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Re: MY OLD TIRES RETURNED FROM THE GRAVE!!!
Yowza! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif She looks FINE and FINE! Happy Father's Day Mac!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
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Re: MY OLD TIRES RETURNED FROM THE GRAVE!!!
Looks like you had good results Steve! Good work. I have been using clay bars for many, many years and it has taken several years of market wide advertising to bring an article on correct detailing procedure into fruition in Hemmings. Not a knock in the slightest. Just a little FYI - if you think the transformation is good on a seldom used muscle car, you should clay your daily driver! Not to steal the light, but if anyone needs detailing pointers, PM me, I love correcting paint.
-Dan |
Re: MY OLD TIRES RETURNED FROM THE GRAVE!!!
I have been itching to add some gauges to the car to bring it back to it's original Day 2 look. (This car has been Day 2 since before Day 1. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif)
I added the 1970 Mopar tach a few months ago and now I finally found the right gauges. I wanted the original 2-1/16" black face/white needle, Stewart Warners but it was hard to locate the right temp gauge. All of the current SW mechanical temp gauges have 2 problems: 1) they go to 265 or 280 degrees, which is crazy hot and a waste of half the gauge. 2) they have the capillary tube with the giant nut that has to go through an equally giant hole in the firewall. Not gonna drill. No way! Searching the catalogs I found that the electrical temp gauges SW makes go to 240 degrees, like the old days and use a small temp sender and some 16 gauge wire to connect to the gauge. I was trying to be as incogneto as possible in my engine bay so I used the block drain plug next to the front freeze plug on the passenger side and screwed the sender and adapter into it. It worked out great. I then used some 16 gauge wire and fed it along the wiring harness through an existing grommet and under the dash. As for the oil pressure gauge, I used the 100 psi version since my factory gauge is always pegged at 80 psi when the car is running. So now I know how far off my factory electrical gauge is: When the engine is cold they both read 80 psi. When the engine is warmed up at idle, the dash gauge reads 80 psi and the SW reads 45. When running, the dash reads 80+ and the SW read 65 psi. Gotta love that good accurate factory reading. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/rolleyes.gif I used the secondary oil galley plug on the back of the block next to the factory sending unit to mount the oil line.(Hemi's and all big block Mopars have two plugs back there, thankfully) In order to feed the plastic line through the firewall, I found an existing grommet and heated up a metal pick and then just melted a hole through the grommet and fed the line through it, and on to the gauge. I also hid the line underneath existing harnesses. Here is the finished product: http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...a/S7001659.jpg http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...a/S7001661.jpg I bought the temp gauge off of ebay along with the sender unit (which sells seperately. I paid $40 with shipping which was better than the $42 for the gauge and $20 for the sender that the speed shops wanted. The 100 psi oil pressure gauge was a little harder to find on ebay so I found the cheapest mailorder place around: www.speedwaymotors.com. The gauge was $35.99 plus shipping. That was about $15 cheaper than most other places. I got the mounting plate from my local Napa store for $9. I even lucked out and was able to use the existing ashtray mounting screw holes for the faceplate. The two holes in the bracket were in the exact same spot as the ashtray. P.S. Check out the odometer: it looks like I might actually roll over to 17,000 miles tonight! Gee, it's only taken me 21 years to go 5,000 miles. (Bought it at 12,234) https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif |
Re: MY OLD TIRES RETURNED FROM THE GRAVE!!!
Neat stuff Steve! Now, get out and drive it! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif
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More tinkering...
Here is a shot of the SW electrical temperature sender in the block. Luckily it cleared everything. The passenger side drain plug is actually in a good spot between two cylinders, unlike the driver's side plug which is right next to a cylinder wall and wouldn't have allowed the sender to screw in far enough without hitting the cylinder wall water jacket.
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...a/P7260010.jpg The oil line at the rear of the block. Yup, that's real street driven, New Jersey dirt, oil, and grease back there. Nothin's too good for my old Jersey Girl! http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...a/P7260004.jpg The white oil line going through the tach lead grommet in the firewall. Once the oil filled up the line, it got dark and looked less obtrusive. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...a/P7260012.jpg And the engine view. Looks just as stock as always... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...a/P7260011.jpg |
Re: More tinkering...
