pmhowe

Thanks for an informative post. The old one looks like a tool that could also be helpful in installing water pump seals. Have you used it that way?

@dibarlow A great job on the spare tire wheel rim. It turned out really nice. The wheel painting is superb. You should be very proud of it. The roof? Well, it needs pinstripes.

I just read the exchange between EmTee and Mike “Hubble” Stearns at 11:46 AM, 11/14/2023 on the “What areYou Working on Right Now” thread and felt compelled to post this without side tracking their thread:

Should the seats have been leather? That looks like a pretty nice upholstery job to naive old me. Since I am hoping to have a 1928 coupe of mine redone in a few years, I'd appreciate some additional critical comments. Phil

Peter, Thank you for the clarification. I didn't have a clue. However, i am proud to say I just purchased one for me to work on my cars. I haven't received it yet. It will be On Board, if the leads are long enough - I'll park it on the car seat. Phil

A really handsome car. I would love to own it. But, I would not buy it from a seller named "Billy McFartigan". (I'm showing my prejudices. ).

Closure. The charging system on my Cadillac is now working as it should. I took it out for a ride today, and the needle on the ammeter returns to near-zero after a few minutes driving. Thank you for all of your help. Some of you may remember the radio host Paul Harvey. He had a show called “The Rest of The Story”, where he addressed in depth particular topics of interest. So, here is “the rest of the story”: The last few days have been cold here, and I chose not to work on the car. Instead, I looked through the Yellow Pages and found a generator and alternator repair shop in a small town near Boone. I took the old regulator in to have them adjust it. The shop was in a small building that had probably been a one-bay service garage years ago. When I entered, it was like entering a time warp. It was just like the ones my father used to take me to when I was little and he had work done on the family car. It was slightly dark, the concrete floor was totally black from years of exposure to grease, oil, and dirt, there were a few overhead fluorescent lights, and a kerosene heater trying its best to keep the place warm. Stacks of parts on shelves. And old tools. Lots of them. There were the usual mechanics tools, but also large and small presses, a tool that would firmly hold a generator and had a special screwdriver setup for removing the big machine screws that hold the field coils in place on a generator, a small lathe that I would give my eyeteeth for, and - over against the wall - an analog tester for generators and alternators. It was probably the newest instrument there, since I think alternators didn’t become common until the 1960s. There was just one person there; the owner. The owner was probably not as old as I am, but I would guess he was well into his seventies. Picture someone who looks like Earl in the comic strip “Pickles”, but with bib overalls and an old engineer’s cap. He used the analog tester to adjust my regulator. I enjoyed watching him work as - from what I have learned from this thread and reading Delco-Remy Bulletins and The Motor Repair Manual, I understood most of what he was doing. He worked on the regulator for about 45 minutes until he was satisfied with its performance. I was pleased to see that he placed the regulator cover on the regulator after each adjustment and before each test. When he finished, he returned the regulator and I asked him what I owed him. He thought for a moment and said “Ten bucks”. Ten bucks! I really was in a time warp. I didn’t have a ten dollar bill, but I had a twenty. I gave him that and said his time was worth more than ten to me. When I left with my regulator, he had a smile on his face and I had a much bigger smile on mine. When I got home, I put the newly calibrated old regulator back on my car, did the polarization and it was ready to go. I’ll save the new regulator for a spare. But, first, I will have it calibrated at my favorite shop. Phil

The procedure that ArcticBuicks describes above is something I have wanted to learn, but not on my car. I think it is called “Floating” the gears. There are numerous YouTube examples of doing it with trucks. Years ago, I was driving home when the cable connecting the clutch pedal to the clutch broke. I thumbed home to pick up my tools. The gentleman who picked me up asked why I was thumbing. When I explained he laughed. He had one leg missing and drove his manual shift car by floating the gears. I was totally impressed. I made his day and he made mine.

