unimogjohn

Here is some information on the cross country flight. Interesting read. Vin Fiz Flyer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia And information on all the Wright Brothers airplanes. http://www.wright-brothers.org/Information_Desk/Just_the_Facts/Airplanes/Wright_Airplanes.htm And a historical pic from a web search.

Still Monday, PM now. Greg just sent me his work report. Wow, what a painting project. Remember, this is the wing of an early Wright bi-plane. Will be great to see it all assembled. Here is the report. "This computer crashed, but didn't burn. Good thing because this is the only one in the building that takes the floppy discs like the camera. Enclosed are some day job pics. Our latest project. A copy of the Wright Brothers EX that was the first airplane to make it coast to coast. This model EX was a flying billboard, the 1911 trip was sponsored by Armour products to advertise their new grape soda. The plane, while a flying billboard, was often a smashed and broken billboard. Period photos and some original artwork that survives has been scrutinized and our Scott Rawlings is copying it faithfully. One one of his mission oriented binges, he started brushing early Saturday afternoon and finally stepped back from it Sunday morning sometime. Today was spent touching up details. Single place and smaller than the Model B, this EX airplane is going to be spectacular. Also is a photo of the block machining progress for the Baby Grand V8 engine. Surfaces have been milled to approximate size and the upper and lower cases checked for fit. Now I can look at it while I reopen a "cold case", resumption of another copy of the Wright A type engine. The EX uses the Wright B type four cylinder production engine. What is really going to be a history lesson will be to see the comparison of the Wright A machine (40 ft. wingspan), parked beside the Model B (38 ft.) beside the EX (32 ft.) alongside the Baby Grand racer (21 ft. wingspan with the V8 monster motor). Wright Factory R Us."

It is Monday, December 11th. Very cold this morning, 19 degrees. More than frost on a pumpkin for sure. I have been talking to Chris (Seventhson on this forum) about helping to move his 63 R2 Avanti from a storage lot way out of the city to his garage. We agreed on today for the move, so met him at the storage lot and loaded the R2 onto the trailer and made the trek to his home. We arrived safely and got her into the garage. I will leave it to Chris and his "Avanti Rescue" blog on this forum to keep us update and more pics. But here are a few that I took. I also got a note from Greg. His computer went kaput and was the only one at the office with the old style floppy drive. So pics are out right now. He said that he spent quality time with the black Avanti's R3 block. So he did not slack off this past weekend.

Still Friday. I took some time out from doing farm stuff and went to work on the search light that I purchased on Ebay a week ago. So went got out the Dremel and started a light cleaning and then a good hand polish on the bracket assembly. My hands are black! It took about two hours and came out pretty good. Put it on the car to see how it would look. What do you think? Here are a few pics. The first pic is a "before" pic.

Greg just sent me this video of the Wright Bothers V8 cam being made. DELTACAM8005625500's Channel - YouTube

It is Friday AM, Dec 9th. Oh so cold this morning, 21 degrees on the farm. Glad the llamas have their fur coats on. Greg pushes ahead, here is his report for your morning coffee. "Tonight like last night, it is Matheson time. Sorting and cleaning hardware, test fitting the camshaft, and looking into the make and break ignition action. I understand that this engine, like the early horizontal Wright engines, has no sense of humor should it be rotated backwards (should it rock back on shutdown or backfire). It deranges the triggers and leverage, wrecks things. I've assembled one set to study the operation. Might have a cure. Also for your amusement, a pic and a short subject on today's Wright eight milling operation. I realize that some will be able to view the clip, some won't get the audio, some will get only hieroglyphics. Good luck with that." And here is the little video.

Larry, Look at the catalog, page 19. I have the EMCO Bow Rest on my 23.

Great story and purchase. My oh my, another Avanti being put back on the road. Can hardly wait to see pics. Congratulations and good luck. Keep us all posted.

Larry, go to Antique Auto Top Hardware Company for your bow rest. Download the catalog. They might have the rest you need.

Larry, have you put rope packing on both sides of the water pump under the the big and small nuts? If yes, run the engine and slowly snug up the nuts until the water stops flowing. If you do not have any packing send me your address and will send you some. Have you by-passed the vacuum tank? If yes, I would hook it back up and use your electric pump to fill the vacuum tank. That way you would be gravity feeding your carb. You will have to put a switch for the electric pump to turn it on and off. Not a great solution, but it will get you around the block and back easily.

