Doc's Woes-Part II
RL Chilton
Administrator, Member
For some reason, I couldn't access the original thread, "Doc's Woes", so I'll start part II here so interested parties can know "The Rest of the Story".
Doc, our '52 Hornet Sedan has been down since I left for Pontiac on July 9th. Actually, before that, as I was making changes, doing maintenance on her since mid-June.
While I still cannot explain all the mysteries of her illness, pretty much it was a number of small things that helped compound other problems that kept creeping up.
After replacing, changing, rebuliding the following: carbs (Twin-H), distributor, points, condenser, rotor, cap, wires, plugs, elec. fan, carb gaskets, checking condition of valves and tappets, it seemed each new "fix" would solve the big problem a little bit, but she still never would run right. Basically, we found out that she was drowning in her own gas, due to the poor vacuum at the front carb due to the busted vacuum advance diaphragm on the dist.
Ken U. has been down here since Saturday morning, and after two exhausting days, we found out about the busted intake gasket, bad vacuum advance and another rotten Chinese condenser (the third since June). She's now tuned and ready to roll.
Suffice to say, that old Hornet now purrs like a kitten once more, at least for now. Too bad the National isn't in November, I'd be ready to go!! LOL!:D
Alex, when you get here in Nov., she'll be ready to treat you for a ride.
Doc, our '52 Hornet Sedan has been down since I left for Pontiac on July 9th. Actually, before that, as I was making changes, doing maintenance on her since mid-June.
While I still cannot explain all the mysteries of her illness, pretty much it was a number of small things that helped compound other problems that kept creeping up.
After replacing, changing, rebuliding the following: carbs (Twin-H), distributor, points, condenser, rotor, cap, wires, plugs, elec. fan, carb gaskets, checking condition of valves and tappets, it seemed each new "fix" would solve the big problem a little bit, but she still never would run right. Basically, we found out that she was drowning in her own gas, due to the poor vacuum at the front carb due to the busted vacuum advance diaphragm on the dist.
Ken U. has been down here since Saturday morning, and after two exhausting days, we found out about the busted intake gasket, bad vacuum advance and another rotten Chinese condenser (the third since June). She's now tuned and ready to roll.
Suffice to say, that old Hornet now purrs like a kitten once more, at least for now. Too bad the National isn't in November, I'd be ready to go!! LOL!:D
Alex, when you get here in Nov., she'll be ready to treat you for a ride.
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Comments
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Russ, interesting comment on the condenser. Just a couple of weeks ago I encountered a problem with a new set of points (NAPA) in a '38 Terraplane. I had noted that it took an unusual amount of pressure to slide the movable point "arm" down on the pivot pin on the breaker plate, and the piece was a little stiff to move back and forth, but figured the spring was still plenty strong enough to close the points OK. Wrong !! It drove us nuts for the better part of the day ... engine would try to start, then after 3 or 4 seconds would quit and wouldn't even begin to fire. Checked the spark at the "coil to distributor cap" wire and had no spark. Pull the distributor and examine everything again, all looked well, points closing, etc., and reinstall. Good hot spark ... almost 1/2" jump. Cap back on, try it again, same result. Tried to start, then no more, and once again checked the spark to find none. Finally took the distributor out and put my continuity checker on the points, twirled the shaft with my fingers. After the second or third twirl, the points stopped closing all the way. Threw those points away, got another set of a different brand at another parts house, and all was well. The ol' T is up and running, and will be displayed at the Hilton Head concours on Nov 1.0
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Park W wrote:Russ, interesting comment on the condenser. Just a couple of weeks ago I encountered a problem with a new set of points (NAPA) in a '38 Terraplane. I had noted that it took an unusual amount of pressure to slide the movable point "arm" down on the pivot pin on the breaker plate, and the piece was a little stiff to move back and forth, but figured the spring was still plenty strong enough to close the points OK. Wrong !! It drove us nuts for the better part of the day ... engine would try to start, then after 3 or 4 seconds would quit and wouldn't even begin to fire. Checked the spark at the "coil to distributor cap" wire and had no spark. Pull the distributor and examine everything again, all looked well, points closing, etc., and reinstall. Good hot spark ... almost 1/2" jump. Cap back on, try it again, same result. Tried to start, then no more, and once again checked the spark to find none. Finally took the distributor out and put my continuity checker on the points, twirled the shaft with my fingers. After the second or third twirl, the points stopped closing all the way. Threw those points away, got another set of a different brand at another parts house, and all was well. The ol' T is up and running, and will be displayed at the Hilton Head concours on Nov 1.
That's good to hear, Park--if you think of it, send me a pic via e-mail. It always seems like it's the little things that really give us the most head-scratching. The points and condenser (cap, too for that matter) are the most problematic these days, as nearly all are made in China or Mexico. Quality control is a major factor, unlike it used to be. It's really a sore spot with me, but as the demand for our old car parts diminishes, availability and quality will continue to suffer. Ce la vie.0 -
RL Chilton wrote:It always seems like it's the little things that really give us the most head-scratching. Ce la vie.
I've told this story before, but years ago I had a 1956 Olds. Came a day I decided it needed a new set of points. Got the new set, came in a little plastic bag. Opened the bag, took out the points and installed same. Simple job on those old cars.
Started up and ran fine. I was stationed at the Coast Guard air station in Brooklyn, NY, at the time - a couple days after I'd put the points in was a weekend so decided to head for Maine for the weekend. I got about 2 miles from the station the engine quit cold.
Long story short - I spent 45 minutes on the edge of the freeway looking and checking everything I could think of. Finally discovered this little brass staple, from that plastic bag the points came in, that had gotten into the edge of the interior of the distributor shorting it out.
Little thing - big problem.
Looking fwd to a ride in Doc.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN0 -
I am very glad to hear you got Doc backup and running.0
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Older wiser and now with a cured DOC! Thanks for the update Russell.0
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Wow! Sounds like there were a host of issues/problems, and a bit like the journeys that Geoff takes in his articles for the WTN...
Ha! That thought crossed my mind several times!0 -
RL Chilton wrote:
Russell, like I told you from the beginning, look for a vacuum leak. I spray brake-kleen around the carbs and manifold gasket, and if a leak, it kills the engine. Happy to hear you now can drive. Walt.For some reason, I couldn't access the original thread, "Doc's Woes", so I'll start part II here so interested parties can know "The Rest of the Story".
Doc, our '52 Hornet Sedan has been down since I left for Pontiac on July 9th. Actually, before that, as I was making changes, doing maintenance on her since mid-June.
While I still cannot explain all the mysteries of her illness, pretty much it was a number of small things that helped compound other problems that kept creeping up.
After replacing, changing, rebuliding the following: carbs (Twin-H), distributor, points, condenser, rotor, cap, wires, plugs, elec. fan, carb gaskets, checking condition of valves and tappets, it seemed each new "fix" would solve the big problem a little bit, but she still never would run right. Basically, we found out that she was drowning in her own gas, due to the poor vacuum at the front carb due to the busted vacuum advance diaphragm on the dist.
Ken U. has been down here since Saturday morning, and after two exhausting days, we found out about the busted intake gasket, bad vacuum advance and another rotten Chinese condenser (the third since June). She's now tuned and ready to roll.
Suffice to say, that old Hornet now purrs like a kitten once more, at least for now. Too bad the National isn't in November, I'd be ready to go!! LOL!:D
Alex, when you get here in Nov., she'll be ready to treat you for a ride.0
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