Projects Mild custom '51 Pontiac Chieftain

No problem. Glad we can be here as a surrogate to "talk" with. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, also.

Most of what I'm doing is borne from having to learn myself because I can't afford to have anybody else do the work for me. Necessity is the mother of invention, as is oft quoted.

Phil

 

I know what you mean. I horse traded my carpenter skills for auto work in the past but all the "traders" are now either too old or gone. I have some "friends" that would gladly work on my stuff but they want cash and I don't have that much free money to let go of right now.
Thanks for letting me vent a little.

 

Next time you open the transmission, put one magnet inside pan to collect fine metal out.
Newer, like th700 had those allready by factory.
Fine metal likes to sticking valves.

 

I have a strong neodymium magnet stuck to the bottom of the oil pan for that purpose.

Phil

 

Made a short video on how to disassemble, inspect and reassemble the vacuum windshield washer pump.

Phil

 

Summertime is here again.

9am and it's 89°, gotta love it.


Cleaned the oil out of the drain pan from the last go around. Not exactly clean.


Dropped the valve block off again and took it apart to clean and make sure everything moved freely.

Fixed the issue where it would engage the parking pawl when selecting reverse with the engine running.
It no longer drops to 1 from 3 when decelerating to make a turn, then accelerating gently.
1st does stick occasionally, when the gearbox is hot though now it appears tapping the throttle will make it change up.

Verdict: imperfect but improved

Phil

 

I tell you this, it really doesn't like this temperature.


Went test drive again and got an old fashioned cherry coke (with chunks of cherries in!). Ice cold drink on a day like today is appreciated...

Phil

 

Walking such a fine line between working good and minor irritations, I can't help but wonder if a different transmission fluid might make the difference. You know, the way different engine oils have small but discernable effects on engines? For instance, my long time transmission guy suggested using Ford fluid in my Hydro years ago to make the shifts slightly more snappy. He said that the Ford fluid was "grainier" for lack of a better term. I'm guessing that it had a lesser lubricity than the GM fluid. It seemed to work with no ill effects. There are many brands to experiment with from Walmart brand to the high end performance brands from the racing transmission suppliers. Maybe @bluesforU has some suggestions.

 

Agreed- it's definitely a heat vs. oil issue- the main line pressure remains a stable 60psi in forward gears even when it's misbehaving. I have actually been trying different oils, currently have a higher weight "high mileage" right now which is a little better.
However, it still does it from cold occasionally.
Pushing my foot down on the gas briefly while in 4th (to the 4-3 stop but not forcing the shift) before coming to a halt seems to make it cycle correctly down through the gears and not get hung up. After that, it'll change up sequentially (rather than the 1-3-4 jump it likes to do).

I think that the valve block doesn't bleed enough fluid to keep it cool, and the soaked heat just adds up, coupled with the fact the valve block is (let's face it) very worn.

Admittedly, in 35 degree weather it behaved very well, compared to today's 100 degree, but overall today it's improved and I've solved 2 of the 3 issues it had, and improved on one.

Phil

 

It's getting better as it's driven.


Went get donuts. Overdue oil change now. Needs a wash, it's filthy!

Jobs done: Drive about.

Phil

 

I was Jonesing, needing a post from you to get me through the week. Then, when I look at the picture I see the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car! I'm going to hit the medicine cabinet and see what's in there because there is nothing in the fridge to help!

 

Just noticed that! My phone puts the pictures backwards from the front camera. Fixed that now!

Haven't really had a whole lot to post. Been putting water in the radiator, oil in the engine and gas in the tank.

It's been turning all that into a lot of heat, some noise and a modest amount of motion...


Phil

 

OK. the meds worked! Your steering wheel is on the correct side now.

 

Not a great deal to report.

Put in a little wrench time today; routine maintenance.

Dropped the oil. It's less dirty than it was on the last change, but has lost a lot of viscosity.

Filled up with fresh, greased the suspension, oiled the linkages, set the points, lubricated the needles and set the idle mixture.

It's definitely a car that doing a tune-up on makes a noticable difference to how it drives.

Phil

 

What do you mean by "lubricated the needles"?

 

keep driving.just got my self a new project.

 

The Carter WCD has a spring-loaded, vacuum operated plunger which draws the jet needles up and down.
This mechanism requires periodic lubrication with engine oil. I do it every 500 miles or so, it stops the mixture from going cranky and generally helps cruise running and economy.

Phil

 

Thanks, I know what you are talking about now, top front on the carb.

 

Yessir, two screws, remove the lid, oil everywhere.

Phil

 

Not necessary to remove the lid!

Remove the two screws, and drop a few drops of light machine oil down each screw hole; then replace the screws.

The screw holes line up with the bearing surface where the intermediate shaft is inserted through the holes in the casting support.

This is the only area which should be lubricated. The metering rods and vacuum piston should definitely NOT be lubricated.

Jon

 

Hm. The shaft always gets oil through the screw holes, but after having given the carb a thorough clean in the ultrasonic bath, the metering needles and plunger always began to get sticky after a few hundred miles. I oiled them when I did the pump shaft; that eliminated any issues with the mixture being all out of whack, so I made it part of the routine.

Phil

 

Phil - the use of the ultrasonic cleaner requires TWO baths. The first in the cleaner, the second in water to remove the residue from the cleaner.

The piston clearance to casting is such that, unless the piston is totally worn out and should be replaced, oiling would cause the piston to stick.

Jon.

 

Jon,

This is the much better of the two carbs I have. You would probably cry if you saw the tolerances.

Phil

 

Well, wish us luck.
Chieftain is staying parked up at the house, we're evacuating away from Hurricane Ida, up to Texarkana.

Phil

 

Phil, is your house fairly “high?” Ida looks like it will be a monster.

Crazy this one is pretty much on the anniversary of Katrina. I hope you come out okay.

 

Moderately. We're also inside a levee which helps immensely.
The wind, however, I'm not so confident about.

Phil

 

Prayers sent for you, your family and your car's safety.

 

Thinking of you and your family. Be safe.

 

Stay safe Phil!

 

Keep your powder dry.