Pfeil Posted August 8, 2023 Share Posted August 8, 2023 2 hours ago, PhilAndrews said: I would think that maybe they'd ponder if any of the cars would really last a long time- "modern" cars produced in mass volumes like these had only really been in production for about thirty years- certainly long enough to see a lot having gone to the scrap yard by then- the idea that they could be in use 70+ years on would be nothing but a pipedream. You are now living that dream. How lucky you are! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted August 12, 2023 Author Share Posted August 12, 2023 Something lighthearted today, for sitting in traffic in this hot weather... Phil 3 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john hess Posted August 12, 2023 Share Posted August 12, 2023 so ... how did your trip end with this happening...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted August 12, 2023 Share Posted August 12, 2023 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted August 12, 2023 Author Share Posted August 12, 2023 5 hours ago, john hess said: so ... how did your trip end with this happening...? Ended fine, was just a bit of Hollywood smoke and mirrors. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted August 16, 2023 Author Share Posted August 16, 2023 Though, I am not sure I don't have a broken leaf spring. Driver's side has a nasty sag to it right at the end. I guess I'm not driving that for now until that's investigated. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted August 17, 2023 Author Share Posted August 17, 2023 Not broken, just... Saggy. Need new rear shocks and bushings too. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted August 17, 2023 Author Share Posted August 17, 2023 Back on the road again. Sugar refinery Swamp Alumina plant Phil 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted August 26, 2023 Author Share Posted August 26, 2023 I'm glad I drove by here the other day and not yesterday. It was quite pleasant then; not so much yesterday. Naptha fire. Oops. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted August 30, 2023 Author Share Posted August 30, 2023 Since then, just local trips. Weather's been hot hot hot, car mostly behaving. It cooled off a touch last night after the rain (relative, it was 82 rather than the 100+ we've been having) and the car really took to it. Transmission was smooth, engine didn't miss a beat. I'll see how this fluid does over winter, thinking 50w might be a bit heavy for the cold. Hazy, horrible weather though. Next week is forecast to be all rain. Somewhere between all this I might get to polishing the paint and chrome again... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 4, 2023 Author Share Posted September 4, 2023 Been doing some late evening and night driving recently and was dissatisfied with my headlight aim. Went check the old Federal specifications for these light bulbs and spent 45 minutes tonight driving about, adjusting, doing squats 50 yards in front of the car and finally have them set just right. They light up the highway correctly, don't dazzle when on low beam, but usefully light up all of the road when switched to high beam. Bright moon the other evening just peeking up over the war veterans memorial. Happiness in night driving is a correctly aimed set of 7"ers. Phil 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 5, 2023 Author Share Posted September 5, 2023 Started to clean the car because the sun was hidden by clouds and the temperature dropped. Unfortunately the side-effect of this was it started to rain, all I got done was the front chrome. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 6, 2023 Author Share Posted September 6, 2023 I need to see about filling in the AACA "how far driven" paperwork because I drive this everywhere. Problem is the checklist has "where you went on this trip", and odometer readings. "McDonald's", "2.3 miles" listed many times is fairly droll. The Pontiac is my get in to go car. Anyone else fills theirs out? If so, do local trips get compounded together between longer, more planned journeys? Thanks Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 13, 2023 Author Share Posted September 13, 2023 I received an answer: Print more pages! Also noted soon up due for an oil change and grease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted September 13, 2023 Share Posted September 13, 2023 On 8/30/2023 at 10:47 AM, PhilAndrews said: ...thinking 50w might be a bit heavy for the cold. In the crankcase? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 13, 2023 Author Share Posted September 13, 2023 1 hour ago, EmTee said: In the crankcase? Gearbox. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 14, 2023 Author Share Posted September 14, 2023 Now that the ambient temperature is actually getting below 85° the 20W oil I have in it behaves quite well. The 10W was only good for the middle of winter, and only then if you didn't sit in traffic. Accidentally tore the exhaust off on a speed hump yesterday. The drive home was loud. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 18, 2023 Author Share Posted September 18, 2023 (edited) Been on the road again. Really nice weather, car's been using a little oil this weather but only really on overrun. Most of the journeys have been at highway speed too. Seeing lots of places. Getting smothered in bugs. To finish with a sunset on the road. Just ordered a new pair of rear shocks, these ones have had it. Phil Edited September 18, 2023 by PhilAndrews (see edit history) 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted September 19, 2023 Share Posted September 19, 2023 On 9/17/2023 at 7:47 PM, PhilAndrews said: Been on the road again. Really nice weather, car's been using a little oil this weather but only really on overrun. Most of the journeys have been at highway speed too. Seeing lots of places. Getting smothered in bugs. To finish with a sunset on the road. Just ordered a new pair of rear shocks, these ones have had it. Phil Hope you'll be able to join the Lagniappe drive to the restaurant in Lafitte, We expect to be there, as well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 19, 2023 Author Share Posted September 19, 2023 10 minutes ago, Marty Roth said: Hope you'll be able to join the Lagniappe drive to the restaurant in Lafitte, We expect to be there, as well. Hoping to try be there, at this time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 20, 2023 Author Share Posted September 20, 2023 New shocks. That's one of those "I should have done that years ago" jobs. The right hand one was seized solid. Car rides like a dream now. Phil 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 22, 2023 Author Share Posted September 22, 2023 The car was a little warm in the sun but I broke out the polish. Got as far as the roof and back end. Rest will be done tomorrow, hopefully. Phil 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrtonvilleBob Posted September 22, 2023 Share Posted September 22, 2023 Phil, I'm curious why you chose to put air shocks on your Chieftain. When I replaced my rear shocks I did some searches to see what was recommended. The general consensus was air shocks weren't justified unless one was hauling heavy loads or was planning to tow something like a boat or trailer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 22, 2023 Author Share Posted September 22, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, OrtonvilleBob said: Phil, I'm curious why you chose to put air shocks on your Chieftain. When I replaced my rear shocks I did some searches to see what was recommended. The general consensus was air shocks weren't justified unless one was hauling heavy loads or was planning to tow something like a boat or trailer. One alternative caveat: if the car has been significantly lowered and even though clearance has been made on both the shock mounts and chassis, there is still a lot less vertical travel available to the suspension. Unladen it's not a problem. Put people and stuff in the back and it bottoms out so I use the air shocks to keep the ride level. Compare: Normal ride height Maximum pressure. Now compare the maximum pressure image to how the back of your car looks! Phil Edited September 22, 2023 by PhilAndrews (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 23, 2023 Author Share Posted September 23, 2023 All fully clean today. Looks a little more cared for now. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 23, 2023 Author Share Posted September 23, 2023 (edited) Nice day out today. Went to Restaurant Des Familles in Jean Lafitte. Was a nice drive up, mostly highways which were clear and smooth. Restaurant was real nice. Had gumbo and potato salad which was enjoyable. Pretty back yard, if you look close there's an alligator hiding out. Took a scenic drive down into Lafitte. Ended up a hallmark day; first time on the Interstate, that's I-10. Car did real well, averaged about 12mpg. Phil Edited September 23, 2023 by PhilAndrews (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 30, 2023 Author Share Posted September 30, 2023 (edited) I noticed in a photo that the front grille was not aligned any more, so went took a look. Turns out one screw had fallen out and one was loose. Replaced them both with new stainless screws and the grille is secure again. The emblem was also rattling, the rubber isolator that holds it in had disintegrated. It was also looking a bit rough because a tree branch had whipped it during the storm and taken the paint off. So, I stripped the paint and scuffed the surface with wire wool. Painted it up hurriedly, but the front end looks a hair tidier. Today, oil change grease tune up, wash and polish. Looking to head to Biloxi tomorrow for the first day of Cruisin' The Coast. It's going to be quiet but that's fine. Anyone else headed up? Phil Edited September 30, 2023 by PhilAndrews (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 My wife and I will be going Tuesday,probably staying a couple of days.I couldn't get my '51 Chieftain finished because I'm still waiting on the upholsterer.I hope I can can find you.I hope I can look your car over good because I have several things that I can't figure out where they go.I didn't take nearly enough pictures when I was tearing it down. