carmover Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 Gary that is a beautiful car,I wish you luck on getting it back on the road Ronnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian_Heil Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Wonderful stuff. Great work! I had a bad experience with a leather fan belt. Drove in the rain all day on a tour and the belt got wet and stretched and I 'threw' it bending a fan blade in the process. I went with a flat 'rubber' serpentine belt like on modern cars. NAPA had one short enough. Never touched it since. Might be cheaper than the shoe maker. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian_Heil Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Bad case of Cabin Fever here today too with the snow coming down in buckets. Let's post some more pics to cheer on Spring! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 (edited) Brian, That is a Beautiful car,I 've got cabin fever too.I have been waiting on the weather up north to thaw out so I can get up there and bring my 23 Buick sedan home. Edited March 2, 2018 by carmover (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27donb Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 (edited) 5 hours ago, Brian_Heil said: Bad case of Cabin Fever here today too with the snow coming down in buckets. Let's post some more pics to cheer on Spring! My wife is kind enough to take pics and videos during the warm season, so we can get through the cold season. Let's go for a ride! Edited March 2, 2018 by 27donb (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 Don that's a real nice Roadster,I love the top it gives an elegant look to it! Ronnie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 5 hours ago, Brian_Heil said: Wonderful stuff. Great work! I had a bad experience with a leather fan belt. Drove in the rain all day on a tour and the belt got wet and stretched and I 'threw' it bending a fan blade in the process. I went with a flat 'rubber' serpentine belt like on modern cars. NAPA had one short enough. Never touched it since. Might be cheaper than the shoe maker. I did the same. The wider serpentine belts are great instead of the leather belts for making a worry free issue. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 Here are some rare pictures of my 25A with the real glass windows installed.I don't put them in very often. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27donb Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 5 hours ago, carmover said: Here are some rare pictures of my 25A with the real glass windows installed.I don't put them in very often. Amazing, you have a great car! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cxgvd Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 I appreciate your comments concerning my leather fan belt and you are correct except I will have the car judged and do not want to give up the points. I am not overly ambitious and hopefully will earn a first junior and Century Club plate before we take the car touring. My wife and I are members of the Snappers as well as last year we participated in the Vintage Tour in Pa. and hope to go again in 2019 in Ontario. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Many summers ago, I lost a leather belt while on tour & just wound some twine around the pulleys to finish the tour. When I got home, I rummaged through my leather supply and found that my son's belt that he hand tooled many years ago in Cub Scouts was a perfect fit. So I called him & asked if I could use it to replace the fan belt in our 13 Buick. He said that would be cool! So I used a metal lacing kit like the one in the photo below to make it work. So, now we have a "family heirloom" in the car with little ducks, horses and my son's name embossed in it. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 Well I fixed the bad ground connection and stepped on the pedal and it did not turn the motor.When the shop manually worked the brushes it spun the starter real fast so everything was working like it should.I decided to get my Wife to push the starter while I watched the brushes and when she pushed the pedal the brushes did not come all the way down to the armature.I thought that I finally found the problem so I removed the starter pedal and manually worked the gears into mesh and the brushes appear to be touching the armature as best as I can tell.When I put power to it it did nothing.What is going on ?This is driving me crazy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROD W Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 (edited) Ron If the starter turned properly when tested at the shop when the starter brushes were manually engaged, it means the starter brushes are not engaging properly when the starter /generator is in the car. There is a large shaft with a tapered end which raises and lowers the top brushes. Only the top brushes raise and lower. both the bottom brushes are in contact with the commutator all the time and can be removed by undoing the two screw as in photo two . That tapered shaft can be adjusted back and forward, so the brushes raise and lower correctly. In these photos the tapered shaft is not in place. In photo 3 you can see the starter brush is engaged and the smaller generator brush is raised ( these brushes are very worn and need replacing ) When you stomp on the starter pedal the tapered shaft moves backward which engages the starter bush and disengages the generator brush. Only one brush can be engaged at a time as they are connected by a lever as seen in the first photo. At the top end of this lever there is a insulated bush which is often broken. This needs replacing if broken. You can raise and lower the top brushes with your finger to check they are working correctly. All the springs need to be in place to hold the brushes in tension. It sounds to me, that the tapered shaft is not moving far enough backwards to allow the starter brush to engage. There is a rubber roller ( bottom photo ) that runs on the tapered shaft. If this is broken the brushes will not lift and lower. If this roller is not turning properly it will develop a flat spot which can be seen on this roller. , disengaging the generator brush. Edited March 4, 2018 by ROD W (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 Rod, I already know that,but the problem that I am speaking of is the brushes are correctly on the armature and the armature is hot and nothing is happening.I put a meter on the armature and it shows a full 6 volts.I removed the start pedal and with a pry bar I manually pulled the shaft back and nothing happened after the brushes dropped and contacted the armature.I thought that would make the starter come alive but nothing happened.I know something is wrong on the pedal assembly but shouldn't it start manually as I have described ? The shaft was all of the way back and the brushes were on the hot armature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROD W Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Ron. The brushes run on their commutators. The armature is the windings. This should not get hot if power is only connected for a short time. Maybe there is a short somewhere. