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Bad weather is here again and the car has been sitting since just before Christmas. So I figured it to be as good a time as any to fix something that was really irking the crap out of me…the sun visors.
All of the 79-85 Eldorado’s with light up mirrors (which most had) unfortunately have a problem with visorus saginitus. The visor is held up by a small winged plastic bushing-it wraps around the chrome visor arm, and locks into the plastic visor body with the winged part. This little plastic thing gets brittle over time and starts to crack, losing its grip on the stationary rod. This starts as an issue where they droop a little bit when the car has been sitting in the sun on a summers day but eventually gets bad enough that it happens at all temperatures and will just flop down with bumps in the road.
To my knowledge there’s no replacements for this winged bushing and even if there were I don’t know how you would go about replacing it with the way it’s installed on the visor arm. GM evidently saw the problem as the arm and bushing were revised in 1984 to be bigger but evidently to no avail-the passenger visor on my car sagged from the time I had bought the car and I had held it in place with a nail wedged into the metal trim surrounding the window that had to be removed when you wanted to use it…this didn’t compute with the fairer sex, so it’s safe to say eventually I’m going to find all of those finishing nails that have gone missing over the past couple of years the hard way…
My driver’s side visor was free of this problem but I just didn’t use it as I was afraid it would start doing the same thing. So I set to work finding a real fix
These popped up for sale on ebay, red visors from an ’87 DeVille. They looked like a winner, same general shape, same color and in good condition. After a couple of messages to get an idea on size, I ordered them. However, when they arrived, they were neither the bright red shown in the pictures, nor in as good of repair. They definitely needed to be reupholstered to be used. I gave them a dry run before wasting any more money, and they had a couple of other issues. The first was a different electrical connector which was no biggie. The second was much bigger, that they could only be used to block sun going forward. Trying to move it to the side caused them to either drop or raise at a 45 degree angle.
I figured this was caused by the design of the mount which is heavily angled. So there wasn’t much I could do about it. Until my ebay suggestions came up with visors from a Buick Reatta for sale-the same general style as the DeVille, but with a flat type of mount similar to the OEM Eldorado!
Now the guy wanted over 100 dollars for these and after my blunder with the DeVille visors I wasn’t about to sink that type of change in a maybe. So I headed over to the Reatta AACA message board to see if anyone had a dogged set of visors with good mounts that they wanted to sell, and the first post in the for sale section happened to be by a fella who was parting out a complete Reatta! Score!
I emailed the guy and he explained that the car was in a junkyard local to his house. A real gentleman, he was able to get the visor arms for free and didn’t even charge me the ride up from Florida. Thanks Mike! The car in question had a burgundy interior so the arms would need to be sprayed dark carmine to work for me. After cleaning and priming, SEM aerosol made quick work of that.
Unfortunately when they were removed from the Reatta, this condom thing that wraps around a metal bushing shredded, but I was able to basically replicate it with heat shrink tubing
The arms are easily removed from the visors when uninstalled from the car. Simply rotate the arm into the mirror side of the visor (as if you were pushing the visor back up into the roof) until it clicks and then yank it out. Install it into the new visor in the same position. I did some tests for proof of concept and when it seemed like I was on the right track, I got to work. Or at least to spending money. I ordered carmine foam-backed headliner material (Sunbrite 1872 for those interested, it was a great match) and headliner adhesive (which I ended up not needing for this job)
The visors themselves are like a clamshell and probably harder to crack open than a turnip. After enough brute force, a hammer, and a screwdriver, I was able to get them open (see the color difference as compared to the ebay picture above)
The material around the visor ended up not being glued to the face of it, only tucked tight and hot glued from the factory. I decided to do the same thing (So I have to write off the spray adhesive until I do a new headliner). I carefully removed the old fabric and made a template out of the new material
(should anyone do this in the future, it’s much more simple and less risky to only cut the general shape of the template out, you can cut the hole for the mirror and sun shade later)
The visors themselves also needed some help. The “ears” at the ends were super fatigued and loose, so I mixed up some resin and fiberglass to shore them up.
Once the visor bodies were sound, I had to come up with a way of re-joining the clamshell. I have no idea how GM did this in the first place but super glue doesn’t work. After a lot of searching I found out that these are likely made of Polyethylene. I bought this 3M DP8005 adhesive which claimed to bond it and tested it on a junk visor-seemed to do the trick. You need a special mixing tip in addition to this and I also had to get a gun that it fits into.
With that solved, I started hot gluing the material onto the visors. I had never done anything with headliner material before aside from stapling them up when they started sagging and I was really surprised with how compliant it was. In that, it basically looked factory with no runs or wrinkles despite not having a clue what I was doing.
Then, I bonded the two halves back together. Each one had to sit like this for a day, and early signs seem like it worked. Hopefully the adhesive will hold, time and temperature will tell.
Here’s a comparison of the original visors with the DeVille replacements. Mirrors swapped without issue. I also had to swap the power connector, meaning I had to cut the crimped on connector at the mirror end from the old visors and install in the new ones. Delphi 12020347 is the connector part, there’s no room inside the assembly for a butt connector (and I hate using them unless I have to)
And here they are installed!
