C Carl

Perhaps not so much. Determining factors are primarily ambient temperature vs. load. There is a certain point at which equilibrium could be maintained indefinitely at idle. I don’t know what that temp. would be. Minus 80 ? Minus 98.6 ? Sorry, I quite simply don’t know. Increase the load, (most people know that a car engine warms up more quickly while driving, rather than warming up in the parking spot), and more cooling is necessary. Climb a long steep grade without the purpose designed heat exchanger, (radiator), and you will cook up a delicacy known as “baked mill”. - Carl

Old cars, mostly pre-war, give off a delicious smell , unmistakable in the garage where they live. A rack of old vacuum tube communications equipment gives off its own fine aroma in the shack from which it transmits and receives. Each, once very common, now rare, late, lamented; we old guys grew up with, and remember.................. - Carl

Hi Ralph. Frank Hurley who lives across the river North of Portland may very well know. If not , he will know who does know. Oh ! And of course our very own Mark Shaw here on the forums is right there too, and runs in some of the same circles. Yes. That is where I would start. Send Mark a private message through the forum, and tell him Cadillac Carl put you up to it ! In checking the current CLC international directory, I see 7 1929 Fisher coupes, one Fleetwood. One Fisher is here in Washington , owned by a fairly recent member. Perhaps some chance the car stayed in the neighborhood. We are not permitted to share contacts with non-members without consent, so I will send him an email for you. Welcome to AACA, Ralph ! I wish you luck in your search. Please do let us know how you get on. Also, whether you own a Cadillac or not, you are welcome to join CLC, (in fact I think complimentary 6 month memberships are being offered), and in any case, CLC forums are free and opened to all, just as AACA. - Cadillac Carl

With decades of compression tests with plugs out and wide open throttle, I have never had an issue. With the other plugs in, all other things being exactly equal, sure the compression readings COULD be a little lower. But your readings are UP AND EVEN under two different test parameters. IMHO your compression testing has been successfully completed. Go drive when conditions and discretionary time on your part permits. Enjoy your car ! And just monitor starter/bendix condition for any signs of deterioration. 👍, 🙂, - CC

Yes. - CC

John Walker, who until recently had been a long-time neighborhood fixture, was building one. - CC

Veterans Day at the "ranch" this morning :

Last drive for a while last weekend. Peak colors along the creeks at the "ranch" this weekend. - Carl

Well, you guys know I am fond of mid to late 1920s Cadillacs. Ugly duckling ? Yeah, but very elegant surroundings for occupants of the passenger compartment. White Swan ? Uh : white elephant ? I don't know. But what I WOULD like to know is the price. 5 digit CHFs would mean somewhere in between 10,000 to 99,999 of 'em. What would that be in USDs, I wonder. I think that would leave the price anywhere between a "steal", and a "ripoff". Right ? Anyone know ? I am one of those guys who buys cars based upon what I would like to own, rather than who else might have owned them in the past. I will always pass on a car which has perceived enhanced value due to previous ownership. I quite simply enjoy driving and having them myself. Now on the other hand, if Madonna had had previous ownership, and had retained and exercised periodic visitation rights, that covenant would be worth paying for....................... Yeah : just what is the price of this car : CHF________? USD_________? - Cadillac Carl asking, please.

November is the gloomiest month of the year in Seattle, measured scientifically by photometric techniques. However, we are having a very brief almost Summer-like respite. Took advantage to go visiting along slow traffic free back roads. Leaving forever young Margie to continue her eternal peaceful rest, I was presented with this Autumn scene. By the time I continued my drive, PDT to PST conversion got me again. Late, in the darkness, lining up the never more young machine to continue its temporary rest, the cowl lights presented an unusual opportunity I had never noticed before. This is the best I could do under the circumstances, but it gave me an idea for further photographic improvement on the theme. - Carl

