Hi All,

Update

Finally got "Penny" back from the mechanic after 5 months.

Things that were fixed;
Treddle Vacc - refurbed
Brake cylinders on the drum brakes refurbished
Welsh plugs
New 4-barrel Holly installed
New thicker racing oil was put in, which helped with the lifter issues

I redid the glovebox. Though I do find that the glovebox arm rubs against the starter barrel, is this standard or should there be more of a gap

Things that still need to be fixed;
New fuel tank
Fuel sender unit
Electrical clean up
Washing Jar refurb
Steering wheel refurbed
Radio (though I think that it just needs a speaker)
Interior refurb

Currently running like a dream, though gear changes are a bit clunky.

Taking her to plenty of car meets / shows and getting lots of attention :D

i would be interested as my bezel is missing the backing hooks that lock the ignition barrel in place.

Thanks for the info.

Im not sure how it was getting into the engine. what I do know was that I had a brake fluid leak somewhere, but no actual leak (that I could find) my mechanic found the leak and got the vacuum pump refurbed.

I had ordered a starter bezel, but I need the plate/ring slot that goes behind the dash that holds the bezel name plate onto the ignition barrel. My mechanic is fixing that.

I do need to fix the washer pump on the jar, I have two but both look to be burnt out. I did see somewhere where I could get a refurb kit for the solenoid and pump, but can not remember exactly where I seen that. Im sure my auto sparky will be able to help and I will go to my local club to see if there is anything like that in their spares dept.

I would love to get Mr.Pushbuttons email so that I could find out more about the actuator. It hasn't played up for a bit, but mind you I havent' driven her for a bit either. lol.

Hi All,

Sorry for the very late reply, busy with work and such.

So an update as to the issue at hand.

I have found a very knowledgeable mechanic who loves working on old-school cars and did not fob me off like the others did and funny enough I actually know him through my kids school. Anyways "Penny" has been with him the last 3 months, he's working on her between jobs, which is fine, and he is doing a very thorough job fixing the issues.

He found that the vacuum pump was sucking the brake fluid from the master cylinder and leaking that into the engine, which was diluting the oil and hence why I was getting the hydraulic lifter noise. So he has refurbished the vacuum pump at a lovely $1200, put that in and did an oil change etc. He also found a slight coolant leak, which was coming from the welsh plug under the engine mount, so took one from the back and then replaced the back one with a new one. Once the master brake cylinder was working correctly, the pressure on the line made the front brake cylinder start to leak, so he is now sending that one (possibly all of them) off to get refurbed. He is working on my broken ignition barrel (the holder where the ignition meets the name plate has broken and will not hold the barrel in place) And all the little things I wrote on the "love letter". So hopefully I will have her back ready to go play after the new year!!!

Im so very pleased that it was not anything major like a broken rod or engine rebuild!!!!

Once I get her back, I will take her to the auto sparky for a little tidy-up and hopefully get the fuel gauge and aerials working.

Update

I added extra oil so that it was well above the full line. Unfortunately, I could not check the oil pressure as I could not get an electric oil pressure gauge. The dash oil pressure gauge did not move until the engine was engaged and went straight to the middle.

I believe the issue is the lifters and have added a video. I will organise a mechanic and find out their recommendations (they are currently on holiday at the moment)

I have added photos of the fire wall to show the vacuum lines and such.

youtu.be/Z2l0CkzIDKo

Hi Everyone,

So i have emptied the fuel tank out and replaced with 98 octane,(I didn't think I had any issues running her on 91) got her running, filled up the oil as it was a little low, she is still sounding like a sewing machine. The oil pressure gauge on the dash stayed relatively dead centre, even when revving the engine it did not move past centre, unlike the generator gauge which fluctuated when revving.

I have attached a small video for all to view and listen too.

I might just do the oil pump conversion to save any issues and at least it will be done and another thing I do not have to worry about.

youtube.com/shorts/xra0YOq4N1w

As for the revving higher and lower, no she did not, just wouldn't transfer into 2nd or overdrive. I did have previous issues where she would not go into reverse and after disconnecting the battery and letting her sit for a little bit, she came good. I have syphoned the gas tank and will put 98 octane in and see if that helps, if not I will look at the oil pump.

Thanks for that, i will be in touch shortly!!!

Hi all,

Thanks for that advice, i have been running the 91 as that what I was told to run here as it is the equivalent to the US. I have joined the Australian chapter, I found that there was no thermostat and that was why I was not getting a temperature reading. I had assumed that the engine was fine, the oil pressure gauge is telling me it is ok. I am going to see another mechanic, one I know personally, and hopefully get some sort of answer off them. Gearbox is actually the twin ultramatic auto, and yes I was in D and it would not shift into 2nd, I did try the H and still nothing, she ended up destroying my pinion gear in the starter, which could have been the issue as to not changing into gear as the pinion was still engaged for what ever reason.

Hi All,

Needing some advice!!!!

Unfortunately, my girl requires a rebuild, she currently sounds like an overlocker sewing machine and was having issues changing out of 1st. I've spoken to my mechanic and he can not source any parts in Australia, which I knew would be an issue, but he also suggested that I put in a small block chev and gearbox as a replacement, as apparently it will be a better product and will be overall easier. I would like to keep her as original as possible, but ....... would it be better to do the swap, time and $$$ wise or is there someone who knows someone who can help me out