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INTRODUCTION

Hello to all my new antique auto friends!! My dad and I bought the Oakland on 9 JULY 2009. It was sitting on the corner down the street from our family-owned business and we noticed it while returning from lunch. Old things are more my thing so dad was pretty perturbed when I made the unannounced turn out of traffic and into the parking lot were the Oakland was sitting on a trailer. Dad and I quickly learned that we were both well acquainted with the car as it used to be part of a display at a local museum since 1966.

Because we work in manufacturing and business had been slow, dad and I decided to purchase the car and this will be my space to document the restoration process. I welcome any comments and advice but please be kind as I have never tackled anything of this caliber before. Honestly, I thought if I was ever able to own a neat old car like this I would be retired and much older. Moreover, I envisioned if that time ever came that I would buy one already restored because I have never been mechanically inclined. I am more of the artist-type and I just got past mourning the end of my band after 15 crazy and very eventful years. So, goodbye to my coveted 1976 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe and hello to my new interest in antique cars!

THE CAR

The Oakland was donated to the Franklin County, Ohio Historical Society in 1964 by the estate of a long-time resident of Plain City, Ohio. In 1966 the car was given to the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus, Ohio, when at that time it underwent a partial restoration. There was a full roof replacement done and a quick patch to the body behind the passenger side front wheel…..which I discovered was an old tin gasoline advertising sign formed over wood and spray painted black!

When we got the car it didn’t run but everything that really matters was there. We pulled the engine and transmission first and found there must have been a collision of some sort with the car. The inside honeycomb to the radiator was partially smashed and the part where the front bumper was attached was bent. The engine cleaned up wonderfully and we had to get new piston rings and a timing chain. I don’t know what is considered high mileage for this vintage of car but the odometer reads 23k which is confirmed by the title.

In the past few weeks we reduced the car down to the frame, sanded and painted it. We sanded the wheel spokes, sealed them natural and painted the hardware black. We rebuilt the generator and distributor and have a couple big decisions to make regarding the carburetor and pump. I understand the Marvel carb was not dependable when the car was new and might be dangerous to use and alternatives run $500-$1500. The vacuum pump (I think that is right, the thing on the firewall with leads to the gas and water) I understand is fragile white metal that needs to be carefully cleaned and if broken is hard to find and expensive.

Today the engine and transmission went back on the frame and the wheels will be put on in the morning. If everything tests well with the engine we will tackle those tough decisions with the carb and pump. I understand the radiator might be salvageable depending on if there are holes or bursts. One good indication is it was holding a lot of fluid when we pulled it. I also understand the honeycomb can either be replaced with a restoration piece or something modern.

In the meantime, I continue to keep an eye on eBay, local auctions and swap meets for side mirrors, headlight lenses, tail light lens, handles, door releases, dome light, visor, shock strap, instrument light, rubber cover for the running boards, radiator cap and gas cap. I’m sure I am leaving things out but that is basically the little details plus whatever extra or after market things I learn about along the way. That travel trunk would be really cool!

I don’t expect my follow ups will be as long winded as this was basically a run-down from day 1 to day 46. My gallery will include a more comprehensive collection of photos if anyone is interested. THANKS COMING ALONG ON MY JOURNEY!

[TexRiv_63]

Looks like a good start to a great project. I am no expert on the Marvel carb but in 1923 it should still be a brass unit so should be safe from "pot metal disease" and should be rebuildable. If your vacuum fuel pump is a Stewart type the top casting is pot metal and could be a problem. You can buy rebuild kits cheaply, do not use teflon tape at the fittings! If you need a new top the units are pretty common and cheap on Ebay if you can find one that matches yours. Be sure to clean out the fuel tank and check for leaks before you attempt to run new gas thru it. Good luck!

[keiser31]

I was actually going to say that maybe that car should be preserved as is, but as I read further, I realize that ship has sailed. Welcome to the group of nuts here and if there is anything you need, just ask. Get stuck on something and surely someone here will help you figure it out. Above all....HAVE FUN doing the restoration.

[c.johnson]

I would be interested in pictures of the engine as I have a 1922 Oakland model 6-44. Yes, they are hard to find.

[keiser31]

Is this the tail light lens that you need? The bucket says "OAKLAND TYPE-A" on it. It is nickel plated and has splits. The lens is held in by a snap ring. The lens still seems to be in one piece. The actual lens is 3" in diameter. If it's the right one, we can talk. I am VERY reasonable. John

[visualsoup]

Greetings John, Don and CJ!! Thanks everyone for your insights! Below are shots of the engine before we pulled it. Right now it is all cleaned, painted and perched on the frame. I had meant to snap photos today but didn't have time. I will post the new ones tomorrow night.....

...but can you believe it.....we got a few pretty big purchase orders yesterday so all of us at the shop had to drop what we were doing with the car and get back to regular work. We machine parts for Honda 4-wheelers & boats. Anyway, CJ if you don't see what your are looking for let me know and I'll get you what you need. I also have the 8th edition of the Oakland Six Owner's Manual (1926) that has some really comprehensive illustrations of the engine, transmission and other parts. I scanned it in 300dpi if you want a copy sent to you on disk let me know.

Thanks for the info on the vacuum pump. We haven't done anything with it yet except comment on how it looks to be in remarkable shape. If it is like all the other things under the hood, it shouldn't take much to put in order. I know, I know, looks don't mean anything. And you're right about cleaning all the gas parts. That has been the biggest bit of advice across the board since I started telling people about the car. I guess there has been a history of people being on the wrong end of carbon build up.

And the tail light.....I know I need a lens and that is about the extent of my knowledge, so I will take a closer look tomorrow. I do know it is small and it is wrapped in black electrical tape; which I am sure was done decades ago by the museum just to keep it together. There's probably bigger issues with it....good photos of yours by the way.

Again, thanks guys. There is no way I could have gotten this far without all the selfless help!!

[visualsoup]

Hello All~~

John, that tail light is beefy and handsome but mine is petite. Since I never concentrated on it before I never noticed that I need not one lens but a smaller glass plate underneath to illuminate the license plate also. Mine has no ID on it whatsoever. A very quick look in my manual on the way out the door looks like I have the right one. But now I am thinking it will probably be something that is easier to find at Hershey as a complete replacement rather than waiting to find the bottom glass peice. Does anyone know what that bottom piece is supposed to look like? It will be curved with little metal tabs inside.

Below are shots of the tail light and new ones of the engine cleaned and painted.

[c.johnson]

WOW!! Thanks for the pics. The engine is beautiful. You have done some wonderful work. It looks like a Northway engine and not a Saganaw, which surprises me for being a later model and year.

I also have a 1920 Oakland that is in much better shape than the '22.

I have worked on the vacuum tank some, and the only really questionable part is the top where it is pot metal. The distributor housing on later models was also pot metal. The Marvel Carb is workable, but notorious for leaking, and getting dirty/clogged and not working. You will want to find a good Dykes manual - ebay or swap meet item, don't pay more than $40.00 for a working copy - that will give you intructions for adjusting the carb, and the vacuum tank. We should talk sometime. Send me a PM, and I will give you my phone number.

[keiser31]

Man, that thing is looking GREAT!! You do excellent work.

[c.johnson]

BTW, the headlight lenses were from "National", with a distinct "V" design in the upper half of the lense. Measure the headlights & that will give you the dimensions to find the right ones.

Door latch parts for this early are very hard to find. I may have a few ideas to find some , but they may have to be made.

Enough for now.