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROD W Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 (edited) Check all the wires, that there are no shorts, there are insulators between many of the connections. You can bench test the S/G either on the bench or in the car by bypassing the ignition switch. When bench testing the S/G I had the tapered shaft in so both the starter and generator could be checked that they were both working by engaging either set of brushes. Edited March 4, 2018 by ROD W (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 Rod,when I said armature I meant comutaters and the brushes were in contact .when it was at the shop it ran but it won't run on the car with the same configuration as it did at the shop.and it is getting 6 volts at the brushes.The start /gen had a complete rebuild less than 2 years ago which included a rewound armature and new comutaters and brushes and also new bushings and a machined roller.this was a $2500.00 complete rebuild and when I tore the car down 4 months ago the whole start system was working perfectly and I have done nothing but remove it and reinstall it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27donb Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 If they bench checked it, then it's back to the wiring in the car. Or another basic thing, the transmission is in neutral and the clutch pedal is down when trying to start it? It sounds like the starter is trying to work because you said it is hot, but something is stopping it, either a short or a mechanical reason. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 When I said the starter was hot I meant that it was getting the right voltage.There is nothing wrong with the starter.I also stated that the brushes are in contact with the commutator and the gears are meshed with the flywheel and still nothing is happening. and it starting to make me drift back to the engine being too tight or something and the clutch is not down and it is in neutral and the clutch and transmission has nothing to do with it.From What I see is it has everything that it is supposed to have and still does not work and it is very frustrating. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROD W Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 (edited) Ron, If it were me I would isolate the S/G to eliminate anything else that may be preventing the starter turning. Remove distributor, separate S/G from water pump, disconnect the starter pedal and gears, ( this eliminates any mechanical issue, that may be preventing the starter turning as 27donb said ) and disconnect the ignition switch. Then bench test the S/G in the car by running an earth lead straight from the battery _ve terminal to the S/G. you also need to attach electrical wires to terminals A and F and connect these to the battery + ve terminal as in my pic above. This way you can test that both the generator is working when its brushes are engaging and the starter is working when its brushes are engaging by moving the tapered shaft back and forward. Ensure you only touch the earth lead to the S/G as it will turn the S/G motor over quickly. If you are able to turn the engine over by hand with the plugs out. the starter should have no problems at all, Just my opinion. Edited March 4, 2018 by ROD W (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROD W Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 (edited) I have the S/G out of my 1920 at the moment. Are you able to move the gears backward ( sorry forward not backward ) as in this pic, so they are not engaged when testing the starter. Ron when you rebuilt your engine, did you remove the one way clutch gear. Just wondering, if this is put in back to front whether it would prevent the starter turning. Edited March 4, 2018 by ROD W (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 (edited) Rod the 20 is easier to see the flywheel than the 25 but I know I had it meshed manually when I put the pry bar and moved it over because it came all the way to the back of the housing and the brushes were in contact to the commutator everything is assembled properly.the water pump and the shaft turns perfectly.The only thing that I took out of the starter gear box was the fork and the tapered shaft which I reassembled perfectly and as said in earlier post is the starter/gen was tested at a shop and so was the battery.When you turn on the switch the armature starts rotating as it should but when it meshes it stops and does nothing else.It doesn't even try to start the engine.the gears are spinning and sliding like they should.I have tried it with the battery cables and the jumper cables and even tried it with both cables[ battery cables and jumper cables] and tested the start brushes with a meter and am getting 6 volts.As far as the engine being too tight with the plugs out I can crank it round and round about 4 turns before I tire out but with the plugs in I have to lift the crank and push it down with all my muscle. Edited March 4, 2018 by carmover (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 Here is the pictures of the brush in contact and the gears all the way back and meshing with the flywheel and the meter shows 6 volts at the starter brushes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garnetkid Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 carmover, Is your car ready to move and operate if you try to start it by pulling it? Again, mine acted that away when I tried to start it years ago, pulled it and let it run for a half hour or so. I don't think it takes much of a tight engine like you are saying yours is to prevent the starter from rotating it. The starters can be tested for their torque with a special tool to see if they are up to manufactures specs. Don't ask me how I know, but make sure your distributor is not out 180 deg when you try to start it!!!! I will see if I can find the instructions on how to test (bench) for torque. Leon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garnetkid Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Carmover, here are the instructions for testing the torque. It is in the 25 Buick Master shop manual, but would apply to the standard as well. Did your shop do that test? Leon 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 Leon the shop didn't do a torque test they did a test of the brushes and the armature.The starter was completely remanufactured less than 2 years ago. Ronnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 Leon, I am planning to pull start the car pretty soon I have got to get the winch on my trailer wired and me and a friend are going to take it to an abandoned grocery store and try to pull start it.I live in a rural area and it would be too dangerous to do it on these roads.This should clear it up for as to whether it is too tight or starter system issues once and for all. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sligermachine Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 (edited) the inside of the SG look perfect. Good luck pull starting . I am just a week or 2 from being in the same spot the engine was just rebuilt and I know it has never been started as of yet . kyle Edited March 5, 2018 by sligermachine more (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 Thanks Kyle,good luck on your's too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 This is an interesting topic because I have always used a hill or push started a car. I pulled a hamstring doing this method as well. This also involved "popping the clutch" as you had to get up a little speed before setting things in motion. Pulling a car, I would be afraid to run one car into the other. Is there a safe method to do this that is gentle to the motor and the drive train? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 1 hour ago, Hubert_25-25 said: Is there a safe method to do this Indeed, make sure the brakes work properly before you do this and use a reasonable length of rope so you have reaction time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 I am going to use my Farm Tractor to pull it out of the shop and up the hill to the driveway.I have a cable sling that has clevises on both ends to keep the car from coming loose going up the hill.Once in the driveway I am going to try to pull start it with the tractor but it is a dirt drive and if it doesn't work I am going to take it to a nearby abandoned road with a closed warehouse at the other end and pull it with a pickup truck.I have a friend that is going to help me and we are both real good at pulling cars with chains on these country backroads.My driveway is 900 feet long so I hope I can do it there! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garnetkid Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 you don,t have to pull it fast, just put it in second gear and put the clutch in when it fires up. Make sure the vacum tank and carb is full. Take a video for all of us to enjoy. Would be fun to be there. Leon 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cxgvd Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 Let me say I think your pull start idea is the right one. However on every HCCA weekend many cars start on the crank. Here's how, make sure you have spark retarded, set to fire after TDC from the battery and points, through the spark plug openings pour a tenth of a dram of gas into each cylinder, not too much, reinstall the plugs, then install the crank at the bottom of the stroke and lift, slow and steady. You do not have to spin the engine as if you are the starter motor, just compress the fuel and let the spark plug fire the charge and spin the motor. If you have spark at the right time, fuel and compression it will run. Just something to try while you wait for your friend with the tow strap. Hope all is well in Alabama, Gary 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 47 minutes ago, cxgvd said: ".................... If you have spark at the right time ................" Gary and Ronnie , I strongly feel an attempt to hand start this admittedly still tight new engine would not be time well-spent. Some extremely strong young guy probably could manage it , but : IF you have spark at slightly the WRONG time , the extremely strong young guy could end up wishing he had done something else that afternoon ! Ronnie , what break in oil are you using ? IF YOUR ATTEMPT TO COMPRESSION START YOUR ENGINE IS SUCCESSFUL , DO NOT FORGET TO IMMEDIATELY MONITOR YOUR OIL PRESSURE IN THE INEVITABLE EXCITEMENT ! And again , if you can turn the engine several times with the plugs out , the starter should be able to do the same. Oh , and thanks for the pictures ! What an attractive car ! I looked on the map to see where you live in Alabama. Looks like you have many scenic winding country roads to the North , West , and South of you. Even a cruise down to the coast. First salt seawater I ever saw was at the beach in Alabama back in '52. That white sand looked like snow to me ! I was 7 1/2 years old , but it made such an impression on me that I still remember ! Good luck Ronnie ! - Carl 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian_Heil Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 Sorry to read all of this. To toss another idea at you. Once saw a water pump packing gland turned down so tight the engine had trouble turning over. I too had Jason Smith rebuild my starter generator and it came back looking and running like new. I have not had to touch it since in the two years I have had it and ~4000 miles of touring. You might ask Jason if he load tests units he rebuilds. I believe he does but best to ask. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 (edited) C Carl made a good point about the oil pressure. I once had a Jaguar that pumped out a significant amount of oil onto the driveway on start up because oil filter parts were not the same as in the past. Fortunately we caught it fairly quickly, but almost did not in all the euphoria of getting a motor running. Consider on your attempts, that your first run is without plugs and pulling the car only to establish oil pressure is good. That everything has a chance to get lubricated at a low speed, and more importantly, that you have a chance to check for leaks prior to any large losses of oil. We can't use a drill and prime our engines like modern cars. For the second attempt at starting, you could then put that little bit of gas in each cylinder prior to installing the plugs. We are rooting for you Ron. Hugh Edited March 6, 2018 by Hubert_25-25 (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 I may pull it the first time without the plugs and see how it does.I plan to leave the valve cover loose so I can remove it and see if it is getting oil to the rockers and make sure it has good oil pressure.Then I can check for any leaks and let it run till it warms up and do the hot valve adjustment to 008.I did put new packing in the water pump and I may loosen it up a bit and see if that helps.I don't think I put it too tight because I was going to adjust it when I got it started.I appreciate everyone rooting for me ,I sure need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFranklin Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 (edited) Before you drag it around oil the rockers and add some oil to each cylinder. In fact oil everything that will be moving. Edited March 7, 2018 by JFranklin (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmover Posted March 7, 2018 Author Share Posted March 7, 2018 I plan to oil the rockers up and everything else that moves.I am a little nervous about this and plan to use every precaution! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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