Trapdoor2
Senior Member
Now that I have excellent, reliable brakes, I attacked my poorly running engine. It just wouldn't idle at less than 550 and would often die at stop signs. It was cranky, popping, etc. Clearly, I had vacuum issues.
So, I pulled the manifolds and found crumbling gaskets across the board. Cleaned everything up, replaced all the gaskets, installed gland rings (because I could) and "voila" she now runs like an "A" ought to. Zenith carb just chuckles along and she idles beautifully at 450rpm.
I've been putting minor neighborhood mileage on her until the brakes get some time to seat in. So far, so good. I'll do my 3-5mi loop a few times, do a few 30mph hard stops, etc. Lather, rinse and repeat. Nothing like a good Aooogah! to make the neighbors smile and wave.
Until this afternoon's jaunt. One Aooogah was all she had in her. Silent after that.
So, this evening I became a Sparton expert. First things first, I checked for 6V where it should be...no problem there. Got out the Red book and did the whole refurb program. Total disassembly. Polished what needed to be polished, buffed the buffables, gently cleaned and scuffed the brushes (spent the mandatory catch and release time with the jumpy little buggers, crawling under my workbench to find bits, etc.). Reassembled, oiled both ends as appropriate, tossed it back on the car.
(Months ago, I made up a set of very long test cables so I could run 6v direct from the battery to anywhere around the car. Dog knows what I did with them; I haven't found them yet.)
I doubt it had ever been oiled but in reality, it was in pretty good shape. Loud and proud now!
So, I pulled the manifolds and found crumbling gaskets across the board. Cleaned everything up, replaced all the gaskets, installed gland rings (because I could) and "voila" she now runs like an "A" ought to. Zenith carb just chuckles along and she idles beautifully at 450rpm.
I've been putting minor neighborhood mileage on her until the brakes get some time to seat in. So far, so good. I'll do my 3-5mi loop a few times, do a few 30mph hard stops, etc. Lather, rinse and repeat. Nothing like a good Aooogah! to make the neighbors smile and wave.
Until this afternoon's jaunt. One Aooogah was all she had in her. Silent after that.
So, this evening I became a Sparton expert. First things first, I checked for 6V where it should be...no problem there. Got out the Red book and did the whole refurb program. Total disassembly. Polished what needed to be polished, buffed the buffables, gently cleaned and scuffed the brushes (spent the mandatory catch and release time with the jumpy little buggers, crawling under my workbench to find bits, etc.). Reassembled, oiled both ends as appropriate, tossed it back on the car.
(Months ago, I made up a set of very long test cables so I could run 6v direct from the battery to anywhere around the car. Dog knows what I did with them; I haven't found them yet.)
I doubt it had ever been oiled but in reality, it was in pretty good shape. Loud and proud now!
