Need mechanic recommendation - Vancouver, Canada

spinrack

I have a '53 Hornet that has been sitting in dry covered storage for about five years and I really want to get it back on the road. It was running mostly okay when stored, although there was some sort of electrical problem, likely the alternator, as the battery was not keeping charge when running (one reason why I stopped driving it). Now (with new battery) it won't turn over, just some clicking noises, again leading me to suspect an electrical problem.

I'm not the most mechanically knowledgable person, and after the car has been sitting for so long I need a mechanic to give the old girl a once over. Hopefully not too much work will need to be done! I don't know if I can trust this vehicle with a random garage. Can anyone recommend a mechanic in Vancouver (Canada) who is familiar with Hudsons or similar vehicles of the era?

MikeWA

Before getting a mechanic, buff up all the electrical connections. Clicking when you try to engage starter is indicative of either a bad battery (and it sound like you have a new one) or corroded connections.

spinrack

Thanks for the advice. I will check that, although I imagine that not a lot of corrosion would occur in a dry underground parking area.

The main problem that I had before the car was put in storage was that the electrical system failed to keep the battery charged when the engine was running. As in, juice was going out, but not in. Could corroded connections have been responsible for that?

The difference now is that the vehicle won't start, even with a new, fully charged battery. I guess it's possible that both problems are related, since they seem to be primarily electrical in nature.