here's a rare part from my collection

Attach file:

---

  (22.12 KB)


  (23.78 KB)

Bernardi--I don't know anyone with an operable stock 55-56 A/C system using the OE Lehigh compressor. There was a very nice '56 400 at Warren with the nicest looking system, but I never saw the owner with the car to ask if and how the system worked. Robert Fordyce (sp?) in upstate NY has that absolutely stunning '56 Patrician in Norwegian forest green (my car's color) and I think his system works. most of the guys I have seen with operable A/C systems are using the Sanden compressor. It is compact, highly dependable, and works. I just saw Dwight Heinmuller's '4 Patrician with the trunk mounted evap/fan unit--he uses the Sanden compressor and is very happy with it.
I don't doubt that the Lehigh unit could be made to work, anyhing can with enough time/$$$$$, but I would worry about how much freon it would lose over the years. The Lehigh compressor uses a two-piece machined (lapped) seal, with two components that spin against each other. I have a friend who is a retired referigeration mechanic. I asked him about Lehigh systems, he wasn't overly impressed.
I just wish that Packard had purchsed the GM-Harrison cylindrical compressor that GM made for 27 years with little modification--that is my favorite unit, they just work!

Carlisle: Corvette, Camaro, 55-6-7 Chebby, 65-up Rustang, 55-6-7 Thunderbird and Chevelle parts up the ying yang, good place to start your beanie baby colection or fufill your numchuck or pirate DVD needs.

upside: hot girls on the weekend to observe (not that I would notice), nice bathrooms everywhere, good car corral if your tastes lean to the more recent years, clean cars from the south brought up to the show.

Downside: you still have to pay to park (like Hershey), you have to pay to get in, there aren't many vendors selling car parts that aren't the above listed grouping of muscle cars that have reproduced parts available from multiple sources.

Hershey: parts, parts and parts, very high "real vendor" to "non automotive crap" ratio, unrestored cars all over the place to look at enjoy and maybe even buy. Hershey has the higest amount of vendors specializing in older, pre-muscle car makes and models, groups of clubs and members in zones (steam cars, Classic car club, Rolls Royce, a semi-Packard section thanks to Bill Hirsch) brass car stuff, model T&A parts (the ONLY T&A at Hershey) for days, people who know older models and have an appreciation for restoring a car to the way the manufacturer made it (true restoration). A happy time with a lot of like-minded people.

Upside: all of the above, next to no non-old car junk to breeze past (multiple Chinese tool vendors nonwithstanding)
the one place in the world to meet people from all over the globe who are into the same make/model/year that you are.

downside: parking isn't free, not as many porta-johns for the area covered, it is vast, you need to be in a walking mood or get the AACA to consider you handicapped and allow a golf cart (more this year but still highly civilized when compared to Auburn melee).

I still really, really like hershey

Here's some more, in situ

Attach file:

---

  (35.85 KB)


  (29.41 KB)


  (33.48 KB)


  (27.45 KB)


  (31.13 KB)

I was told long ago to use non-detergent oil in an engine built before detergent oils became available when you are certain the engine has never been apart. The thinking behind this is that there may be lots of goo attached to the the sidewalls of the engine that might break free and clog up your oil pump screen/intake. After a thorough rebuild it is fine to use detergent oil.
I do not offer this as gospel truth however (refreshing for a change, isn't it?) and welcome other wisdom to the discussion.

Make sure to hit up Bob's wife Chris for one of her excellent brownies when you are shopping at his booth!

Hershey is still the big dance for us. We plan all year to be there, away from work, home, honey-do lists etc. to be with 150,000 other like minded people. Maybe I would feel different about it if it were in my backyard.

Hoo-Boy, you are coming into this at the last minute. Start calling around NOW and put your name and CC# on waiting lists and hope to catch a cancellation. The motels/hotels for a 40 mile radius sell out for Hershey. we stay to the east of Hershey along 422, which sees less traffic in the morning than coming from the west. Once you get a hotel room, if it's a good location and you are happy there, pay for next year in advance--when you check out this year. That way you are assured to get the lodging you like every time.

George Lupfer in Carlile, PA (Lupfer transmission, rte. 422 Carlisle, PA)does a fine job rebuilding Ultramatics. He trained on them (and Dynaflows,and powerglides,and Borg Warners.........) back in the day.
He owns a fine '56 400.

Owen--where are the two radial ball berings you describe? in the transmission?

Just as a starting point for adjustment I find that between .125''-.150" of the large slotted brass adjustment screw sticking out of the large locknut after the nut is tightened is good. It's a place to start adjustments. The further in it is adjusted the more drag on the thrust bearing, the further out, not so much drag and there will be hunting.