30 Pontiac heat riser, fuel gauge and spring shackles

[SDLARS]

Three questions:

Anyone have a functioning, original fuel gauge? I had hopes of making mine work but find I have none of the tank unit. Anyone found a nice 6 volt replacement? 

Heat riser: I'd like to get mine loose but am afraid of breaking it. Engine runs fine right now set to winter. Suggestions?

Spring shackles: Know of anyone making the cone shaped bushings in the springs and frame? 

[32Pontiac6]

Fuel Gage

Mine does not work and I don't know of an electric replacement.  The gage is a King Seerley KS Telegage.  They were used in lots of other cars.  Some pretty expensive like Packard.  Buicks also used them.  I have seen the fluid and some parts at two places:

Bob's Automobilia - http://bobsautomobilia.com/fuel-system/

Classic and Exotic Services - www.classicandexotic.com
One or both of them sell the red fluid that goes in the dash gage. 

I would give them both a call and see if they can help with a replacement sending unit.  They are not that complex.

You might also advertise in the Early Times Chapter of POCI or Oakland Pontiac Worldwide Chapter of AACA.  You might get a sending unit there.

 

Heat Riser

I have not taken the '30 apart yet and am sure Tinindian will weigh in on this one.  However, I have taken the '32 apart and it is nothing complex.  I would think that using some sort of 'Liquid Wrench' type material on the bolts and the surface between the rotating piece and the exhaust manifold can help break it free.  Tapping the rotating piece and even using a chisel to separate it might be the way to go..  I included photos of what the '32 looks like.  I am assuming the setup is quite similar.

The second photo shows how simple the valve is and there are no complex moving parts.  

Third photo shows the inside of the manifold and how there are two passages allowing diversion of the exhaust gasses to the intake manifold.

Fourth photo shows valve in manifold.

 

 

Bushings

Again, Tinindian may be a good source.  But California Pontiac Restoration

www.pontiacparts.net

does have some spring bushing parts.  They may have what you need.

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

King Seeley    Ford also used them.  The tank unit doesn't look all that complicated.  I would even attempt to make one myself if I had to.

 

Heat riser   Mine is set at medium, has been that way since 1947 that I know of.  I've never had any trouble from -45 to +108 degrees.  Both studs are broken off in my manifold and have been that way since the late 50's.  If the plate fell off I would replace the studs and maybe adjust it spring and fall as the manual says but I am not going to disturb it on my own.

 

Spring shackles     I changed mine in the early 60's to the common one's.  In the last  50 years I have found three original NOS shackles.  Simplest would be just to change them to the plain type.

 

[Bloo]

My 1936 unbolts and comes out like the one in the picture above. It was frozen solid. I soaked it in "mopar rust penetrant" every day for 3 or 4 days, and drove it a few times between, then started lightly tapping on the shaft.with a piece of brass. When it budged a bit, I soaked it some more and let it soak another day. Then I just tapped it back and forth a bit with the bolts removed and took it out. Moderation is the key. There was no damage.

[SDLARS]

8 hours ago, Tinindian said:

King Seeley    Ford also used them.  The tank unit doesn't look all that complicated.  I would even attempt to make one myself if I had to.

 

Heat riser   Mine is set at medium, has been that way since 1947 that I know of.  I've never had any trouble from -45 to +108 degrees.  Both studs are broken off in my manifold and have been that way since the late 50's.  If the plate fell off I would replace the studs and maybe adjust it spring and fall as the manual says but I am not going to disturb it on my own.

 

Spring shackles     I changed mine in the early 60's to the common one's.  In the last  50 years I have found three original NOS shackles.  Simplest would be just to change them to the plain type.

 

Tinindian, do you remember what plain shackles you used? I had thought of machining new ones but that material is doggone hard.

[Guest]

I'm not sure exactly as that was over 50 years ago but these look like what is on the car now.  I would certainly use this type rather than try to remake the originals  As I said I have looked for NOS since the 60's and have managed to buy three front shackles and one rear shackle but no pins for the other ends of the springs.  As I read the advertising from the twenties the tapered design was to allow more flexibility in the springs when turning.  To be honest I did not notice any difference between the two styles.  Of course one style was totally worn out and the other was brand new so not really a good comparison.

Note that the strap part of the shackle is offset.  Having re-ached my springs twice I tried the shackles both ways and found no noticeable difference.

https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail/6387/Chevrolet_Shackles_Rear_12ton_34ton.html

https://www.ecklers.com/chevy-truck/chevy-and-gmc-truck-eye-bolt-and-bushing-leaf-spring-front-and-rear-1947-1955-1st-design-61-314912-1.html

 

 

[32Pontiac6]

Thankfully the '30 does not have the rubber encased bushing that the '32 has.  Outside sleeve, rubber, shackle bushing.  The shackle actually was burred to grip the bushing so that there was rubber torsional resistance as well as vertical and horizontal isolation from the frame.  Steele rubber company makes the front ones but the rear ones are not remade.  Rear ones were, I believe, 1/4" longer.  I put the fronts on the rear and hopefully there will be no problem.  I may only get 50,000 miles out of them instead of 100,000.....

 

 

Edited December 28, 2017 by 32Pontiac6 (see edit history)

[SDLARS]

Thanks for all the input. Now I have some decisions to make. 

[Guest]

Just realize that you and your Pontiac have the potential of a half a million miles or more ahead of you.  Enjoy every one of them.