Tom_Overfield

Hi Russ, and welcome to the wonderful world of Continentals. Rear visibility is a rear problem with these beauties and I like your idea about the rear cameras. One that will help a lot is to unzip the rear window, that greatly increase vision directly to the rear. There are ways to raise the passenger side mirror but the modifications I have seen, several cures to that problem, it ruins the looks In my opinion. There are so many camera options out there, and some even wireless, I would be pretty sure you could fine something out there to meet your needs. You'll probably need an inverter to get 12 volts out of 6, but those are easily available. A very interesting idea. im looking for a way to temporary add red leds to my car for better braking and turn signal visibility on the rear. Something that can easily be attached with magnets, then put in the trunk for shows. That signal Cobra light for braking scares me in this day of distracted driving, cell phones, etc. Keep us posted one what you find. Tom .

Happy to help.

Nice job Ken, I should be joining you within the next two weeks. I has to feel really good the be finished. Tom

dl, go back to your original post of your 47 dash question, I posted a photo there showing what I think you are asking for. Mine is a 41, and I doubt yours is any different. You actually can't see the hole from inside the car, slide under the rear of the left front fender, you should see the inch hole I am talking about up there near the dimmer switch. Put something in that hole and you should be able to locate where it comes in the interior of the car, just to the left of the clutch pedal, about maybe 4 inches up. Here is another photo from inside that might help. Tom

I sure hope so, what a pain to fit. Tom

Back in 2010 I asked the forum advice about installation of the rubber gravel guards, lots of good advice. I finally had to face this task this week and after three days of fitting two different types, here is what I found. I bought the rubber with the buttons on the back, and actually got all but two of the buttons into the original mounting holes, but it didn't fit tight to the bottom stainless The other guards I had were thinner, looked a bit better but needed trimmed on the body side. I took the Gorman guards, flipped them over for a pattern, marked the other guards and cut to size. When I fitted these to the fender, these were not long enought either, but they looked pretty nice. so, taking a deep breath, I cleaned the fender with prep-sol, then put an adhesion promoter on the fender. Did the same on the back of the gravel guard. I bought some molding mounting tape from the paint supply place I use and they claimed this is what German cars use for side moldings, very thin, extremely sticky. I ran this tape along the two long sides of the guard , across the top and bottom, then six pieces from side to side top,to bottom. Starting at the fender skirt skirt side I stuck that side first, then the top side from the skirt side toward the body, then working slowly, worked my way down, smoothing the rubber into place. In order to cover the top three mounting holes on the fender, I had to raise the guards up a little, leaving a slight gap at the bottom, but it's even, and all things considered, I am pleased with the result. Will attack the other side today. Tom

I had a can of radio shack tuner cleaner and lubricant sitting on the shelf from years ago. I took your advice and glad it did as it really comes out fast.,,anyway, sitting on the bench ticking away. Now to see if it blows the fuse when the points close. IMG_0258.MOV

Here is where the speedometer cable enters on my 41 Continental, under drivers side from fender you should see a one inch hole next to a wiring harness. The cable feeds up into that hole, then across to the speedometer.

Well,i put a new fuse in and it blew instantly. Took the clock apart and the points were indeed stuck closed. Just a gently nudge opened them and they were slightly pitted. I cleaned them up and my wife has sewing machine oil with a syringe to get the oil into small places. I have tuner cleaner so I will spray it down let it dry, oil where I can, put it together and see what happens. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again Tom and, you also Beltfed, any idea where I might source a slo-blow 2amp fuse?

I'll replace the fuse first before getting inside. If it blows, then I'll know there is a problem. Thanks Tom

Update on progress, all of the dash wiring is in and connected, waiting on the radio to be sent back from Mike Hannigans Antigue Service as I couldn't source a 6 volt vibrator in the right pin configuration. He will go through the radio and install an electronic replacement board to replace the vibrator. Clock won't work so I took it out to be sent fro service and upon examining it, it looks like the day it left the factory, perfect condition. I was,thinking this HAS to run, put jumpers on it, applied six volts, it clicked once, put it to my ear and it was ticking happily away. Checked the wiring and found that teenie fuse had blown. So it will go back in tomorrow. Two more pipes to put in the exhaust system, then remove the back side upholstery, replace the top motors and wire them into the correct switch. That's it, by the middle of May I should be test driving it and ready for the Kalamazoo meet to be judged. Tom

Here ya go JL, the stud on top of the circuit breaker, attaches with a nut and washer. Tom

