TKelly

Thank you both, this gives me a good starting point of things to check. Thanks, Tristan.

Hi guys, Thank you both for your replies. I am in Aus and familiar with the Penrite 250 gear oil I use it in both the gearbox and diff of my Essex. I think for now I will leave the gearbox alone as there doesn't appear to much I can do with it there's nothing I can do with the intermediate gear and he does not have any gearbox spares and as far as the input shaft goes it is only moving approx 5mm so perhaps it is also just wear related. Since talking to my uncle he has also told me last time he moved the car under its only power (25 odd years ago) the clutch was very grabby to the point he was concerned it would break spokes, any advise on this? Thanks again, Tristan.

Hi Guys, Having finished the restoration on my '26 Essex I am now assisting my uncle with his '25 Dodge Roadster we are starting by getting it moving up its own power and then will move onto the bodywork etc. I have had the engine running given it a tune up and have it running pretty sweet, I have some concerns about the gearbox however. It is very noisy and after removing the top of the gearbox I have some questions for those who have Dodge experience. Firstly the input shaft seems to float back and forth with the clutch pedal free play but once loaded up ie depressing the clutch it does not move is this a normal characteristic? Secondly the small gear on the input shaft which locks to the output for 3rd gear is very loose on the input shaft and I believe the main cause of the noise, it is hard to imagine the centre of the gear being a high wearing part as it does not move very much nor very far. Again is this a normal thing or is it worn? Lastly and not necessarily gearbox related I have found a Dodge Brothers mechanics instruction book online, does anyone here have it and is it worth owning? Thanks in advance, Tristan.

I didn't undercut the mica I didn't deem it necessary the grooves are still quite deep. Cheers, Tristan.

Thanks for responses guys, I have found and rectified the issue. After much reading and researching I decided to pull the armature out of the generator and put it in a lathe to check information the commutator was out of round. Sure enough it was a long way out of round so I machined it round put it all back together and away it went. It does peak and drop off but nothing like it was it peaks at 5A charge at about 2000 rpm or just under and by 2500 rpm is starting charging at 4A. Cheers, Tristan.

Hi guys, I'm having a bit of a problem with the generator in my '26 Essex at higher rpm the output drops of dramatically. It is a 6v negative earth car generator is 3rd brush regulated. The generator will charge up to about 2000 engine rpm and then drop of very rapidly from there. I had it said at about 4.5A charge at 2000rpm but by 2500rpm the output has dropped off to the point it is no longer charging but is not discharging. I have checked brush tensions the all feel about the same and have checked the resistance through the brush connections everything seems to check out ok. I have been told this could just be a design flaw of the particular generator (it is an American Bosch unsure of model) but I'm not sure. Also it's worth mentioning it has done this since I've wired it up it is not a new problem that has started occurring. Thanks in advance, Tristan.

Thanks for that I will give them a try.

Hi Guys, I am nearing the end of the restoration of my 1926 Essex (hoping to finish it towards the end of the year) however I bought the car it didn't come with a speedo cable and I haven't come across one during the restoration. So would anyone here have one they would be willing to sell? Thanks in advance, Tristan.

Hi guys, Thank you all for your input I have found the issue. It turns out the vac tank must have had a small vacuum leak between where the inner chamber sits in the top of the other chamber I have sealed that and no more stalling. Thanks again everyone. Cheers, Tristan.

Hi Sasha, Here is a photo of the top of the vac tank you can see the very small vent which I have checked and it clear. It also has a vent the side of the centre fitting to allow the vacuum chamber to drain into the main reservoir. Cheers, Tristan.

Hi Hans, I have checked most of the things on your list above the only one I have not checked is the flapper valve which I will do. The vacuum tank is not original to the car I bought it off a fellow Essex owner and may very well be off a later model but I imagine it should still work being that they all work on the same principle? Thanks for the help, Tristan.

Hi guys, This is the only photo I have of the vac tank it appears to have all the correct parts and is very simple internally, it is not like the other ones with springs and levers etc. Cheers, Tristan.

