Re: [HSS] Geoff Clark is Gandalf

Unknown

Lew, as to #13 - where in the world did you find an OEM
Vacuum Fuel Pump ?  I have the same problem on my '30 and would prefer to
replace the elect. w/ an OEM pump. Thanks, Alex

----- Original Message -----

From:
Lew Phelps

To: HudsonSuperSix16-29@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, May 27, 2005 1:27 PM

Subject: [HSS] Geoff Clark is
Gandalf

Anyone who has seen the Lord
of the Rings trilogy knows it was filmed in New Zealand, and that the most
powerful magician in the story is Gandalf.

After seeing the results of his work on my 1929 Town Sedan and Paul
O'Neil's 29 Town Sedan and 26 Coupe, I have concluded that the real Gandalf is
Geoff Clark.  He worked absolute miracles in bringing my '29 Town Sedan
back from the dead.  During his stay with us in Pasadena (and not
counting the extensive work he did on Paul's two vehicles), he accomplished
the following:

1. repaired oil pump, which local mechanic had re-assembled missing one
key part, and blocking the outlet orifice, so that the only place the pump was
sending oil was to the pressure gauge.

2. Replaced the oil gauge, which had been blown up like a balloon by the
excessive pressure from the mis-assembled pump.

3. Replaced camshaft with re-profiled cam shaft that takes advantage of
ignition characteristics of modern gasoline, improving engine efficiency by
about 20% (more power AND better gas mileage). 

4. Completely disassembled top end of engine, cleaning rockers,
inspecting valves and valve seats, etc.

5. Adjusted tappets; clearance is supposed to be 0.003 inch.  One
tappet was about 0.3 inch! 

6. Replaced timing chain, adjusted timing, and corrected mistake made by
owner (me) in reinstalling timing chain cover.

7. Fabricated mount for '50s era Hudson Autolite generator and installed
on left side of engine -- needed to provide sufficient current to power
high-intensity headlights previously installed by owner (me). The OEM
generator was about 20 amps shy of enough capacity to carry the headlights,
which greatly restricted night-time driving. Also installed 50s era voltage
regulator needed by new generator.

8. Inspected and adjusted clutch, including replenishing clutch fluid
with ATF.

9. Demounted oil sump, inspected and adjusted clearance on piston arms,
and inspected babbit bearings (fortunately all OK despite oil pump
problems).

10. Adjusted brakes to proper setting and alignment.

11. Corrected mis-wiring by owner (me) of gas gauge/oil gauge switch (I
had reversed connections of the two senders).

12. Removed rear bumper, removed gas tank, removed gas gauge sender,
which was broken and gears frozen.  Performed McGuiver-like repair of
broken gear, restored gas gauge to service, and reinstalled tank and
bumper.

13. Removed electric fuel pump installed previously and replaced with OEM
vacuum tank.  

14. Advised owner (me) on alternative method of connecting after-market
heater so that engine temperature sender was properly located inside engine
block, and actually reported accurate engine temperature.

15. Fabricated and installed bracket for right-side tail light, replacing
ugly aluminum kludge previously installed by owner.

16. Identified major problem in engine functionality as rotted center
tube in heat riser; replaced tube and modified exhaust system to cut off flow
of exhaust through riser (unneeded with modern gasoline, especially in SoCal
climate).

17. Replaced packing on water pump with proper graphite-impregnatged
material, halting long-running water leak (see his separate posting on
same).

18. Repaired sticking flap and weak spring in carburetor, so that it
functions properly.

19. Identified and repaired small leak in radiator.

20. Counseled and assisted owner in shaping and installing new rain
gutter strips properly, properly installing roof liner, need for installation
of flaps inside of split rims (to avoid tube wear), efficient way to open a
split rim using the hand crank tool, and about 1000 other incredibly useful
tidbits of information about This Old Hudson.

Geoff, if I left out anything significant, I apologize.

The bottom line is this:  when Geoff arrived in Pasadena, my Town
Sedan took 5 minutes to start, ran roughly, stalled often, stopped
erratically, belched smoke, and had horrible power and gas mileage. 
After his magical ministrations, it starts like a new car built in 2005, idles
so smoothly that one can balance a coin on the tappet cover with the engine at
idle (take that, you old Packard owners!) stops smoothly and efficiently,
shifts easily, shows real power and torque for acceleration, cruises
comfortably at 50 mph (though Geoff advises 45 as a maximum cruising speed due
to age of pistons), doesn't emit blow-by smoke, gets better gas mileage, tells
you when it's low on gas, and generally is now, for the first time since we
have owned the car, a real pleasure to drive. 

On top of all of this, Geoff proved to be a wonderful house guest --
knowledgeable about a wide range of subjects, witty, charming, and always fun
to have around the house.  

Geoff, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

Geoff will be writing this project up for a future issue of WTN. 
The only thing I ask is that you don't believe EVERYTHING he says about the
bumbling mistakes of his apprentice helper (me).  Only part of that is
true.....

Lew Phelps

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