Okay, I'm finally almost finished replacing the smog and water pumps.
As I mentioned, the top bolt for the water pump was a bit stripped so I had to put in a new bolt and secure it with a nut. This required moving the A/C compressor out of the way.
Also, it was a tight fit to get the pulley onto the new water pump flange - I wound up buying 4 short screws to clamp the pulley down onto the shaft. I couldn't force the pulley on with my hands - too tight. So, after clamping it down I removed the 4 short bolts and attached the fan assembly with the long bolts. This method was kind of nice as the holes for the fan assembly, pulley, and water pump were lined up by using the short bolts, saving some aggravation trying to get the long bolts screwed in.
So, I got everything put together, tightened the belts and filled the radiator. Cranked it and didn't notice any leaks so things seem to be okay. Crossing my fingers!
It was getting late in the day so I didn't take the car for a spin and the weather looks kind of crappy today, so it looks like I'll wait 'til next weekend to warm up the engine with a drive and change the oil.
I noticed that a lot of the rubber gaskets around various emissions components (PCV valve, etc.) are pretty rotted, so I'll have to look into getting replacements.
I still have to attach the fan shroud, but I think I'm pretty much done with this job.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Brochure Photo
Here is a sweet photo of a 1971 Eldorado from a Cadillac brochure. It's a lighter blue than my Eldorado, but the interior is the same. Gorgeous!
I downloaded this from www.oldcarbrochures.com, a really neat site I just discovered the other day.
I downloaded this from www.oldcarbrochures.com, a really neat site I just discovered the other day.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Working on the Eldorado
I read somewhere online that the A.I.R. pump is also referred to as a 'smog pump'.
Yesterday morning was quite lovely - partly cloudy and mild temperature. I would have liked to be driving the Eldorado rather than working on it, but I needed to get the new parts in.
I spent a few hours on Thanksgiving and Friday pulling the smog pump and the water pump. Here is a photo of the old and new parts. Fascinating, huh?
As usual, these projects take a lot longer than I expected: what I think is gonna be difficult isn't too hard and I get frustrated over the most unexpected things. In this case, getting the pumps & pulleys unbolted was fairly easy - actually getting them out of the engine compartment was a pain. There just isn't much space between the engine and radiator and there are air-conditioning and gas lines cluttering up the space. I probably should have taken off the alternator to give myself some room.
Also, getting the lower radiator hose off the water pump was a pain. I decided to replace it which necessitated a trip to NAPA. I got that plus some other stuff - I need to change the oil, too, so I picked up a filter and quarts of oil. And a new headlight bulb for Marcia's Bug...
Okay, I got the new parts in and torqued the water pump to spec. There is one bolt that is not tightening completely, though it is snug, so I think some of the threads might be stripped. I'll have to buy a new bolt and see if that works. Luckily, this bolt is right at the top of the pump so it doesn't go directly into the engine block. It attaches to a flange at the top of the engine, right under the A/C compressor, so if I can't get it tightened properly then I think I can put a nut on the other side of the flange to get it tight.
Another complication was that I lost the washer to one of the bolts holding the smog pump on so that meant a trip to Ace Hardware for a 19-cent washer.
I was hoping to get the new belts on, but it started raining yesterday afternoon and it was getting late. So, hopefully I'll get that done next weekend and get the Caddy cranked up. Then change the oil.
On a side note, the cat really appreciates the Caddy. Ever since I brought it home, her favorite vantage point is from the top of the convertible, and she quite resents it when I have to kick her off. Here is a photo of the kitty on the Cat-illac:
Yesterday morning was quite lovely - partly cloudy and mild temperature. I would have liked to be driving the Eldorado rather than working on it, but I needed to get the new parts in.
I spent a few hours on Thanksgiving and Friday pulling the smog pump and the water pump. Here is a photo of the old and new parts. Fascinating, huh?
As usual, these projects take a lot longer than I expected: what I think is gonna be difficult isn't too hard and I get frustrated over the most unexpected things. In this case, getting the pumps & pulleys unbolted was fairly easy - actually getting them out of the engine compartment was a pain. There just isn't much space between the engine and radiator and there are air-conditioning and gas lines cluttering up the space. I probably should have taken off the alternator to give myself some room.
Also, getting the lower radiator hose off the water pump was a pain. I decided to replace it which necessitated a trip to NAPA. I got that plus some other stuff - I need to change the oil, too, so I picked up a filter and quarts of oil. And a new headlight bulb for Marcia's Bug...
Okay, I got the new parts in and torqued the water pump to spec. There is one bolt that is not tightening completely, though it is snug, so I think some of the threads might be stripped. I'll have to buy a new bolt and see if that works. Luckily, this bolt is right at the top of the pump so it doesn't go directly into the engine block. It attaches to a flange at the top of the engine, right under the A/C compressor, so if I can't get it tightened properly then I think I can put a nut on the other side of the flange to get it tight.
Another complication was that I lost the washer to one of the bolts holding the smog pump on so that meant a trip to Ace Hardware for a 19-cent washer.