The only complication on the install is that the plastic visor arms bolt in a slightly smaller bolt pattern than the originals. You can take any 2 of the 3 holes but not all 3 at once. Fortunately there’s plenty of meat to drill into to make another hole.
I’m sure a lot of people are reading this right now and saying I should have just stuck with the nail but in reality it wasn’t that bad. It might seem like a mess but everything above is a “worse possible scenario” in that I got fleeced on the visors I bought and had to change color, structurally repair them, rehab the Reatta visor arms, then bond them back together. If you’re fortunate enough to have a 79-85 E body with an interior color the same as an 85-88 Deville, and can get the visors from it, the only thing you need do is get a set of Reatta visor arms and swap them out (and obviously your electrical connector from your 79-85). They’re really close in size as far as fit, and look factory with the exception of the sunshade. You could delete that when reupholstering, but I always liked them.
It seems like GM changed all their lighted visor designs to basically the same thing in the late 80’s downsized cars. So there might very well be more vehicles than just Reattas that have the flat plastic visor arm. As far as longevity, I’ll definitely keep everyone posted but I will say that I’ve never really seen any of the “newer” Cadillacs or Buicks experiencing visor problems. The whole metal bushing with condom setup also feels much more sturdy then the OEM 79-85 stuff.
Oh, and on the bright side, I’ll only have to wear these puppies at night now.
OSCAR: An Architecture for Generally Intelligent Agents by John Pollock from University of Arizona
Technical Session II: Architecture of AGI Systems at the The First Conference on Artificial General Intelligence (AGI-08)
This room is The Zone, at the FedEx Institute of Technology, University of Memphis. It was a very good venue for this conference.
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) research focuses on the original and ultimate goal of AI -- to create intelligence as a whole, by exploring all available paths, including theoretical and experimental computer science, cognitive science, neuroscience, and innovative interdisciplinary methodologies. AGI is also called Strong AI in the AI community.
Another good reference is Artificial General Intelligence : A Gentle Introduction by Pei Wang
I030208 089
Construction of the more than 200,000 square-foot, seven-story-tall Theory and Computing Sciences (TCS) building is underway near Argonne’s North Gate. When completed, the building will provide a much-needed infrastructure for large-scale computers, computational laboratories, a digital conference and meeting area as well as a consolidated Argonne library.
Theme of this year's conclave - Cloud, Big Data, Mobile!
Credits: Concept of cloud computing with smartphone. 3d render. Map source from -www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/world.html. Map hand drawn in Illustrator.
Photos of Foyles Computing Section, taken by Craig Smith of O'ReillyGMT
Featuring Stephen Forde, in Computing Bookk Nirvana
Hosted in collaboration with Google's CS4HS initiative, the MIT Creative Computing 2012 workshop was held at the MIT Media Lab, August 8-11, 2012.
Just as mobile phones are becoming ubiquitous, so is wireless computing. It's now common to see people surfing the Web in coffee shops, airports and hotels.
But this is the first time I've seen a couple on a swing, on the lawn outside their apartment--each with their own pc. When I offered to email them a copy of the photo, she immediately sent me an email so I'd have their address. I suspect this kind of image will become increasingly common.
Checking out the score on the Vaio at an Occupy Jacksonville demonstration last November. The protests were peaceful and orderly. I happened to hear that there would be a protest at Hemming Park in downtown Jacksonville the evening before my late train to Washington departed, so I decided to attend with my cameras in tow.
Facial Recognition, smart phones, GPS, and the ubiquitous social web. Emergent communication technology forces us to reevaluate traditional ideas about privacy and personal information. Charlie Catlett, CIO of Argonne National Laboratory and Meta-computing pioneer, discusses where we are today and where we are going
I'm guessing Robbie was in "hibernation mode,” because he put out a sign indicating that he would be back at "10:50." Or is he waiting for a reboot.
Cosmic...this one is for you.
Lovebytes 2012 - Digital Spring.
Spring Fayre: Art, Science and Technology Activities For All Ages
Sat 24 March 11am-4pm
Winter Garden, Sheffield S1.
Our Spring Fayre was all about art and creativity in the digital age. With an extraordinary range of activities, workshops and events throughout the day at a number of landmark venues around the city centre, we want to inspire everyone to experience new art, and learn how to be more creative with the technology around them.
All events are FREE - some workshops have limited capacity, but you can sign up on the day on a first come first served basis. There's lots to see, so come early to the Winter Garden, pick up a schedule of events and a map, and start exploring!
*Calling digital makers, artists, scientists, designers, engineers and educationalists! - If you would like to get involved in exhibiting or helping with events at the Spring Fayre, for more information email info@lovebytes.org.uk.
Harmony. Explore the art of mathematics and make your own drawing using this bizarre and strange contraption. Harmony is a harmonograph, a mechanical apparatus that employs pendulums to create a geometric image. The drawings created typically are 'Lissajous curves', or related drawings of greater complexity.
