'70 Vista Cruiser Project
March 10th, 2012, 07:59 PM
#481
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Found it!
... NAPA sells , if I remember rightly, a graphite spray or something that you can use to maintain the master cylinder and wheel cylinders or any natural cast steel. Keeps it looking natural and keeps it from rusting. Would be better than painting these items. If anyone knows what I'm talking about, please chime in....
, I finally found the article with the product....NAPA Wet Graphite Spray...just apply it twice a year, and you're good...no rust and it maintains the natural cast appearance! If anyone really cares.....
March 11th, 2012, 07:54 PM
#482
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Finally got to button up the rear part of the chassis today by putting the rear brakes together. We degreased the drums and painted them in Eastwood Spray Gray, to prevent future rust.
March 11th, 2012, 08:00 PM
#483
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Front End Fun...
We also get to start putting the front end together. A bunch of small set backs, coupled with the fact that I wanted to install the races that came with the new bearings(pretty difficult to do without a press). Well, we did get one side done...
March 25th, 2012, 07:24 PM
#484
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Today, we got real close to making this a rolling chassis. We had to wait on some missing parts for the upper and lower control arms on the left side. Finally, after a lot of back and forth with the company we bought them from, they sent us the missing pieces. We decided to go with a steering box from AGR after talking with Chip from Power Steering Services. He is backed up, and it would be an 8-10 week turnaround. Box should arrive this week. About another hour and a half, and it should be rolling. Also installed front brake lines and new pinion seal...
March 26th, 2012, 10:52 AM
#486
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Looks good Eric.
I put the variable ratio box AGR box in my Vista and it worked fine.
Just remember to get Royal Purple synthetic PS fluid before you install it, (unlike me) that's the only type AGR recommends and guarantees it with.
I put the variable ratio box AGR box in my Vista and it worked fine.
Just remember to get Royal Purple synthetic PS fluid before you install it, (unlike me
) that's the only type AGR recommends and guarantees it with.
March 26th, 2012, 11:14 AM
#487
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Allan, remember when you were looking for that ww squirter on the drive selector? (think it was you anyway). Just found someone who has that option in his parts bin. You going to do another 71 or just stick with the Regency?
March 26th, 2012, 01:06 PM
#491
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You got me on the gear oil.
Owner's manual?? I never messed with mine, it actually blew oil out of the vent like crazy when I got it, you could smell it in the car. Somehow it was overfilled, how you overfill a rear is beyond me unless it was real cold when it was done and the fluid expanded a lot when it got hot??
Thanks for the heads-up but I'm going to stick with the Regency, but it's really a Custom Cruiser wagon.
That's a rare option, '71 only I think, you just need the harness and washer motor to convert to mist wipers if you have that lever IIRC and those other parts are available.
Owner's manual?? I never messed with mine, it actually blew oil out of the vent like crazy when I got it, you could smell it in the car. Somehow it was overfilled, how you overfill a rear is beyond me unless it was real cold when it was done and the fluid expanded a lot when it got hot?? That's a rare option, '71 only I think, you just need the harness and washer motor to convert to mist wipers if you have that lever IIRC and those other parts are available.
April 1st, 2012, 06:38 PM
#492
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Rolling Chassis!
We finally got the chassis 80% complete today! It now rolls. We are still waiting on the front to rear brakeline from ILT. The original one they sent us was completely wrong, so we sent them the original line to make a line to match. We also need to install the engine and trans, but we are waiting as it is much easier to roll it in and out without the extra weight.
April 1st, 2012, 06:46 PM
#493
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More....
The AGR steering box looks very impressive, we are happy with it, and the specific fuel line fit well! Frame is as long as my truck!
Next up, we will be stripping the underside of the body, and are thinking about bedliner...depends on how good it comes out!
Next up, we will be stripping the underside of the body, and are thinking about bedliner...depends on how good it comes out!
April 3rd, 2012, 11:44 AM
#497
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I marked where I wanted to make my cut, and removed the damage...the reason I wanted a complete fender bottom was because the inner brace was also swiss cheese! The outer skin didn't mean as much because I was going to remove it anyway to access the brace from both sides for proper welding and corrosion protection. The original panel I cut off was transferred to the patch panel and marked for a cut ensuring a perfect fit....
This is a GREAT Thread, thanks for putting the time in and describing each process. I really want to patch my fenders but i hear you said that the repop panels dont line up very well?
They sell them for 50 dollars on rockauto, are they workable?
Thanks,
Tony
April 3rd, 2012, 07:39 PM
#498
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Thanks Tony, I appreciate your comments! I don't know the quality of the RA pieces, but I think if your rust isn't up high enough to effect the wheel opening lip, you probably could make them work. The issue with the lip on our cars, is that the shape is very intricate. The patch isn't even usable in that area, very generic. After seeing your work on the cowl of your car, if I was you, it would be much cheaper to by a clean sheet of the same gague steel, and make your own. You did an excellent job on your cowl...post some close up pics of your fender bottoms if you need any advice!