And as is the nature of the beast, no good deed goes unpunished.
After I got her all warmed up, I decided to hook her up to the Sun machine and set the idle mixture on the rear carb. (The front is non-adjustable). I got it to where I was happy, and then went to set the idle speed and, of course, used a screw driver that was too long...I heard a r-i-i-i-i-i-ing, which was side of my hand being buzzed by the fanblade. Fortunately, my Super-Mopar reflexes allowed me to quickly perceive that 1) That's a weird noise the engine is making and 2) Why is my hand vibrating? and 3) Why is my vibrating hand bleeding on my nice paint? Which lead me to 4) get my damn hand out of my car's spinning fanblade. Luckily it was only a couple scratches but a wake up call nonetheless. I guess I have been ignoring her lately, She gets hungry when you don't feed her often enough. (Cue the Twilight Zone theme here) https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif That's all for now from the Little Garage of Horrors. |
Re: More tinkering...
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif I just helped patch up my neighbor from a similar experience. No real damage but it definitely got his attention.
Tach & gauges are a nice addition. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif |
Re: More tinkering...
Went to the cruise last night in my town and the odometer is now officially 17,004 miles. I had to drive slow to watch it roll to the zeros. I've done this every time it has passed another millenial milestone over the past 21 years. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif I still get a vicarious thrill out of it.
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Re: More tinkering...
Hay Steve
You need one of those Ford stickers https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif Mike |
Re: More tinkering...
Your right! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif
Does anyone with a Camaro out there want to loan me their CAUTION FAN sticker? |
Re: More tinkering...
Real funny Steve.... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif
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Re: More tinkering...
Steve, did you make it down to Jackson Outlets yet? I went this past Friday and it was a big turnout thanks to the nice weather. I haven't made it up to Flemington yet, but I need to soon.
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Re: More tinkering...
Haven't been to the outlets in a couple years. It's a long trip with 4.10s (about 120 miles roundtrip) and too short to trailer too.
I took some friendly advice and replaced the vinyl oil pressure line with a copper line. I got the copper line from Autometer for about $12. Good insurance since those vinyl lines bend and crack so easily once they have some heat and time on them. Here it is: http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...a/P8030006.jpg While I was under the hood (again) I took out the original born-with alternator and had it checked out. I've had Mopars for so many years I took it as standard equipment that the amp guage on the dash shows a discharge condition whenever anything electrical is activated: If you use the turn signal, the needle on the gauge clicks left in time with the signal. Well one of my mechanic buddies commented how dim my headlights were at the last cruise night so I got off my butt and did something about it. It turns out one of the diodes was bad and it was only putting out about 19 amps. I have it at the local rebuilder at the moment. He has done a bunch of alternator rebuilds for all the local hot rodders in town. Should have the alternator back by mid-week. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...a/P8030007.jpg While the alternator was out I finally rerouted the main fuel line that was between the heater hoses for 21 years. It should be in front of them. Instead of disconnecting the heater hose, I just removed the fuel line from the upper junction block and reinstalled it again, which was immeasurably easier with the alternator out. |
Re: More tinkering...
Love the updates.
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Re: More tinkering...
Got the alternator back today and it turns out that the internal leads to the diodes and the stator were broken due to the alternator ingesting some foreign object in the past. Who knows whether it was a giant bug or a loose screw sometime in the past 38 years, but now it works again. The alternator repairman replaced the rear bearing, the brushes and soldered the connections back, and now it puts out 55 amps. It cost $80.25 total.
Oh, happy day! Now the amp gauge actually goes to the right and not just the left. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...a/P8060002.jpg |
Re: More Fame
FINALLY got my issue today, and I noticed that too.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif Steve! |
Re: More Fame
I too voted for the black sock wearing wonder. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...68/bike2-2.jpg |
Re: More Fame
I'm away for the week and still haven't gotten my copy yet. Thanks for the moral support!
