Maintinence help

BenFranklin22 · June 11, 2013

I have a 1923 Franklin my dad left me and I was recently able to get it running but would like to know a couple things: 1. How do I check the oil level and how much does it need? 2. Where can I find a new coil and some new plugs? - you help would be greatly appreciated.

Steve Braverman · June 12, 2013

The oil level is read by a gauge on the side of the filler tube. There is a long needle that points to F when full. A standard six volt coil from any parts store will run just fine. The plugs are Champion W-18.

An instruction book would be helpful. They are available.

odyssey · June 12, 2013

An off the shelf coil mounted in the original location might not be the best. I burned through 2 on my series 10 until I went to an epoxy coil. There is a lot of heat under there. And I drove hard.

moving the coil to under the dash also solves that problem.

Symptoms are misfiring when hot, worsening until the engine hardly runs, yet fine again when cool. Similar to vapor lock, but with the ignition-y feel (like, I don't know how else to explain it!). Wrapping a water soaked cloth on the coil and trying again is the diagnostic test.

Tom

BenFranklin22 · June 12, 2013

I had the same problem with the off the shelf coil. Time to try the Epoxy. Thanks for the help Tom.

BenFranklin22 · June 12, 2013

Instruction book?!? - That would be helpful, I've tried to find them online but come up empty ... any suggestions on a more specific search I could use?

Steve Braverman · June 12, 2013

Instruction book?!? - That would be helpful, I've tried to find them online but come up empty ... any suggestions on a more specific search I could use?

The Franklin club has reprinted manuals for the series 10 for $26.

H. H. Franklin Club, Inc. | Merchandise for Sale

Get one ASAP. It will be a tremendous help in understanding and getting to know the car. My dad has two series 10s and they are one of Franklin's best driving cars. A lot of fun.

Also join the Franklin club if you haven't already done so, and try to attend a Franklin Trek. What part of the country are you located in?

Franklinguy · June 21, 2013

About the oil level: As a previous reply indicated, there is a level indicator next to the oil filler. I have a 1923 Franklin and the level indicator does not work. I suggest that you drain the oil and check that the indicator points to empty. Then add 5 qts (as per Franklin manual for series 10) and verify that it indicates full. Somebody installed a dip stick on my car.

I agree with the suggestion to buy a manual for your car from the Franklin club. Also, buy a parts catalog. I have found that they are very valuable to anyone who takes care of a Franklin. I also highly recommend membership in the Franklin club. By the way, if your Franklin was made in 1923, it is series 10-B.

I also have a 1923 10-B Franklin and I would be happy to exchange information.

Frank Pennypacker

frank.pennypacker@gmx.us

scott12180 · June 23, 2013

Tom wrote: "An off the shelf coil mounted in the original location might not be the best. I burned through 2 on my series 10 until I went to an epoxy coil. There is a lot of heat under there. And I drove hard.

moving the coil to under the dash also solves that problem."

Can Tom or someone provide a source for a 6 volt epoxy coil? I've been searching the internet and 6 volt epoxy coils are hard to find.

Thanks --- Scott

odyssey · June 24, 2013

Tom wrote: "An off the shelf coil mounted in the original location might not be the best. I burned through 2 on my series 10 until I went to an epoxy coil. There is a lot of heat under there. And I drove hard.
moving the coil to under the dash also solves that problem."
Can Tom or someone provide a source for a 6 volt epoxy coil? I've been searching the internet and 6 volt epoxy coils are hard to find.
Thanks --- Scott

NAPA has them. I will try to get the part number, but I think any counter man would find it easily.

Tom

scott12180 · June 24, 2013

NAPA has them. I will try to get the part number, but I think any counter man would find it easily.
Tom

I'd appreciate that. As far as I can tell my NAPA guy hasn't heard of a 6 volt epoxy coil.

This from a friend:

" I called the NAPA tech service and the guy did some checking. He said the only 6 volt coils that they have are the oil filled NAPA Echlin # IC7, or a tar filled NAPA Echlin IC670, which is a boxy thing that doesn’t look like any Franklin era coil. He couldn’t find anything about epoxy filled coils."

So if you can get that part number, this will be interesting to see what NAPA can find.

--Scott

odyssey · June 24, 2013

I'd appreciate that. As far as I can tell my NAPA guy hasn't heard of a 6 volt epoxy coil.
This from a friend:
" I called the NAPA tech service and the guy did some checking. He said the only 6 volt coils that they have are the oil filled NAPA Echlin # IC7, or a tar filled NAPA Echlin IC670, which is a boxy thing that doesn’t look like any Franklin era coil. He couldn’t find anything about epoxy filled coils."
So if you can get that part number, this will be interesting to see what NAPA can find.
--Scott

IC674 is the coil I've used.

tom

odyssey · June 24, 2013

Napa today says the number is no longer valid. I ordered one just last autumn. You might try calling a few different stores. Another

solution is to move the coil to the inside of the car on the firewall, away from heat.

tom

scott12180 · June 24, 2013

IC674 is the coil I've used.
tom

The NAPA coil IC674 is obsolete and no longer available.

Shoot. . . .

odyssey · June 25, 2013

Oftentimes rural stores have leftover stock of such things. As I said, I got one last year. For several years 1035 oil filters popped up at Napa stores, long after it was discontinued.

The coil was not even in the computer of my local store though... Maybe there was a problem with them.

Tom

BenFranklin22 · June 25, 2013

Thanks for the advice about the oil, I was wondering if the gauge was really accurate myself. I Just joined the club yesterday and plan to purchase the manual and parts catalogue. Mine was apparently tagged in 22 so I guess that means its not a B series??

BenFranklin22 · June 25, 2013

I just joined the club! I'm near Asheville NC.

scott12180 · June 25, 2013

I just joined the club! I'm near Asheville NC.

Well, congratulations on all counts. Always good to have a new member and especially a fellow Series 10 owner. Hope it and you makes it to the Trek.

Now I've got to wonder, with a name like "BenFranklin22", and a Franklin being a 1923, does this mean that you own another car? A 1922 perhaps? And with a name like BenFranklin, it must be an electric car. Right? :-)

Anyway, welcome. I hope the club and everything associated with it is useful to you and is a source of enjoyment.

--Scott Dwyer

Maintinence help

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