Well, if you are open to anything in any condition, you could be bombarded with everything in every which a possible condition. Is that really what you are asking for ? At least tell us something about you : age ?_______________________ Experience/training ?_________________ Price range you are looking to spend ?__________________ Optionally I.Q. If you feel like throwing that into the mix ?__________________ See, it is very difficult for us to help someone totally unknown to us who is looking for any kind of car in any condition just as long as it is 1920 or earlier. Want a 1920 Cadillac in driver condition ? A run-down one which will be a 15 year long project ? O.K. then : If a 1920 will do, what about the 1921 Cadillac in the next town over ? Not much difference between them, practically the same car. Prefer a 1904 single cylinder Cadillac ? Are you a machinist with a well equipped shop and 30+ years turning metal into miracles ?__________________. Welding abilities ?_________________ Please fill in the blanks, and how about turning some of those cards face-up ? In other words, let us know what those particular makes, models, and years you have in mind. Steam you say ? Would you be experienced in marine or railroad steam power ; hobby or professional capacity? Pretty sure you get the point. Please help us to help you. You have come to exactly the right place. An almost infinite amount of collective knowledge and patience here. Welcome, friend !

I enjoy the occasional p'apple. But more to the point, I expect those early Hawaiian roads were about as rough as one. Probably close to as sloppy as a rotten one, too. - Carl

Ditto on George's technique. I am not the least hesitant to use full retard when starting, and driving/slowly accelerating in a higher gear to avoid needing to shift down in my old Cadillacs. Gasoline in 1920 was just about 40 octane. - Carl

Not only, but Cassius M. Clay at that. Did you ever see the movie about him called "Ali" ? Will Smith played him, and the fight scenes were really pretty good, IMHO. On the other hand, I did not enjoy all the time spent on his girlfriends, and infidelities. But I do remember the scene at the induction center when he refused to step up when his name was called. "Cassius Marcellis Clay". I had a heightened interest in the movie, as Columbia Pictures/Sony rented a couple of my antique trucks for set props. Anyway, Clay was a Jr. so maybe his dad was into old cars. I have no idea whatsoever. But it is pitiful how he was used and abused by that phony Moslem group who kept throwing him into the ring long after he could protect and defend himself against some hard hitting opponents. He would lose a fight, but be declared the winner. Too much blood money to still be made off his draw. Remember what Shavers did to him ? Shavers won 13 rounds out of the 15, but still "lost" the fight according to the complicit judges. " Parkinsons", my left ear. Who used to float and sting, left punch drunk and abused. Poor guy. Clays had been held in involuntary servitude by the Goodloes, I have a friend who is a Goodloe. Some things just ain't right. But I sure hope Sr. just happened to love old cars, and did enjoy ownership of that '04. - Carl

Hi Greg ! Yes, I got a call from Patrick Reeve last week; his son, about to turn 21 bought it. The car is in superb shape. Real shame it was taken apart. I mean, the old wrench even TOTALLY dismantled the brakes. Right down to the last pin, etc. At least, the car being 2-wheel brake, they will not have to figure which end the brake bits came off of. This parts pile was well stored. Old tires were kept unloaded, and have no visible degradation at all. Headliner, instrument panel and more in great shape. They just had the car transported to Upper N.Y. and are going through and inventorying everything. What a perfect project for a young enthusiast ! And with the family business, should the engine need work, some of the finest engine builders will not be far away. The porcelain on the exhaust manifolds is perfect, so the engine has not had a hard life. I hope a restoration topic will begin here. Someone should have given the the predatory dismantler a player piano and a half dozen pinball machines out of the '50s to keep his ambitious, curious, pudgy potato peelers occupied, and the old Cadillac left to rest intact and in peace. - Carl P.S. Patrick would like to have a parts manual for '22 - '23 Cadillacs. Can anyone help ?

