Re: The Duchess Project: 1940 Super 8 Convertible Sedan
Posted by Joe Santana On 2015/11/29 14:42:35
If it was a struggle for you, just imagine what it will be for me, but John is a respected vendor and I've bought several items from him, so I'll order a new belt from him.
I've just finished doing a tune-up on the Duchess. It took me several days because of my 3-times-wrong and 1-time-right method of learning. I am now an expert tune-up person on a 356. With Bob Earl's help and some studying, I now really understand the relationship between the engine and ignition. Also I can pull and replace the distributor. I had the most practice doing that.
I bought a laser RPM tester (I'm right at 450 rpm on idle) and a self-powered (2 D-cells) timing light, proformparts.com. Once that was successfully done (incredible difference), I reinstalled my Stromberg AAV-26 carburetor, the one with the choke spring nobody has, or more accurately, will not sell to you on its own. (I know, Howard, you think that's a dumb idea, but I love my Stromberg. Also, it doesn't have that awful bolt in the corner closest to the manifold that the Carter has.
Back in the day the design engineers passed the plans over the transom to manufacturing and let them 'figure it out.'Maintenance? No one really cared. If you could bolt something on when the engine was upside down and in your lap on the assembly line, no one cared about how the mechanics could get to it, let alone restorers who didn't have those special factory tools. It's different today. But I can tell you, if you do something enough times, the expletives eventually diminish and you learn the tricks, like that hidden, right-hand clamp screw for the distributor. Why did the grease cup have to go right next to it?
I also replaced the radiator hose. I had problems this summer with it spitting and had to be tightened on several occasions to stop it. It was 2", which is wrong. I replaced it with a 1-3/4" and the correct vintage clamps.
So now the belt (I remember now that corner at the bottom) will be a challenge. But it needs to be done.
Thanks for the info.
Joe
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I've just finished doing a tune-up on the Duchess. It took me several days because of my 3-times-wrong and 1-time-right method of learning. I am now an expert tune-up person on a 356. With Bob Earl's help and some studying, I now really understand the relationship between the engine and ignition. Also I can pull and replace the distributor. I had the most practice doing that.
I bought a laser RPM tester (I'm right at 450 rpm on idle) and a self-powered (2 D-cells) timing light, proformparts.com. Once that was successfully done (incredible difference), I reinstalled my Stromberg AAV-26 carburetor, the one with the choke spring nobody has, or more accurately, will not sell to you on its own. (I know, Howard, you think that's a dumb idea, but I love my Stromberg. Also, it doesn't have that awful bolt in the corner closest to the manifold that the Carter has.
Back in the day the design engineers passed the plans over the transom to manufacturing and let them 'figure it out.'Maintenance? No one really cared. If you could bolt something on when the engine was upside down and in your lap on the assembly line, no one cared about how the mechanics could get to it, let alone restorers who didn't have those special factory tools. It's different today. But I can tell you, if you do something enough times, the expletives eventually diminish and you learn the tricks, like that hidden, right-hand clamp screw for the distributor. Why did the grease cup have to go right next to it?
I also replaced the radiator hose. I had problems this summer with it spitting and had to be tightened on several occasions to stop it. It was 2", which is wrong. I replaced it with a 1-3/4" and the correct vintage clamps.
So now the belt (I remember now that corner at the bottom) will be a challenge. But it needs to be done.
Thanks for the info.
Joe
Attach file:
(44.79 KB)
(36.24 KB)
(43.62 KB)
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