Laughing Coyote

My exhaust manifolds had cracks in them after cleaning them up. I borrowed my friends Weber charcoal grill and made a fire just like for grilling. I ground out the cracks so I could get good penetration and then placed them on the grate and let them heat up. I made sure the cracks were facing to were I could repair them. After they cooked for a little bit I used my arc welder with a rod for cast iron and welded them up. After I was done I just let them lay there until the grill cooled off. I you don't heat them first they will crack and you have to let them cool down like a cycle on an engine or they will crack. I know there are other methods, but this worked for me. Just clean up the welds after your repair and good to go.

After looking over the repair manual I had a voice tell me to pull the vent and tube assy off the back of the booster. I did that and the vacuum line from inside the booster came undone that hooks up to it. I had to take the booster apart to reinstall the hose. It was acting like a big vacuum leak. I bet it will run better too. I still have a hard pedal, but I will have to run it again to see what kind of results I get with the booster repaired. Yes Lew, the lines all have been bled. Thanks for the input. Aren't old cars fun?

Wow, it's been awhile since I posted any information on the Merc project. My business has been crazy busy for the last 2 months. As it stands right now I have the generator rebuilt, and installed. The voltage regulator is installed. I was able to run the car and get it to move under it's own power. I still have to tweak the carb settings a bit more, but as of right now it runs pretty nice. I do have one issue that is giving me a hard time. I have all new brake shoes, hardware, brake cylinders, master cylinder, and the booster has been rebuilt also. The lines have been cleaned and free of debris.The problem is that I have very little pedal travel and the brakes don't stop the car, it just slows it. I have moved the car under power back and forth for about 20 feet then apply the brakes. They are just hard to push. I checked the brake shoes with the drum off and they move outward and return. They are not set to tight, they turn freely. I don't know what else it can be. Has anyone ever had an issue like this???

Here would be a nice one that falls along the same lines. And its for sale too. https://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/d/1989-mercury-grand-marquis/6333449232.html And one for Grog. https://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/d/1980-chevy-chevette/6323840332.html

I'm sure there were a lot of us folks that weren't able to attend Hershey and get to look at all the vendors offerings and beautiful cars on display. I thought maybe the people that have attended may be able to show us what you bought. One off parts, hard to find or that off the wall item you just had to have. Interested to see what comes up.

Here is something you don't see very often. Be a cool addition to an older car. https://tucson.craigslist.org/ele/d/rca-auto-car-record-player/6291164565.html

Looks good. Keep rolling.

Been seeing this chassis on the local CL for a long time. So throwing it out there. https://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/d/1929-buick-model-46-business/6310121924.html

Thanks for all the comments so far. I'm not a big fan of the real shinny stuff either that looks like your fingers after eating deep fried chicken. I like the rich black color (the shade darker than a raw tire color) with a hint of sheen. A mat to semi look.

Looking good so far.

I don't know if this topic was ever discussed, but I was wanting to know if any of you use a tire dressing on your tires to give them that nice sheen and black rich color. If so what do you use and if there are any drawbacks of using a tire dressing. Thanks

Greg. You can try this company. Not sure on cost, but maybe they can help you out. http://www.emblemagic.com/index.html

Making progress now. Keep up the nice work.

That sounds about right for a re-core. I paid $525 for mine to have a high efficiency core and using my old tanks. That total included shipping from California to Arizona. Plus included a 2 year warranty. The few places locally were around $700 - $800.

Since information is still free. I would give them a call and explain to them your situation and how you want everything kept looking vintage. You may want to have them test it anyway to make sure there is no problems. Things can look great on the ouyside, but could have issues on the inside. I'm sure they can get you fixed up. Talk with Sam. Hope this helps you out.

I don't know how far Salinas Ca. is from you, but I had Salinas Radiator shop rebuild my radiator. Put in a high efficiency core and did a great job at a good price. Even comes with a warranty. They did my heater core also since they are no longer available. Address: 231 E Market St, Salinas, CA 93901 Phone: (831) 424-5647

Thanks for all the info and comments. The coupes look nice and are out there for a good price, but the sedan offers more room for passengers and they wont be out in the elements while riding in the rear seat. I'm leaning more toward the model A and was thinking more around $7000 not $10000. I included others that may be a good project for someone. Davlet, go to the CL link and contact the owner of the Buick and see what he will let it go for. https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/d/1927-dodge-brothers-hot-rod/6249054171.html https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/d/1929-chrysler-model-75/6221008854.html https://prescott.craigslist.org/cto/d/1929-buick-3-window-coupe/6231286993.html

Here are the cars in question. As far as maintenance and doing things myself, that's not a problem. I appreciate all the info so far. Been looking at purchasing a pre war car, but don't know much about them. Yes I have one in work right now, but may want to have another in waiting that doesn't require a major restore. https://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/d/1930-ford-model-sedan/6256346538.html https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/d/1931-buick-straight-8-suicide/6224867874.html

Speaking of ash. How's the fires up there John? I know it's pretty bad right now. I have in laws up in Red man.

I'm wanting to get general information on what would be a better buy. The 2 cars I'm interested in are a 1930 Ford model A sedan and a 1931 Buick straight 8 (4 door). The Ford had a restore in the 80's, but needs TLC. (repaint on the fenders, new top material, general maintenance for safe operation. Does run and drive.) The Buick needs a full paint, interior needs redone, needs general maintenance for safe operation, new top material, does run and drive. My questions are as follows. 1. Availability of parts and cost. (high, low, average) 2. Which one is a better return on resale if need be. 3. Which one will have the better ride and ease of operation. 4. Difficulty of maintenance. 5. Any known problems with these types of models. Thanks in advance for any information.

That was fast. I ordered my parts for the generator on the 11th and got them today. Thanks C&G. Now the fun begins when I get a chance to breath.

Well it's been a while for an update so here is what's going on at the moment. I got tired of waiting for the generator after a month. The company kept pushing the delivery date out farther and farther. I canceled the order and ordered the new fields, armature, bearings, and brushes. Should be here next week. Going to purchase a new regulator as well so I can cross it off the list. I also received the steering cylinder hoses. I still have to put them on. Other than that nothing to exciting.

The mount on the front fender lines up with the others on the side of the bed. Maybe it was used to haul pipe, steel, or lumber along the side of the truck. Nice looking old truck.

Oh. I guess it does make it a problem. I must have jumped the gun on the reply to the post.

I bought an old tow motor forklift years ago for $1500. I knew a guy that needed one for his shop. He had the Bridgeport in a corner that he wasn't using. I wanted a mill so we traded. I ended up tearing down the entire head assembly and replaced all the bad and worn parts. The upper part works great. Once I get the other pats re built it will work like new again. It's still usable, I just can't use the full range of the table.