Just stumbled across this again. Wonder what became of this monumental project. - Carl

Cool, Padgett ! Do you have, or have you played with one of their simulators ? - Carl

And another great big thanks to George Albright ! I particularly love closed cars from the short-lived Classic Period. That also goes for the shoulder periods, the Late Pre-Classics, and the Early Post-Classic. In fact, I can honestly say, that I love the elegant closed cars produced in this 10 or 12 year period equally just as much as the open cars. Greatest respect to the talented folk who bring another long neglected old car back to life. And a couple extra gold stripes, and a platinum star for those who bring back another 4-door closed one. All Hail, George Albright, and the other members of the esteemed restoration "fraternity". - Carl

Ed, I feel compelled to give you some advice : Slow down. I have been spellbound reading your resurrection here. Seem to remember that the tires are old. Seem to remember that this is a 2 wheel brake 100+ year old platform. The car has just warned you. I am warning you. SLOW DOWN, ED ! SLOW THE HELL DOWN !!! You are a real "people person" who seems to love your fellow old car nuts as much as the cars themselves. We all love you and are grateful for all that you share, and the help you generously lavish upon us. You have just got away with proving a point, and do not have to equal or beat it again. This is not a well sorted Duesenberg J with big juice brakes on all 4. Please slow down, precious irreplaceable forum friend. - Carl

Best wishes for your dad, Eric. He is fortunate to have a loving son to help him. As an automobile related aside : I remember the day you were born fairly well, although in a very different context. I celebrated my 21st birthday that day. My friend Tom Cain took me out beer drinking in his "Jagmobile". XK120 drophead with an Olds V8 and a Pont' hydramatic. Tom lost his right arm on the sad side of a bicycle-automobile accident at a young age. Never let it hold him back. You should have seen him play baseball. Make a catch, flip the ball airborne while dropping his mitt, catch the ball again and relay it on. The automatic in the "Jagmobile" was a factor in his purchase. However, he certainly could crossdraw shift a manual trans while steering with his elbow. Tom taught me the crossdraw shift which I learned well. Allowed me to otherwise occupy my right arm when in the automotive company of a friendly lady. July 9th birthday trivia : July 9th is Argentine Independence day. Lucky lads born there that day are exempt from otherwise obligatory military service. - Carl

Wow ! Congrats, Jack ! I hope we can get out and about soon so I can cruise down South and meet you. Check out that PA and need to get a ride in the cool "Rat" you made ! Waiting with you and all the guys and gals here, looking forward to seeing a bunch of pics when you start your new ownership !! - Carl

See if Rich can help you. thehandleman@comcast.net send him pictures from every which angle of what you need. He has many tens of thousands of handles. That is why 'round these parts, Rich's handle is the handleman. Good luck, Wade ! - Carl

Not a good test for proper surge brake operation. Really doesn't tell you what you need to know about surge brake operation, and calibration/adjustment. PARTICULARLY on a rental, the ongoing adjustments for varying loads being unknown. Of COURSE reversing against load will engage the brakes, heavy more so, or up an incline. But again, this really doesn't mean much, if anything at all. Make sure to lock out surge brakes when maneuvering where backing up will be needed. There is an adjustment at the master cylinder which should be taken seriously when doing any freight hauling with surge brakes. You obviously don't want to lock up the trailer brakes and risk losing control of the trailer. I always like to check my tow, tie downs and hitch, after just a couple of acceleration and deceleration cycles. Next, just a few miles down the line after several full stops. I have got pretty good at feeling brakes by hand to assure proper operation. Quite certain one of those hand held I.R. thermometers could be a pretty good substitute for an experienced hand. In general, you want the greatest amount of total heat dissipation on the front brakes of the tow vehicle. Trailer brakes per axle not quite equal to, but never greater than the rear axle of the tow vehicle. This is a good way to look at it, but there may be some consideration given to tire tread design, and traction conditions. Please don't be in a hurry when towing. It is easy to get lulled into a higher than prudent velocity as the hours and miles roll on. This is fundamental, and that is why towing speed limits may be 10 mph lower than single vehicle. - Carl

My memory being what it is and isn't, I think I had better call our Museum of Flight to verify what I think was going on 1/2 a century ago. Could it have been an 86 ? I agonize over what I think I remember at times, and this is one of them. Other times I feel on fairly sound footing, though ancient memories often come more like dreams. I am sure you guys my age and older know what I mean. But, the MoF will certainly know. - Carl

Seems to me, in what is now a not totally reliable memory, Boeing used one as a "chase plane" during some test flights. This would have been quite some time ago, decades, but it may yet serve. It would not have been accumulating an enormous amount of flight time, and I expect Boeing would not lack for qualified, experienced A&Ps. - Carl