I think it's time to have my son try and ride the chopper - he's the exact age now, that I was in the photo. It should be fun to watch. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif |
Re: More Fame
Raliegh DL-603, I am going to say pre '72 due to the lack of mandated reflectors, and presence of Sturmey Archer "NUT BUSTER" shifter, rivited front badge.
White or yellow? Are those still redwalls, I hated when the occasional knobby would come out of the box instead of the cheater slick. kids screaming I want the slick, like a race car!! I'm haveing flashbacks here.Yea I assembled a few.. a few hundred.. |
Re: More Fame
It was yellow, 1970 model with the taller upper frame rail. It was quite the challenge. Never could manage a wheelie though. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/frown.gif
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Re: More Fame
Awesome that you made it on the voting block for Muscle Machine of the year, the '68 Shelby GT500 KR CVT is a customer of min'es on the opposite page. I love the fact that you dirve the crud out of her. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif ~Patrick
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Re: More Fame
She needs the constant exercise - Otherwise she'll get all fat, pudgy, and lazy (like her owner) https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif
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Re: More Fame
[ QUOTE ]
She needs the constant exercise - Otherwise she'll get all fat, pudgy, and lazy (like her owner) https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif [/ QUOTE ] LMAO! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif |
Re: More Fame
Here's the same bike: father and son, same age, about 38 years apart...
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...erBoy-1970.jpghttp://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...rBoy--2008.jpg Got the bikes out today and tried riding them. The boy and girl picked it up right away and left me in the dust. The son had a bit of trouble shifting, though. It's hard to get used to letting go of the handlebars to shift gears. The wife took some videos. It was quite hilarious. We got her riding one, too. Peace, brother. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...rKids-2008.jpg |
Re: More Fame
He must have LOVED it when you made him put on those black socks......................... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/rolleyes.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/blush.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif
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Re: More Fame
He was not a happy camper!
But he's a good sport...especially when bribery is involved. |
Re: More Fame
Great pic Steve..
Is that the exact same driveway too..what,no Country Squire? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif |
Re: More Fame
Actually, it is a completely different house but the dimensions of the garage and driveway seem to be exactly the same. I must have subconsciously wanted to duplicate my Connecticut family home from the 1960's.
With 7 people in the family we had a fleet of Country Squires back in the 1960s. They'd all last about 2 years. Dad went to a Plymouth Satellite Suburban in 1972. It was Rallye Red with a black racing stripe - the same color as the Charger. Boy was that wagon a lemon. It was just as reliable as the Griswold's Wagon Queen Family Truckster. After that debacle, Dad bought Chevy Suburbans til the 1990's. Here's a typical family vacation circa 1970. Note the conestoga wagon tarp covering the 2 years of supplies we needed for the 3-day weekend. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...ation-1970.jpg Gee, we all looked so happy. I just loved having to wear a cardigan in August. |
Re: More Fame
I can relate..verbatim of what when on in our family too.
Our Ford wagon was white/red gut.My Dad would pack enough items to wait out nuclear fallout.3/4 of the crap we never even used.Just needed a pair of shorts & T and see ya in the tent when the sun went down with smores smeared all over our faces.Then up at the crack o'dawn to do it all over again! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif We would come home so sunburned,tired & smelling of Bactine on Sunday evenings,that nobody wanted to unpack the car. My parents saying to us all,"DON'T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT GOING INTO THAT HOUSE EMPTY HANDED!". Awwww.. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif |
Remember: Tires Expire!
Remember: Tires Expire!
