Don Jordan

This may require some pre planning but it looks like there are a lot of us willing to drive up the coast of California and escort you down. I've got friends in the Bay Area that I stay with in Atherton (I'm from Redwood City) and I have a place to stay in Pebble Beach. From there to LA is a leisurely 6 hours down 101. (unless you were going highway 1 and if it's open is much longer) Do you have any dates in mind? Or is it you'll get there when you get there?

I wonder if they could drill a hole at the very top and put a screw in to hold it. I will find out this afternoon when I call.

Sometimes I feel like I'm living in a poorly written soap opera. All I wanted to do was stop the leak in the diff with a new seal. So I took off the drive shaft and noticed the bearing in the U joints (Pin & trunion) were messed up. I ordered from Bernbaum a new set with the rubber dust cover. So far no problem. Got the old seal out and a new seal in. When I went to get the pin and bearings in I just couldn't do it. I took it to my favorite machine shop and they told me the pin was (something like .003") too long. He cut it back and assembled the drive shaft. We now go to commercial break. Put everything back and took the car out for a spin. Once up to speed I heard a growl that was not right. After inspecting most everything (I didn't suspect the drive shaft because it was all new) I put it on the lift, raised the back tires, put it in gear and let it run. One look and I could see the drive shaft had a wobble to it. Took it off - again. Looked at the yoke (not sure of the terminology) and it was off center. Pulled the plate off and saw that the pin had moved. Took it back to my (almost favorite) machine shop. They remembered me. Old Mike took a look and could not understand how the pin could have moved. I didn't have the guts to tell him it's just me. Left it with him and he said to call tomorrow after noon. On a side note the rubber boot I got from Bernbaum is already cracking. In order to replace it I'd have to take everything apart and I'm not up to it. I am a little disappointed in their inventory. I just want my car to run. It's typical that when I finally got all the bugs out and it starts and runs like a dream I still can't drive it. Didn't mean to go on and on but that's the story. The diff still leaks.

I tried to down load a video but was told I am not permitted to upload this kind of file. I know it can be done I just don't know how,. I'm going to take the drive shaft off and start at the beginning. I'll keep you posted

You have a wonderful car to start with. Looks like a barn find. Better than mine which sat in the desert for 25 years. You'll be happy with it. Welcome.

I mentioned this before and truly feel embarrassed to be bringing it up again but for those of you who would kindly share your valuable experience and knowledge I will appreciate it. I spoke earlier about a 'growl' coming from the car. Rather than wait for it to break and then deal with it (my usual MO) I thought I would do some preventative maintenance. I put the car on stands and started it up and put it in gear. The drive shaft wobbles. I just changed the oil seal in the diff. so I had the drive shaft off. Since it was off I replaced the bearings (U joints). I can't believe I put it back together wrong. There aren't that many moving parts. There is a little wobble up by the trans but by the diff it is obvious. I will remove it tomorrow. I've never experienced such a malady before and am at a loss as to a remedy. Should I take it in to be balanced? It worked fine until I 'fixed' it. If I could get my wife to show me how to do video on her phone I might try to down load a sample. Thank you, gentlemen, I am in your debt. d-

The back story is hard to believe but I'll give it a try. We had some heavy rains a few weeks ago. A drain pipe got clogged on my neighbor's property. He began to dig to find the pipe and he uncovered a gas tank. He's been on the property since '61 so it had to be buried before that. It still has the sending unit on it. My neighbor was going to throw it away but I saved it. Everything is rusted so I'm not sure just yet how to get the screws out but who knows what surprise might be in store.

Thank you Rick - that was thoughtful.

I mean no disrespect but the amount of time spent telling me to look it up you could have just said "Yes." and saved us both time. I didn't want to make a class project out of it. I was just curious. Thanks anyway.

I am either the only one that doesn't know what a welch plug is or the only one willing to ask. Judging from the picture it looks like a freeze plug. I've never heard the term welch plug. Where is it? There is so much to learn.

You've got a good looking car. This is just my opinion but I think you would take away some of the car's panache by powder coating the bumpers. I had mine rechromed for about $300 each. The problem is the environmental impact agency is putting a lot of restrictions on rechromers. A lot are going to Mexico where there are fewer restrictions.