It is Wednesday, Dec 7th. For your morning coffee. On the weather front here in northern VA it is raining hard and 55 degrees at 8 AM. Temps are suppose to plummet tonight into the 30s. Now we are suppose to get between 2 and 5 inches of snow. I am ready to plow with my little tractor. But Greg's work continues. Here is his report. "Tim Ohlendorf to the Matheson engine rescue. Don't ask me why he'd have a 1"-16 tap, but it arrived in today's mail and should go back to him tomorrow. Thanks Tim and thanks Dave for arranging it. Matheson work tonight amounted to the cleaning, prepping (include some Bondo rub on rust pitted castings), and a coat of epoxy primer on the cam bearing caps. A few minutes spent in the Studebaker department. Another coat of paint remover and hosing of the R-3 oil pan. I was called out of the shop today, enclosed are a couple pics of progress on the Wright eight. Milling the decks to even them up, dial in the angles, and figuring what to do next. This whole job is like trying to see around corners. And it gets dark early this time of year. Bob Eagan, I haven't screwed up your casting yet, but it ain't too late.

Might want to try olsons gaskets in WA. Olson's Gaskets

Good morning! It is Tuesday, Dec 6th. A misting rain here this morning, but in the 60s. Suppose to get show in a couple of days. Ah, the fall. Here is Greg's report from Monday PM. When I saw him last Barb had asked him a "how does it work" question re the thermo fan assembly for the Avanti. He said, "I have no clue". Well it looks like he still has that question. From Greg. "Matheson Monday. Worked on prepping the cam tower castings. Cleaned, re-cleaned, some "coach putty" in a few places showing signs of old age (slight rust pitting and a few casting flaws). Sanded, then they were coated with epoxy primer. Your bonus round of Avanti pictures: In trying to give a verbal description of what goes on inside the Avanti fan clutch, pretty much can't be done without visual aids. Unit with the cover removed will show: 1. Main housing contains a clutch disc provided with holes and facings of friction material. This is attached to the hub and rotates inside the housing. 2. A pressed steel disc with ribs and pierced with a hole. 3. A spring steel gizmo. 4. A button that passes through the front cover. 5. The front cover. 6. What I think is a bimetallic steel strip that floats in the front cover. There was a trace of oil inside. Another view shows the button in place on the spring steel gizmo that must close or open that hole. You tell me how it works."

Paul, you win! What is the make and model of your V12?

Oh boy! Another original car. Great find. Looks complete too. Keep us posted on your plans and activities. Congratulations.

It is Monday, Dec 5th. Here is Greg's weekend report. Remember a couple of weeks ago he modified a Volvo fan clutch for this Maroon Avanti. Well, he did not like the mass or sound of it so he saw a NOS Avanti fan clutch on Ebay. He bid until he won. Here is the rest of the story. Greg's report: "A good weekend. Some work, some no so much. I've decided to try to overhaul the Stewart Warner electric fuel pumps. Remind me to order the gasket sets out of the new improved material that might withstand the new and "improved" gasohol. Otherwise, I've started splashing paint remover on some of the Black Avanti R3 engine parts. And for today, Barb and I drove to Coco's to retrieve the ebay fan clutch. Got back in time to install it and then test drive the car to meet the Burchills for dinner. The clutch lives up to my expectations. Can't hear it. Just like I remembered. Dinner also up to expectations. Good visit with good company and good food. Winner, winner, winner."

It is Sunday, Dec 4 PM. No report yet from Greg. And we just got back from the parade. We had a great time. Had the car packed with the town council, all four of them. The town, Little Washington, VA, is just a little spec in the road, but it has the only 5 star hotel and restaurant in all of VA and the surrounding area. The owner, Chef Patrick, rode in front seat with me. Quite an honor. If you have an interest take a look at his web site. The Inn at Little Washington The 1928 Buick ran great and was a big hit. I guess that it was about 70 miles round trip. She did not miss a beat. There were a couple of other cars of note. A 31 Chrysler runabout and 28 Essex. Both were nice cars. And of course the General Lee number 1 from the Dukes of Hazzard TV show. Here are some pics of the pre-parade activities. Lots of animals. Also included is a pic of the 28 buick, and our dog Shadow, dressed as a reindeer.

