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7-12-16

Thanks guys...I remember driving the '51 after I had the brakes fixed (had a shop do it) and I didn't have a problem stopping either. I'm sure it will take some getting used to, just like the column shifter.

Today I tested the brakes again stationary and they still feel firm. I think it will be OK to road test it now. In case of issues, I wanted the hand brake to work too so I went to adjust it now that the ratchet mechanism is freed up and I know I have to pull the handle out further. Tightened the star wheel on the drums until I could just turn the wheel with 2 hands. Then I put the hand brake in the first "notch". Crawled under the car and was surprised to find that there was no slack in the cable! I guess the brake is already adjusted. Released and engaged the hand brake a few times testing the wheels and they lock up and release. Looks like I'm good there!

I put the rear tires on and moved to the front. I'm a little confused/concerned about the directions to tighten the front spindle nut. I followed Owen's instructions in post #2 here:packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=13919&forum=2 but when I back the nut loose 1 hex after tightening to 4 ft lbs, the nut is totally loose. I can move it with my hand. Then I'm supposed to loosen it even more to the next notch on the nut? Later in the posts it was mentioned to tighten the nut while spinning the wheel in the opposite direction until it stops. Then loosen until it spins free and then put the cotter pin in the next looser notch. Should I do it that way if the right way isn't working? I've never done this before so please excuse my ignorance.

If I keep up this pace I might be able to test drive this weekend! I do have to repair the wire to the brake switch because the female barrel connector broke off the wire when I was removing it.

7-14-16

For the front spindles, I decided to tighten the nut to 20ft lbs, then loosen it 1 hex which made the nut really loose. I then tightened it to the nearest castle nut notch and put in the cotter pin. Hope that will work.

For the brake light switch wires, I reused the old barrel connector, but this time I soldered it instead of crimping it. I could not find any new barrel connectors for sale! As extra protection, I added more shrink tubing, this time covering the entire connector instead of leaving the end bare like OEM. Hopefully this will prevent shorts against the frame or brake line.

Got the front tires on and started the car for the first time in a few weeks. Started right up, but ran rough unless I gave it a little gas. Ran well when warmed up.

Ever since the car show in Lola, WI, my wife has had a new view of the car. She is more interested now. I talked her into repainting my hubcaps. I mentioned that I might be going for a test drive this weekend and she said she might come too! That's a first...she even found a decent classic rock radio station on the AM radio to listen to! Keeping my fingers crossed for an enjoyable and uneventful trip!

If your repair proves unsatisfactory most parts stores carry modern equivalents to the original style connectors in small packs of 5 or so. Usually they are simply called bullet connectors and even though slightly different shaped will grip the terminal well. There are different sizes but the item needed for the brake switch is the female side in .156-.157 diameter.


ebay.com/itm/100-BLUE-MALE-FEMALE-BULLET ... MINALS-CAR-ELECTRICAL-/381536903948

Charles mentioned his wife and her interest in the car. I took mine to see the car before I bought it and got her approval. I told her it was something we could do together since she had to teach me how to drive a stick shift. Believe me we have had some real experiences. She flooded it on a hill and we had to push it off the street into someones drive way. It quit on the same hill again with me driving and I had to roll backwards down the hill while some friendly drivers looked out for me. We go for weekend late afternoon drives when it is cooler. We have also been busy taking friends and relatives for rides also. So we can get our wives involved, if only we could get them to wash our cars.

As long as she doesn't have to walk back home she'll be happy.......
John

Hahaha! On our first date, I took her in my 66 Cadillac convertible. Broke down and she helped push it into a gas station! After that I knew she was a keeper!

7-16-16

Morning: Today was the day...got up early so the roads would be less crowded. Checked the oil and anti-freeze and was good to go. Warmed up the car a bit and got ready to drive down the driveway. Promptly stalled the car! It would not restart. I turned the key off and pumped the gas 4 times and was able to restart it that way. I was about to give up right there.

Got my nerve back and headed back down the driveway. Made a few laps around the block and it felt great! I thought the brakes were rubbing a little, but when I stopped the wheels were not hot so I guess it was just things needing to loosen up. The brakes seemed to work fine,

Convinced my wife to hop in with me and we drove around the neighborhood. No problems and we both enjoyed ourselves with CCR blaring on the radio! Glad nothing happened and we made it home safely.

Afternoon: My son returned from his Grandparents and I decided we needed to take the car out again with everyone in it. The route I wanted to take was too busy so we went around the block again and then up another side street. Everyone enjoyed the ride! On the road that goes back to the house all of a sudden there was a bumping feeling coming from the front end. I decided to end the trip then and pulled in front of the house. Looked under the car and everything looked OK. Parked it and didn't feel the bumping again. I have no idea what it was but it was enough to end the trip early. Maybe tomorrow I will take it out again and see if it returns.

All in all...a successful day!

bump....

8-4-16

OK here is a small update...I never posted pics of my wife's work repainting my hubcaps so here are some before and afters...

Also I have been painting my grill emblem but have been disappointed at the results. I looked up plastic restoration and read about using baking soda and Murphy's Oil so I tried that and I see an improvement in the clarity of the plastic. I'll also include this in my post in the "Post WWII" section.

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Why is there an extra notch along the outside edge of the trunk emblem (round one)?
Is the other one for the grill or also for the trunk?

I wonder what that stuff on TV, they use for cleaning up headlight lens would do for these emblems? Baking Soda I would think would scratch.

John