Vintage Car Thread - Discussion and Parts Requests

[Talbot]

Being something of a purist I hesitate to mention this, but I replaced the points in my otherwise stock 54 Belair with a Pertronix electronic ignition.

The unit replaces the points and condenser. It will not overcome any problems with dizzy caps, rotors, coils or distributor shafts however.

The result was more pep and reliability and the only outward indication is an extra wire leading out of the distributor unit.

I installed it in about 15 min and can revert back to points at any time.

 

[Stanley Doble]

Pertronix ignition is not made for a 6 volt + ground system. The stock ignition is perfectly reliable with minimal upkeep. You just got a bad rotor. Incidentally the same thing would have happened if you had Pertronix ignition.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I think I may have discovered the issue behind the acceleration judder -- there's an "acceleration pump" on the carburetor which shoots in an extra shot of fuel when the throttle opens. On my car, this pump has a three-setting adjustment which according to the shop manual is supposed to be changed seasonally -- one setting for cold weather, one for moderate weather, one for hot weather. Mine was set for hot weather, which was causing the fuel to lean out on acceleration at this not-so-hot time of year. Changing it is a matter of pulling a tiny metal clip, moving the link between one of three different holes, and sliding the clip back into place. Problem solved.

 

[Big Man]

I think I may have discovered the issue behind the acceleration judder -- there's an "acceleration pump" on the carburetor which shoots in an extra shot of fuel when the throttle opens. On my car, this pump has a three-setting adjustment which according to the shop manual is supposed to be changed seasonally -- one setting for cold weather, one for moderate weather, one for hot weather. Mine was set for hot weather, which was causing the fuel to lean out on acceleration at this not-so-hot time of year. Changing it is a matter of pulling a tiny metal clip, moving the link between one of three different holes, and sliding the clip back into place. Problem solved.

I had the same problem with my '48 Plymouth a couple years ago. Sorry, I should have remembered that and suggested it to you as a possible remedy, but it completely slipped my mind till I read your post. With mine, the little leaver that actuates the accelerator pump actually was worn out from years of moving back and fourth. It had warn a grove in the linkage that was causing it to bind. You might want to look closely at that little "L" shaped arm that makes the connection to make sure it is solid.

 

[Big Man]

I was out and about today and saw this nice (REALLY NICE) 1964 Galaxy 500 for sale. I know the man that has the car, and know how he has taken care of the car and about all he did in restoring the car. He's asking $30,000. I thought that was a little high, but considering all he's done is probabally not too far off. Fair price or not, that kind of car is just a bit out of my range right now, but it sure is a nice looking ride. Which is the reason I wanted to share the picture.

 

[jamespowers]

I was out and about today and saw this nice (REALLY NICE) 1964 Galaxy 500 for sale. I know the man that has the car, and know how he has taken care of the car and about all he did in restoring the car. He's asking $30,000. I thought that was a little high, but considering all he's done is probabally not too far off. Fair price or not, that kind of car is just a bit out of my range right now, but it sure is a nice looking ride. Which is the reason I wanted to share the picture.

Interesting. Not the right wheels and tires and probably not a 100 point restoration but it looks great. The only way he could get that money is if it were totally original---in near perfect shape. Some awards won would help too.
Funny thing about car collectors who want to recoup every cent they put into it, they actually think they will. This ain’t Counting Cars. Most people who restore such cars know well that they do it for their own purposes---not investment.

 

[GHT]

Most people who restore such cars know well that they do it for their own purposes---not investment

That is a lesson that I am learning every minute. Took the MG to a specialist garage today, in general it's, well, ok. It needs a few bits and bobs to repair and tidy-up, but in the main, a good buy. Cost of the bits & bobs? £500.

A closer examination reveals the paintwork in need of restoring, £2,000. The wood laminate on the doors and dash need replacing. £1,500.
Four grand! A labour of love, or what?

 

[jamespowers]

That is a lesson that I am learning every minute. Took the MG to a specialist garage today, in general it's, well, ok. It needs a few bits and bobs to repair and tidy-up, but in the main, a good buy. Cost of the bits & bobs? £500.

A closer examination reveals the paintwork in need of restoring, £2,000. The wood laminate on the doors and dash need replacing. £1,500.
Four grand! A labour of love, or what?

That would translate to more than four grand for us over here.
Yeah, I don’t think you are going to make a fortune on that car when you resell it---just like the rest of us.

