I have a 645 with that front mounted water pump. I don't have a spare and fortunately mine wasn't too beat up. That is a fairly simple part and I'm guessing if worse comes to worse, you could have the original re-cast and machined. I know my machinist cleaned up the bore on mine to make sure the shaft lined up straight, so it can be done...I have spares of the roller bearings and the impeller head I would be willing to sell for cheap if you are interested.

yup. Everything that is shiny inside the car (and some say everything in the engine compartment, but some of the linkages were cadmium plated) is nickel plated, and everything on the outside of the car is chrome plated.

Hi,
It was nickel plated. Everything on the interiors was nickel plated in 1929.

I am researching a guy here in California that does pewter casting using the silicone rubber molds. Supposedly that retains the details much better than lost wax. If I actually get castings made, is anybody interested in a set? It would include the handles and arms that attach to them. I have no idea of the cost, but usually it is cheaper if you have more done.

Hi David,
My limited research has led to a similar conclusion: pewter casting, using a silicone rubber molding process shows the most promise of retaining the detail of the original piece while providing enough durability to survive. I have a lead on a pewter casting artist here in California who hopefully doesn't charge exorbitantly. Thanks for the input.
John

Thanks George! I have learned a few tidbits from those service letters, but must admit I missed that one. I know that playing with the adjusting nut at the end of the cable allows me to get close to no drag, but never eliminating it completely on "full turn". Maybe that's the best to hope for, but I'm still gonna see if Jim's theory about the left and right side housings being unique has an effect. Thanks for pointing this out.
John

Hi all,
does anyone have experience casting small parts out of zinc, or know of somebody who does it at a reasonable cost? I have had parts cast using the "lost wax" method, but the quality of the final parts is less than desirable. I am looking to either have someone do sand or plaster casting of the lap robe handles for a model 645 closed car. The alternative is try my hand at it. The detail on the originals is impressive and I would hate to lose it with a bad casting. My research indicates they were originally cast with a zinc/magnesium/copper alloy that is crumbling with age. Does anyone have any knowledge of the process, or advice?

Attach file:

---

  image1 (5).jpeg (225.01 KB)

Those look exactly like the drums on my 1929 model 645, which has the 8 bolt lug pattern. Mine is at a shop across town, but I will measure the drums next time I am there.

Hi all,
Fascinating problem...One that I am also having after reassembling the front axles on my 645. As I rotate the tires the cables tighten against the brake levers and cause the brake shoes to contact the drums.

I can assure you that Jim does not have the axle on backwards (I have photos of my car before disassembly showing the "stop bolts" pointing to the rear of the car. I am also confident the brake shoes are not different sizes from passenger to driver's side, having lain them all on top of each other before re-assembly. I am intrigued by the mention of the cams being slotted at an angle. I unfortunately didn't take detailed photos of the cams when disassembling my car. They were covered in 90 year old grease and they appeared to be identical. I have included a photo of the "pre-disassembly" configuration of the inside of the wheel showing the cam clearly marked "R". However, you can bet that I am going to go back and flip those cams to see if the problem disappears. If anyone knows the final answer to this story, please post it or private message me! Thanks
John Wogec

Attach file:

---

  IMG_6832.JPG (242.96 KB)

Hi Fred,
I tried a few years back to find those generator brush springs for a 1929 CD865 (three spring configuration). I searched high and low and couldn't find them (including Kanter and Max Merritt). I wound up going on Ebay and looking at industrial generator parts. Surprisingly, there were quite a few, and I found something that was roughly the same size and had a similar amount of force (using the very unscientific calculation known as "feels about right"). If you find someone reproducing those springs, or stumble on a pile of them, please reach back out to me...I will happily buy one or more. Thanks
John Wogec

Hi Colin,
Congratulations on the car! Henry Yeska of Nazareth Pennsylvania used to make a reproduction of the Oakes spare tire locks. Henry passed away, but somebody on here said his son might still be making them. The originals come up on Ebay once in a while but people ask lots for them.

The Sylphon thermostat you are looking for is also available on Ebay occasionally. There is a restoration guy in Sonoma, California (Scott Henningson) who repairs them and refills them with alcohol to make them work again. Send me a private message and I can get you Scott's phone number. He restored mine and it works!

John Wogec