test drive in the neighbourhood

[DutchEdwin]

Took my car for a test drive to see how she runs.

Did the highway for the first time. Set her to 75 mph (120 km/h). Its very fast in a car like this. As I'm not familiar with engine noise in a car like this, and I do not have any comparison on an other car, it sounds to me the engine didn't like it, although I could have speed up to higher speed if I wanted. 65mph was more like it. Still some noise but felt better.

What I noticed is that the car tends to wander on the road. The steering gets very light at these speeds. Don't know if this means there is some play in the steering. When the wheels are off the ground it takes about 0.5 pounds to turn it.

On the country road it's fun to drive. Share some pictures with you.

Edited May 29, 2010 by DutchEdwin

[james curl]

Do you run radials or basis ply tires? If you are running basis tires then you can expect it to hunt all of the time, every seam and grove in the road will try to lead it along the grove or seam.

[randroid]

Edwin,

What James said, with the addition that it sure is a good looking car!

I'm always nervous when I first drive a car, especially one I've gotten my hands dirty on; I hear the engine coming apart, tie rods dropping to the pavement, those noises, but it all comes together soon. Perhaps a few more days of driving at a speed that's comfortable for you will alleviate most of your fears.

-Randy

[DutchEdwin]

Randy, could that be why the floor mats where wet and the windows foggy on the inside also . I had just that experiance, couldn't have it written better. But on my very first drive...these sounds realy happened and took me to the garage for many years.

I run radial at 2.3 bar =33 psi, as I 've heard about the wandering ply tires.

Edited May 29, 2010 by DutchEdwin

[greg g]

Do you have a lot of steering free play when the steering wheel is centered? If so you might need to adjust the steering box. The procedue is in the manual.

[Jerry Roberts]

[quote name=DutchEdwin;

I run radial at 2.3 bar =33 psi' date=' as I 've heard about the wandering ply tires.[/quote]

33 PSI might be causing the problem . Try 28 PSI .

[james curl]

I run 36 on all of my cars in front and 32/34 in the rears and have for years with out any problems. So I do not think that is the problem, at least wise not on my vehicles and one of them is a 55 Chevy pick up with a straight axle in front that was a hand full with basis tires but is fine with radials.

[Cpt.Fred]

2.1bar is ok for a radial on a car of that size, i think. air pressure is more critical on a bias ply, i've had the exact same problem on my car, lowered the pressure to 1.8/1.7 bar and now everything runs well.

i'm guessing steering box, too. are all the joints and bushings in good condition?

great car for festivals and short trips to the fishing pond! a little fire and a beer case and then roll up for the night in the rear of the car... great!

[Young Ed]

Does your car have power steering? I've heard the early power steering systems were over assisted

[1955 plymouth]

car is looking great! I am glad to see that you have it back on the road again after a couple years of re-build. I wish I could find a '55 Wagon to compliment the Belvederes my son and I have. keep a couple pitures coming, nice red & white color combo.

[Cpt.Fred]

ed, that sounds like a good theory to me. (edwin, does it have one?)

if so, is there something that could be done about it?

a friend of mine has a similar problem with his power steering.

[DutchEdwin]

No power steering, just a big wheel and muscles .

I adjusted the cross shaft with the adjusting screw according to the manual. For this I lifted the front. After adjustment it takes about 1 pound to turn the steering wheel.

I didn't do the worm bearing adjustment jet. When I turn shake the front wheels a little the steering wheel doesn't move up and down (front lifted).

For the suspension, I renewed all that moves, center link, tie-rods etc. So no play there.

The tire pressure, I pumped it to max pressure. The tires are Coker WWW.

[DutchEdwin]

Oh b.t.w. Fred, Did you see the glasses of the head lamps? how are you on the search for yours.

[Cpt.Fred]

edwin, i saw them and you're right, they're really nice and a good alternative.

for my car it's a bit more difficult, because they're not covered by a "lampshade" from the fender and stick right out, so you'll see the difference in any case.

so i decided to take the smooth, paved road of illegality and just swapped back to my lil' old sealed beams:D

"For work I'm too lazy,

Investment's too slow

Train robbin's too risky,

It's gamblin' I'll go."

one of my favorite songs, i try to stick to it...

by the way, the last time i ordered coker tires, i weren't pleased at all by their running quality and grip, i don't know, i decided not to order them ever again. maybe they're part of the problem?

[Brad Lustig]

I remember the first time I went over 45mph. I was out on the interstate at rush hour! I thought for sure pieces and parts were going to start flying through the hood. I was really surprised at the torque from about 50-70mph, not bad for a modern car let alone a 60yo car.

[John Mulders]

Edwin ,

at 120 Km/h in the Netherlands you should also soon be able to post some pictures showing the back of the car, B&W and costly but you can also see yourself !

Car looks great !

John

[DutchEdwin]

Sunny predictions for the next weekend, so pictures from the back and interior comming up. And thanks everyone for the credits on the looks of the car .