Pete, best to start your own thread so your request is not buried. Put in a "wanted ad" too. They come up on Ebay from time to time. This is what you are looking for. Best of luck.

It is Saturday, Dec 3rd. Did not hear from Greg last night. Friday night is usually his "day off" from projects. But I got a couple of things in the mail today for the 1923 McLaughlin Buick. The first is a horn button assembly. Mine is there, but when you push and release the horn button the horn continues to sound until you remove power. The assembly is all pressed together so there is no way to service it easily. So John Lee found one for me on Ebay and the rest is history. We will see if it is any better than the one on the car. I also picked up a very nice search light for the 23 that will connect to the windshield post. It looks to be very little used and complete. The nickel plating is pretty good too. It should clean up nicely, and the silver reflector is perfect. The wiring will have to be replaced for sure. The bulb looks to be original with its little tip. The wooden handle twists for on and off. The wires go through the handle so will have to figure out how to remove it for access to the attachment points. Here are a couple of pics.

Bernie, if it would help I will get a bunch of sizes for you and have them sent to me, then will send them all to you. I do it all the time for our friends across the big pond. Or you can buy them and have them sent to me. Then can bundle them up and send them to your via US Air Mail.

It is Friday, Dec 2nd. Lots of farm work yesterday and still have to bury primary wire and run a new ground wire for the electric fence. Will not be a tough job as the ground is so wet. The electric fence goes around about seven acres and is three and four strands on a pole. I did manage to wash both the 28 and the Avanti. Today will do a little cleaning on the inside of the 28 and maybe a quick polish. I left the Avanti out for the past week as we are using it tomorrow. Should not have as now I have a wet carpet in the driver area. Time to get out the heater. And for your morning coffee, here is Greg's report. "Studly. Let's just say that tonight I got a late start, but met my objective. Cylinder number three now has new studs for the cam tower and the water manifold installed. Also, an update on the fixture progress for the Wright eight. Might work."

It is Friday, Dec 2nd. Lots of farm work yesterday and still have to bury primary wire and run a new ground wire for the electric fence. Will not be a tough job as the ground is so wet. The electric fence goes around about seven acres and is three and four strands on a pole. I did manage to wash both the 28 and the Avanti. Today will do a little cleaning on the inside of the 28 and maybe a quick polish. I left the Avanti out for the past week as we are using it tomorrow. Should not have as now I have a wet carpet in the driver area. Time to get out the heater. And for your morning coffee, here is Greg's report. "Studly. Let's just say that tonight I got a late start, but met my objective. Cylinder number three now has new studs for the cam tower and the water manifold installed. Also, an update on the fixture progress for the Wright eight. Might work."

Nickel for sure. If not for show/judging most now are going chrome. If being judged you will take a hit for each item. Thankfully, not that many. Off the top of my head they would be bumpers, radiator shell, trim rings for lights (do not know if your light buckets are plated or not, some are by model), and most interior trim pieces. Usually the cost to do either nickle or chrome is the same.

It is Thursday, Dec 1st. Whole house generator 20 KW blinked at me yesterday. Says that the battery is not up to par. Love machines that talk to me. Ran off and tried to trade in the old battery, which is only one year old. No luck, tested good. But to be safe bought another battery and will use the old one in the tractor. But I did manage to finish all the repairs to the pasture fence line and now the llamas have another pasture to roam. Today I have to pull out the 28 Buick and get her ready for the parade on Sunday. It is about 50 miles round trip so it will be a nice ride for her. Greg is very busy. He told me that he forget what day it is sometimes. He lives on about four hours of sleep each night. I could not do it. Here is his last night's report. "Some project movement. Day job Wright eight has been line bored for cam bearings. For machining purposes I'm installing a two inch diameter steel bar. This will support the casting on the milling machine table and allow me to rotate the case for the different operations. I've started on the steel plates that will support the bar. Matheson. I've been cleaning threads and fitting the ignition components. There are some studs that I'll have to duplicate, the ones missing from cylinder number three. One of the ignitor threads needs to be chased, a special size that's not on hand. 1"-16 tpi. That will be on the Christmas list."

If you want to go with linoleum. Here is a link you might consider. Battleship Linoleum