Hey everyone , i've just picked myself up a 53' Pontiac Laurentian 2dr hardtop in mint shape. I'm having some charging issues and need to get the brakes working other than that it's a daily driver. If anyone has any advice or places to go for parts such as a turn signal switch and lever and door sill plates that would be great. thanks
The turn signal switches are a bugger to get working. You can try adjusting it first. I put a new one in a 54 Chevy I had and it was no better.
davelacourse said
Apr 25, 2010
Wow what a beauty! And, welcome to Canadian Poncho!
Parts for cars prior to 55 are not as easy to find, I think, but you can try what 427Carl and I do, search on evilbay - I have scored parts that way that would have taken 1,000 years searching at swap meets.
If your brakes are marginal, you might want to consider upgrading to power front discs, not sure where you would find a kit though.
Also there are quite a few guys here with 53-54 Canadian Pontiacs who have a wealth of knowledge and maybe even a few spare parts
Dave
Fitz said
Apr 25, 2010
Neat car!
can you post other picture?
thank.
Fitz.
welldunn said
Apr 26, 2010
I purchased the car through a friend of my dad's who's father in law has had it since new. He put a new coat of paint on it and got the engine rebuilt about 10 years ago , it has been sitting inside a barn since he passed away 3 years ago. The car has 99,845 original km's , floors are good , glass is all good , no chrome missing. I'm not sure why but the signal light switch and lever have been taken out and the brakes don't work at all but the cars runs great.
-- Edited by welldunn on Monday 26th of April 2010 08:21:04 AM
welldunn said
Apr 26, 2010
this car was used in parades only so the guy had no use for turn signals. As of now there is no lever or anything so i might just install a switch i got from a friend that is used in transit buses so the signals would then be on the floor just like the brights. Can anyone tell me if this engine has an oil filter? i can't seem to find one but i may be looking for no reason.
bob53 said
Apr 26, 2010
Welcome to the site Chris, that's one fine auto you got there. I had the same problem with the brakes when i got my 53. Check for fluid in the master cylinder, you could try to bleed them. I wound up getting the wheel and master cylinder rebuild kits from NAPA. I'll pm you my phone number if you need any help. Bob ps ,i heard there was a new 53 in town
-- Edited by bob53 on Monday 26th of April 2010 07:24:17 PM
bob53 said
Apr 26, 2010
This is what the back of the mc should look like.
Chief 53 said
Apr 26, 2010
What a Beautiful Car! Congratulations
I replaced the brakes on my 53 last summer and upgraded to a dual master Cylinder.
Check out Rock Auto for their online parts catalogue. It has most major manufacturers part numbers and cross references for all of the brake parts you will need.
Hoses, master cyl rebuild kits and most of the parts are listed there.
Engineered components have brackets to mount a 1970 mustang dual master cylinder in the original location under the floor. It worked great and a brand new dual circuit master was only 100 bucks.
Fitz said
Apr 26, 2010
there is no outside oil filter in this engine, only a "lifetime" filter inside, under the crankshaft.
Welcome to the site , thats a great looking car. I got a soft spot for 53's.
4SPEED427 said
Apr 26, 2010
Welcome here, weldunn. I am more a 60's kind of guy, but it looks like you have an amazing car there, plus you are local so we will hopefully get to meet this summer some time.
And as for davelacourse quoted below, you can tell he's from Florida. He never said "eh" once in his entire post...
davelacourse wrote:
Wow what a beauty! And, welcome to Canadian Poncho!
Parts for cars prior to 55 are not as easy to find, I think, but you can try what 427Carl and I do, search on evilbay - I have scored parts that way that would have taken 1,000 years searching at swap meets.
If your brakes are marginal, you might want to consider upgrading to power front discs, not sure where you would find a kit though.
Also there are quite a few guys here with 53-54 Canadian Pontiacs who have a wealth of knowledge and maybe even a few spare parts
Dave
427carl said
Apr 27, 2010
bigger eh!
welldunn said
Apr 28, 2010
thanks again for all your help , as soon as i get this bad boy on the road you'll be seeing me around. My and I are currently trying to get his car out as well , it's a 64' Galaxie 500XL Convertible we have been working on that one for 3 years and it's finally ready:). I look forward to seeing you guys out there!
bob53 said
May 8, 2010
If you still need the signal light switch let me know
Beautifull car! I am so glad, you said, you were selling the white mud flaps
Welcome from winnipeg too.
I use to have a 53 chevy, all original too.
Is yours original paint or a low mileage survivor?
How did you find it?
For the obsolete suspension and brake parts, check with my friend Norm at Mid-canada suspension.
-- Edited by 427carl on Sunday 25th of April 2010 01:50:16 PM
Click on above image to view full picture(s)
Chevy Sill Plates, All 2-Door Except Convertible, 1953-1954
Parts for cars prior to 55 are not as easy to find, I think, but you can try what 427Carl and I do, search on evilbay - I have scored parts that way that would have taken 1,000 years searching at swap meets.
If your brakes are marginal, you might want to consider upgrading to power front discs, not sure where you would find a kit though.
Also there are quite a few guys here with 53-54 Canadian Pontiacs who have a wealth of knowledge and maybe even a few spare parts
Dave
can you post other picture?
thank.
Fitz.
-- Edited by welldunn on Monday 26th of April 2010 08:21:04 AM
ps ,i heard there was a new 53 in town
-- Edited by bob53 on Monday 26th of April 2010 07:24:17 PM
I replaced the brakes on my 53 last summer and upgraded to a dual master Cylinder.
Check out Rock Auto for their online parts catalogue.
It has most major manufacturers part numbers and cross references for all of the brake parts you will need.
Hoses, master cyl rebuild kits and most of the parts are listed there.
Engineered components have brackets to mount a 1970 mustang dual master cylinder in the original location under the floor. It worked great and a brand new dual circuit master was only 100 bucks.
This is "your" filter look like.
Fitz.