Avanti R2, 1963, refresh

[unimogjohn]

Still Thursday.  I got the compressor out of the van and into its spot in the garage.  Tomorrow I have to find some fitting to connect up the air and run a power line from the wall to the compressor.  Yes, it is a 60 gallon unit.

 

And I still found the time to finish up the brakes on the Suburban.  Back on the road.

 

 

 

 

[Roger Zimmermann]

Interesting this vertical air tank with the compressor on top of it! It saves space in the garage.

[Buicknutty]

5 hours ago, Roger Zimmermann said:

Interesting this vertical air tank with the compressor on top of it! It saves space in the garage.

 I have a similar one for the same reason. Works well for me.

 Keith

[unimogjohn]

Saturday, December 10th.  Cold here this morning, 26 degrees.  But I headed out to the 45 degree garage and spent a couple of hours electrifying the compressor.  Works great.  Aired up to 135 psi, and then fired back up when it got to 95 psi.  Recovery time was very quick.  I even put on a anti-tip strap for safety.  Another little project done.

 

I was surprised that it did not come with an air pressure regulator.  I will have to decide if I need one.  All my tools have regulators so I guess I really do not need one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[trimacar]

John, I'd suggest putting a regulator on the tank.  That way, you can set the regulator at, say, 90 psi, the compressor will put the tank at 135 psi, then adjust the controls to come back on at, say, 100 psi.  That way, you always have "full" pressure (regulator setting) at your use point.

 

Obviously your set points can be different according to your needs, but having the compressor kick back on BEFORE reaching regulator pressure is key.

 

You don't happen to know how to get the ABS light to go off on a 2001 Suburban, do you?  I don't really car is the ABS is working or not, just want the light to go off.....

[DavidAU]

The regulator also works as a water/air separator and you really need one of those on the line to stop water getting into your air tools and damaging them.  Also if you do any paint spraying or sandblasting you need dry air.

[Bill Stoneberg]

17 hours ago, trimacar said:

You don't happen to know how to get the ABS light to go off on a 2001 Suburban, do you?  I don't really car is the ABS is working or not, just want the light to go off.....

 

A piece of black tape over the offending light seems to work well for me. 

[Alfre]

Too kill the abs lite remove the fuse for the abs this also kills the abs.

Al

[trimacar]

 

thanks for replies, John, sorry to hijack your thread!  Black tape doesn't satisfy the state inspector, and I tried removing the ABS fuse, light still comes on..thanks dc

[unimogjohn]

That is OK David.  There are several YouTube videos on troubleshooting the ABS.  All are fairly involved.  Most center on replacing the ABS control module.  UGH!

 

The only thing I did today was to replace the diesel fuel filter on the Kubota tractor.  It was a quarter full of water.  Easy enough to do.  Just too cold for me to do much outside either.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[trimacar]

Yes, the cold sure makes outside work less fun!  I've looked at videos for replacing the ABS module, which is, of course, very conveniently located inside the frame,under the truck, and it takes a special reverse handled slip slotted slit fitter to remove it....would need to borrow your lift to get to it I think!!

[MCHinson]

On 12/10/2016 at 3:50 PM, trimacar said:

 

You don't happen to know how to get the ABS light to go off on a 2001 Suburban, do you?  I don't really car is the ABS is working or not, just want the light to go off.....

One possible cause thanks to a quick Google search:

Faulty wheel sensors can also cause the issue, you also want to check the free play of the wheel bearing. There should be NO free play in the bearing, although a very little is acceptable. Excessive free-play can cause codes as the inner part of the bearing moves to and away from the sensor mounted to the outside of the bearing (hub). 

[MCHinson]

And another reply:

 

In many cars and trucks, the abs sensor is built into the wheel bearings of each wheel. These thin wires can become corroded and break, especially if you live in the Northern states where road salt is a plenty in the winter. As the previous reply stated- check the fluid first. If all is good, you could contact a GM dealership and have them scan your system with a Tech2 scanner. That would be able to tell you exactly what wheel is causing the trouble and DTC. ( diagnostic trouble code). Or you could pull each wheel, disconnect the bearing harness, hook up a continuity tester to the two leads and spin the bearing. If the meter changes its reading, then that bearing is good. If it stays at 0, then the wire internally is broken, causing an open circuit, therefore causiung the ABS/brake light to illuminate. Good Luck

 

 

[trimacar]

Thanks....I don't think I've ever heard the words "bearing harness" used next to each other, was not aware that was even a feature, but of course makes sense, since the system has to know if a wheel is spinning.

 

Fluid is good.  Thanks for ideas.....

[unimogjohn]

David, if you need a "lift", come on over.  One is always available for you.

 

It is Tuesday, December 13th.  Headed out to NAPA this morning to pick up the heater fan for Brownie the van.  And it says "made in Canada", yahoo!!!!!.  I may be able to get it in today. Cost $44.

