VEHICLES > PROJECT CARS/TRUCKS
Troubles in River City
oldcarguy:
My trusty old Cadillac stopped running at the tour in New York State last week. It simply lost power about 75 miles out one day of the week. We had to pick it up with a friend's trailer. After a closer examination when I returned to Ohio. I found that the distributor was not rotation with the engine. Removing the hood, radiator, and headlamps. I was able to pull off the timing chain covers. All the chains looked okay. Though the one that drives the jack-shaft that powers the generator and water pump had more slack than should be. The cam-shaft chain looked good. Along with the gears that power a third shaft that turns the oil pump and distributor.
Once I removed the distributor sub assembly with the brass gear on the end. I found some of it's teeth were sheared off. And shaven remains were at the bottom of the oil reservoir. This was caused by the mechanical automatic timing advancing mechanism binding up inside the distributor.
Sheared gear along side of extra one on hand.
The hardened steel gear that drives the brass gear looks okay
Spare distributor
OldCarGuy's vast collection of parts that I have picked up at various times over the past 30 years pays off in spades. Who says hoarding doesn't pay? I have all the needed parts to get her running for next weeks show and tour in Pennsylvania.
I have four days to get this old gal back together and running. Oh but there's another glitch. The alternator on my motor home bit the dust on my return trip from New York as well. I was able to rig a battery charger powered from the 10KW diesel generator to the two engine batteries.. I already removed it and in the process of repairing it at the same time...
goodfellow:
Glad you were able to get the old gal fixed back up with parts from your hoarded stash. I can only imagine what the cost and availability would be for an antique Caddy part these days. I imagine it's not like going to Rock Auto, buying one off-the-shelf, and getting it delivered in a few days.
Thanks for sharing OCG -- vey much love the pics.
john k:
Congrats on having parts for the Cadillac. Am thinking those gears would be in the unobtanium class. Immediately had visions of you burning the midnite oil fabricating a new one. Hope the bearings did not suffer, so this also drives the oil pump? Got a question about those drive chains. Look suspiciously like the chains found in modern 4x4 transfer cases, you do a little update? Plus having to repair the motor home electrics, worked on a few, have no fond memories of standing on my head in the engine bay. Am sure the Cadillac will be up and running.
Lookin4_67GalaxieConv:
Interesting stuff. I'm sure you'll have everything fixed in time.
oldcarguy:
The chains pictured are the chains that came from the factory.. No upgraded replacement. Interesting something that's over 100 years old has not been improved on today. The oil pump runs off a cam a little farther down the shaft that turns the distributor gear. It's a piston style pump that forces oil to a sight glass on the dash panel. So you know it working,, recommend five drops a minute. Then it goes to the top of the chain cover supplying oil to the chains. Copper line pictured in front assembly. Any overflow from the chain case returns to the crank case.. Topping off for loss oil from the engine. There actually no dipstick to check the crankcase oil level. The engine is a total splash oiling system other than the one line mentioned. Dippers on the bottom of the connecting rods throw oil in and around crankcase. The dippers are angled to throw the oil in a rearward direction. Carried to vital lubricating spots in a series of oil troughs. There are baffles between the connecting rods on the bottom of crankcase so the oil doesn't flow to the rear when climbing long grades. Starving front rods from going dry.. It's amazing how the engine designers figure all this out...
As time goes by it get harder to come across any parts for most 100 year old antique cars. However Ford is an exception. Most every part for the Model T (1908-1927) and model A (1928-1931) are reproduced and on the shelf. The good news is that I still have another spare gear assemble waiting to be needed.
I started reassembling the old gal this morning. I had to drain, flush, and refill the oil reservoir. Install the distributor and chain cover. Bolt the radiator in place and install hoses.
The motor home alternator has been totally disassembled, cleaned, new bearings and diodes. Ready to installed.
Leese Neville 300 Amp Alternator is huge compared to the average car.
It belongs to the left of the rear pusher engine. Fun to install.. Darn thing must weigh in near 100 pounds.
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