Hi all,
I have a '54 Convertible with the 359 that has a Delco starter. It also has the hard hot start cranking issue that I've seen on various threads. Just got an Auto-Lite starter that is being rebuilt. The rebuilder is having trouble identifying the proper pinion length from his references. (I don't know if pinion is the correct term for the geared shaft that engages the flywheel)

Does anyone know the correct Auto-lite starter numbers (confusing from the parts list on this site) and the correct length of the pinion?

Any info would be much appreciated.

Thanx, Les

Thanks for all the research. I've decided to have my Treadlevac rebuilt and save the remote fill adapter as a future project. The Wilwood kit that I included a link to in a previous post had what looked like a screw in adapter for the fill tube. So, I'm going to try to source a spare filler cap and see if it could be modified to accept the adapter.

Thanx again. I did some more research on the Wilwood site. They offer a remote fill kits with an adapter cap. One of them had 7/16-20 threads on the adapter:

https://www.wilwood.com/MasterCylinders/MasterCylinderProdAcc?itemno=260-8742

Does anyone know the the thread & diameter of the Treadlevac cap? Perhaps it would be an easy (never happen) way to get remote fill.

Thanx again, I'll research the remote fill kit.

Don, what were the symptoms leading up to your Treadlevac failure? I drove mine into the garage and all seemed fine. A few days later, when I started the car, there was a cloud of whitish smoke then no brakes.

Thank you to all who have taken the time to respond. I am not looking for a major project at this time. I was under the impression that this conversion had already been accomplished and that the know how to do it was already out there.

So I've decided to get the Treadlevac rebuilt. Any recommendations for someone to do this?

One of the pluses of the Wilwood is the ability to add remote fill. Can this be done with the Treadlevac?

Thanx again, Les

Because I'm nervous about the sudden failure mode and I'd like to upgrade to dual circuit brakes. Rebuilding the Treadlevac is always an option.

My '54 Convertible had the dreaded Treadlevac master cylinder failure which sucked all of the brake fluid through the power booster. Luckily it was in the garage. Rather than rebuilding, I'm considering a Wilwood tandem dual chamber master cylinder with remote fill. Any thoughts on this? How would one select and mount it? I'm planning to keep the drum brakes. Thanx for your help, Les

I had a similar leak on my '54. The mechanic drilled a hole in the frame to provide access so that he could remove the shaft and replace the seal. Transmission was not removed and the leak was fixed, thankfully.

Les

I've also thought about using a generic dipstick extender, but how does one calibrate the the reading to the ultramatic?

Les

Great looking Pacific! I wish that my '54 Convertible was as nice as yours. I have the same continental kit, which my Packard mechanic confirms as Huddleston-Whitbone. Leave it on....it looks spectacular!

Les