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DavidMc

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  1. I am not sure how relevant this is, I restored a 1920's Packard many years ago and in the process had an auto electrician check the generator.  He removed the third brush and cut out and fitted a voltage regulator from an early 6V Volkswagon.  It worked very well - initially.  The ammeter would show about 20 amps after starting the engine, then slowly reduce as the battery charged.  Some time later the generator failed because solder in the windings had melted. 

    Further investigation confirmed that this generator should not exceed about 8 amps otherwise it will overheat as mine did.  The problem with many of the generators of the era is that they are located in hot areas of the engine bay and poorly cooled.

  2. Congratulations, they are a fine car. 

    I restored and owned the almost identical Standard 1926 model many years ago.  There is a tube inside the exhaust manifold above the carburetor to heat the fuel/air mixture from the caburetor.  It is not uncommon for this inner tube to corrode and develop pin holes allowing exhaust gasses into the intake.    This will make the car run very badly.  The tube can be pressed out and replaced.  That is the first thing I would check

    Also, these cars are quite low geared and the engine will be working very hard at much above 40 mph

    • Like 3
  3. I recently spoke to an anodizing firm about re-anodising a pair of aluminium sill plates, the person I spoke to was helpful and prepared to do them but said there was a high chance the sill plates would be destroyed by the process.   He recommended polishing and clear coating so I have polished out most of the scratches and will be clear coating them with "Protectaclear", it is claimed to be suitable for aluminium and it is expensive.       https://shop.everbritecoatings.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7

  4. In answer to the original question, I had a 1930 Packard 740 Limo with the 4 speed gearbox and never used the low gear, it would take off in any gear on level ground with a little clutch slip if it was 4th gear.  I normally started in second gear then as soon as it was rolling slipped it into  3rd.   The low low 1st gear was unnecessary.

  5. "V out the cracks with a grinder, fill with Bondo sand smooth and paint the wheel. Cost you about $10 bucks."

     

    I did that about 30 years ago on a badly cracked wheel as a temporary repair until I could find a good wheel.  I never found another wheel and the repaired one is still perfect.  A very easy DIY job

    • Like 4
  6. I had a similar crack stitched on a cast iron Packard cylinder head some years ago, it failed in a very short time.  There was not enough thickness, due to internal corrosion, to hold the pins.  As suggested above have the thickness checked before making a decision.  

  7. The fact the cost of restoration is likely to exceed the final value of the car has been known for a long time.

    I am currently restoring a long abandoned project car from piles of parts, its a giant jigsaw puzzle.   I am doing all of the work except the final upholstery and with luck I could sell it when it's finished for about what I will have spent on it but even if I  end up losing money, so what, I am retired and it is what I enjoy (mostly!) doing every day.  it's a hobby where you can recover at least some of your expenses and the result is rewarding.   

    I could buy the same car in nice running condition and take it for drives but what would I do the rest of the time? The project keeps me busy all of the time, even when I go to bed trying to figure out the solution to a problem.   Sounds good to me.   

     

    • Like 14
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  8. Some time ago  I helped restore a small 1930's front-wheel drive BSA car originally fitted with a cork clutch.  The first time the car was driven after it was finished it sheared all of the corks.  The old corks had aged and simply crumbled under load.  We consulted a local clutch expert who was open to the use of both corks, as original, or a modern friction material suitable for operation immersed in oil.    We chose the modern material mainly because it is more robust and it worked fine.   The cork would also have worked well.  Your choice.  

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