Garret (GearRat, I like that!) I appreciate your offer. I wouldn't want you to have to remove the lock from your baby just to take a pic for me though! Thanks to everyone for your assistance, I would have such a difficult time keeping my baby on the road without it. By the way, my girl won best in show at a local car show this last weekend. There were at least sixty cars in the show and boy, was I suprised!

Hey GearRat, thanks a bunch for the link and the pics! They really give me a better idea what I'm dealing with. I agree, its probably spring "C" in your pic that is giving me problems. Hope its not the cam itself! Thanks again,

Scott

Hi all! My drivers door isn't staying shut like it used to anymore. It seems that the lock mechanism (the toothed gear about the diameter of a golf ball on the door) isn't working correctly. Will one off of a Clipper work? Just curious. I know where a couple of parts Clippers are. Thanks folks!

Scottie

To Captain Bristol: Thanks for the heads up on that! I spent about four hours going through my car today and your posting inspired me to go looking. Guess what? My generator is charging my system once again, no problems! I'm going to take some advice from Owen and spend some time on the service chart index for my car here. This IS the oldest vehicle that I've owned, and (obviously) I still have some learning to do. Thanks Guys!

Just wanted to make sure I'm not barking up the wrong tree here. From reading the other posts similar to this I believe I can safely assume that I have a regulator/generator problem with my baby, and probably have been operating on just the battery alone for some time. Just replaced the battery a couple of weeks ago (cold starting problems post). Car has been running great, better than ever, up until last night. What a pain! I've noticed some disparaging comments about some of the suppliers available for these items. I know I'm probably going to have to fork out more bucks than I'd like in this endeavor. Recommendations? Thanks again all!

Scott

BINGO! I just went out, put in the key and WOW! She started up first try, no pumping, no starting fluid, no cussing... For future reference: A battery with 640 CCA's is NOT suitable for an eight cylinder engine! Thanks all!

Scott

Got her to fire up today(finally)after a couple of hours. The choke works fine. I've seen this with other vehicles as well, four or five (or more for that matter) of the same type vehicle, same engine, etc. Every once in awhile, you get one that is just "cold blooded". Hey, it happens! I'll post again tomorrow when I try and fire her up again. Thanks all!

Scott

By the way, Owen, where did you find a 6 volt with that many CCA's? The one I just bought has 725. It was the best one that National Battery had.

Purchased a battery with higher CCA's today. Hopefully, this will help in the future. Thanks for the comments!

Scott

I removed the starter motor about this time last year and had it checked and serviced. Everything ok. Battery wires are new, all connections clean. As soon as I get her to start, I'm going to purchase the best, highest CCA battery I can find. I'm fairly certain that is the most of my problem. I'll just keep the other for "in case". I do have a charger on hand and use it whenever it starts to get cold. I've been turning wrench for over twenty years, so vehicle problems are not new for me. By the way, when its warm out (or the car has been started within the last ten hours or so), she runs like a top. Car has automatic trans.

Hi all. This is a recurring problem for me. Anytime the outside temp gets around forty degrees or less, I have a hell of a time getting my girl to start. I've tried a magnetic heater on the oil pan, still a pain. Does anyone else have these problems? If so, what have you done to remedy this? I have replaced the plugs, wires, coil, points and condensor, and the battery as well. Getting frustrated! I'm considering installing a circulation heater in one of the heater hoses...