1959 Biscayne 2 door wagon
The wheels are actually American Racing, and I'm sure of the millions of them they've made, I got the bunk one..... 
Had the exhaust done the other day, and I don't think i'll be going back to them any time soon. They did a crap job of it, and you could move the pipes around and make them hit the tire or the body. WTF? When I called them to make sure they could do it, they said it wouldn't be a problem, but then when I showed up, they said, "oh, its a car? We thought it was a truck" rom there I get the feeling they didn't want to do it, so they just half assed it. I work midnights, so I had to drop the car off and couldn't be there while they were doing it, and when I picked it up they were closing. So when I got it home I realized I was going to have to fix it my self. Almost $600 for a crap job........ Some people really just don't give a **** these days.
But anyway, this is how it looks today, way too low in the front, so I ordered new springs to bring it up a bit. This is probably what it will look like at the show if I make it, Nova rallies and all......
The lug studs on the back were a little too short with the thick flanged aluminum wheels. So this is no bueno.....
Replaced the studs, and of course that didn't go off without a hitch. Took one to the auto parts store, they found some longer ones that would work and they had exactly 10, sounded too good to be true! Got home did one side...... Took apart the other side and the splined part of the studs on that side were bigger than the other side!
So back to the parts store for another 45 minutes..... But, finally got them done.
Pulled the threads out of my lugnut I was using to pull them in after about 5 studs! LOL!!
And today I got the seats back from the upholstery shop today. Took 3 weeks to put premade covers on...... But, I guess they did do a decent job.
Had the exhaust done the other day, and I don't think i'll be going back to them any time soon. They did a crap job of it, and you could move the pipes around and make them hit the tire or the body. WTF? When I called them to make sure they could do it, they said it wouldn't be a problem, but then when I showed up, they said, "oh, its a car? We thought it was a truck" rom there I get the feeling they didn't want to do it, so they just half assed it. I work midnights, so I had to drop the car off and couldn't be there while they were doing it, and when I picked it up they were closing. So when I got it home I realized I was going to have to fix it my self. Almost $600 for a crap job........ Some people really just don't give a **** these days.
But anyway, this is how it looks today, way too low in the front, so I ordered new springs to bring it up a bit. This is probably what it will look like at the show if I make it, Nova rallies and all......
The lug studs on the back were a little too short with the thick flanged aluminum wheels. So this is no bueno.....
Replaced the studs, and of course that didn't go off without a hitch. Took one to the auto parts store, they found some longer ones that would work and they had exactly 10, sounded too good to be true! Got home did one side...... Took apart the other side and the splined part of the studs on that side were bigger than the other side!
So back to the parts store for another 45 minutes..... But, finally got them done.
Pulled the threads out of my lugnut I was using to pull them in after about 5 studs! LOL!!
And today I got the seats back from the upholstery shop today. Took 3 weeks to put premade covers on...... But, I guess they did do a decent job.
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Whitinsville, MA
I want to invest in a mandrel bender and a tire machine/balancer so I don't have to take any of my stuff to some jerk who will screw it up. Half the time the exhaust shops will put stainless pipes in and use crappy hangers that last a year at best. It's easy work, and if you look hard enough you can get deals on the equipment. Even if you go to the show with the nova rallies it will indeed be the coolest ride there. Great work, this one will be a forever reference for me and my future projects. You are the standard my friend!!
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 618
Likes: 3
It's coming along good there in Independence. Enjoying the thread.
I'll tell ya...you seem to be having the same type of luck I had while working on my '61. Nothing ever seems to go smooth. I guess that's what keeps us entertained
I'll tell ya...you seem to be having the same type of luck I had while working on my '61. Nothing ever seems to go smooth. I guess that's what keeps us entertained
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 319
Likes: 4
From: Longview, TX
I ended up with the same issue on a wheel from Eagle Alloys. It ended up being a crack in the hoop. Took 3 weeks to get it replaced. They just re-hoop the center of the wheel I returned to them.
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 156
Likes: 1
I was feeling guilty at the thought of buying 300 bucks worth of stainless pipe and bends to build my own exhaust but not after pricing the local shops that can't even provide mandrel bends and only aluminized steel. I really detest relying on others to do anything, especially automotive work.
And I agree, take it back and have them cut it off and keep it if they won't make it right.
And I agree, take it back and have them cut it off and keep it if they won't make it right.
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Several years ago when I bought my Miller Dynasty I fabbed up a super slick set of stainless guts for my uncle to put on his 71 C10. I spent seems like $60 to have four pieces of 2 1/2" stainless tubing flared on one end and expanded on the other so he could clamp the mufflers on. We did this so he could keep the mufflers if he ever got rid of the truck. ******* hack at the muffler shop sawzalled the ends off and shoved the exhaust tubing right in and migged it up. Had I of been there I'd of beat the brakes off this stooge. My uncle being the meek mild manner guy he is didn't say a word, I was livid.
Your experience with the exhaust shop mirrored my experience most of the time and is exactly what I'm afraid of. When I say "x-frame car" exhaust guys scurry into corners like roaches. This is why I built my exhaust myself from mandrel bent tubing. The only guy I could cuss at and fire was me - but I also had the power and ability to fix it.
That sucks about you're exhaust but it makes me feel a little better about my $100 exhaust no matter how much a pain in the *** a Xframe is. My neighbor runs a good exhaust show and I still went and bought scrap 2.5" pipes, cut and welded it up just so if it turned out like crap I was the only one to blame.
I did a little work on the exhaust so it doesn't move all around now, and am just going to have to live with it. Ideally I would go back to the exhaust shop and complain, but I don't have the time, or an easy way to get the car there. Lesson learned, ALWAYS be there when they are doing it so you can supervise!!! I put some new springs in the front to raise it up a bit so it doesn't bottom out anymore, but think I went a little too high. Sigh, well, hopefully it will just settle an inch and be good to go.
I'm so close to being ready for the long drive to the show. I have driven it some, and it's noisy and hot and really unrefined feeling, but hopefully when all the sound deadener and interior is in it will be much better. Just have to make this show, then I can relax and take my time on the rest of the build.
This is how it looks today.
Air cleaner and oil fill tube painted and installed. Really makes the engine look cool.
I'm so close to being ready for the long drive to the show. I have driven it some, and it's noisy and hot and really unrefined feeling, but hopefully when all the sound deadener and interior is in it will be much better. Just have to make this show, then I can relax and take my time on the rest of the build.
This is how it looks today.
Air cleaner and oil fill tube painted and installed. Really makes the engine look cool.
I was going to send you a link when it was done, guess I dont have to do that now!