Steve Braverman

There is a shop here in NY called Superweld that claims to be able to weld anything. They are a machine shop that specializes in engines also. I was there on Monday dropping off an engine that cracked due to freezing. I would give them a call. Ask for Roy. Superweld Co Inc 111 Gazza Boulevard Farmingdale, NY 11735-1415 Phone: (631) 694-7989

The Spyker belongs to a friend of mine in the Netherlands. This trip was like a ride around the block for him compared to his last tour, Peking to Paris. Very impressive indeed.

John, These guys did all my wheel cylinders and master last year: Apple Hydraulics They are local, and turn around time is lightning fast.

Flathead Ford V8?

I remember seeing a Rapid bus when I was a kid. It may have been in Henry Austin Clark's Long Island Automotive Museum. It looked like a flat platform with about five or six rows of benches. Rapid became part of GMC in 1910.

A friend of mine had a similar experience using silicone brake fluid. He switched back to DOT 3 and had no more problems. Apparently the low pressure/high volume systems used on early cars do not like the silicone fluid. I've been told that the silicone fluid absorbs microscopic air bubbles that cause problems due to the larger volume of fluid.

Here are the pages from the PB Plymouth Instruction Book that deal with the valves. Let me know if you need any more information.

I'll take a Tatra please

This was in my barn when I bought my house. I have no idea what it's for. It is made of bronze, has a cutting tool and will lock open and closed. The markings are: WS 2-2 336.4 AL. 150 MIL. The previous owner of the house was a potato farmer, if that's any help.

I wasn't trying to be nasty at all. I'm sorry if you took my statement that way. The Henry Ford Museum is not a Ford museum, but an automotive museum. There are no markings on the plate that indicate Ford at all. I find that the common belief among people who don't know, is that Henry Ford invented the automobile. BTW, I wasn't old enough to attend anything in 1971. I was born in 1974.

Despite what many would have you believe, the world did not begin in 1903.

I only use waterless coolant in my Franklin

I had a 1963 Lesabre not too long ago. One mount failed, and I purchased a replacement at my local parts store. This was about 10 years ago. Have you asked? According to the Napa web site, they are available and the part number is BK 6021094.

A regular suction gun should be available from your local parts or tool store for about $10.

I need a brass car. Seeing your photos makes me want to participate on one of these tours. The only brass-era car I have available to me is my Dad's 1910 Sears. While it's very reliable, it's limited to 20mph and I worry that it would not be able to keep up. Maybe when my daughter is a few years older (she's 2-1/2 now) I'll try it.

Trailer club?

There is a reason behind that decision. Most GM mini-vans were less than stellar, and nobody bought them. There is a reason that the mini-van market is owned by Chrysler and Toyota. We love our 2007 Grand Caravan. The Sienna is nice, but nobody could touch the Dodge for value.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ply33</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hmmm. The specifications for the Q, U and 30-U list an oil pressure of 35-40 PSI at 30 MPH. Sounds like pressure lubrication to me.</div></div> My bad. I thought they were splashers. There is still a huge difference mechanically between a PA and its predecessors.

Always cross the straps. I had the 1911 G bounce around the trailer when I didn't cross the straps.

We've had that law in NY for quite some time. It has good intentions, but it's really just a revenue producer. Now, instead of being distracted by your hand-held phone, you are distracted fiddling with your hands-free device, usually while being passed by a cop holding a phone to his head. The fine is $150 here.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ply33</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, a couple years back I followed a fellow driving a 31 PA, mechanically a very similar car, from the SF Bay area to a club meeting on the central coast. About 200 miles. He averaged between 50 and 55 MPH. I would expect your 30-U ought to do about the same. </div></div> There is a huge difference between a 30-U and a PA. I drive my PA at 50-55 all day long, and for a short burst at WOT it will easily top 65. The 30-U has the fabric U-joints, no pressure lube and no floating power. However, with 45hp it should cruise at 40-45 without too much of a struggle. My PA has a PB head and carb, so it should make PB power, which is 65hp. There is very little similarity between a 30-U and a PA as far as performance. Lebaron Bonney should have your mohair. www.lebaronbonney.com

It actually looks like a smaller version of the master on my Franklin. Check with these guys: www.applehydraulics.com

That is completely different from the master cylinder on my PA, if that's any consolation.

I've also thought about this a lot. Tie it to the axles, and ratchet them tight. I've trailered many Franklins over many miles. Don't stretch the car out, but keep it tight. The Franklin springs take considerably more stress from driving. BTW, congrats on the G. That's a nice one!

My trailer (C&C) came with 16" LT tires. I could not find ST in 16". I don't believe they are available.