I was hoping to get the new belts on, but it started raining yesterday afternoon and it was getting late. So, hopefully I'll get that done next weekend and get the Caddy cranked up. Then change the oil.
On a side note, the cat really appreciates the Caddy. Ever since I brought it home, her favorite vantage point is from the top of the convertible, and she quite resents it when I have to kick her off. Here is a photo of the kitty on the Cat-illac:
Monday, November 3, 2008
Smoke
I was gonna drive the Caddy to run some errands on Saturday morning. Of course, I took some time to check the various fluid levels since I hadn't driven it in a while. Everything looked fine.
Shortly after cranking it, I heard screeching sounds coming from the front and smoke started pouring from under the hood. I shut it down and opened the hood and found a broken drive belt.
It looks like what has happened is the Air Pump seized, causing the belt to grind against the pulley, overheat, and snap.
The air pump is part of the emissions control system. It pumps air into the exhaust port of each cylinder to help oxidize any unburned hydrocarbons. It also heats air before it goes into the carburetor. That belt also drives the water pump.
So, it looks like I need to replace the air pump, which isn't too, too pricey - about $100 for the part. The bummer is that I believe the belts were all pretty new and I hadn't planned on replacing them anytime soon, but since I have to replace one, I should replace them all.
Also, as I've mentioned before, for such a large car it is pretty tight under the hood. There isn't much room between the radiator and the front of the engine, so it is gonna be a pain to replace that pump.
Since I'm gonna be under there, I am wondering if I should replace the water pump. It seems to be working okay, but its not that expensive (about $50) and I really don't want to have to get back in there in 6 months if it goes bad.
Anyway, I guess I need to go ahead and order the parts and try to find a free weekend to put in the new parts. Sadly, it looks like I won't be driving the Eldorado for a while...
Shortly after cranking it, I heard screeching sounds coming from the front and smoke started pouring from under the hood. I shut it down and opened the hood and found a broken drive belt.
It looks like what has happened is the Air Pump seized, causing the belt to grind against the pulley, overheat, and snap.
The air pump is part of the emissions control system. It pumps air into the exhaust port of each cylinder to help oxidize any unburned hydrocarbons. It also heats air before it goes into the carburetor. That belt also drives the water pump.
So, it looks like I need to replace the air pump, which isn't too, too pricey - about $100 for the part. The bummer is that I believe the belts were all pretty new and I hadn't planned on replacing them anytime soon, but since I have to replace one, I should replace them all.
Also, as I've mentioned before, for such a large car it is pretty tight under the hood. There isn't much room between the radiator and the front of the engine, so it is gonna be a pain to replace that pump.
Since I'm gonna be under there, I am wondering if I should replace the water pump. It seems to be working okay, but its not that expensive (about $50) and I really don't want to have to get back in there in 6 months if it goes bad.
Anyway, I guess I need to go ahead and order the parts and try to find a free weekend to put in the new parts. Sadly, it looks like I won't be driving the Eldorado for a while...
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Photos
Here are a couple of photos from October 4 when Kyra & I went for ice cream.
These photos were taken by our friend Robin who was out registering voters during the Kirkwood Fling.
These photos were taken by our friend Robin who was out registering voters during the Kirkwood Fling.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Mini
Here is a photo of the Caddy with a Mini:
It was such a nice day today, sunny and cool, that I had to take the Eldorado for a drive.
Don't know where that bolt came from. Had a bit of a scare Thursday morning when I started the car to go to work. A very loud CLUNK! came from the front when I first tried to turn it over. Marcia came out of the house asking "What was that!?". She quickly followed that by saying "Go ahead, drive it. It'll be fine, it will be fine...". I'm not sure if she just didn't want to see the Caddy again, or didn't want to see me again...
No weird noises or other parts falling off since then...
It was such a nice day today, sunny and cool, that I had to take the Eldorado for a drive.
Don't know where that bolt came from. Had a bit of a scare Thursday morning when I started the car to go to work. A very loud CLUNK! came from the front when I first tried to turn it over. Marcia came out of the house asking "What was that!?". She quickly followed that by saying "Go ahead, drive it. It'll be fine, it will be fine...". I'm not sure if she just didn't want to see the Caddy again, or didn't want to see me again...
No weird noises or other parts falling off since then...
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Spare Parts
I found this 3 1/2" bolt and washer down at the base of my driveway after getting home this afternoon.
They certainly look like they could have come from the Eldorado. They don't look like any of the bolts I had to take off to replace the shocks and springs.
I live on a busy road, so it could have come from some other car, but I'm thinking something big is getting ready to fall of the Caddy... Rats! I was planning on doing some highway driving tomorrow, but I guess I should do a good inspection before driving it again.
They certainly look like they could have come from the Eldorado. They don't look like any of the bolts I had to take off to replace the shocks and springs.
I live on a busy road, so it could have come from some other car, but I'm thinking something big is getting ready to fall of the Caddy... Rats! I was planning on doing some highway driving tomorrow, but I guess I should do a good inspection before driving it again.
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