valk

Just when I thought we had it....just got through speaking with Bill Anderson. He notes engines were tested before painting but not with using the engine fuel pump (and they are not red). Engines were fed gas with some external source and if everything checked out, the block was painted and fuel pump installed. What is not exactly clear is whether the fuel lines were installed but not hooked up when the engine was tested and then painted. Bill does not know definitively but suspects they were not. The picture of the Century red lines look factory correct in that they are shaped the right way, not bent, and have a clip holding them together - not an easy do-it-yourself look. Not trying to pick a fight here, but I did notice Lawrence's pushrod cover is painted black and if this is not correct, and I don't beleive it is, than someone did some creative painting somewhere along the line. The fuel lines also look like they have been removed or at least moved around a bit and not in perfect factory configuration, like the Century, and this somewhat diminishes the argument that they were originally painted . Conclusion: no definitive proof either way and one can point to evidence on both sides but the argument for leaving them unpainted seems a bit stronger in my view (until something changes). That said, either way would have to be acceptable from a judges POV. Issue #2 dash finish. Bill and some-other-guy-he-did-not -name are actively working on determining how these were done. Preliminary findings are they were machine-turned and the process was complex starting with polished metal, machine turning the design, and either yellow or green tinted laquer or finish depending on the car. I'm just going to wait for his results. If they were decals, you would think some enterprising restorer would make repros. Lastly, I'm surprised that we don't know more about these great cars and I urge fellow members to remember we are all after the same thing. Peter

Agree with Lawrence that it is odd high point restored cars don't have proper red fuel lines. Perhaps now they will now that we have exposed this travesty! But what about parts of the Carter carbs being painted black? Unless I missed something, Carbking's website did not reveal what I was looking for. From what I can gather, the bottom of each carb should be black (the part that has the idle mix screws) as well as the top cover of the rear carb. The other parts - rear damper and both float bowls - should be unpainted. Weird. oooh and look at those beatifully assembled straight fuel lines above...

I don't mean to be difficult but could you be more specific regarding what should be painted black on Carter 320 carbs? The front carb has 3 main components: 1) the bottom section with linkage hookups and idle mix screws bolting directly to the manifold (black); 2) the main body with float (unpainted); and 3) the top cover and carb throat (unpainted). The rear carb has 4 main components: 1) the valve damper body bolting directly on top of the manifold (unpainted); 2) the bottom section with linkage hook ups and idle mix screws (black); 3) the main body with float (unpainted); and 4) the top cover with carb throat (black?) Thanks. I haven't received my Anderson '41 book yet... Peter

Matt's opinion mirrors mine in every way - well put.

Wow - lots of differences from my engine. And the top of the rear carb is painted black?? And what's that box next to the oil filter on the pushrod side cover?

Well there you go - thanks Greg. Only engine with red lines I've ever seen. Maybe I can get Lawrence to tell me what else is on page 37! Wonder why most restored engines don't paint there lines. I think leaving them natural looks better, but usually originality trumps aesthetics. Thanks all, mystery solved. Peter

Thanks Larry, I intend to do just that. In the meantime, I'd like to see a pic of a restored or original '41 with painted fuel lines if you can find one.

Thankfully, I have both the cover and the plug wire clip - I just like the look of all those plugs. Not sure what to make of painted fuel lines, never seen any and I've been scouring pics on the internet. And seems to be a lot of extra work covering manifolds, fuel pump, distributor, etc to paint the block. That said, this is not settled in my mind and worthy of future investigation.

Good to know. All the restored cars I've seen don't have painted fuel lines so I guess leaving them unpainted is acceptable.

That bent fuel line is driving me nuts - got to fix that....

Yea, it has insullation on the underside of the hood, maybe to minimize engine noise. My concern is that it may cause overheating so I'll keep an eye on it. So the fuel lines are red?? Don't think I've ever seen that. Here are a couple more pics, comments more than welcome.

Been cleaning stuff up a bit under the hood - horns are next.

Thank you!

Does anybody know of a good source for '41 engine compartment details? The carb bases, for instance, are painted black in some pics and left unpainted in others. Thanks, Peter

Late to the party; did you guys already point to the vacuum advance unit?

I know this thread is a bit old but I'm coming to Ben's rescue...if I come across a cool visor like the one in this pic, I may pull the trigger!

It will also smoke like that if gas has somehow mixed with the oil.

I spend my days pondering these important questions: 1) What are the brackets on the underside of the trunk lid for (in pics)?? 2) On occation, I see rear bumpers with 3 guards, not just 2. Any factory application or just owner preference? 3) Where can I get some decent touch-up paint? Should I try matching it some how through the miracle of modern science or buy a small can of what is supposed to be an original color? and 4) I found a beautiful set of proper fogs from fellow member Allen in LA (thank you so much!) and now must go about mounting them. I'll use Matt's write up but would really appreciate a close up pic of the location of the brackets and holes in the splash pan if anybody can help. I have everything but the brackets...still looking. Thanks Boys, Peter

Thanks Roadmaster71, I would be interested in reading it. I would think any reputable brand NLGI 00 will work well given the car's moderate use. Peter

Thanks Thriller, Matt and Neil. I'm going to try using magnets. I'm not real concerned about judging/points on this car as it's just a nice driver, not a show queen, although it will be treated like royalty. I believe I will soon have everything needed for '41 fog lights except the "Fog Light" dash knob. Anybody know where I might track one down? I know they are very rare but I've been lucky so far. And the lamps I'm getting do not have the cool brass Guide labels - can these be added if I were to find any? Thanks, Peter

That's an interesting idea. I don't particularly like drilling holes in things. It would be close enough to the side edge of the splash pan to route the wire out of sight for the most part. If I ever get judged, though, I would take it on the chin.

Yea that was my preference too. I'll give the body mount bracket to some Cadillac guy - they are even rarer than the light. And I promise to make the splash pan hole really small and inconspicuous!

I studied the schematic and unfortunately there ain't no drain plug. Can't take off the bottom cover because the frame is in the way. I see no way other than to disconnect the column and take the box out- a huge job in my book. I'm just going to add lubricant and let her rip. My box is leaking from the "worm support bearing adjusting screw" at the very bottom with very little clearance, if any. The fluid smelled like gear oil and looked a bit thin so maybe going with a thicker lubricant will help.

...just came across a '41 service bulletin that instructs turning the steering wheel all the way to the left otherwise the "ball nut" lines up directly beneath the fill hole "which may cause lubricant to back up before housing is full".

Ha! What a riot. At 65 I don't have a lot of time to waste on filling a gear box. Then again, I'm retired and have time to watch grass grow....and regrettably for you guys, think of things to ask on this forum.