Further progress on my car’s charging system: After reading Bloo’s response, I systematically went through the charging circuit (checking the base of the regulator and the generator case connection first) and got the following: Battery terminal to Cutoff switch. (0.00 Ohm) Cutoff switch terminal to terminal, with switch in “On” position. (0.00 Ohm) Regulator Field terminal to regulator base. (0.00 Ohm) Regulator Field terminal to generator body. (0.00 Ohm) Generator body to engine block. (0.00 Ohm) Regulator Field terminal to battery ground strap. (0.00 Ohm) That’s reassuring, as I spent a whole lot of time inspecting and cleaning terminals, wiring, and connections. So, the good news is that the circuit appears to have good connectivity. The bad news is that I need to adjust the voltage regulator. The worse news is those clever folks from Cadillac made removing and refitting the VR on this car a real PITA. (Removing and refitting the generator is even worse.) I decided the less aggravating and more sensible route would be to replace the regulator with a new one. I’d like a spare, anyway. The regulator on the car is an Ace VR 2103.( It is not a direct replacement for the original factory supplied unit. The original factory unit did not have a voltage regulator but only had a current regulator and a cutout. However, the generator is a two-brush generator.) I purchased a Standard Ignition Products VR - 1, which is a 6V positive/negative ground unit used on 1940s Cadillacs and many other vehicles and is similar to the Ace unit. I disconnected the battery, installed the new regulator, polarized the system, and started the car. I did not measure generator output voltage through the regulator, which I should have done. To my surprise, when I raised the engine rpm to an estimated 2000, the ammeter was registering close to 30 Amps, which is far too high for my comfort. I didn’t make an opportunity to run the car long enough to see if the current would drop down as the battery recovered from startup. I need to do that. But, still, 30 amps seems silly. The car had started easily and the battery charger had said the battery was near full charge (6.35 V) prior to start. I’m beginning to think that I have a bad battery. However, I have no sound technical reason for saying so.

I had hoped to get back to this sooner, but some household projects interfered. The car is very definitely 6V positive ground. My error, I should have stated that in my first post. Also, the regulator on the car is very definitely not the correct OEM model. I believe the generator on the car is the original one, although it looks to have been rebuilt at some time. Cadillac very definitely used a two-brush generator in 1934 and 1935. Cadillac Preliminary Service Information (1934) states “The generator is of the shunt wound current control type. It has no third brush and no adjustment is provided”. I took the car for a five or six mile spin today. The battery tested at 6.34 V before I started the car. The car started after less than five seconds on the starter, so I didn’t drain the battery excessively. The ammeter read 15 +/- 1 Amp or so while driving (It hopped around some). When I got back home, I tested voltage from battery to ground and from the regulator Batt terminal to generator case. The measurements were made with the hand throttle advanced somewhat. I didn’t have a tach on the engine, but would guess somewhere around 1500 - 1700 rpm. The measured voltages were 9.87 V across the battery terminals and 10.64 V from the Batt terminal on the regulator to the generator casing. I don’t know why the values differed. At any rate, it appears that the voltage regulator is not working properly, as you suggested. It didn’t look to me that the voltage regulator is adjustable. I guess I need to buy a new regulator. Thanks very much for your help. Of course, I would appreciate any further thoughts. Phil

George, Thanks for posting that first picture. The car, of course, is beautiful. The scenery is beautiful as well. The experience must have been fantastic. When I was a young teenager, the Princeton (Mass) Car Museum had three pre-1920 Pierce touring cars. I don't remember which models, although I remember they each had a cast aluminum body. Huge, impressive vehicles, and each was beautiful. I made a promise to myself that someday, I would own one. It's not going to happen but I can still share vicariously through the pictures. Thanks again for posting. Phil

