Author Topic: 1961 Pontiac Laurentian - Canadian Cruiser (Read 19960 times)

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #40 on:** October 22, 2017, 11:40:43 am »

Brake cylinder off. It was bone dry.

Single circuit master cylinder - waffling on what I should replace it with. Simple is the same. Or maybe a dual circuit one - much safer. Or maybe convert to front discs. We will see.

Angry Chicken · « **Reply #41 on:** October 22, 2017, 12:56:29 pm »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on September 25, 2017, 12:16:34 am

Loaded and ready to go. You can one of the seller's Fargo trucks.

20ft trailer - its a big car.

Nice find! Of course, you can't make "find" without a search but you keep turning up some beauties. Congrats! That last picture deserves some mention. It makes me feel vaguely nostalgic but I never lived in a rural area nor in the Prairies. But if there was ever a photo that needed to be converted to B&W or overlayed with sepia tones, that's the one.

Serniter · « **Reply #42 on:** October 22, 2017, 09:49:10 pm »

Quote from: Angry Chicken on October 22, 2017, 12:56:29 pm

Nice find! Of course, you can't make "find" without a search but you keep turning up some beauties. Congrats! That last picture deserves some mention. It makes me feel vaguely nostalgic but I never lived in a rural area nor in the Prairies. But if there was ever a photo that needed to be converted to B&W or overlayed with sepia tones, that's the one.

Angry Chicken · « **Reply #43 on:** October 23, 2017, 06:17:16 am »

^^^^^^
Nicely done.

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #44 on:** November 24, 2017, 11:57:22 am »

Not too much to report on actual work being done except that I am going to have to drill/grind off the brake hardware as I can't get the drums off. Must be a lip on the shoes. Ugh.

I did buy some parts. I figured I was replacing all the brake components so why not convert to discs? I found a set of components that work and priced it out. Then found this conversion kit from Speedway Motors. The kit was a little cheaper oddly enough so I ordered it. I plan to drive this through the mountains so front discs plus a dual res cylinder should give a bit more piece of mind! Sadly the bits are back ordered so won't get shipped until mid December.

I did also finally order my water pump, some hoses, thermostat and four new shocks all around. One on the rear was a little leaky. Plus I have the receipt from 1977 for the shocks so I would say a new set won't go wrong. Too bad the Pleasurizers had to go.

Probably still need a few more bits but that should be a start for now.

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #45 on:** November 26, 2017, 11:02:46 pm »

The arm rest are seriously nasty looking plus they sure don't feel great. But I'm aiming for the beater rally so basically no budget room. So ...

Off it comes

Arm rest is just wrapped in vinyl type fabric. Not sure if its original but the colour did match.

Metal base, rubber like core and fabric outside

Donor material from dumpster diving = free.

Wrap and glue one side at a time.

Not perfect. Looks a little better in person but zero cost repair (I had the glue sitting around and the material was dumpster dived). Looks more brown in the photo but it is really dark. Practically a black.

One down, three to go.

Bubba · « **Reply #46 on:** November 26, 2017, 11:13:56 pm »

Is there anything Arthur Dent cannot do?

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #47 on:** January 03, 2018, 01:44:39 pm »

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I bought new shocks for the Pontiac. The old ones were are not in bad shape but they are old (late 70s) so worth replacing.

The job is super easy in theory. Unbolt the top bolt and two at the bottom. Slide shock out, slide new one in and re-bolt up. The top of the shock mount on the driver's side. Nut is 9/16" but the middle needs to be held in place. A 1/4" wrench works. The driver's side on came 98% of the way out before seizing solid. Likely some bad threads at the top.

Some work with the angle grinder and its off.

Bottom of shock mount - two 1/2" bolts and the shock slides out.

New one bolts in without too much trouble.

Passenger side went super smooth thankfully with no seized bolts.

The fronts are done. Now onto the rears.

Noto · « **Reply #48 on:** January 03, 2018, 02:03:34 pm »

*considers the two hours spent replacing the belts in the Mazda 3 after reading this thread*

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #49 on:** January 03, 2018, 04:01:43 pm »

Belts can be tricky on many cars depending on access. The shocks were super easy on the Pontiac. I could have been done in 20 minutes if not for the one bolt I had to grind off after fighting with it for too long.

Noto · « **Reply #50 on:** January 03, 2018, 04:08:51 pm »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on January 03, 2018, 04:01:43 pm

Belts can be tricky on many cars depending on access. The shocks were super easy on the Pontiac. I could have been done in 20 minutes if not for the one bolt I had to grind off after fighting with it for too long.

Yup, so I learned when the 15 min job took 2 hours:

https://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php?topic=100002.msg1328514#msg1328514

You're just very well-equipped to deal with things going wrong. I'm not - if I didn't manage to get that stretch belt on, I would definitely have had to drive to the dealership sans the A/C compressor (i.e. no defogger), then probably leave it for a day or two until they had time to fit me in between seasonal wheel changeovers

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #51 on:** January 03, 2018, 04:12:45 pm »

You had success - that is what counts. Things often don't go to plan. I've been working on the brakes and bolt is seized in place. I've been working at it for two weeks - ugh.

Noto · « **Reply #52 on:** January 03, 2018, 05:15:32 pm »

I know - but your work is far more enjoyable to read about

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #53 on:** January 04, 2018, 10:38:06 pm »

Old shocks - I have the receipt for their installation in 1977.

Shock bottom mount - Axle needs to be lifted a little to get shock off.

Top mount has two bolts with nuts. 1/2" in size.

1/2" bolt on the top mount. Not visible from below.

Shock out

Rear shocks - old vs new

New shocks installed - nice and straightforward - took 1/2 hour.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #54 on:** January 05, 2018, 08:42:50 am »

I'm surprised at the lack of serious rust under the car.

What's up next Arthur?

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #55 on:** January 05, 2018, 09:30:00 am »

It is super solid for an old car. A big reason why I bought it.

Next up is brakes. Drum -> Disc on the front because I don't want to die.

rrocket · « **Reply #56 on:** January 05, 2018, 09:34:13 am »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on January 05, 2018, 09:30:00 am

It is super solid for an old car. A big reason why I bought it.

Next up is brakes. Drum -> Disc on the front because I don't want to die.

Ah c'mon....drum brakes and bench seat make the world go round!

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #57 on:** January 05, 2018, 09:36:16 am »

We are going to drive it on some pretty serious mountain roads this summer. Plus it wasn't too much more than replacing all the drum hardware.

Firm · « **Reply #58 on:** January 05, 2018, 09:45:00 am »

It does look incredibly solid. Can't wait to see some photos of this thing out on the road. Big departure from the MGB you drove around last summer

Gurgie · « **Reply #59 on:** January 05, 2018, 09:53:32 am »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on January 05, 2018, 09:36:16 am

We are going to drive it on some pretty serious mountain roads this summer. Plus it wasn't too much more than replacing all the drum hardware.

Trying to convince my buddy to do the same with his Buick... he's got drums on all 4 corners right now still and he's talking about putting in a 455 big block this summer that he has sitting in his garage.