 

 And I found an air regulator and water filter at Sears.  Now I just have to get a short hose to connect it up.  Oh, it is made in China.  On sale $33.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[unimogjohn]

Still Tuesday, but PM.  Spent a couple of hours in the garage.  Mounted the air regulator/filter on the compressor and plumbed it in with stuff that I had on hand.  Works great.  

 

And I got the new heater fan in Brownie the van.  It works!  Quiet as bee, just hums a long.  I will save the old one in my spares.  Never know if I will need it.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[unimogjohn]

Greg just sent me this video.  The Jenny flew yesterday for the first time.  

 

 

[trimacar]

It's a beautiful plane...with a very unusual logo painted on it's side, if you can find another shot of it at some point......if you watch the video carefully, you'll see some of my stitching on the combing (the cover around the edge of the cowl)!!  ....as Andrew (Andrew King, pilot in this video, he and his family were very involved with the Rhinebeck Aerodrome)   pans down to show the instruments.   I had the privilege of doing a little bit of work on this plane......I also did some work on Andrew's Ryan Air Mail plane, which he has since sold.....I like early airplane trim work, simple seats and simple designs!

 

I'm one of the few trimmers alive who has upholstered a Wright Brothers airplane seat!

 

Not bragging, just very happy to be a part of this wonderful world of bringing the past to life....

[unimogjohn]

It is Wednesday, December 28th.  I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

 

Here is a brief update on happening here.  It was beautiful and 63 degrees here yesterday, so woke up the Jaguar and took it for a long spin on the country lanes.  I also found some time to up back in the electric clock.  She is whole again.

 

I finished up the air compressor by fitting the final air line and plumbing all the tools for the new air hose, type C fittings.  Made sure they all had oil and more importantly still work.  Some of these have been spinning along for over forty years.

 

And for Christmas Alice gave me a Made in England, picnic basket set.  A great 1950's piece for the Jaguar and Avanti.  

 

It looks like "12" the cat is a keeper.  He comes and goes every evening.  Walks in like he has always lived here.

 

[SeventhSon]

"12" has found a home. A place where he is treated nicely and there is food too! Yay! Happy New Year John and Alice!

[unimogjohn]

It is Tuesday, January 3rd.  I hope that everyone had a great holiday season.  

 

Not too much going on in the old car world.  Just had too much to do on the farm and the holidays.  Speaking of the farm, I bought a pair of pallet forks.  They fit on the loader bucket.  They will really help me pick up debris and fencing materials.  Here is a pic.  Hope they will arrive in a few days.

 

And I decided to update the trailer wiring on Brownie the Van.  I had an old blade connector on her for many years.  Now I do not have any trailer that has that style any more, so I put on a 7 pole connector.  Just am not using the electric brake circuit. But at least will not have to jury rig the van's trailer wiring to pull the trailers in an emergency, it will be just plug and play.

 

And of course the neighbors are still coming over to the garage to work on their cars and trucks.  Bill brought over is 1991 Toyota Pickup for service work and inspection.  So we changed all of its fluids, and also determined that he has a broken emergency brake cable and needs new shocks.  So he will be back when he get some replacement parts.  Enjoy helping out the neighbors.  

Edited January 3, 2017 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

It is Wednesday, January 4th.  A very unusual day, it was over 60 degrees; so took the opportunity to put anti-freeze in the 1923 and 1928 Buicks.  A big cold front is coming in over the next day or so so even through the garage is heated, I need some cold protection just in case the power goes out for an extended period.  With that done I fired up both cars to circulate the coolant, and then took the 28 out for a final drive of the season.  She ran great.  Really a pleasure to drive on the country lanes.

 

Tomorrow I am heading out with a neighbor to pick up a slightly used snow blower for his tractor.  I have been finding him good used equipment for it.  Last month I located a nearly new chipper.  I am turning into his personal shopper.  

 

 

[trimacar]

Hi John...now you understand why the politicians call it "climate change", that way if it cools or warms, they're covered!  Yes, great day in Winchester too, at 50 or so but shirt sleeve weather to this Southern boy.

 

The '28 looks great, glad to see it out!   later dc

[unimogjohn]

It is Thursday, January 5th.  I wish I could report that I am working on the old cars, alas I am not, today anyway.  Spent the day helping neighbor Jack pick up his new snow blower.  Got it home and Jack came over to see what we had to do to hook up the PTO.  It is way too long for his little Kubota tractor.  It took us two tries, but we got the PTO cut and connected to the tractor.  He is ready to blow snow.  This little endeavor took about six hours, but we had a good time.   We are suppose to get snow tonight, but less than two inches, too little to blow.  

 

Received the pallet forks for my little Kubota today.  Plan on putting them on tomorrow to see how they work.  