May 22nd, 2012, 06:47 PM
#501
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Being that the weather got nice here early, I had no choice but to to projects around the house...so not much work being done on the Vista! When last we touched it, we got hit with another low blow to the gut! I only lifted the front carpet, never the rear footwell carpet.....low and behold! So I started work cutting out the last bit of rust and started making patches. Then I ran out of argon......
May 22nd, 2012, 08:10 PM
#503
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Nice job. Creative use of overhead trusses, moving blankets and blocks. How is the rear spare tire well? Usually an overlooked area on these cars, but very subject to the same problems.
May 23rd, 2012, 03:25 PM
#504
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https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...html#post82574
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...html#post82568
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...html#post82575
Thanks Allan!
May 23rd, 2012, 06:56 PM
#507
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Now you tell me! I bought a rust bucket 1995 Olds Ninety Eight Regency Elite back in 2003. Talk about rust? Well you would know what I mean, it came from Barrie Ontario where salt on roads is common place all winter, just like your neck of the woods. The entire rocker , quarters and lower doors were infected. Only problem is I didn't find the rust till a year after I bought it. Too late then. I didn't have time or space then to get into the repair job so I sourced it out to one of the only shops here that would touch rust. I had to go find and cut out new rockers/quarters, trunk deck from a good solid donor to fix mine. It only lasted for 6 years before the rust came back. I really admire the work that you are doing. It DOES motivate me to look at learning those skills sooner than later. I can prolly pick up a good used Mig welder for around 5-600 locally. I'm seriously thinking of taking welding courses at a trade school in the fall.
May 23rd, 2012, 07:41 PM
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I know that Aron(silverbullet'69 wagon) took the classes and he said he learned so much that he restored his wagon....and I know at the price you said for a welder, they go new for that(at least here in the states).....I remember the rust bucket you had...do you still have it? Six yrs isn't too bad...no guarantees with that stuff!
May 23rd, 2012, 08:01 PM
#509
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Erik, last May when I was changing the winter tires (or trying to anyway) the jack went though the rear jacking point on the 'new' rocker and took out the brake line. When I looked close, it was clear that the only way to fix this was major teardown including replacing the badly corroded brake and fuel lines. At that point in time it was the straw that broke the camels back. I posted a eulogy thread on C.O. when I sold it for scrap. https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...8-tribute.html Kinda broke my heart after all the electrical and mechanical work I put into it. I learned a lot from doing that stuff myself though.
May 23rd, 2012, 08:34 PM
#511
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I take pride in my cars and try hard to keep them looking new as possible. The interior was in excellent condition - I steam cleaned it annually, and I pressure washed the engine bay regularly followed by high pressure air to dry it out. My thought was it would always be nicer to work on something clean than dirty. Besides, it made me happy to do stuff like that. I could write a book on that car. For all the bad things, it was incredible to drive and was fabulous in winter. Big heavy FWD with winter ice radial (225/60/16) would leave almost everything behind it. I still keep pics of it on my home page in the second album.
July 11th, 2012, 06:54 PM
#512
Man Erik, your rebuild is fantastic! Great documentation and photos. Makes me look like a piker with my "wheels on the ground" resto! It sounds like you have a life that takes priority a lot of the time like me, so hat's off to you for the great job you've done. I'll look you up next time I'm in LI; I'd love to see it in person.
Cheers, Kurt
Cheers, Kurt
October 21st, 2012, 08:17 AM
#515
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Kurt, thanks for the props, yes, get in touch next time you are in LI...Dent thanks, I know you can appreciate! Marcar, I will be back on her in a few weeks....sometimes life gets in the way of a good time!
October 21st, 2012, 10:08 AM
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Erik, Very excited to see your project. I am trying to complete my 72 Supreme frame off by mid next year and then I can finally dive into my 70 Vista as well. Thanks for the pictures and I will certainly tune back in to see your progress. Whom better to learn the issues from but someone embarking on the same type car.
Dave
Dave
October 21st, 2012, 06:32 PM
#517
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WOW-WOW-WOW!!!! I am SO impressed with the work you have done on this car. I bought a 70 VC this summer and I was looking thru the site and followed you since the beginning. Your car was about in the condition I want mine to be when you started. Mine is rough. Anyway I sure do appreciate the documentation-photos-etc. You are a artist!! Thanks again. I'll be following your future progress. Thanks so much.
October 21st, 2012, 06:41 PM
#518
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Thanks Dave and Greg! I do plan on starting back on it in a few weeks! We will finish stripping the "underbelly" , then spraying a fine textured truck bed coating on it ....after that, reinstall the engine and trans in the chassis and drop the body back on. Then the fun part starts.....more sanding! Then color! Can't wait!
October 22nd, 2012, 05:19 AM
#519
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