I don't know if this has been around or not but it is worth a quick glance. It looks like we've come a long way.

I took the tank to where I had it coated. They were telling me it was up to $185 and they weren't finished yet. I've had enough of them. I drove 200 miles and got a used tank. Problem solved. The radiator shop still hasn't called me. I guess they just bought a gas tank. It runs just fine. I'm sure something else will go wrong.

Shel - thank you. I'm off to the parts store. I will take a pix of the diff after I do chores.

This could be a freshman mistake but the yoke doesn't look flush. Would that cause a noise? I can't believe I would have left it like that. I'll check it out again tomorrow.

This was my fault - I did not use a torque wrench - I just pulled down hard enough that the car moved. I'm thinking what I might do is put the car on jack stands, start it, put it in gear and see what happens. The ironic thing is it still leaks at the new seal. I would truly hate to have to take it all apart again. Also I'm noticing differences between the 47 and the 48. The starters are slightly different and the solenoid is different. Do they still sell solenoids at the parts store? One more thing (sorry)- at the bottom of the diff is a plug. My friend said it could be an adjustment screw - I thought it is a drain plug. I took it out to drain the diff. Is there some sort of setting on that. I looked in the parts book and didn't even see it listed.

Okay - for those still following my exploits I got a great flash today. There is not a straight line from the differential to the transmission. The diff is slightly to the right. I panicked and called my friend over. He said that was normal. I guess you're never to old to learn. I don't have my parts book in front of me so I'm not sure of the nomenclature so please bear with me. 1) I got the bearings and dust cover from Bernbaum. I don't know if I mentioned when I tried to get the pin in I couldn't get it to fit. I took it to my local machine shop and they told me it was about .008" too long. 2) I took out and replaced the seal in the diff. My friend said there might be a sleeve that I need to get for the piece that goes into the diff. I have to go - pressing meeting - I will come back later with all the right words. Thank you all for your patience. I've just retired and I hate it.

Okay - to answer questions: the noise was not there before. I had a drip in the diff. when I took the drive shaft off to replace the seal I noticed that the U joint bearings were wasted and replaced them. I did get the bell housing brackets on so that is not a concern. I don't know what Merle means about separating the slip joints. I removed the two bearings and the pin and replaced them. My neighbor was saying the drive shaft had to go back on the same way it came off. I'd never heard that before. I'm going back to recheck my work. Finally when I get it to run right something else goes wrong. thanks for the input.

I changed the U joints in my P 15. I took the drive shaft off. When I was finished I put it back. My next door neighbor asked me if I marked it before I took it off. I told him no - I have never done that before. He said then the shaft could be out of balance. I've never heard of that. I went out for a drive the other day and when I got up to speed I heard a growl. I didn't notice any vibration just a deep sound. It's not the engine. Tomorrow I'm going to check the wheel bearings. If I did screw up how to I unscrew it? Do I need to go to a machine shop and have the shaft turned? I try so hard to do things right and just can't seem to get it right. It's not the cars fault. I still adore my car and love driving it. Many know my frustration I'm sure.

I know it's not stock but I have had great luck with an electric fuel pump. Easy to install, easy to obtain at most auto part stores. And for what it's worth they are cheaper at an auto parts store than they are on e bay.

Steele Rubber Products www.steelerubber.com 800 544 8665

The one on Craig's List from the picture doesn't have a starter button. Was that on the floor?

I bought a new condenser and tomorrow I will pull a plug or two. I'm grasping at anything now...

Is there some sort of test for the condenser? This car is just not going to start for me. Now I know why people always refer to them as girls - they are so temperamental. I've got in on the charger right now - it's much too hot to stand outside. I think I'll wait till it cools off and then check the points.

I think I'm familiar with the concept but then what? I was just out for a drive (about 90° +/-). My car runs about 180°. Thought I'd stop for a beer. When I was done I went out and the car would not start. Would not pop or sputter. I pushed it out of my parking spot and tried to bump start it in reverse going down the drive way. Nothing. It's a long and unbelievable story how I got home but I did. It's getting spark and fuel. I waited over night and today it still won't start. It was running fine when I shut it off. (that's actually a funny line). I've heard old wives' tales about clothes pins on the fuel line. Any merit to that? I had a new garage built and I can't get my cars in it.