Wow, details everywhere to finish off the car, just an amazing amount of time dealing with what seems to be the simplest thing. The good news is, the dash is totally wired now and yesterday evening with my son's never ending help, I turned the key, pulled the switch out, reached under the dash and held the hidden switch to get the fuel pump going, we had cracked the line on the carb and it took longer than I expected to get the gasoline up there. Tightened the line, hit the starter button and it came to life after maybe two turns. Ran beautifully, smooth and quiet. Once warmed up, I shut it down for ten minutes or so, started it again and it was as close to an instant start I have every observed. There is a place close by that sells 90 octane non ethanol gasoline, and though it is not cheap at $3.16 a gallon, I won't have to worry about it going stale and absorbing moisture. Here are a few photos of the detail items I did this week so far. Tom

I understand your frustration Ken, they did finally get around to crediting my Visa though. I really don't understand what the big deal is about the hoses, just buy the hose stock, cut to 8 inches and sell. Chris is always great to deal with and his parts always fit. Tom

Hey Larry, maybe give Ray Theriault or Chris Herrel a call, betcha one of them can help, Alan also. Tom

Sure Larry, enjoyed talking with you as well. Call me any time. Tom

Hey puli, I don't know where you are writing from, but what you are asking for is still kind of confusing. The inside width of the c pillars seems clear enough, but unless there is something I am not seeing, looks like you could measure that part easy enough, but I havent the foggiest idea of what a restictor plate is. But if your talking about that rear hinge, looks like you have that measurement as well, just check the other door if you have to. Keep trying, I am sure some on here will jump into help. Regards Tom

Boos- Herrell, has the part you need, listed in sources. Tom

I am a couple of weeks away from being totally finished, then I have other projects to go after.

Larry, you exactly right about the spare in the trunk business, no way in the world could I lift it outta that deep recess now. AAA and a flatbed works fine for me.

Hi Phil, nice to see you here. After finally getting this on the car this afternoon, ( took my son's help) it will never come off again. Pretty as all get out, but not practical in any sense of the word. Tom

So..after 34 years of restoring this car, the spare tire, cover plate and tire surround are on and installed. This part will never be removed in my lifetime, that you be can assured of. I don't have a clue why anyone thought such mount would be practical, but is indeed pretty. Tom

Boos-Herrel are really great to deal with and they have most of the impossible parts you'll ever need. They have an online catalogue including factory drawings of almost everything. Alan Whelihan is another dependable vendor who I have used often for other hard to find parts. Earle Brown Jr, the crown jewel of vendors, his items are pristine always. happy hunting Tom

So... I finally mounted the spare tire on the back of my Continental and was looking at the tire cover and cover plate that needs to complete the process. The only way my son and I could figure it out was , removed the spare. Place on carpet hup cap side up, after riveting the 4 rubber spacers inside this ring, cleaning out the groove on the ring and pushing the rubber into that space, around it, set the cover plate on top of the wheel. Taking the wheel cover and starting at one side, slowly work this cover aroung the ring and onto the tire. Once assembled, the whole thing can be placed on the car and the three studs tightened. If I ever have a flat while out, I'll call a flatbed to get it home. But is nice looking once back in place assembled. I'll add some photos later. Tom

Hi Folks, i want to share with you my most recent experiences with a long time vendor here. Over the past 30 years I have purchased nearly 100% of the parts needed for my 41 Continental restoration from this vendor. If they sold it, I bought it, from the wiring, all of the rubber products ordered, hardware, everything 100% from this vendor. Here is the time line of what occurred..... 1-27-17 I placed an order for several misc rubber items along with two lower radiator hoses. Parts arrived promptly but hoses were too short. Shortly after the delivery, I called, spoke with the owner, said he would send the correct hoses, asked for the wrong one to be shipped which I did the following day. 2-21-17. No hoses, called and an employee said he would ship. 2-27-17. No hoses, called again, same employee said he would ship. 3-3-17. No hoses, I called and requested a credit to my Visa account for the cost, plus shipping. 3-13-17. No credit to my Visa account posted. 3-14-17 called and spoke with owner, said he shipped hoses to me the day before. 3-20-17. No hoses, called and once again requested a credit to my Visa. I will give it until this Friday to see if that account has indeed been credited, but I have serious doubts at this point. It should be noted that all conversations on both ends have been polite and couterious in all respects. These hoses have now cost me just over $ 41.00, including my shipping the incorrect hoses back. This amount will not break me or make me, but I just am incredibly dissapointed in the vendor. Needless to say, they have lost my business forever. Boos- Herrel will get all of my business from now on. Tom