oldgeez

Well...was able to work a little on my problem. Adjusted the throttle linkage and was able to get the idle down to the proper (475 rpm) level. But, had some snow and ice overnight so wasn't able to check it for shifting. But as all things go with me...another problem seems to have arrived. The circuit breaker/resistor is clicking. I understand this means there is a short somewhere, which of course, could be adding to my shifting problems. All in all, rather then being discouraged, I feel like I am finally going to get some resolution to this problem...track/fix the short, clean/lube the governor points, clean/adjust the parking brake. All good things to do anyway. thanks, again, for all the advice. Herb

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I now have several things to look at...the blocker ring concerns me and the test suggested will help, but if it is the blocker ring...how many of those are laying around? (and where?) It's about 10 degrees today, but I can hardly wait to disconnect the throttle linkage to see if that will drop the rpm. I have always felt like it was rpm related and when I couldn't get the idle down via the idle screw and timing I was at a loss...never thinking about the linkage, but I gotta tell you (y'all?) that I believe that is the idle problem. Now, if it's the shift problem too, I'll have it made. The parking brake angle is possible too, since I replaced the cable years ago, it may be adjusted improperly...it was hard to do on your back on a gravel driveway. But, things are better now (I wish I had a lift) so I should be able to adjust/clean it up. Probably will service it anyway. thanks again to all. Herb

I'm in Cross Junction, VA. About 16 miles NW of Winchester. I hope someone can help also...I have been dealing with this problem off and on for years. (the problem stays...it's my "dealing" with it that has been off and on). I park the car and ignore it, then I get an idea or someone suggests something and I try it. I'd love to be able to drive the car semi-regularly. Herb

I just found this group, and have been reading many of the fluid drive posts. I haven't found my particular problem listed, but if it is, I apologize. I have a 1949 Chrysler New Yorker straight 8 with fluid drive. I've had the car since 1968 (first car) and it was my great uncle's car since new. It had 19,000 miles on it when I got it. (He was in his 60's when he bought it). It's cold here in northern Virginia, and I'm trying to get up the ambition to work on my problem. When I let off of the accelerator to allow the transmission to shift, probably 60% of the time it grinds and then bangs into gear. Additionally, I have unscrewed the idle screw (not the mixture screw) on the carburetor to the point it is not touching the rest and cannot get the idle down to the specified point (425 - 450 I think, off the top of my head). Fluid Drive has the original fluid in it, and the gearbox has 10w ND oil, that I drained and refilled several years ago. I will double check the timing to see if that will help with the idle speed, but it did start quickly the last time I started it, so I am guessing that the timing is "ok" or reasonably close, but am asking for any observations regarding the grinding as well as carburetor problem, because at this point, I am pretty well out of ideas. thanks, Herb Bradley