Single Malt for Me and My Girl
 

The trip is OVER. It was my longest so far and I just updated my blog. The trip was nearly 550 miles in total. I met some great people but unfortunately didn't stop to see the Binghamton crew as I hoped I would (but want to thank them for being available if needed). I did get to spend some quality time with the Sullivan Trail Model A crew... which was awesome.

As the work on the car continues, I hope to get to the point where a trip of 1,000 miles would be possible without incident. That will likely take some time. For now, I have a long "to do" items and a host of Model A ailments to diagnose, trouble shoot, and cure.

Re: Single Malt for Me and My Girl
 

Congratulations, please share with us some of your to-do's

Re: Single Malt for Me and My Girl
 

Wait a minute! :rolleyes:
If you can drive 550 miles, why not 1,000?:confused:

Re: Single Malt for Me and My Girl
 

Congratulations and a well deserved scotch that is, too.

I always add up the miles I have already driven without incident, and figure I could have done that in one trip. By that logic, I took off 8 years ago on a 2500 mile trip up the coast and inland to Pendleton Oregon. It happened without any problems. I have since done 3 more trips that length, and am embarking this Wednesday on a trip to Grand Canyon with 12 A's, a 2000 mile RT. Once you have shaken out the car, they are very reliable. Then the only attention needed is to regular maintenance and building the driver's confidence.

Re: Single Malt for Me and My Girl
 

Because it was requested>>>>> here is the to do list:

1) take apart and rebuild 5-Brush Powerhouse (find out what Tom W. uses for the insulation for the output bolt)
2) do all 500 and 1000 mile servicing - replace all fluids
3) Identify why there is a touch of oil in the coolant and resolve the issue (retorque the head and hope for the best).
4) rebuild carburetor (the gasket is shot and leaks)
5) remove horn button/column and clean it out.. replace wires (I want a consistent AHOOOOGA each time)
6) redo valve cover (if leak doesn't stop with another "snugging")
7) snug oil pan bolts
8) Order shims for 7-tooth steering and add them to remove some "play".
9) many more items from tighten loose bolts to install a wiper.

My biggest concern is the loss of all that oil --- and the coolant. I suspect that the oil is due to bad rings and the coolant is hopefully not getting into the combustion chambers. I am hoping that the retorque addresses the oil in the radiator issue. There doesn't seem to be any bubbles in the coolant. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Re: Single Malt for Me and My Girl
 

unless your pan is leaking around the edge, I'd leave the pan bolts alone. There's no pressure there, and the bolts do the best job when just barely snug. Go tighter and you'll get gaps between the bolts.

Re: Single Malt for Me and My Girl
 

Ah, a man after my own heart, I love Single Malts, especially the Islay varieties.
Lagavulin is my fav, it must be the car guy in me that loves the smokey flavor!
My girl isn't as picky, she drinks whatever I feed her. :D
It’s nice to hear more about your adventures and successes.

Re: Single Malt for Me and My Girl
 

pour it in the rad it will make the girl happy

Re: Single Malt for Me and My Girl
 

I decided that I should address changing the coolant and oil today "just in case". The car is still draining.

1) The oil is oily. No coolant in it. This made me happy.
2) The coolant was mucky and opaque with a little green. This didn't make me happy. Some of this is likely the last vestiges of antifreeze..... but with the GALLONS that I put into the radiator this weekend, I would have expected no antifreeze to be in there at all. There was also a bit of "radiator butter" in the top part of the radiator. Ok, where the heck is all my coolant going on these long drives? Too much is missing for it to be just going out the overflow. What would the symptoms be if it was getting into the combustion chamber?

Re: Single Malt for Me and My Girl
 

"What would the symptoms be if it was getting into the combustion chamber? ".................HEAD GASKET ! Or worse, a crack in the block.

Re: Single Malt for Me and My Girl
 

Hang a 1 gallon plastic bottle on the radiator rod, then run a hose from the overflow pipe into the plastic jug. This will let you see how much coolant goes out the overflow. Remember, the coolant only needs to be about 1/2" above the tops of the core tubes.

Re: Single Malt for Me and My Girl
 

buy a hydrocarbon checker like this

http://www.amazon.com/UVIEW-560000-C.../dp/B000NPDL76

Re: Single Malt for Me and My Girl
 

The oil in the coolant is most likely water pump grease that has thinned out and separated from the hot coolant. I wouldn't worry about that. I would worry about a leaking carb big time, though.

P.S. And my favorite single malt is Macallan's

Re: Single Malt for Me and My Girl
 

Thanks Will. I am going to order the gaskets for the Tilly with my next order. I have a Zenith as well, but it was in the back of the car when I bought it and don't know if it "works". I never rebuilt a carb, but am looking forward to my first attempt. Where in NY are you?