Took the '80 Coupe deVille out of winter storage and into the shop (where my dad is the parts guy), to get her ready for summer driving on Wednesday. This is the second time she's seen the road since I bought/drove her home from New Brunswick in March.

First thing to be done was an alignment/tire replacement since the old ones were from the early '90s and the wires were coming through. Unfortunately, due to $$$ restraints I had to throw on a set of tires I had lying around here off a (now sold) '88 Caprice Hearse and they're NOT correct WW width. They're brand spanking new... but el cheap-o brand, so when they go, I'll buy something with the correct sidewall. Of course, had to balance the wheels on the back as the Caddy discs wouldn't fit otherwise.

All brakes / suspension / steering components were A-1 except for the front pads, which were replaced. No nipple was left ungreased.

Coolant is fresh, but oil/filter was changed to be on the safe side, although it was quite clean.

I had taken the front wheels off to check the brakes at home a few weeks ago... and they hadn't been off for a while. So, of course I broke a stud in the process. That was changed in the shop, too.

Next up: exhaust. The original trailing end of the extension pipe between the cat/muffler on this 21,000 mile car was due for replacement, and so was the muffler. The cat and everything ahead of it was perfect. Tail pipe was also alright, but I bought a mild performance muffler, and the old tp's flange didn't want to be reworked to fit, so I bought a new tailpipe too. The car is whisper quiet, with a hint of burble if you stand right at the exit point.

The muffler is a big, black FlowTech "Terminator" that says "BITE ME" right on the casing... Super cheesy / lame? Yeah. But it's very well built and had good reviews online. The deciding factor was that it's discontinued, there was one in the store and I got it for less than half price. Wanted to remove the cat but it was in great shape, and would've been more $$$ and complications. For now, it remains.

That's the end of the repairs for this round, since I had to head out Thursday on a two-hour trek to visit my gf who's working at home for the summer. It was nice to get a feel for this car, and the weather was awesome for a weekend of touring around a few counties over.

Some trouble arose: driving around the day before I had to come home. Made a turn-around in someone's driveway and as I accelerated away, the "GENERATOR" light came on steady. Headed home before it got dark, but wasn't able to see anything under the hood. This morning (sunday), i started poking around in the light and found a frayed wire going from the plug in the top of the alternator to the bolt in the rear. I started to repair it when the whole bolt in the back of the alternator fell clear out. No shops nearby, and absolutley none of the correct tools at my GF's house, I decided to charge the battery and make a run for home before I'd have to use my lights.

Long story short, I made it and have pulled the alternator for dad to take to work tomorrow to either rebuild or replace. The car still needs a few things here and there:

1. Front left turn signal quit. Bulb's good, need a new socket.

2. Interior courtesy lamps don't work, dash lights do. Map lights don't. Fuse not the problem. There's a rats nest of wires near the fuse box... I suspect that needs going through to solve it.

3. Power bench seat motor spins, but won't budge seat... something disconnected. Massive "gangster lean" happening currentley, as seat's all the way back.

4. Telescopic Wheel lock is striped. Wheel has tendancy to head toward dash when braking, and driver when accelerating.

5. Need to install gas struts in trunk... although they came in on thursday and are waiting in the trunk for me to get to it.

6. Replace pcv, fuel, air, trans etc filters.

7. Passenger mirror glass loose since adjuster cable is broken.

8. check timing and the starter... sometimes odd noises when starter is cranked.

9. Those stupid dried-out window sweeps! :rant2:

There's a few simple housing keeping things I've gotta do too... including finding a few pieces i'm missing. Someone installed burgundy seatbelts and floormats out of a parts car... maybe due to sun damage. Would like to find some red ones.

And someone through a cheap piece of hideous red shag across the back window area, behind the seat... it faded to orange. Looks like a section of muppet fur. Need to remedy that. Did some cleaning of the interior... and it needed it. Cleaned the glass, dash, plastics etc. White is a horrible color to clean. Never looks quite good enough... and some parts (maplight/garage door opener holder), have gone yellow with age/sun. Doubt I'll be able to reverse that.

Power ant. works... should probably wash/grease it or something.

Anyway... that was way too long a post. Long story short, this car is great and I love it. Got tons of compliments/questions this weekend, and one offer to buy it. I wouldn't trade it for the world. My gf likes it too. Bonus!

Here's a picture of it before I left for home, GEN light and all. It's a bit dusty from the trip... and is covered in paw prints from where my gf's cats strutted their stuff all over it. Thank God they're de-clawed. I'm bringing my car cover next time.

I'll keep you updated in this thread. Thanks for the time.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/jn_parisienne/SummerPics027.jpg

- Josh

Hey Josh

that is a fine looking Coupe indeed.

I own a 69 convertible.

Have a question about your wheel balance...

How do you balance the wheels on the back side only? I think I have similar style hubcaps which clip onto the rim. When I was last getting tires for the car The guy who mounted them was dumbfounded as to how you can balance the wheel without putting a weight on the front of the rim. Me also.

Any ideas?

thanks lots

Jon

I hate red but i LOVE your car... so awesome!

