unimogjohn

It is Wednesday, March 23rd. Well, I finally have some Avanti news to report on my car. I am slowly getting all the missing parts for the car. I was down to three items to make the car complete as built. I managed to win a pair of stainless steel spark plug covers on Ebay. I will put them on in a couple of days, but looking at the engine bay I will have to remove at least the air cleaner to get them on. Here is a pic. The only two things I am missing (that I am aware of) are the original style rearview mirror and the driver's side horn.

Tom, I would drop the pan and caps AS A LAST RESORT. The caps have shims and they will all drop out when you release the caps. It is then a real effort to to get everything shimmed correctly. Be patient and use Kroil. Just keep trying. It took me almost a winter to get mine broken loose.

Roger, thanks. Cannot get any more official than the brochure. So mine is correct, see pic.

Marck and Roger, thanks, will pass them on to Greg. I have to run out and look at mine also. Too dark right now.

It is still Tuesday, but PM. Here is Greg's report. "Got another check mark on the list. Trouble shot the backup lamps. Traced the problem to a broken connection for one of the ground wires....and a bad bulb. Photo #1 Proof that the backup and tail lights work (right now). Avanti trivia question: The backup light wire harness has a clip for securing the wire to the deck lid hinge. *To which of the four bolts does the clip attach? Bonus: I was called to Carl's shop for Peerless throwout bearing consultation. I approved the grease groove configuration, and I stood by while his CNC machine did it's work. The ball back in my court, I'm to bore the ID and perform the finishing touches. Photo provided."

It is Tuesday, March 22nd. Here is Greg's report for Monday. I have lost broadband and am on dial-up backup. So pictures are out of the question. I will post them when I get service back. Here is Greg's report. "Got a few things off the list tonight. All headlamps working All parking lights working All turn signal lights working Still on the list: instrument lamps back-up lamps Air cleaner housing cleaned and installed, now I need new filter elements and some hose clamps. A call to the paint guy leads me to think that he can take it in for finishing soon. Maybe this week. And I dared try a test drive. Probably five miles total through the local subdivision. Cone's Comment No. 7: Any test drive that results in a round trip is a success. A test drive without a police escort even better.

It is Monday, PM, March 21st. I am busy with farm stuff, so cars are on the back burner right now. And now my new Cub Cadet just quit. So tomorrow I have to see what is up. Only 60 hours on her. But Greg is still working on the Avanti. Here is his report. I think he is almost ready for that first ride on the country lanes. "Started laying carpet. When we first started restoring our Avantis, Steve and I had some carpet sets made locally. This was in '72. I've some random pieces left and they will do fine for a "driver". I'm substituting the more modern foil backed insulation for the original style jute underlayment hopefully to kill a little cabin heat. With the important areas covered then the seats can go in. Of course, that is when I find that one of the nutplates is missing that secures the driver's seat. You can see that I bored a hole, fashioned a nutplate from a nut brazed to a piece of sheet steel which was then accessed through the hole and rivetted in place. As of now both front seats are in place. Next I will work on the light system, getting all bulbs working."

Tom, forgot, also put the car in gear, get a couple of folks and rock the car back and forth in the garage, make sure you you have oil/penetrating type in all the cylinders. If the rust is not bad, this should break the rust bond. Hope this help, good luck. John

Tom, same problem as mine. Condensation in the cylinders have rusted the rings to the bore. Probably one or two cylinders. Just a lead pencil line so it is not extensive, but enough to freeze it up. Took me six months to free up mine and I tried all kinds of stuff. What finally did it? Kroil. Others have use acetone and auto transmission fluid, a 50/50 mix. Keep squirting it in the cylinders and then put pressure on the crank. Or you can put in high gear and pull it with your car. Make sure that it is on soft surface first, like gravel, to see if that minimum force will work. If not you can try pavement. Good luck. John