 

[Stearmen]

You need to start buying classic motorcycles! I have only lost money on one in the last 20 years, and I turned around bought a Honda CB550, sold it on the big bay, recouping my loss.

 

[jamespowers]

You need to start buying classic motorcycles! I have only lost money on one in the last 20 years, and I turned around bought a Honda CB550, sold it on the big bay, recouping my loss.

What? You get them for free?

 

[LizzieMaine]

What's the opinion among you guys about Champion spark plugs? We always sold them at the station years ago, and they were a quality brand, but I've been having trouble with them in the Plodge. Replaced them with a set of Autolites today and the improvement was dramatic. I've had a few people tell me Champions have gotten really cheesy in recent years, and to use anything but, but I was surprised how much better my engine is running with a different brand.

 

[jamespowers]

What's the opinion among you guys about Champion spark plugs? We always sold them at the station years ago, and they were a quality brand, but I've been having trouble with them in the Plodge. Replaced them with a set of Autolites today and the improvement was dramatic. I've had a few people tell me Champions have gotten really cheesy in recent years, and to use anything but, but I was surprised how much better my engine is running with a different brand.

Well, I don't want to open up a spirited debate on spark plugs but you did the right thing. Get them gone. They were horrible in my lawnmower and they aren't much better in a car that requires five more of them. I have had brand new engines come with them and the damned Chamions won't go the distance. You might get 5,000 miles out of them if you are lucky. I ran my lawnmower three times with a new one before it went south. Stay with what you have or an AC equivalent.
They don't make Champions like they used to. A friend of mine even had some old ones in his genset and replaced them with the modern equivalent. One by one he ended up putting the old ones back as the new ones gave up the ghost......:doh:

 

[dh66]

I've always thought them to kind of be the standard, but it wouldn't surprise me to know they've slipped in quality, much like many products that have been around so long and are just a name these days.

I guess I should mention that I usually run autolites in my old Ford, and currently I have nippondensos in my work truck, a less old nissan.

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

 

[jamespowers]

I've always thought them to kind of be the standard, but it wouldn't surprise me to know they've slipped in quality, much like many products that have been around so long and are just a name these days.

I guess I should mention that I usually run autolites in my old Ford, and currently I have nippondensos in my work truck, a less old nissan.

I used to work at a car parts place that sold Nippondenso. They were surprisingly good plugs back then.

 

[rjb1]

Sad to hear that Champions have gone bad. They used to be the upper-end plug back in my hot-rod days.
On the other side, I'm glad to hear that Denso has a good reputation. Our engineering school has some strong connections with Denso so I know several of their executives and have toured some of their facilities. My impression is that they have a commitment to product quality and to innovation in manufacturing.

 

[Stanley Doble]

I have always had the best luck with the OEM brand. For old Chrysler products, that would be Autolite.

If Champions are rubbish it's news to me, although 25 years ago when I worked in a VW shop I found out they were no good at all for air cooled VWs.

I have a friend who swears by Bosch Platinum plugs and puts them in everything.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I have heard negative things about Champions, too. I always use AC Delcos and have pretty good luck. Bosch are supposed to be pretty good, too, I hear.

 

[vitanola]

What's the opinion among you guys about Champion spark plugs? We always sold them at the station years ago, and they were a quality brand, but I've been having trouble with them in the Plodge. Replaced them with a set of Autolites today and the improvement was dramatic. I've had a few people tell me Champions have gotten really cheesy in recent years, and to use anything but, but I was surprised how much better my engine is running with a different brand.

What size does your machine use? I picked up a big box of Edison (Splitdorf) NOS plugs at a phonograph auction last month. Unfortunately there were no No. 14 plugs (1/2" pipe thread for the Flivver) and only five X-46 plugs, which fit the Model A. I have about sixty, in boxes, of various sizes.

 

[LizzieMaine]

My original equipment spec was Autolite A-7-A, but Autolite 303 is the closest thing currently made to that. It's a 13/16 hex 14mm plug with a 3/8 reach. Equivalent to AC 45 or Champion J8.

 

[Retro Spectator]

My grandfather has a 1953 Packard Clipper. Its brakes are broken, and it hasn't been driven since the 70's. It's been sitting in his garage ever since. It's pastel green with a dark green roof. I can't take a picture of it though, as my grandfather lives in New Jersey.