atrout

Follow up to issue being resolved: I received a replacement headlight switch from Chevs of the 40's. Kudos to them for exceptional customer service. I had purchased the switch a few months before actually driving at night and discovering the problem. They replaced the switch promptly and at no expense to me! I'm a happy camper! Andy

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and encouragement. Keep those classics driving!

Issue resolved. Turns out to be defective replacement headlight switch. Occam's Razor: The simplest solution is usually the best. I crawled under the dash with a handful of jumper leads and started bypassing the switch contacts one circuit at a time. First headlights only... came on stayed on. Then added the taillights which also added the dash lights... still ok. Then parking lights... all on. Then I tried turn signals one at a time, then four ways. All worked with no disco effect. I disconnected my jumpers and tried headlight switch as usual and got the flashing issue. I'm now in negotiation with the supplier of headlight switch - I bought and installed last September, but didn't drive at night until recently - to see if they will honor as a warranty replacement. Andy

There has been some interesting discussions about Ohm's Law and the power. (Not to reopen any wounds but double the voltage to the same load results in half the amperage). I have considered the dual filament bulb with one filament failing and shorting to the other circuit - i.e. Brake filament shorting to the tail lamp filament. This would provide a back feed into the turn signal switch making a funky parasitic circuit... I have pulled both tail lamp bulbs and the headlights still go into disco mode after about a minute. I also pulled the case off the voltage regulator just because it acts like a relay/circuit breaker cycling . It's not the voltage regulator. I clamped a Fluke current probe over primary. Headlamps/Dash are drawing around 8.6 amps (around 103 Watts which makes sense). The meter is digital so I can't see if the current is creeping up or it is steady until "open". Next troubleshooting session - the weather is nice here so I've been working outdoor projects - I plan to lay under the dash with a handful of jumper wires and bypass the switch contacts of the headlight switch itself. The good news is this can be fixed - it's just one of those crazy fun old car issues!

I did a little troubleshooting today. More truth table stuff than actually tracking voltage drops. I don't believe the turn signals are integral to the issue. The previous owner converted the car to 12 volt. It does not have a new wiring harness but for same power consumption the wiring should be carrying half it original 6 volt current. Certainly solid connection and good bonding needs to be addressed. I replaced the headlight switch with one of the Chevy of the 40s OEM style 12 volt rated, rheostat, and removable shaft - $50 fairly decent manufactured switch. My dash light dimmer wasn't working on original switch. Sitting in garage, engine off, no brake lights or flashers involved - I turn headlamps and dash lights on. After about a minute or so, I get the flashing on off behavior. It is so regular it makes me believe the new headlight switch has a built in circuit breaker in form of a bimetallic strip. I assume this would be for dash light circuitry. So aside from everything else to check, I'm going to make sure all the dash lights are 12 volts and/or eliminate the dash lights from the "issue". Thanks for the suggestions... I hope to chase this one to ground in next day or two.

My wife and I went to dinner and a play the other evening. We drove the '46 Chevy, Maurice Chevrolet. Going to dinner was fine. At this point I'd like to point out that civil sunset was not until 8:46 PM. Dinner was at 6:00. Went to the theatre at 7:45.... After the play, Streetcar named Desire, Tennessee Williams.... an excellent American playwright.... I digress. Time for headlights. All on just fine, we start driving down Market Street, headlights, dash-lights, go out. I pulled over and messed with switch the wire bundle, etc. While we were contemplating what to do, I turned on the four-way flashers. Flashers all around, so this is good. Then I stepped on the brakes and the headlights and dash-lights came on, went off, came on, went off... Needless to say we broke up laughing. I haven't run into this one before! So I'm going to replace main ground cable and put an extra bonding strap or two on. I think I'll run a jumper from battery ground straight to headlight switch and see if all symptoms go away... Stella! Stella! I coulda been a mechanic! I coulda been a somebody! I added the turn signals but the headlights circuitry never came into play. Any ideas? Andy

Need two wheels with hubcap clips for 1937 Pontiac sedan. Trying to restore back to original 6.00x16 tires. My limited research shows same wheel for 1937 and 38 Pontiacs. I don't have other GM interchange information but suspect there may be a crossover. Wheels are 5x5 inch bolt pattern with 3 inch hub hole. This is a repost... I purchased four wheels from an ebayer but one rim had significant weld repair - may be suitable for spare but don't know that I trust it completely. Please contact me by email: atrout@columbus.rr.com Thanks, Andy

Trying to find four hubcaps for 1937 Pontiac sedan in good driver condition. I was able to find three in pretty rough shape at Hershey. I believe the correct hubcaps are chrome, "Pontiac" script across center, with three groves in outside edge. Following image shows red painted "Pontiac" which may not be correct for '37 Please contact by email: atrout@columbus.rr.com Thanks, Andy

I have a 1946 Fleetmaster sedan that I am trying to restore missing vacuum assist shift mechanics. Only remaining piece is the air filter mounted in side rail. Need Vacuum Canister, Mounting Bracket, Valve, Boot, Shift Linkage(s). I would prefer to buy all at once but will buy piecemeal. Please contact by email: atrout@columbus.rr.com

Want to Buy original wheels for 1937 Pontiac 4-door P6 sedan. Intend to mount 6.00 by 16 tires. Need 4 but would prefer 5 wheels. I believe they are 3 in hub, 5x5 inch pattern, with hubcap clips. Second on list are 1937 hubcaps for the same. Currently riding on circa 1950 15 inch rims. I need tires and want to get the old girl back to original (at least back to original rims with Diamondback radials). Andy

I have the rears off a new to me 37 Silver Streak slant back. Of course the parking brake cables are corroded solid... maybe we'll need to post on that later. Anyway, local Car Quest and NAPA don't have books that go back to 1937 any longer. I tried selecting by size - 12 inch diameter, 1.75 width and based on images I selected a size 30. NAPA got them in for me and they were a little short and the hole on the adjuster end of the shoe is toward the lining (outside). What I took of had the adjuster spring hole toward interior and I was afraid the spring to the outside might get in to the drum or something. Anyone have an "old" NAPA book or can steer me towrd correct shoes? Might as well figure out the front axle as well.... Thanks in advance for your help!