 

 

Edited January 6, 2017 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

Still Thursday, Packick/aka Joe sent me a note and said that the 1923 McLaughlin Buick made the latest issue of the Buick Bugle.  By George, there it is.  Here are the pics to prove it.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 6, 2017 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

Tuesday, January 10th.  Wish I could report that i am working on an old car project.  Alas, no; just too cold and the cars are really laid up for the winter.  So you will have to settle for now and then farm stuff.  At least it is mechanical.  

 

Put the pallet forks on the little Kubota today and lifted out the mower deck from the run in shed.  Boy, the pallet forks really worked great.  They are really going to come in handy around the farm.  Over the next day or so I am going to clean up the deck and find some nice spot in the garage for it.  Going to do some work on the Kubota also.  

 

Speaking of Kubota tractors, I think I am going to go look at a used one with more capacity and attachments.  Here is a pic or two.  This one is about two hours away.  Will be a nice little road trip.

 

 

[unimogjohn]

Thursday, January 12th, and 64 degrees.  SPRING!  For a day.  Going to get snow and freezing rain on Saturday.  Today was just great.

 

I called the dealership this afternoon and bought the Kubota B3200 with loader and backhoe.  Will pick it up at the end of next week.  Going to borrow a flat bed trailer and tow it home.  If borrowing does not work out, will pay to have it shipped home.  

 

So I spent the morning cleaning up the mower deck.  It will work on the new tractor if I decide not to sell it with the old little Kubota tractor.  It cleaned up pretty nice.  All lubed up and ready to work.

 

I also replace two light bulbs in the dash of the little Kubota, oil pressure and alternator indicator lights.  They have been burned out for years.  Figure I better replace them as I plan on selling the little Kubota tractor.  I am in no hurry to see so will spend some time cleaning it up and getting it ready.  

 

And we had folks come over this afternoon to see the llamas and the old cars.  Great time.

 

 

Edited January 12, 2017 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

Friday, January 20th.  Big day.  Going to pick up the new Kubota tractor with its loader and backhoe.  Excited to get it home.

 

With winter here and all the old cars sleeping, repairs and upgrades have turned to the farm equipment.  I always needed some hooks on the little tractor to attach chains for lifting and pulling.  I settled on a couple of bolt on hooks.  Should make light work of lifting things around the farm.  

 

 

 

 

[unimogjohn]

Picked up the new Kubota B3600 tractor today.  It is home and ready to go to work.

 

 

 

 

 

[unimogjohn]

It is Friday, January 27th.  I wish I could report that I have been doing old car stuff, but I have been focused on the new tractor.  Did all the maintenance on it, made adjustments and fixed some little stuff.  Today I added two bolt on hooks to the loader bucket, and a LED light bar to the props.  The light bar is connected into the headlight switch.  I may but it on its own circuit, but for now it should be good.  Boy, the thing is sure bright.  The bar can easily be rotated so if I have to use the backhoe at night, I will have more than enough.  

 

Next week I am planning to do some major gasket work on the Avanti engine.  I have all the gaskets for the carb base, rocker cover, intake and valve oil stem seals.  I am planning for a couple of days, probably three do do the work and then cleaning and painting.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JWLawrence]

John, that tractor will be a great benefit to you on the farm. Congratulations! My gasket set did not include the grommets for the Avanti's rocker arm covers. I looked around for something to use and found some toilet tank washers. They are tapered and fit around the stud nicely. Just a suggestion. Look forward to your postings. JWL

 

[unimogjohn]

JW, thanks for the suggestion on the rubber washers.  I will have to make a trip to Home Depot next week.

 

It is Sunday, January 29th.  It has been a long time since we have heard from Greg.  I know that he has stopped working on both Avanti's as they are in an unheated hanger.  And he has been really busy building engines for the Curtiss Jenny airplanes.  But it looks like he has found some time to work on his very old cars.  Here is the report that he just sent me.

 

"Guys,

 

I haven't had much time to concentrate on matters Overland lately,  day job stuff gets in the way.    I have been trying to sneak in quiet time with the '10 Overland body restoration.  With some work having been trusted to the likes of Walter Higgins and Thetan Ogle,   I find it very relaxing to get some things done on my own.

   

I find it interesting that this is coachwork that is a transition from typical horse drawn carriage trade construction of wood subframing but also has  newfangled automotive sheet steel paneling that is nailed to the framing.  This one also has bead lines that are rolled into the steel,  wooden moldings screwed in place,   and half oval steel moldings screwed in place. That's what I'm working with now on the front seat.

