust floating around in the radiator last weekend. So a trip to the local grocery store for some Apple Vinager, put one gallon in on Friday and ran the car to temp.

I've never heard of that also, but it kinda makes sense.... it is acidic so it would clean, but not harsh enough to do damage. I'll have to remember that tip, Shelby.

 

Drove it 70 miles one way to work today, trying to get those last couple driving days in before the snow flies here in the rust belt!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks, I appreciate the compliment!

 

Base '72 Modifications

I installed CVPI shocks, lowered the suspension, added ceramic pads, and installed a set of 17 inch Bullits on my base '72 Torino wagon. Made a world of difference in the way it drives and handles now.

 

Removed the rear passenger door panel and cleaned and lubed moving parts. The window will now go down and up. HEY, I have only had it two and a half years...

 

apple vinegar is awesome and cheap to get surface rust of parts; leave 'em overnight in jar or pot and surface rust will be gone;Rick at American restoration show on TV uses it too

 

some major work and expense, but worth it

enjoyed the wagon as bought except for new tires, brakes and tune up; then started to leak! the Chevy needs a lot of work-was leaking trans fluid, cam covers were leaking, rear diff started to etc. Removed pans etc , had tranny checked- man, needed a rebuild! Had at same time all front and rear seals done, drive shaft bushings etc done. As car is up on lift, started to clean engine bay, wheel wells, replaced bushings where needed, had carburetor overhauled, will do A/C conversion at same time (might as well as I am spending money) and new water pump ;plus of course most hoses, clamps etc. So, lots of time and money later will have an almost brand new car to drive, which I am soo looking for. As interior is pristine and all else works (except for rear window sometimes slow), be good to have it back, clean it up on the outside and go for a long drive!

 

What have I done lately to my wagon (other than all of the other work I did to it two weeks ago for nothing)? Absolutely nothing... other than watching it rot in the driveway. I think it is time to either: trade it / part it / recycle it / derby it (can't believe I said that!) / or??

Maybe I could cut the top off, fill it with dirt and make a planter out of it? I bet no one has ever invested $5000 in a planter before.

My dad did just come in and say he spoke to the "mechanic" that installed the cam and chain and he said that there was no doubt he installed it correctly and said it has to be the carburetor. I don't know, hopefully I can get it replaced soon so I will know for sure. If that is not the problem, then it will go bye-bye.

Here she is as of 10/17/13...

 

Hunted down a set of stainless vent shades. Had to use 2 different sets from other models but I think they look way cool. Gives the Safari a very period look.

Could only take pix in the garage today. but you can get the idea.

 

I like it! They look like they were meant to be on there.

 

I finally found the passenger's side leak on my 91 OCC. I sealed the entire firewall, and it still leaked. I took it to a garage, and they put a hose on the roof and ran water down the front...told me I had a leak...NO KIDDING. I got a brainstorm...made a small dam out of modeling clay on the cowl at the front window, and separated it into three sections. I filled all three, and the center one leaked out. I surmised that the leak was there. I cleaned it good with acetone, and paddled some windshield urethane into the space up to the edge of the glass. NO MORE LEAK.

I thought I was done with repairs for a while...nooooooooooooooooooo. The next night while driving, all my interior dash lights went out. I checked the fuse, and it had melted. Not only did it melt, the heat melted the contact on the bottom side of the fuse into the fuse block. I now had to replace the main fuse block. To get the block out, I had to make four connector removal tools, because one of the connectors is a four gang unit. After removing the dash, steering column, dash support, swapping 44 connectors and splicing 4 wires for new connectors, I put it back together. Everything works...at least for the time being. Now to tackle my idle issues with the modded LO5.

 

Sounds like one of the "not so much fun" jobs Fred.

 

Not only was it "not much fun", that is the second time I have had the dash out in the last two months. The first time was looking for the leak.