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted September 30, 2023 Author Share Posted September 30, 2023 4 hours ago, Andy J said: My wife and I will be going Tuesday,probably staying a couple of days.I couldn't get my '51 Chieftain finished because I'm still waiting on the upholsterer.I hope I can can find you.I hope I can look your car over good because I have several things that I can't figure out where they go.I didn't take nearly enough pictures when I was tearing it down. For sure, I'm only going to be there tomorrow, unfortunately work gets in the way. Oil changed, greased, tightened, vacuumed, checked, washed, polished and waxed. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted October 1, 2023 Author Share Posted October 1, 2023 Bought a green bulb for the gear selector. The lenses had shrunk and were leeching white light past the dial which was irking me. No longer the case, looks better now. Phil 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted October 1, 2023 Author Share Posted October 1, 2023 Made it to town. 16.6mpg also which was a nice surprise. Weather's lovely, plenty of cars out, which is surprising for the first day. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted October 5, 2023 Author Share Posted October 5, 2023 Pulled my dashboard out. Lubricated the speedometer cable, dismantled the speedometer assembly and lubricated it. Didn't realize there was a felt pad under the little freeze plug looking piece on the side. Changed a couple bulbs out because they'd burned. Adjusted the speedometer hair spring. That's now 60 on the GPS, much better. Close enough. Made a couple tiny bulbs for the accessory gauges. Entire dash now lights up the same color, which makes me happier. Phil 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 They are nice and bright, I wish my 89 Merc was like that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted October 7, 2023 Author Share Posted October 7, 2023 Took the gearbox apart again. The plugs were good. The governor sleeve less so. So, I got happy with the hones. Result? Not a great improvement. The reverse blocker doesn't work. I don't know if it's clogged or leaking, but taking it apart requires breaking a double crimped pin, which I didn't want to do this afternoon. Hopefully a spare one coming, so I'll be able to get a bit more aggressive with the deconstruction. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted October 7, 2023 Author Share Posted October 7, 2023 This morning, cool weather (75°) and it decided to shift gears perfectly, except for when it had sat at the traffic light. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted October 11, 2023 Author Share Posted October 11, 2023 Yeah, my defrost wasn't working. It's been rainy and cold today. That's been replaced with a new section of duct. Screen clears now. Phil 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted October 15, 2023 Author Share Posted October 15, 2023 Started today by taking my driveline apart. Replaced the oil seal on the differential pinion. Looked like the original, it was completely dead. Someone had plastered blue rtv sealant all over it in an attempt to seal it. That didn't work. Put a newer style neoprene seal in and went for a drive. Filthy but dry. I'll buy that. It's got a date with the pressure washer coming up. Phil 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted October 15, 2023 Author Share Posted October 15, 2023 ...and clean. Once it's dry it needs a bit more underseal putting on, quite a bit washed off in places. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted October 19, 2023 Author Share Posted October 19, 2023 Painted up the gear end, which will make leaks easier to spot. Also changed the manifold to downpipe gasket, the old one was a bit past it's best. Obtained a replacement governor reciever/reverse lockout and put it in solvent to clean it up. It cleaned up well and the two pistons both freed up. Fitted that and the governor circuit still leaks down so I'm at a bit of a loss now why that's being so awkward. On the plus side the reverse gear lockout works now. Cannot move past Lo when going faster than about 5mph. Phil 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilAndrews Posted October 21, 2023 Author Share Posted October 21, 2023 All shined up ready for tomorrow's place in the Rougarou Festival. It's a good twenty-footer. Ha Phil 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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