 

I'm not sure how they did it,  so I'm using a modified method that Mr. Baldwin and I tried on a Simplex body he was building.   An aluminum skin,  it had applied aluminum half oval moldings  attached with  counter sunk screws and JB Weld.  This time I epoxied and screwed the wooden moldings in place,  these screws get hidden with wooden plugs .   The wooden moldings  then get the half oval steel moldings on top of them and there I used the JB  for adhesion and to hide the countersunk screws.

 

Bruce Van Sloun advises me that the body on his Overland was very finely finished with the use of old style (not at the time) coach putty (white lead).   

I'm filling the irregularities with good old fashioned Bondo.   When all the sanding and filling is done,  I think I will then treat the wood and fillers with a coat of Smith's Penetrating Epoxy to make sure things are stable.   And Bruce,  on the heavy wooden molding at the center of my front seat,  I find that it didn't follow the sheet metal completely.   A gap in the center about 3/16"  or so on the underside.     I don't know if yours shows this, but I filled the gap by epoxying wooden fillers prior to the Bondo.   

       

Photos show the moldings before filling and after."

 

 

    

[Bill Stoneberg]

John and Chris ( and anyone else with Avantis...)

 

Just got the latest Hagerty magazine and they have 6 or 8 pages on Avantis.

 

Have not read it yet, but it looks interesting.

[JWLawrence]

John, yes an article on Avantis that deals mostly with the post-Studebaker years, and there were many of them - 43.

 

(o[]o)

 

[unimogjohn]

It is February 5th.  Still no old car work.  Neighbors have been bringing over their modern cars and farm equipment to the garage.  It has been fun working with everyone.  And I am still playing with the new tractor.  I bought a mechanical thumb for the backhoe.  It will be a great addition to the hoe in picking up stuff.  Here are a few pics.  It is bolt on.  

 

 

[unimogjohn]

It is Tuesday, February 7th.  Cannot believe it, it is going to be 71 degrees or more today.  OK, OK, this is the last new tractor report.  I bought a degree gauge for the tractor so I can tell if I am approaching the OMG, tip over moment.  Feels OK at 15 degrees.  

 

And Greg sent a short report this morning.  He has been having "correct" fenders fabricated for his 1911 Stoddard Dayton race car.  It has taken a few years just to get to this point.

 

Nate and I spent some time jigging the Stoddard Dayton rear fender into position ,  our initial layout in preparation for making the irons and the inner apron.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 7, 2017 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

It is Sunday, February 26th.  It has been really nice so we have been driving the old cars, not working on them.  Last weekend the car crowd went to our first show of the season.  It was hot rods, muscle modified and restored cars.  Nice break from the winter cold.  Here are some pics.  

 

 

[unimogjohn]

It is Wednesday, March 1st.  Spring has sprung around northern Virginia.  Plants are starting to poke their heads up, pollen is in the air, and their is a slight greening going on.  We took a couple of days to spread 2,250 lbs of lime and fertilizer around the farm.  

 

Took the Avanti out after adjusting the throttle to transmission shifting problem I had with it downshifting when it reached 2500 rpm.  The adjustment was way off.  I took it out for a short run and it did not downshift so I am making progress.  But it runs like it is just chuggling with a few surges now and then so something is still off.  Oh, and I seem to have a battery issue.  I am charging at 35 amps, so I charged up the battery and am showing a normal 10 amps after starting and 3 amps running.  All the electrics seem to be off, yet the battery seems to be discharging.  Will have to continue to investigate.

 

The Jaguar refused to start also.  Turned out that the brass contacts on the fuse block have a slight corrosion on them.  I will take the little Dremel tool with its wire wheel and clean them all up.  Otherwise the cat ran just great after a winter slumber.

 

And it looks like Greg is back at it also.  Just got his "beach" report.

 

Awoke this morning, lingered in bed for a while and then decided to get it done.   Fair weather,  chance of rain later today,  time to sandblast the Overland back seat.

   

Sandblasting apparatus can function smoothly,  or not.   Today went well with few stoppages.  I did decide that buying and sifting play sand still does OK.  I also noticed that it's a good deal these days.   Although the bags are marked 50 LBS,   they must be stuffing at least 75  into them.  Three bags blown away.

   

Now for a good cleaning and to begin the installation of the wooden moldings and metal beading,  and  more dent picking before priming and sanding ,  readying for paintwork.

 

 

 

    

   

Edited March 1, 2017 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

Still Wednesday.  Been hauling bark and top soil with the Suburban and dump trailer.  Coming home the brakes got soft and then almost nothing.  Major leak on the driver's side front.  I am sure that it is the dreaded rusted brake lines.  So I ordered a kit to do all of them.  $77 to my door.  Guess the Suburban goes on the lift tomorrow.  So much for not having to do repairs.  

[Buicknutty]

 Nice to hear of your progress, and the nicer weather. Sorry about the 'burban. Warm (50 F) here in Toronto now but its supposed to get cold and more snow on Friday.

 Keith