The Ford Barn

Tjfoster · 02-08-2017, 07:52 PM

Looking at my dad's original 1930 sedan been setting for a few years and the spark advance and throttle levers on the column are lock23rd up is there any way to free them up?

Synchro909 · 02-08-2017, 08:06 PM

Firstly, I'd make sure it is the levers that are stuck. Try taking the rods off the bottom and trying again. The top plate in the distributor might be stuck - same with the linkage at the back of the block for the hand throttle. Does the accelerator pedal move OK? If all this still indicates they are stuck, try a little penetrating fluid on them top and bottom. They might be stuck at either end. If the bottom ends is where the problem lies, try some heat on the column where the rods exit and a tap with a hammer. let us know how you go.

Jacksonlll · 02-08-2017, 08:15 PM

I just freed up a spark lever. After all the solvents etc, I had to twist off the shear pin on the bottom and pull the rod out. Clean it up and reinstall it. They are strong. I don't think you will break it.

Tom Wesenberg · 02-09-2017, 12:43 AM

Do NOT use WD-40, as that's bad on the top potmetal bushing. My 28 were froze from non use when I bought the car. I sprayed some Gibbs or Kroil on the top bushing and lower end, then pulled down hard on them. They moved, so I put oil on them and forced them up and down several times. They were still tight, but keep getting better with use, so I'm good to go. Keep oil on all moving parts, and don't forget the 2 oil pockets on top of the throttle linkage, and the distributor oil cup.

SeaSlugs · 02-09-2017, 09:00 AM

Yea pot metal swells up with age - mine were so stuck kroil and a hammer had to tap them out while someone pulled up...(pot metal was cracked and looked like a poofed up marshmallow...)

I really hate pot metal....

Ray in La Mesa · 02-09-2017, 09:23 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

A better rust penetrant than even Kroil is a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF,shake well, apply and let soak. A study was done to show torque needed to remove rusted nuts:
No oil……………..516 FT/LBS
WD40……………..238 "
PB Blaster……….214 "
Liquid Wrench…127 "
Kroil…………………53 "

It works!

Dick Steinkamp · 02-09-2017, 10:59 AM

Here's a study from Machinist Workshop...

None ...................... 516 pounds
WD-40 ................... 238 pounds
PB Blaster .............. 214 pounds
Liquid Wrench ...... 127 pounds
Kano Kroil ............. 106 pounds
ATF-Acetone mix....53 pounds

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...ng-oil-196347/

Oddly similar to the above.

redmodelt · 02-09-2017, 11:01 AM

WB40 is a water displacement (WD) lube (the 40th try to get it right) not penetrating oil.

Cornishman · 02-09-2017, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redmodelt

WB40 is a water displacement (WD) lube (the 40th try to get it right) not penetrating oil.

The WD40 sold in Europe must be a different product.

Synchro909 · 02-09-2017, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornishman

The WD40 sold in Europe must be a different product.

I doubt it but...
WD40 is as has been said, a water displacer. The main ingredient is fish oil, in fact, there is nothing in WD40 that is unsafe to ingest, I have heard.

Marvin/TN · 02-09-2017, 07:13 PM

There is a penetrating oil made by WB 40, not the regular WD 40.

Chuck Dempsey · 02-09-2017, 07:45 PM

What exactly is 'pot metal'? An alloy of some sort, I imagine. But with what purpose was it used? Was it the 'aluminum' of it's day? Thanks

Mitch//pa · 02-09-2017, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Dempsey

What exactly is 'pot metal'? An alloy of some sort, I imagine. But with what purpose was it used? Was it the 'aluminum' of it's day? Thanks

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot_metal

Drive Shaft Dave · 02-09-2017, 11:30 PM

A welder friend of mine told me what the alloy was but i cant remember the second element, the first was zinc. Pot metal is very cheap metal.

Chuck Dempsey · 02-10-2017, 08:21 AM

Per the wiki article mentioned by Mitch//pa (thanks) -

Pot metal—also known as monkey metal, white metal, or die-cast zinc—is a colloquial term that refers to alloys of low-melting point metals that manufacturers use to make fast, inexpensive castings. The term "pot metal" came about due to the practice at automobile factories in the early 20th century of gathering up non-ferrous metal scraps from the manufacturing processes and melting them in one pot to form into cast products. A small amount of iron usually made it into the castings, but too much iron raised the melting point, so it was minimized.

There is no metallurgical standard for pot metal. Common metals in pot metal include zinc, lead, copper, tin, magnesium, aluminium, iron, and toxic cadmium. The primary advantage of pot metal is that it is quick and easy to cast. Because of its low melting temperature, it requires no sophisticated foundry equipment or specialized molds. Manufacturers sometimes use it to experiment with molds and ideas (e.g., prototypes) before casting final products in a higher quality alloy.

