Mark Kikta

Thank you Larry😀

Despite the temperature in my garage of 100 degrees, I finally managed to get my pistons installed into the block and the cylinder block installed onto the crankcase. I laid the cylinder block on it's side so it was easier to install the pistons before moving it to the crankcase. I taped cardboard on the crank journals so I had no chance of scratching a journal while putting these parts together. I first soaked each piston in motor oil so I could lubricate the wrist pin well. Then I installed my new wrist pin buttons prior to using a ring compressor to install the pistons. I held the piston in place and my wife tapped the piston in using a small piece of wood. After we installed each piston, we tied them in place so that we had no danger of the pistons slipping out as we lifted the cylinder block to the crankcase. As my wife slowly lowered the block in place, I guided the connecting rods to their places on the crankshaft. After bolting the block in place, I crawled underneath the motor to take the carboard off the journals and set the rods firmly in place on the journals. I'll come back on a cooler day the use plastic gage to check bearing clearances before final installation of the pistons and rods. For me it was exciting to finally make some progress towards getting my engine back together.

That is a sharp Red paint job!

The top holders for my 22-45 car are part numbers 45868 and 45869. I have pictures of them but does anyone have the correct size measurements to fit a touring top?

That’s great. How are those new rings doing?

Finally got my new lathe and Teflon rod so I made my wrist pin buttons today. I think they came out great. I used 1in Teflon rod to turn down. Now I can finally begin assembly of my engine.

27donb, I have a 1922 model 45 touring

I agree. I am concerned about the heat transfer and the calibration. I have been reading other forums ( Model T and Chevrolet and one guy had restored the thermometers in the past by digging out the old putty like material and resetting new thermometers in body putty or plumbers putty. He said they worked trouble free using that method. He removed the old thermometers by cutting the end of brass threaded piece to get at it. I wonder if the new putty alone is a good enough sealant or would I need to solder a new piece of brass on the end I cut off upon reassembly? That might be difficult without breaking the thermometer?

I am hoping I can take my moto-meter to get plated but looking for some advice. I took the moto-meter apart except for the thermometer part. The glass thermometer is loose so it easily slides up and down but you can't get it out. It does not appear to be cracked anywhere so I think it will work just fine. I tried to unscrew the brass threaded base but it does not move. I was thinking about cutting the bottom of the brass threaded base but I don't want to do that if it won't allow me to get the thermometer out and back in. The plater said I need to take the thermometer out so I'm looking for any available advice on how to get it out without destroying my moto-meter.

Great video Morgan. Im jealous. Hope my 22 starts like that when I get to start it.

Can’t wait to hear how it goes!

Sounds great! Maybe a filter is in order?

Larry, Thanks again for making this all happen for me. Not sure how I would have made this happen otherwise. I look forward to seeing you at the next event. Good luck getting your car back on the road after the tour. Mark

Yes we did but it was a great time that worked out well. Fin was quite the gentleman😁

My wife and I had the real pleasure of going on our first Tour this week. We rode in the tour with Brian Heil in his 1923 Buick and had a Blast. The Buick community was well represented with Brian's 1923 Buick Touring and Larry Schramm's 1913 Buick Touring. Here are a couple of pictures of Brian's maroon 1923 Buick and Larry's silver 1913 Buick. By the looks of Brian's face driving his car....he is having a lot of fun....look at that smile !

This past weekend I went to the VMCCA Nickel Era Tour in Gettysburg, Pa where my wife and I had the pleasure of riding around Gettysburg Battlefields with Brian Heil and his family in his 1923 Buick Touring car. We had an absolute blast! On top of that I was so excited to get my new Water Pump shaft from Larry Schramm. He and his machinist friend made the new stainless shaft and put rubber seals in the pump so I hopefully never have a leak issue on my water pump. I also met with Larry DiBarry and picked up a couple of door handles to get me started. I had none before so thanks to Larry, I'm well on my way to filling those holes in my doors. Thanks to Brian, Larry and Larry for a fun and fruitful weekend

Last week I finished removing/replacing main bearing caps in preparation for re-assy of my engine. The bearings looked good to me, measured well(.003) and I had the chance to clean them and put some assembly lube on them before re-assembly. I noticed that the grooves in the Babbitt were mostly clean as well when I removed them, I assume largely due to the amount of cleaning I did in the crankcase with WD-40, brake cleaner and air pressure. So as soon as I can get time to make some piston buttons or have some made, I'll be ready to make some progress going back together.

Thats some serious carbon!

That looks easy. I guess there is no danger of them slipping out and floating around is there?

Today I painted my cylinder block. I think it came out nice.

Yes he told me to drill 6 - 1/8 in diameter holes in each piston for the oil rings

You talented machinists could make such a thing where I could not. I used a socket for years but decided to spring for this tool which I thought might be good for many things.

Tonight I felt like I have turned the corner for sure. I got the freeze plugs installed. I used a thin coat of Permatex Aviation form-a-gasket around the edge of the hole and then installed the plugs using my freeze plug installer. I’m very happy with the results.

Morgan thanks, Sounds good to me. sign me up!

I agree with you on that. I'm looking at those wrist pin bushings today to get some.