69DVC: I once asked the same question when I bought my '80 Coach 3 years ago. It has the turbine-finned Cadillac discs... basically like the ones on my coupe with a ring of fins attached to spruce up the Fleetwoods. The previous owner of the hearse left the hubcaps in the back and ran steelies because he couldn't make the hubcaps stay on. It's because of the wheel-weights. Cadillac wheel covers are stiff to put on even without them, so with 'em is just a no-go. I was given the following answer about ballancing:

"If the rim has wheel weights placed on the outer edge, then the wheel covers will not fit on because of this interference. When you have the wheels balanced, you must instruct them to only install wheel weights to the back side of the rim. There are two types of balancing of tires that is done. Dynamic and static. "Dynamic" balance is the equal distribution of weight on each side of the vertical center-line of the wheel and tire assembly. "Static" balance is the equal distribution of weight around the wheel and tire assembly only on one side of the rim."

My dad works at a Canadian Tire and has for 3 decades. He simply knew that the tire ballancing machine can be set to ballance with weights only on the backside, simply by pressing a button. The information above explains the science behind that.

Long story short, press one button to indicate back-of-the-wheel placement on most modern tire-ballancing machines, and you're set. I know this because my brother was the tire guy who ballanced 'em.

It was also pointed out to me that there are special Cadillac wheel-weights that go on the front, but are a different shape so they will accomdate the hubcap. Here's some info on where to get them:

"I had ordered some caddy weights from here about a year ago I would assume you can still get them. / PATCHBOY INC. - 1168 B9 St - Far Rockaway, NY 11691 - 800 962 8685 - Tire Repair Materials"

"These special wheel wieghts are also in the USA Parts Supply Ltd catalog on page 86. Differant wieghts all same price $1.19. Call (703)335-1935
I have delt with them before and shipping was VERY fast."

All of this info was provided to me in 2005 from the great folks at professionalcar.org!

This was also said of the caps:

"the caddy covers are something else to get off and on any way. they'll grip with 75% of the tabs gone."

True dat.

It is a fine looking coupe!!!


Guess im going to have to keep a eye on my window sweeps in my 81.... No luck yet??


i still got my eyes open!
Will 77-79 sweeps work?

i need a pair of those window sweeps, I think they will, the olnly place that seems to carry them is the A1 auto website

Thank you sir for the detailed answer !

good luck with the car, It's a lovely machine.

By the way does it have a 368? Always wondered what they are like to drive...

Cheers

Jon

Thanks guys.

Anthony: Yeaaah, unfortunately still looking. I'm convinced that '77-'79 sweeps would work. I can't spot any differences. :hmm:

69DVC: It has the 368 6.0L. It's a lot more fun to drive than my '89 w/ the 307. This thing has gobs more torque, and the engine sounds great, and runs healthy/strong... which is way more than I could say for the tired Olds engine in the '89. There isn't a hint of exhaust leak, even under hard acceleration, which is what astounds me. We've had several Chevy Small block vehicles here, and still have an '85 GMC pickup and '85 Pontiac Parisienne with the trusty old 305. They've never been abused and don't have particularly high miles but their engines are much louder around the manifolds under throttle. Lots of rasping etc. Same with the '90 Brougham Hearse at the funeral home I work at with the 5.7L Chev. But the coupe and the '80 hearse we own (also 368), have no sound like that. They sound smooth, powerful and mean. Not as ballsy as the 425 SDV I own, but make no mistake: It has no trouble on the highway on-ramp. Neither of these cars have the punch that our '76 8.2L FWB has, but there is also a lot more weight to lug around, so I'd be hard pressed to guess who would win off the line. Once everyone was up to speed, the '76 would win hands down.

UPDATE: Took the alternator out / apart and fixed the bolt that was loose. Installed it again last night but generator light was still on, just brighter than before. We didn't have access to a tester after reassembling it last time, so we'll test the alternator before we start looking elsewhere for the problem. Sucks to have a car you can't drive, especially one that has current plate/inspection and I'm paying insurance on. :helpless: Oh well. I'll keep you updated.

Update:

Took alternator apart and put a new kit in it. Works A-1 now. We fixed the car in time for me to take it to a 3 day antique car event several counties away where my girlfriend lives. We went on a classic car cruise/scavenger hunt on friday night and the '80 played with the best of 'em. My gf worked on Sat and sun so I just went to the shows by myself. Cleaned the car and went to sit in the sun and burn all day.

Good shows, over 300 cars a came out but only 3 other Cadillacs: an '85 Eldo Biarritz that stayed both days, a beautiful blue all original '53 sedan on Saturday morning and a green '64 coupe deville that came on Sunday. Recieved lots of compliments and made some new friends.

On friday, my gf and I had to go to the funeral home there to attend a visitation for her aunt that passed away. Afterward, we were still dressed up and pulled into a resauraunt in the caddy to change. Some woman saw me driving in my black suit and yelled "happy prom."

the car needs washed again after the 2 hour drive home on Sunday night, but it was a good weekend. This car works incredible, and feels super solid... but I'm going to add "replace shocks" to the To Do list... especially the rear. They are original and pretty much shot.

People love the striking colors most of all it seems. I'm still with Benzilla on just how timeless and classic the looks of a red/white 2 door Caddy can be.

As mentioned in my other thread, still considering buying a running/inspected $250.00 '79 coupe deville for parts, including a rear sway bar and heavy-duty front center link but havn't decided, since I'm kinda pressed for cash right now. Pictures from the car show later on!