"Walking past a blacksmiths one day, Pythagoras heard a familiar harmony in the ringing tones of the hammers at work inside. He discovered that the weights of the hammers were responsible for their relative notes. A hammer weighing half as much as another sounded a note twice as high."
Harmony - created and presented by Bird and Bee.
Placard Headphone Music Festival. Bring your own headphones and plug-in! Part of the Placard international network of headphone and internet streaming music events, this mini-music festival in the centre of the Winter Garden features quick fire performances by Sarah Angliss, Nice, John Moseley, Ron Wright, Yaxu, Ideoforms, Bile Laptop Ensemble, Deliberate + more TBC. Le Placard (meaning cupboard in French) began in a small apartment in Paris in 1998. It has since grown into an international streaming festival concept in cities across the world as part of festivals such as Mutek, Garage, Pixelache and now Lovebytes, thanks to Alex McLean (Yaxu) who has curated this programme. Bring your own headphones and plug-in from 11:00 to 12:40 and 13:40 to 15:20.
Micro/Macro Photography Workshop
Winter Garden
11:00-13:00 or 14:00-16:00
Age 6-11
Free. Places are limited, please book in advance
email: janet@lovebytes.org.uk
Led by Vicky Morris, a small band of children and parents will create their own imaginary worlds and tell tiny visual stories in the vastness of the Winter Garden. Come along and learn how to use your digital camera more creatively.
Bring your own camera, if you can (particularly if it has a good close up function/option) or share one of ours. Please make sure you arrive early, these workshops are always very popular.
Creative Computing Workshops
Become a digital maker not just a consumer, make your own games and digital art by learning how to programme computers. With Scratch it's quick easy and fun, it's like programming with Lego and it's a great introduction to the fundamental principles of coding. You can doodle to your heart's content, add sounds, make buttons that do things and animate your drawings and photos. This is an open drop-in workshop with creative programmers on hand to help. If you are already using scratch bring your work along, we'd love to see what you've made.
The Winter Garden provides the hub for activities happening in venues around the city centre, come to our information desk to pick-up the latest schedule of timed activities or click here to download a PDF.
ALSO ON SATURDAY 24 MARCH 11:00-16:00
AT THE UPPER CHAPEL
Drop-in to the Upper Chapel to discover the bizarre sounds of Cod, Haddock and Pollock!
Jana Winderen is one of the world's foremost field recording artists. She will be talking about her work in the Upper Chapel at 3pm 24 March. ADMISSION IS FREE.
Jana's sound artwork Spawning Ground will be open from 11:00-16:00. Set in one of Sheffield's hidden architectural gems, this sound installation explores the acoustic activity of subaquatic environments.
Find out more about Spawning Ground here.
AT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY
Unquiet The library will be buzzing with free activities including interactive sound installations, secret film screenings, impromptu performances and creative technology workshops.
Find out more about Unquiet here.
The Spring Fayre is a Lovebytes event made possible with the support of many people.
Special thanks to:
South Sheffield City Learning Centre, Anorak Magazine, Alex McLean, Ryan Patrick Morley (Bird & Bee), Access Space, Deirdre Pashley (City Centre Management, Sheffield City Council)
Volunteers coordinator: Karen Sherwood (Cupola Gallery)
Technical production: Richard Bolam, CVC.
Official Media Partner:
Thanks to:
Lovebytes 2012 - Digital Spring
A Festival of Art, Science and Technology
22-24 March
Sheffield UK
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory are trying to create new economic models that will provide policymakers with more realistic pictures of different types of markets so they can better avert future economic catastrophe. Here, Argonne systems scientists Charles Macal (left) and Michael North showcase several of their agent-based models.
Read the full story here.
Photo by George Joch/Courtesy Argonne National Laboratory
Bryan Glick, Mark Samuels, Angelica Mari, Tom Young... all from Computing magazine (except Mark who has left and gone to CIO Connect) - in the John Snow pub in Broadwick St, Soho
Maintec provides mainframe console operation support from its RNOC based in Bangalore, with capability to monitor z/OS system remotely 24/7.
Website : www.maintec.com
read the iliveisl blog to see what we are doing in OpenSim with our virtual environmental science field trip stuff over at Enclave Harbour
Eight girls and women access to Internet data in the cloud while they are sitting on blue clouds. Attitudes of professional work and leisure in social networks.
All rights reserved © Jesús Sanz
Well, not *quite* vintage. "Old Computing" didn't have a good ring.
I've been looking for a Windows 95 computer to play some old DOS/95 games on for a while, and, I finally came across ones I liked. I actually got these for free, someone I knew on a forum needed a Windows XP copy to install on a computer, and instead of money, we made a deal. I only wanted one good laptop, with a Windows 95 backup, and a external floppy drive. Well, when I got a 40 pound box on my front from UPS this morning, I realized he gave me much more. Awesome.
Fourth-year student Tom Henbest (left) checks out the sound orb project developed by Kevin Laporte, Artsci'17, (right) and Amanda Baker at the Creative Computing Showcase.