Sounds like 'stew' for cars....

02-08-2017, 07:52 PM	#1
Tjfoster Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Kansas City Posts: 14	Question Looking at my dad's original 1930 sedan been setting for a few years and the spark advance and throttle levers on the column are lock23rd up is there any way to free them up?

02-08-2017, 08:06 PM	#2
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Question Firstly, I'd make sure it is the levers that are stuck. Try taking the rods off the bottom and trying again. The top plate in the distributor might be stuck - same with the linkage at the back of the block for the hand throttle. Does the accelerator pedal move OK? If all this still indicates they are stuck, try a little penetrating fluid on them top and bottom. They might be stuck at either end. If the bottom ends is where the problem lies, try some heat on the column where the rods exit and a tap with a hammer. let us know how you go. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood. Last edited by Synchro909; 02-08-2017 at 10:13 PM.

02-08-2017, 08:15 PM	#3
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Question I just freed up a spark lever. After all the solvents etc, I had to twist off the shear pin on the bottom and pull the rod out. Clean it up and reinstall it. They are strong. I don't think you will break it.

02-09-2017, 12:43 AM	#4
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Question Do NOT use WD-40, as that's bad on the top potmetal bushing. My 28 were froze from non use when I bought the car. I sprayed some Gibbs or Kroil on the top bushing and lower end, then pulled down hard on them. They moved, so I put oil on them and forced them up and down several times. They were still tight, but keep getting better with use, so I'm good to go. Keep oil on all moving parts, and don't forget the 2 oil pockets on top of the throttle linkage, and the distributor oil cup.

02-09-2017, 09:00 AM	#5
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Question Yea pot metal swells up with age - mine were so stuck kroil and a hammer had to tap them out while someone pulled up...(pot metal was cracked and looked like a poofed up marshmallow...) I really hate pot metal.... __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

02-09-2017, 09:23 AM	#6
Ray in La Mesa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Mesa Ca Posts: 1,166	Re: Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) A better rust penetrant than even Kroil is a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF,shake well, apply and let soak. A study was done to show torque needed to remove rusted nuts: No oil……………..516 FT/LBS WD40……………..238 " PB Blaster……….214 " Liquid Wrench…127 " Kroil…………………53 " It works!

02-09-2017, 10:59 AM	#7
Dick Steinkamp Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 1,163	Re: Question Here's a study from Machinist Workshop... None ...................... 516 pounds WD-40 ................... 238 pounds PB Blaster .............. 214 pounds Liquid Wrench ...... 127 pounds Kano Kroil ............. 106 pounds ATF-Acetone mix....53 pounds http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...ng-oil-196347/ Oddly similar to the above. __________________ All steel from pedal to wheel

02-09-2017, 11:01 AM	#8
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,340	Re: Question WB40 is a water displacement (WD) lube (the 40th try to get it right) not penetrating oil. __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!

02-09-2017, 07:13 PM	#11
Marvin/TN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN area Posts: 832	Re: Question There is a penetrating oil made by WB 40, not the regular WD 40.

02-09-2017, 07:45 PM	#12
Chuck Dempsey Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesville, NC Posts: 786	Re: Question What exactly is 'pot metal'? An alloy of some sort, I imagine. But with what purpose was it used? Was it the 'aluminum' of it's day? Thanks

02-09-2017, 11:30 PM	#14
Drive Shaft Dave Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New hope Minnesota Posts: 742	Re: Question A welder friend of mine told me what the alloy was but i cant remember the second element, the first was zinc. Pot metal is very cheap metal.

02-10-2017, 08:21 AM	#15
Chuck Dempsey Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesville, NC Posts: 786	Re: Question Per the wiki article mentioned by Mitch//pa (thanks) - Pot metal—also known as monkey metal, white metal, or die-cast zinc—is a colloquial term that refers to alloys of low-melting point metals that manufacturers use to make fast, inexpensive castings. The term "pot metal" came about due to the practice at automobile factories in the early 20th century of gathering up non-ferrous metal scraps from the manufacturing processes and melting them in one pot to form into cast products. A small amount of iron usually made it into the castings, but too much iron raised the melting point, so it was minimized. There is no metallurgical standard for pot metal. Common metals in pot metal include zinc, lead, copper, tin, magnesium, aluminium, iron, and toxic cadmium. The primary advantage of pot metal is that it is quick and easy to cast. Because of its low melting temperature, it requires no sophisticated foundry equipment or specialized molds. Manufacturers sometimes use it to experiment with molds and ideas (e.g., prototypes) before casting final products in a higher quality alloy. Sounds like 'stew' for cars....