I was cleaning out the Charger to get ready for a show today and found these photos from a few years back, in the console. This tire was one of a set of BFG radials that were 14 years old with only about 500 miles on them. I was driving to a cruise night one afternoon when all of a sudden the steering wheel ripped out of my hands and spun to the right. It would repeat this every 10 feet or so. I pulled over and found nothing. So I rolled along and it started doing it again. I stopped again and couldn't find anything wrong. Thinking I was either hallucinating, or the poltergeists/gremlins in the car were trying to persuade me to go home, I ignored them and slowed down but kept heading to the cruise night. Seeing that I ignored the two previous hints from the Almighty, He decides to use a more direct approach: As I kept rolling along slowly, out of nowhere a Minister, dressed in his black "going to church" suit drives up alongside my car and says: "Son, pull over there is something wrong with your left front tire." So I pull over and he gets out of his car and says to keep rolling until he says stop. He yells out "STOP" and I stop right there. We both look under the car and the enormous bubble in the sidewall is wedged against the tie-rod end, at the bottom of the tire's travel. It seemed that the internal failure of the tire would let air out into the sidewall when the flawed spot would hit the pavement. When the tire rotated, the air would suck back into the tire. (Kind of like the old Little Rascals episode with the cake that has the rubber glove in it that goes WEEE-WAAAH https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif) The bubble was so big it was hitting the suspension and forcing the wheel to turn right. Here's the tire: http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...a/badtire1.jpg http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...a/badtire4.jpg And the bubble: http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...a/badtire3.jpg http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...a/badtire2.jpg When we dismounted the tire, the bubble stayed in the sidewall for about two weeks, slowly deflating back to its original shape. I drilled a hole in each tire's sidewall and threw them away (so no-one would try to reuse them). So let that be a lesson. Don't ignore the hint when God sends you one (or three). I think I read somewhere that the lifespan of a tire is 7 years and any tire older than that should be thrown away. That's pretty good advice. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/scholar.gif |
Re: Remember: Tires Expire!
Looks like taking a scrub brush and some wheel cleaner to the backsides of the rims wouldn't hurt every 7 years or so either... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif
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Re: Remember: Tires Expire!
Hey that's not grime, it's patina: 16,000 miles and 38 years worth. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif
Actually those photos were from 2004, before I decided to be nice and spruce her up a bit. It took a gallon of the purple stuff and then a visit to a glass beading cabinet to clean them up properly. Rest assured, both sides are nice and shiny now. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif |
Re: Remember: Tires Expire!
I need to put you in touch with the surgeon that repaired my last three hernias! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif
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Re: Remember: Tires Expire!
I had 4 "loads of tread left" redline BFG's on my 427 Impala. They were the same typre of 215x65x15's that were used on the TR6's. Dated 7 15 98. Started pulling to the left...then REALLY started pulling to the left. Found out the cord broke on LF. So I replaced 2 with new Cokers and put the BFG's on the back to the front. 200 miles later, another pull to the left! Needless to say........the old ones are OUTTA HERE (said like Phillies announcer Harry Kalas)
Jeff x2 https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif |
Another Twilight Zone story!
OK. here's another one for the Haunted Car With a Million Stories file.
I was working on one of our work trucks today when one of the mechanics comes up and we start talking. He remembered that I had the red hemi charger and he starts talking about his family friend that bought one new, back in 1970 and always wondered where it went. I asked what his friend's name was and he says: "RICHIE WICKBERG." I said: "Richie Wickberg, Sr, from Edison, New Jersey?" And he says: "Yeah, how did you know he was a Sr?" I say: "Sit down, I have a tale to tell..." It turns out his family has been friends with the Wickbergs for years and the father always wondered what happened to his old car, that he bought new, that his son blew up and sold. He always wanted to see that car again. I gave him my cel # and told him to call them NOW (which he did, and left a message) and have them call me so we can all get together. Stay tuned for further episodes... http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...orderform2.jpg |
Re: Another Twilight Zone story!
Cue Rod Serling and the theme music... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif
Cool Stuff Steve! |
Re: Another Twilight Zone story!
Steve, the lucky breaks you get with this car far out weigh the grief! Sounds like a reunion is in order! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/laugh.gif Question is, will you let him drive it https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/laugh.gif
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Re: Another Twilight Zone story!
How do you sit still with that horseshoe still up your ***? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
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Re: Another Twilight Zone story!
That's great Steve. Hope everything falls in place and the Reunion is a happy one. Get pix if you can, if only for yourselves. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
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