AC Duct Modifications
When I initially removed the evaporator assembly there was one bolt which was almost impossible to access (behind the air duct). I modified the duct with a 28mm hole so I can get a socket in to install and tighten the bolt (first pic), and then blocked the hole using a rubber grommet. It made a big difference when installing the evaporator assembly.
Fuel Line Modification
I was hoping to get the electric fuel pump installed this weekend, however everything went slower than I would have liked. One thing I did need to do was change the fuel line so it comes around the back of the engine as this is where the fuel inlet is for the new carbs. It also makes a lot of sense as the fuel will absorb less heat if it comes around the back of the engine.
I wanted to use as much of the solid fuel line as possible, so I started by unscrewing the brackets that retain the fuel line all along the RH sill panel. This freed up the whole line and enabled me to carefully work it into a shape which would suit the new location. Once I had the line shape pretty right I slid on some heat shielding to help keep the temperature down. When it was all ready to go it all got a coat of Hi Temp black paint.
I then installed the fuel line back into place along the bottom of the sill panel to see how close I had it in the engine bay. It fitted really well, and only a few very minor tweaks were needed. I re-used the retainers to hold the line in its new location. It now pops out at the firewall behind the RH rocker cover.
Rear Inner Wheelarch Panel
After the fuel line was sorted, I then went about installing the RH Rear Inner Front Wheelarch Panel. This is second one of the pair of the panels I bought in from Canada as they were missing on the car. This panel didn’t fit quite as well, but with a little coaxing it found its place. I used some Mastic to seal the panels so I don’t get water coming into the engine bay.
Once the panel was installed, I went into the engine bay and installed a couple of retainers to hold the main power cable and also the wiring loom for the power antenna
Now that I had the power cable position right, I tidied up the wiring near the battery. I added a small piece of convoluted tubing around the main power cable where it runs past other panels to stop chafing, and also earthed the relays and RH headlamps.
Diff Oil Change
I then moved to the rear of the car to change the diff oil. This is one of the most forgotten lubricants in a car, however it is much cheaper to change the oil rather than pay for a rebuild. The diff housing was pretty rusty so I gave it a quick clean using a wire brush in a cordless drill.
I then proceeded to use my oil pump to suck out the old oil. I can’t believe that Cadillac did not put a drain plug in the diff housing!
The oil which came out was a brown/red colour and quite clean, however it did not stink like normal gear oil, which has a putred smell. I am nor sure what it was, or how old it was. I then pumped in some Amsoil 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube.
While I was under the car pumping in the oil, I noticed that the back of the brake drums had something on them….could it be gear oil from leaking seals or brake fluid? The LH one almost looks wet! I wasn’t sure, and had no more time so I decided to not fill the diff totally, and wait until I can take the rear wheels off before in case I need to replace the rear axle seals.
Last thing was to blow some VHT Roll Bar & Chassis paint on the diff housing where I cleaned it to make it look a little better.
Mate…. how did you get under the car without jacking it up, to get to the diff?
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I jacked up the chassis from the rear so the suspension was at full droop!
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