Just noticed I never updated this blog... I realized it was WAY too much project for me and the car was sold.  I moved on to a truck project and the F100 Interceptor was born!  Check it out at f100interceptor.blogspot.com or check out a recap video here... https://youtu.be/sd6tcXO_80U

HydroLectric Window Headaches

Haven't had time to do much work on the Caddy lately, but finally got some hours into it today.  Mostly fighting with the hydraulic windows, part of the GM "Hydro-Lectric" system used in the late 40's and early 50's.  Here's an excerpt from an old service manual I found:

"The Hydro-Lectric system derives it's power from an electrically-driven hydraulic pump assembly located on the engine side of the cowl near the right ventilator air duct.
When the operating button on the door panel is pushed "up," the hydraulic pump is actuated and an electric solenoid valve at the bottom of the door cylinder opens. The hydraulic fluid enters the cylinder under a pressure of approximately 250 pounds, raises the piston, and closes the window. At the same time it stretches a heavy spring that is attached to the window.
When the control button is pushed "down," the solenoid valve again opens, allowing the fluid to flow out of the cylinder and the spring pulls the windows down."

Today's goal was to get the drivers window in the up position.  I worked at it for hours, but was not able to get it to budge.  I can activate the solenoid and pressurize the cylinder, but it's not moving and I think it's just seized inside.  I also tried removing the cylinder, but with it stuck I wasn't able to get it out.  I was trying not to damage it, but after some googling about other people's experiences I've decided to give up for the following reasons:

• The cylinders are not rebuild-able.  I think they can be found new, but I am trying to spend as little as possible on this project.
• The passenger side has had manual window replacement doors fitted, which would have to be converted back to hydraulic.
• I'm planning on converting to a 12 volt system, and the hydraulic pump is 6 volt.  Not sure if it would just burn out or build up way too much pressure, but I don't think I want to mess with it.
• I've decided I just don't want to mess with high pressure lines filled with brake fluid all over the inside of the car.

I think the old hydraulic system would be really cool to have working, but I just don't think it's worth all the headaches.  So my next steps will be tearing it all out.  I will try to keep it as intact as possible in case someone out there is looking for these parts.  All but that stupid drivers window cylinder, that thing is getting chopped up into little pieces.  

My new plan is to secure the rear windows in the upper position.  I will devise some system up front to move the drivers window up and down manually, and eventually if this project goes well I will convert the fronts to electric.  The rears aren't really needed since the very back windows next to the rear seat slide open manually.

Here's a picture of the front door parts as they are now:

By my next update I should have the guts out of the doors, and be ready to tackle the brake system.

That "old car" smell

It's been a few days since we got the Caddy home, and wow does she stink up the garage! Rusted metal, rotten carpet and upholstery, built up dirt from 30 years without a wash... the garage (and our washer and dryer) is nearly unusable.  Number one priority was doing something about that awful funk before it soaked into everything we owned.

My friend Troy came over to lend a helping hand and we tore out the interior.  The carpet was some kind of yellow berber style carpet from the 70's, and the upholstery has probably been home to all kinds of critters.  We pulled it all out and tossed the carpet, used a shop vac to clean up a what we could.  Then we spent the rest of the evening fighting with the hydraulics in the driver's door to try to get the window to roll up.  We lost that battle, but I'll see what Google can turn up about how this system works and maybe have better luck when I get back at it.  I'll be able to tell tomorrow if we made a dent in the odor, if so the top priority is going through the braking system to get it back in working order.  For now, I leave you with some pictures from tonight:

Suicide doors open, back carpet ripped out.

Front carpet out, front seat.  Ugh.

Random shot of the engine compartment. 331 cubic inch V8, carter carb, originally supposed to put out about 160 horses.  The hydraulic pump and reservoir for the power windows and seats are on the passenger side of the firewall. 

Sitting in the back seat with one of the jumper seats pulled up.

This is a shot under the drivers seat cushion.  Note the heater fans for the rear seat climate control, and the hydraulic cylinder for seat adjustment.

The Caddy comes home

The weather's turning colder and this seems like a great time to get started on a fall/winter project... so today we brought home a 1949 Cadillac Series 75.   This is my first attempt at a blog and I doubt many people will even see it, but this seemed like a handy way to document this project and save my pictures.

First, a little about the car...
It is mammoth. It's over 18 feet long and weighs close to 5,000lbs.  Many of the series 75s were used as limos, hearses, or ambulances, but I believe this one is considered a seven passenger sedan.  It has the jump seats in the rear, but no divider between the front and rear seats.  This is the last year this model had running boards, and the first year of the 331 cubic inch overhead valve V8 (previous models were flat-heads).  Other notable features include 4 speed "Hydra-Matic" transmission, hydraulic power windows, and a hydraulic adjustable front seat.

This car has been in my Dad's possession since around '81 or '82 as far as I can recall.  I remember when we drove it home, it actually ran quite good back then.  It was a project that was never tackled, and it sat on the side of our house for about 20 years (usually under a tarp), moving from house to house with us.  The last 10 years or so it spent in my Dad & Step-Mom's garage, and that is where it began the day today.  My friends Troy & Wendy came with a flatbed trailer and all the equipment we needed to get it loaded.  By the end of the day we got it home in our garage.  They were happy to get the use of their garage back!  I guess we can say goodbye to parking in ours for a while.
Here are some pictures from the day:

Getting ready to pull it out of the garage.  

It fought hard to stay put, but finally the jeep won the battle

We dragged it into the street to line it up with the trailer.  The left rear tire did NOT want to stay inflated.  Pretty surprised any of them held air at all.

Finally got it into position

Another hour of winching, pushing, jacking, etc. got us here

And we were on the road!

Finally, parked in her new home.  

Lots of work ahead!