Hi guys, Please forgive me if this has been covered before I did search but couldn't find an answer to my particular question. I am having a problem with my vacuum tank causing the engine in my '26 Essex to stall when it it drawing fuel up from the main tank. Whenever the vacuum tank is drawing fuel up from the main tank the engine runs very rough and stalls unless I hold the throttle open a bit. The engine runs sweet otherwise so would rule out a vacuum leak. The tank in question is a Stewart Warner but does not have the pot metal top it is all tin and has 4 screws that hold the top on. Is there something I am missing or is this just the way vacuum tanks are? Thanks in advance, Tristan.

Have you heard of that plasti-dip paint? From what I know about it (very limited) you can paint something with it and then peel it off without affecting the surface underneath. It might not come in the colour you're after but you might then be able to put your paint over the top of it? Just a suggestion I'm sure there are people for more knowledgeable as to whether this is a viable option. Cheers,Tristan.

Thanks guys, I have sent Jim an email hopefully I get the answers I am after. Cheers, Tristan.

Hi guys, As my car inches closer to being ready for paint I need to decide on a colour. I would love to know what the original colour looks like unfortunately I have had no luck being able to find a car in its original colour nor have I had any luck matching the paint code that I have. I have tried my local paint suppliers to no avail has anyone had any success matching a paint code from the 1920's? The car is question is a 1926 Essex and the paint information is Algerian Blue Duco, No. 2444021. Cheers, Tristan.

Hi guys, Here is a photo of my first attempt at bodywork. The photo is flattering and you cannot see the imperfections because there are a few. Also I did not bother to pay much attention to where the windscreen mounts meet the cowl because there is a rubber seal there and it will be covered anyway. Cheers, Tristan.

Thanks for all the advice guys, I have started on one side of the cowl and I can say it will definitely be a very time consuming task. However with some perseverance I'm sure it will get there in the end. Cheers, Tristan.

Hi guys, I have decided that this summer I am going to paint my car with the help of my best mate. Combined we have zero panel beating experience and zero spray painting experience with 2pak (we have both sprayed stationary engines and things with enamel). I'm not going for a showroom finish just something that looks nice and presentable. Any and all advice is appreciated. Cheers, Tristan.

Depends what condition the engine is in, you say it is restored but that does not give an accurate idea as to what condition it is in. Has it been fully rebuilt, semi rebuilt or just had a coat of paint? Could all count as "restored". Cheers, Tristan.

Hi mate, Does your vac tank look like the pictures below? If so it is a Stewart Warner unfortunately I can't help with what model it is but maybe someone else can. As for your running rough problem first thing I would check is the plugs possibly even replace them. Failing that I would check the fuel filter (if one has been fitted) and the fuel lines make sure plenty of fuel is getting to the carby. Cheers, Tristan.

Hi guys, I'm currently trying to build up an engine for my 1926 Essex just curious if anyone has any suggestions where to get parts I have been looking all over the internet and no luck thus far. Cheers, Tristan.

Hi Guys, Currently I am in the process of getting the doors on my '26 Essex and I was wondering is there any tips or tricks you guys have learned over the years I am aware to get the twist in the door right you can put a turnbuckle in. Currently one door is ok it opens and closes etc but the other won't open as I'd no following the shape of the cowl. Any input I'd appreciated. Cheers, Tristan.

Hi Jim, Interesting to hear that you bought your first project car at the age of 17 I was that age when I bought this (19 now) and you are correct life does get in the way sometimes but I still manage to find plenty of time to work on it. Unfortunately I live down in Melbourne but I know a bloke who has a very beautiful original example who is a brilliant source of information and motivation. I will be sure to have a look at your car I enjoy reading restoration articles and threads. Cheers, Tristan.

Hi guys, As some of you may remember 18 months ago I purchased my first project car a 1926 Essex. Much has changed since then and I thought some of you would be interested to see what cane of it. Well work is well and truly underlay I originally planed to get it running and go from there, pulling the head off the engine revealed bores full of water and that the engine would not run again until several thousand dollars were spent on it. So I stripped the body off down to the chassis where it sat for 6 months without being touched as I thought I was in over my head and I had no idea what I was doing. Then the bug bit again and Ive really got stuck into it the last 6 months I've painted the chassis and started rebuilding the bodywork. Currently I have just received the cowl back from my panel beater after the rust has been cut out and patched, sandblasted and sprayed in epoxy primer ready for body filler. I will be getting the door skins back hopefully later this week they have received the same treatment. All questions and feedback welcome. Cheers, Tristan.