Re Paul and his 23 Buick. Paul contacted me out of the blue. That is the power of this forum. I found out that he is not just a shade tree mechanic like me. Here is a link to his website. Vintage Motorcar Company (VMC)

It is Thursday, March 17th. Some very sad news from Greg. I will let his words tell the story. Normally, I would not post this, but it does effect the old car hobby. Here is Greg's report. "Not much work done tonight. It was an evening of phone calls after hearing of very unsettling news. The very sudden loss of Billy Thompson, the founder and driving force of White Post Restorations. I've known him since the early seventies. Enrolled as a tool and die apprentice, I also worked for him part time as he developed his automotive restoration business, then joined him full time as he expanded his operation with an in-house machine shop. From a small farm machinery and auto repair shop, he pushed the business until at one time we had thirty-six employees and a building so full of pre 1948 restorations that you couldn't walk through the place. I don't think it unkind to say that he was demanding to work for, yet he would surprise you with his generosity. The consumate business man, promoter, showman. He spawned an entire industry of craftsmen. It was his style to find an interest, develop it to the point of excess, then walk away from it. This he did many times, yet he stayed with business at WPR for many years. As an employee of his for fifteen years, he was an important factor not only in my life , but also my fellow employees and their families. Leaving the protection of his operation was a difficult decision, and I did on good terms. I took with me the experience of the years of projects, also the work ethics that he demanded. So, tonight has been one of reflection and dispair. My thoughts go out to his family and the guys I left behind at the shop. I can't help but imagine that right now, wherever they are, Billy and Big Al Place are at this instant resuming their battle over control of the thermostat." Here is a link to a local newspaper article. Billy Thompson Found Dead in Home - Clarke Daily News

Here is more on Paul's car. He is a member of the forum and his name is Super Six. This is from Paul. "Thought you might want to see some better pictures of the 23 Buick. The car is ALL original except for the tires, fan belt and radiator hoses! The car was in a rider truck box just two miles from the shop! I believe the car was sold new in New York, there was only one dealer and one exporter in New York area in the year 1923. The car was on Long Island all of its life until 2008. There was a match book inside one of the doors from a resort golf club located in Babylon NY, Long Island. There was also paper work and stamps on the original owners manual that listed the Long Island Car Museum. The Museum went out of business in the mid to late sixties and much of the collection was sold at auction. The car was sold to a man who owned a place called Presto Motors (still on Long Island). The car was owned by him until his death (Presto Motors was closed). The car was stored after the death of his son for over 40 years! The Buick was then left to the person whom I purchased the car from, he has had it since about 2008 (just before I saw it). The day I first saw the 23 Buick, it showed up on the back of a flat bed truck, just coming from New York. The owner asked about the possibility of restoring the car. I looked the car over and was impressed by the original features (I took several pictures when the car was there). I simply told him not to restore, just repair, maintain and preserve the current condition. Also the price made his hart skip a beat! He then took the car away and I thought that was that! Then he showed up saying he had to sell the car, the price was way too high, and I thought that was that! He kept coming back no less that four or five times, each time the price coming down. Finally he came close to what I thought it might be worth, and I stopped by to REALLY look at the car. By this time it was in the box truck (a lousy place to keep it). I made an offer but he said it was too low. He also said a collector from NY was interested and he was a big Buick collector, apparently missing this year in his collection). I thought that was that! Then I was working in the shop and he turned up again! I told him I like to work out something or part ways for good. We worked out the deal in about five minutes. I also told him I would only purchase the car with registration, bill of sale and proof of ownership. We now have all that worked out and as of Sunday we will be done at last. The car has been stored at the shop for the last 8 weeks waiting for the paper work to be cleared up. I haven't worked on the car yet, other than cleaning and vacuum work. I have found a new head lamp lens for five bucks and restored the VA tags that will be used. It has attracted much attention while being in the shop. The radiator has been removed to repair a leak in the bottom tank (should have that back by next week). The car has all the side curtains and top boot, but was missing the rods that hold up the side curtains. A fellow came in and said he had some early Buick parts. He called the other day and wanted to stop by to show me some parts he said. You would not believe what he had.........the two rods needed to hold up the side curtains! That’s awesome!!!! There even rusty! The first step is to repair the radiator and service drive train, chassis and make adjustments as needed. I have started engine, but not driven (because of radiator leak). I have cleaned the car (no polishing, the patina will stay). I have also found a set of 1923 VA tags and painted them with cracking paint to make them look 88 years old! One of the forum members has responded and is sending the three crusty hose clamps needed to replace the improper air craft type, thanks again! I plan to join the BCA and partake in both AACA and BCA events. I have been a long time member of the AACA, but this forum is a new experience (a very positive experience) Thanks to all for the encouragement and interest in the 23 Buick.

