project 1951 Pontiac Chieftain

[kevins]

fingers crossed.

[DSdriver]

If this works 100% will you start an exchange service for other owners?

[PhilA]

3 hours ago, DSdriver said:

If this works 100% will you start an exchange service for other owners?

No, but I'll put a "if yours does this then fix this". 

This particular fault isn't in the troubleshooting guide because it only occurs after many miles of driving.

 

Phil

[mk2_craig]

11 hours ago, PhilA said:

It should then slip in easily

Fnarr.

Is it possible the bore could do with a sleeve being fitted? 

[PhilA]

8 hours ago, mk2_craig said:

Fnarr.

Is it possible the bore could do with a sleeve being fitted? 

It would, but it's a dual size. I also don't have accurate enough machinery here to mill it out to accept said sleeve. The amount of wear is miniscule- but just enough to knock it out of line. 

I can make a very smooth gentle edge on the corner and that should remedy the fault completely.

 

Phil

[Zelandeth]

I do love the tenacity and level of fault finding going on here.  You *will* get that gearbox absolutely spot on eventually.

Sure your efforts will help a few other folks down the line too who have had similar faults but just gave up on fixing it after a while and figured they had to live with it.

[PhilA]

I saw an opportunity that rarely occurs and jumped on it. 

Not an insignificant amount of money was spent.

Brand new, old stock valve block, for '51 Pontiac (not that there were were a lot of differences between models within the same year).

 

Phil

[PhilA]

Had to play taxi tonight. Being as it can carry the most passengers of all our vehicles it was loaded full, six up. 

Drove on into the sunset.

[PhilA]

Clock was losing time and sounding a little rough, so it arrived on my bench.

Oiled the pinions up, that helped a lot.

Then I set about adjusting the hairspring balance.

Yup, I set my clocks up with an oscilloscope. Don't you? Nice even pulses now, means the balance wheel is moving evenly.

So, back into the dash it goes with a note in pencil on the case that it was serviced today.

Phil

[PhilA]

Brand new valve block.

Gummed up solid with solidified storage oil so apart it comes while I figure how best to free it up.

Phil

[LightBulbFun]

On 18/12/2023 at 03:46, PhilA said:

Had to play taxi tonight. Being as it can carry the most passengers of all our vehicles it was loaded full, six up. 

Drove on into the sunset.

Awesome, I have to wonder how did she handle/drive 6 up like that? outside of FoD/Shitefest shenanigans, it must be very rare these days for any vintage car to get fully loaded like that I think?

what did the passengers make of it?  

[PhilA]

3 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

Awesome, I have to wonder how did she handle/drive 6 up like that? outside of FoD/Shitefest shenanigans, it must be very rare these days for any vintage car to get fully loaded like that I think?

what did the passengers make of it?  

Wallows a little more going round corners, and you have to be aware of the extra work you're giving the brakes but overall it handles being fully loaded really well. 

It's been 6-up a few times recently. Passengers said it was comfortable and were surprised how much legroom it has.

Phil

[PhilA]

Turns out this valve block isn't NOS. But, it's close. It's a factory rebuild.

I had to use fire in order to heat the old oil up and soften it enough to get the moving parts free.

The bores are beautiful though. All the wear parts are new.

Took it all to bits, cleaned it all up. It all moves very nicely. Had to fix the 4-3 kick-down shuttle blocking rod as it was too long and had bent the center divider plate. Ground it down to fit and hammered the plate flat. Much better.

Finally, all back together again. Ready to go into the car.

 

Phil

[2flags]

Hopefully this will solve the issues you have been having with it. It will probably be the best one out there soon, if not already. Looking so cool. 

[PhilA]

2 hours ago, 2flags said:

Hopefully this will solve the issues you have been having with it. It will probably be the best one out there soon, if not already. Looking so cool. 

I hope so. If it does, it'll make driving it more fun, and letting others drive it a more enjoyable experience.

 

Phil

[hairnet]

world needs moar phil commentary videos 😀

[PhilA]

 

[PhilA]

Gearbox is getting better now it's got a few miles on.

However, tonight was interesting. Hit a bump* in our lovely* road and BANG SCRAPE

Top shock mount sheared off, leaving the shock to bounce along the road attached only to the axle.

Not overly impressed by that...

[grizz]

Bugger. 
 

Not ideal. 
 

Merry belated Christmas to you and your gang. 

[juular]

On 18/12/2023 at 03:46, PhilA said:

Had to play taxi tonight. Being as it can carry the most passengers of all our vehicles it was loaded full, six up. 

Drove on into the sunset.

Looks like a movie frame. Calendar shot.

[PhilA]

Ordered a new pair of shocks. Woo.

Car currently has a case of lowered.

Phil.

[hairnet]

ahh the shock died not the metal in the car

50s grade

[PhilA]

These ones, despite being the same p/n as the old ones are dumpier by the wrist.

Clearanced the mount. That'll work.

 

Phil

[PhilA]

First drive shows ride quality is resumed.

Strange witchcraft voodoo this morning, the dew on the car has gone all strange.

Gearbox changes really nicely though, lending credence to the theory that it just needs a heavier oil for summertime.

 

Phil

[PhilA]

Question: Can this car do a burnout?

Yes

 

To show its displeasure, it blew the exhaust manifold gasket.

[PhilA]

Weather was pleasant today (read sunny, not raining or blowing a gale like the last few days). So I set about doing something useful.

Pulled the manifolds off. The exhaust had become chattery.

Sure enough, that's been leaking. 

Split it all down, cleaned up and made some new gaskets. Went down the RTV route with it this time.

Reassembled it all. Nice and quiet again, with no exhaust coming into the cabin. Great improvement.

 

Phil

[PhilA]

Some hard freeze weather coming, so time to make sure the antifreeze is good in the cars.

That's going to be good now. 

It was +19c today, you wouldn't know in a few days it's forecast to be -5.

 

Phil

[PhilA]

Icicles today (small variety).

Car started up just fine and idled away happily despite the cold.

Tomorrow is forecast to be colder. Thursday back up to 21.

 

Phil

[Mrs6C]

Early Mardi Gras  round your way?

[PhilA]

3 hours ago, Mrs6C said:

Early Mardi Gras  round your way?

Yup. Making good use of the $6 the tinsel cost.