Re: The Duchess Project: 1940 Super 8 Convertible Sedan

Posted by Joe Santana On 2013/6/11 13:02:42

CARBURETOR: Drove to the coast in my Brand X. I pulled into the private area to park between two beautifully restored Morgans. Felt a little miffed at not having the Duchess there. She had received pre-publicity from the Innkeeper. But the ocean air and sunny skies improved my disposition considerably.

When I got home, I looked at the carburetor "we didn't touch, except to adjust the needle valves." The hook on the end of the Fast Idle Rod Spring was broken off. The snap ring that retains the rod and spring in the fast idle cam was gone.

These parts are NOT provided in kits, apparently. The only way to get them is to order a rebuild because the parts have to come from other old carburetors, which are in short supply. I understand this completely, but it's only been couple of years since it was professionally rebuilt. Another $300 just to be sure the spring is fixed, as much as I want the car to run reliably, seems foolish.

I wonder if it's possible to bend a hook into the end of spring metal. I'm hesitant to use heat while it's on the carb. I think I can feed it off and back on like a key ring. I feel like I'm thinking out loud. I may try this tonight, maybe use a soldering iron to heat it up and bend it with the smallest snip nose.

RADIO ESCUTCHEON: Jerry at Yesterday's Radio is making another run and will include the 2-button version. Bud's Auto and Truck has one, but they won't sell it because 'it's not in good condition'. Kind o f strange. I asked if it were in one piece, but they don't reply to emails. Anyway, by the time it was cleaned up and run through the plating process (it could break easily in the process), it's best to have a new one. Glad that a new one is an alternative.