Phil, this is the McLaughlin Buick tag on my 23. I do not know if the same was used in 28.

Just another project. I received a note from Paul that he is a new 1923 Buick owner. Thought I would post a few pics of his ride. If he does not post to the forum I will post things as I get them. This is an original 1923 model 54 in original condition. Paul's goal is to bring her back to running condition. He currently plans to keep her "as found". She looks great. I would not touch her either.

Tom, here is a link to my starting video for the 23. I know that you know how to start it, but at the end you can see that I really had to jab a few times on the plunger rod to get everything to engage. You really have to hit it.

It is Wednesday, March 16th. Too much farm stuff to do. But like Alice says "every day is an adventure". Went to the farm coop today, and Alice says we need to fertilize the pastures. So they say they can have a spreader truck out today. So we plop down $1100, and head for home. Truck arrives and the driver looks over the pastures and says "we will try". After all it is 4 wheel drive, and huge. Well, a couple small flat pastures were done, but then, it happened. Stuck. Called in for heavy pulling power. So up comes a Dodge dually with a diesel. Pulled him right up the hill. What to do? Driver drops the rest of fertilizer, and now I have spent three hours spreading just half of the pastures. More to do today. Greg is lucky, he gets to work on fun stuff. Here is his report. " My chore work I've been looking the other way when walking around the Avanti door panel stainless steel trim. Phantom Auto Works is doing the door panel upholstery and they will need these before they finish. The long skinny ones go on the carpeted portion. Living their lives in damp carpet did cause some rust deterioration. A lot of the attachment barbs had disintegrated. After bead blasting the backsides. I prime coated the bare mild steel, buffed the shiny part and repaired the retainers. Taking a long skinny thing to an industrial pedestal buffer is never a comfortable thing. Anyone who's done it will know what I mean. Now to get them packaged for a ride in the big brown truck."

Tom, mine did the same thing. The linkages were not tight enough from the plunger to the starter. Have someone push down while you look at each rod and make sure they are tight. The only other thing is that the arm that moves the brush in the starter generator is not engaging due to an adjustment issue. It is all mechanical so I would check all the linkages to make sure they are correctly adjusted. Have faith, sounds like you are almost there.