This has been an interesting thread. I’d like to revive it. I am slowly working towards getting my 1935 Cadillac Series 30 V8 to the point where I can reliably take it on long trips (Long trip for it and me will be about 100 miles, at least at first.) My concern: I am concerned that the charging rate never drops to near zero on my car, either. So far, the longest trip I have taken is ~20 miles. On all these short trips, the ammeter shows a consistent 15 to 15.5 Amp charging rate - beginning of trip to end. The car has a standard, large 6V lead-acid battery. The battery charge at the beginning of the trips and at the end, after the car is shut off, is circa 6.35 - 6.45 V. According to Cadillac, the Delco-Remy generator used in 1935 is a two-brush Delco generator. Apparently, Delco made two brush generators with either of two circuits, a Circuit “A” generator with the field externally grounded and a Circuit “B” generator with the Field circuit internally grounded. I checked the generator, and the Field is internally grounded, confirming that it is Circuit “B”. The Delco generator Model Number appears to be 933B, but it was hard to read (see picture). The voltage regulator is an aftermarket one which may or may not be correct. (I’m after engineering and performance correctness, not necessarily authenticity correctness.) I have included some pictures. The Field terminal on it is grounded. The points are not visible in the picture, but they are spotlessly clean with no pitting. I have cleaned every electrical connection I can find, and have tested for connectivity. All is good there. On my next drive, no change: Charge! (At 15 Amps.) So, what to do? Is everything fine and I’m worried over nothing? Should I drive it enthusiastically and see if I boil excessive water out of the battery? I would think the generator can happily generate 15 amps all day, without suffering - but I'd like confirmation. Do I need a different regulator? Or what? I would like your advice. And of course, thanks for the help, Phil

And it is going to be even prettier around the corner...

North East Washington State? Beautiful pictures, anyway. I especially liked the one with the pond and the foot bridge.

I'm pretty sure that both the MK IV and the MK V had pushrod engines. The DOHC engine was first introduced on the MK VII sedan and XK120. I believe the engine in the car shown above is a replacement. Beautiful car, nonetheless.

Our colors have not yet reached their peak. So far, only the maples, sumac, and black cherries have changed. The oaks, beeches, and other deciduous trees are still green. Today was overcast but, still - to quote a colleague of ours from another thread - “It was a great day for a ride in the country!” Phil

Probably lots of cars. Here is one on a 1928 Packard.

Wow! Thanks for taking all the time to take and post all these pictures. I couldn't make to Hershey this year, but your pictures go a long way towards being the next best thing. Some of those cars would fit nicely into my garage. It looks dry there this year, so it it not quite the same as when I last attended. Can you post a picture of a foot deep trough of mud to help me revive the memories? Thanks again. Phil

The silver Buick is a handsome car. It looks like it was in good company. I envy you being in an area where you can pull together a 100+ group of cars for a main street cruise in. Where is Main Street? Phil

Terry, Beautiful pictures of a beautiful area. I envy you. What is the slide into the pond for? Pease show some pictures of the same places when snow comes, a few weeks from now. Phil

It is certainly not a 1928 Hudson fender, if that helps. It does look to be a lat 1920s fender.

I had a PV 544 Volvo in the middle/late 1960s. It was not a particularly comfortable car; but it was very reliable and easy to work on. For a just-married young person still in college, it was great transportation. It was great in snow.

I'm sorry, I didn't take any pictures of motorcycles. It's because I've concluded I need at least four wheels under me, maybe more. As for the Aston's rear seat legroom, I think even the Morgan is more spacious. It's interesting to note how car manufacturing philosophies change over time: Cars of the '20s and '30s usually have spacious rear seating and legroom, making the front seat tough on really tall people. Tall people should be very comfortable in the front seat of the Aston - I would be; please give me one. I had never seen an MG RV8 until this meet. However, I had never seen an MG station wagon, either. In addition to MG, Morgan motors used the Rover V8. They used it in the Morgan Plus 8, that was introduced in 1968. Are there other car manufacturers that used this engine?

On Saturday, 23 Sept. the Western North Carolina British Car club held its annual meet “Autumn in the Mountains” at the Mills River Brewing Company, in Mills River, NC. It featuredd British and European cars and motorcycles. Here’s one link to some pictures: https://aprpca.org/356B/index.php/news/1000-bcc-wnc-autumn-in-the-mountains-car-show-230924 I have included some I took of cars or car features (e.g. The Aston Martin's rear seats) that especially interested me.

Look at them in black and white. Hudsons were very nice cars. Then look at them in color, again. Then cry.