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Post Info TOPIC: 52 Chieftain Survivor


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RE: 52 Chieftain Survivor


Lots of stuff done over the last year.

Tranny leak fixed after a rebuild

pressure washed out about 30 lbs of dirt and grease from every nook and cranny, knuckle and joint.

Motor refinished/resealed and thoroughly inspected - timing chain since I was there, new thermostat

Ignition system rebuilt - need new starter armature but tough to find/ rebuilt the solenoid

Charging system reviewed completely and functioning.

Carb rebuild - full tune tune up

New battery

Polished a ton of metal

Undercoated front half of the car and wheel wells

"New" heater valve

"Upholstered" rear seat and installed car seats for the kids

New side mirrors

Budget White walls AKA portawalls - yes the ones from turkey

Enjoying some driving and family trips. getting ready to visit a few local show and shine events around COCHRANE AB. Maybe see some of you there! I have lots of questions for someone with the same or very similar car. (got a few things that i am not sure how they go back together and need a new reference point if you know what I mean). Here are some pics of the journey.

1.JPG2.JPG3.JPG4.JPG5.JPG6.JPG7.JPG8.JPG9.JPG10.JPG10.JPG11.JPG12.JPG13.JPG14.JPG15.JPG

 



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Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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It is looking very good! Is the 239 from the era before oil filters? Sludge in the pan could be from the old days when people ran straight 30-weight non detergent oil. When people say that switching to synthetic oil will make an old engine leak, probably what is actually happening is the sludge that was masking all the leaks gets cleared away by the fresh oil, exposing the leak points.



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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.

In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...

Cam, Toronto.


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A Poncho Legend!

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Love it Brett ... great job!



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Prince Edward Island

'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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Brett, i love your 52 time machine and thank you for keeping her original. Too sweet a car to molest. Good luck with the continued work on her. Cheers. George



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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six

1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8



Poncho Master!

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My neighbour has a '53 that is a survivor. He's just replacing the starter solenoid, and hopes that'll get it running.
I see you're looking for reference as to 'how things go together' and thought the '53 might be useful. My neighbour doesn't use the computer, but I might be able to take photos or ?

I see you starter has a rubber boot around the solenoid plunger. My neighbour's does not, but it looks like there should be something. Even with the boot on, it looks like the lever for the bendix is still exposed. Any water would run down into the starter - or is there another seal/boot where the bendix lever goes into the starter?

Nice looking car. That engine compartment is looking great!

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66 Beau wrote:

My neighbour has a '53 that is a survivor. He's just replacing the starter solenoid, and hopes that'll get it running.
I see you're looking for reference as to 'how things go together' and thought the '53 might be useful. My neighbour doesn't use the computer, but I might be able to take photos or ?

I see you starter has a rubber boot around the solenoid plunger. My neighbour's does not, but it looks like there should be something. Even with the boot on, it looks like the lever for the bendix is still exposed. Any water would run down into the starter - or is there another seal/boot where the bendix lever goes into the starter?

Nice looking car. That engine compartment is looking great!


Nice looking 52 yes!

 

and for the starter, there is no boots on the bendix lever, only at the outside part of the solenoid.

 

Fitz. 



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www.FitzbackGarage.com Look for Easy Steering in your vintage Poncho, Look for the EasyDrive Power Steering System in the web site



Poncho Master!

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Beautiful piece of Canadian Pontiac history...

 

  My vote is for keeping it original......It's too NICE and original to prostitute with newer/modern drivetrain...

  If you really need to go and stop FAST....get a NEW car....or find a 2 door of that era that is not so complete....if you really feel the need to "pimp one out"...

 

  The original components do still work well.....and part of the "old car pleasure" for ME...is to drive and experience the pld cars as they were built.



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The Wall of DEATH

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQRFkgWuM40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




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So the local Calgary rad shop tells me my 52 Pontiac radiator cannot be repaired and needs to be re-cored to the tune of $700. Anyone have another option. Somewhere I could find or buy a good original or equivalent aftermarket replacement? Were the 52 radiators common across any other makes/models?

 



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I have some Pontiac radiators from the 50's. Please let me know the # or the overall mesurament.

 

Fitz.



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www.FitzbackGarage.com Look for Easy Steering in your vintage Poncho, Look for the EasyDrive Power Steering System in the web site



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Here is a quick summary. I will do up a better drawing and update soon. Anyone with original parts for sale please let me know.

52 chieftain RAD.JPG



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Poncho Master!

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52 Chief Sedan Survivor wrote:

So the local Calgary rad shop tells me my 52 Pontiac radiator cannot be repaired and needs to be re-cored to the tune of $700. Anyone have another option. Somewhere I could find or buy a good original or equivalent aftermarket replacement? Were the 52 radiators common across any other makes/models?

 


 do you know....and trust the shop?

 a lot of the old shops around here have changed hands.....and are now more interested in upselling to a new unit......instead of repairing...

for your limited use.....a new rad would be overkill....at that price..

get a second opinion, just sayin'.....



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Former owner of........Who really CARES?

The Wall of DEATH

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQRFkgWuM40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




A Poncho Legend!

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Date:

52 Chief Sedan Survivor wrote:

So the local Calgary rad shop tells me my 52 Pontiac radiator cannot be repaired and needs to be re-cored to the tune of $700. Anyone have another option. Somewhere I could find or buy a good original or equivalent aftermarket replacement? Were the 52 radiators common across any other makes/models? 


 I paid $350.00 for a re-core on little ole PEI.



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Prince Edward Island

'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.

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