It is Tuesday, March 15th. Greg is a very busy boy. Here is his report. PS: After you read Greg's report, here is a link to the "rest of the story". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langley_Aerodrome "Today's events. I delivered the Peerless throwout bearings to Carl Mills for him to program and mill the oiling grooves. Now he's got the ball. Old Carl is a hoot. It's always good to have a reason to go see him. Jumped through enough hoops today to satisfy the DMV. Avanti tags are a done deal. Getting nearer to being able to road test on asphalt, so I took a few minutes to look into the parking light bulb socket problem. I was able to free the stuck contact assembly, so I stuck it where it belongs. Right front fender. Now the right side wires for parking, headlights, horn are plugged in. But not tried. I need to be securing bumper bracketry and bumpers. After a few trips through the nearby subdivision, the car should be ready to ferry to the painter's shop for the final touchup and buffing. That would be a goood chance to give the doors a final adjustment. I need to be getting the seat and belt ready for the drive over. Maybe should leave the new carpet out until it comes back. Now, the day job. While my contemporaries are anxious for retirement, I shudder at the thought. I get to do the most incredible things that I could if I wasn't working. For example: One of my responsibilities is to complete and demonstrate a copy of the engine used by Dr. Langley in his Aerodrome of 1903. That was a five cylinder rotary turned radial. When this was done by Langley's brilliant project manager Charles Manly, he realized that the engine would then need a cooling system and also flywheels. Rotary engines have inherent balance and air cooling. Always fighting mean old Mr. Gravity, Manly chose to use "automobile rims", 33" diameter steel single tube tire rims and wire spokes. He also added counter weights. Their method in this project was to calculate the component strengths required, try it and if it failed, add some material (and weight) until it didn't. The flywheel story: Plan A, upon startup on the dynomometer that Manly devised and constructed, the spokes failed. Plan B, stronger spokes. They twisted out. Plan C stronger yet. They held, but the rim buckled. Manly continued the dyno run after wrapping the rim with steel wire. Ultimately, plan D, the flimsy rim reinforced with weight was replaced by a sandcast aluminum rim, which served them well. I need to duplicate the flywheels (one on each side of the engine). Through the efforts of Peter Jakab and Malcolm Collum of the Smithsonian, I've been allowed to borrow one of the failed flywheels from early 1902 . The Langley Aerodrome was constructed on Smithsonian property, they've still got a ton of artifacts in "as found" condition. I've begun machining the hubs. Photos are included showing some of the flywheel details. As for my old friends....go ahead and retire. To cleaning out the gutters, fixing the porch, etc. Not me. =

It is Monday, March 14th. No car stuff for me. It is almost spring so Alice has be out with my favorite pruning tool, a chainsaw. We had some huge Juniper bushes, maybe 20 foot diameter spread, that needed to go as they had been crushed by the snow two years ago. But Greg presses on. He has no farm work to do. Here is his report. "Looks like Thetan and I both got in some Stoddard Dayton time. Enclosed pics of progress on the rear fender skirts. Sure looks good from here! Saturday found me laying under the car getting the gaskets in place, not the next trip should find the pan in place, oil and fittings too. The Studebaker Avanti got some attention today. I found and installed that green jumper wire that runs from the starter solenoid to the ignition. Also , the left headlamp and parking light wiring was secured, the horn too. The right parking light bulbsocket is shaky, so I'm not sure how to repair that situation. Otherwise, Friday saw my trying to get the car licensed. Major problems thrown at me by the VA DMV and related insurance. I was actually turned down by one insurance carrier because...get this...they won't insure Studebaker car or trucks... I really need to look into this. And find out what other cars are on their No-No list. It really is a good example of how older cars could easily be legislated off the road. But, daffodils, spring peepers, longer days... that will add up to Springtime."

It is Friday, March 11th. Another big rain storm hit us again last night. In 24 hours we received 3.25 inches of rain. Needless to say we just hunkered down yesterday and did not do much. But Greg was busy. Here is his report. "Tonight's story. Enclosed is Thetan's latest in the Stoddard Dayton fender saga. The inner aprons for the rear fenders. The boy's got talent. And speaking of boys with talent, my tonight's agenda was detoured by a call from Mitch. His lathe had fallen ill, a worn bushing giving him motor trouble. Vital to his needs, I took the order over the phone and turned him a replacement. Mitch Sine is "one of us", although he is a bit younger than most who are interested in learning about the old ways. He got it honestly, from his Dad. Mitch spends his nights and weekends doing such things as engine repair, mostly antique, and the pursuit of the babbitting profession among other things. Having been involved with the repair of old iron for so many, he's quite an asset. And I still can't believe that the kid with the Model T speedster has just turned fifty. Happy Birthday Mitch. Keep your babbitt pot hot and your boring bar too. Your bushing is ready for pickup."

It is Thursday, March 10th. Rained hard last night and more coming today. 3/4 of an inch so far. A movie production is coming to our little VA town of Warrenton. Clint Eastwood is filming "J Edgar". They are using our old town main street and Court House as a scene in the movie. They have put out a call for some local vintage cars. I have offered both of mine. The this part of the film is set in 1932. It will be an all day deal for a 30 second shot. So we will see. Greg is working hard at work and his projects. Here is his report. "I've had the lathe tied up for my day job, and tonight I was able to sneak in a quick job for the Peerless Engine Department. A quick and dirty fixture for locating the throwout bearings in the mill when cutting the oil grooving. Eight sides to do. Also, back in '05 I bought a set of 1964 Virginia plates . This state allows the use of tags the year of manufacture. Since the Avanti was built in January of the '63 model year, I intended to use the black on white tag of that year. But, this car had been recalled (make that repossessed) to the dealer who turned a wrecked gold 63 into a new maroon '64. There's no convincing the DMV that it isn't a sixty-four. So anyway, now I can't find the plates. A phone call to the plate collector verified that he had more sets, so I made the drive. As soon as I have insurance verification, I can get the car licensed."

It is Wednesday, March 9th. Heading up on the ladders this morning. Checking the gutters for any blockages on the house as we are going to get over three inches of rain in 24 hours. Yikes! Expect major flooding in the low areas and streams. Glad that we are on top of a ridge line at 640 feet. Greg did a couple of things after I left. Oh and I did stop at another auto paint place. I guess he is high end. He wants $10,000 to bring it in the door of his shop, a year, and then it will be probably closer to $15,000 when done. Needless to say I listen, turned and ran out the door. Maaco is looking better. Here is Greg's report. "three pics for tonight. Theton is pushing on Stoddard steel. Shot of forming the fender edging. John came by and held the hood in place for me to put the screws to it. It's on with enough adjustment to allow it to close without barking paint. Two pics of the Avanti in the setting sun. Starting to look like a car. Needs lots of adjustments. The trim and interior won't hold up a trip to the painter when he calls. He'll do some touch-up. Afterward I can hang the remaining emblems, wipers, and other exterior gadgets. I estimate the car will be roadworthy at about four dollars a gallon."

It is still Tuesday. Went up and saw Greg. Helped him put on the hood of the Avanti. I did take our Avanti. Started just fine and we cruised down the country lanes. A very good ride. Here are a couple of pics of Greg's Avanti in the barn. Also stopped by a farm down the road. Got a call from the owner that he just bought a 2009 Kubota tractor with loader and back-hoe. He is a great guy so just had to stop by. Here are a few pics of his $50,000 tractor. That is one "hot" tractor.

It is Tuesday, March 8th. Off to see Greg today in the Avanti. Going to give him my old digital camera to hopefully replace the old monster that he has. Remember floppy discs? That is is digital storage media for the camera. Now that is old. Here is his report from last night. "A quick note tonight. Fetched the hood for the Avanti. Unimogjohn is to come by tomorrow and I'll get him to help me put the hinges and screws in. Got word from Thetan about further adventures in fender land. The boy might be on a roll. Pic included."

Since Greg is including more work on his Stoddard Dayton race car I thought I would post a few pics. Greg has done almost all of the work to bring the car back from a pile of rusted metal to including all of the mechanicals, engine, transmission, and body. He has hand formed the cowling, front fenders, hood and gas tank. He has made the seats too, but the Amish did the upholstery work. He is a true, multi-talented, restorer. He told me that the gentleman working on the rear fenders wanted to do it as a learning project. So Greg made the buck and let him have a go. The pics are as follows: A pic of the car as it exists today at his place of work. A pic of a similar car early in the last century. A pic of a similar restored car at a racetrack. I think in Ohio. A pic of his front fender and buck.