Drdialtone Posted June 20, 2011 Report Posted June 20, 2011 Drove my Club Coupe to work today (55 miles), and the ride in was great. Went out to go to lunch, cranked it over, started and there is an AWFUL noise. First thought it might be exhaust, but further inspection it sounds like rattling, something loose perhaps. Then I noticed that the amp gauge is on zero. Turned on the headlights, goes to the negative side. Turned them off, throttled up a bit, turned the lights on AND turn signals; negative side and pulses with the blinker on the negative side. Perhaps the generator? If so, is driving it back home the 55 miles risky? HELP! Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted June 20, 2011 Report Posted June 20, 2011 Drove my Club Coupe to work today (55 miles), and the ride in was great. Went out to go to lunch, cranked it over, started and there is an AWFUL noise. First thought it might be exhaust, but further inspection it sounds like rattling, something loose perhaps. Then I noticed that the amp gauge is on zero. Turned on the headlights, goes to the negative side. Turned them off, throttled up a bit, turned the lights on AND turn signals; negative side and pulses with the blinker on the negative side. Perhaps the generator? If so, is driving it back home the 55 miles risky? HELP! and at what time are you going to open the hood for a visual inspection, before or after damage is done.. Quote
TodFitch Posted June 20, 2011 Report Posted June 20, 2011 and at what time are you going to open the hood for a visual inspection, before or after damage is done.. Not sure what tools you carry but I suspect my house is not too far from where you work and I do have tools at the house. Doubt I'd have replacement parts as your car is over a decade newer than mine, but if its something that is loose or that can be jury-rigged for your trip home... Barring unforeseen work issues and such, I should be home around 6PM and maybe the bay breeze will pick up by then to kill some of the heat. Quote
JerseyHarold Posted June 20, 2011 Report Posted June 20, 2011 Do you have AAA? The free towing comes in mighty handy sometimes. Quote
greg g Posted June 20, 2011 Report Posted June 20, 2011 50 miles in the daylight with no generator no problem, 5 miles any time with no water pump, big problem Quote
Drdialtone Posted June 20, 2011 Author Report Posted June 20, 2011 WHEW! Further investigation (in 90 degree heat!!!) I found the source of the awful sound... the bolts are loose holding the exhaust pipe to the manifold. There is a Sears shop across the street either get them to snug it up or buy some tools before going home. And yes, I DO have AAA, and their 100 mile towing plan - WHEW!! Quote
Drdialtone Posted June 20, 2011 Author Report Posted June 20, 2011 Not sure what tools you carry but I suspect my house is not too far from where you work and I do have tools at the house. Doubt I'd have replacement parts as your car is over a decade newer than mine, but if its something that is loose or that can be jury-rigged for your trip home... Barring unforeseen work issues and such, I should be home around 6PM and maybe the bay breeze will pick up by then to kill some of the heat. Hey Tod, Thanks! I'm going to try to pull it on to the rack at Sears across the street. Tighten bolts and away I go... I'm thinking a basic set of tools in the trunk at all times isn't a bad idea...!!! Cheers, Kirk Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted June 20, 2011 Report Posted June 20, 2011 Good to hear. I'm sure that's a big relief. But what was going on with the ammeter? Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 20, 2011 Report Posted June 20, 2011 Back in high school I was 1/2 block from home in my 55 furd and I heard this terrible clunk ka-bang-ka-bung-clunk. Pulled into my driveway, popped the hood, and found no fan belt and no generator. It fell off:D Boy did my high school buddies give me a ration of ship. They still do to this day:eek: Quote
greg g Posted June 20, 2011 Report Posted June 20, 2011 Don't see how loose exhaust bolts would cause the ammeter to show a discarge when the engine is running. Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted June 20, 2011 Report Posted June 20, 2011 Back in high school I was 1/2 block from home in my 55 furd and I heard this terrible clunk ka-bang-ka-bung-clunk. Pulled into my driveway, popped the hood, and found no fan belt and no generator. It fell off:DBoy did my high school buddies give me a ration of ship. They still do to this day:eek: Laughing out loud over that one. That had to have made one heck of a noise. But imagine the poor bustard who ran it over! Quote
TodFitch Posted June 20, 2011 Report Posted June 20, 2011 Hey Tod,Thanks! I'm going to try to pull it on to the rack at Sears across the street. Tighten bolts and away I go... I'm thinking a basic set of tools in the trunk at all times isn't a bad idea...!!! Cheers, Kirk So you're over by Wolfe, I just assumed you'd be off of De Anza near Mariani Ave. Don't see how loose exhaust bolts would cause the ammeter to show a discarge when the engine is running. I wonder if there might be two different problems, one with the charging circuit and one with the exhaust noise. Quote
RobertKB Posted June 20, 2011 Report Posted June 20, 2011 Do you have AAA? The free towing comes in mighty handy sometimes. Where I live our equivalent to AAA is called AMA (Alberta Motor Association). I phoned to check about joining and I had no problem when I mentioned I had a couple of modern cars and an older motorhome. However, they will not cover antique cars which is a real bummer. I would join them if they covered the older cars. I told them I have never had to have an old car towed in over 35 years but they would not bite. Don't know what other alternatives are. Your AAA in the USA sounds pretty good! Quote
Young Ed Posted June 21, 2011 Report Posted June 21, 2011 Robert do you have classic car insurance? I have an add on to my insurance that covers some roadside assistance. Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 21, 2011 Report Posted June 21, 2011 Triple A here in the states will cover the member even if he gets stranded in his neighbors or a borrowed car. Age of the car makes no difference. Quote
JerseyHarold Posted June 21, 2011 Report Posted June 21, 2011 Where I live our equivalent to AAA is called AMA (Alberta Motor Association). I phoned to check about joining and I had no problem when I mentioned I had a couple of modern cars and an older motorhome. However, they will not cover antique cars which is a real bummer. I would join them if they covered the older cars. I told them I have never had to have an old car towed in over 35 years but they would not bite. Don't know what other alternatives are. Your AAA in the USA sounds pretty good! To my knowledge, our AAA doesn't have any restrictions on vehicle age. Someone I know broke down in an old Plymouth and had it towed nearly 200 miles at no charge a couple of years ago. They do want the vehicle to be registered, even if it's only a temporary paper tag. Quote
RobertKB Posted June 21, 2011 Report Posted June 21, 2011 Robert do you have classic car insurance? I have an add on to my insurance that covers some roadside assistance. Yes, I have that and will check into it. Thanks. Quote
Drdialtone Posted June 21, 2011 Author Report Posted June 21, 2011 Don't see how loose exhaust bolts would cause the ammeter to show a discarge when the engine is running. Yeah, well the Amp gauge seems to be working perfectly while driving home... was "assuming" and you know what that means, that it was the generator making the funky noise. Unrelated and a new discovery for an unexperienced vintage car owner!! Quote
Adam H P15 D30 Posted June 21, 2011 Report Posted June 21, 2011 (edited) If you end up needing a generator, I have one off my 49 that worked when removed but needs a rear bushing and brushes.... Free and good for parts. I live in San Bruno and work in Sunnyvale. Edited June 21, 2011 by Adam H P15 D30 Quote
TodFitch Posted June 21, 2011 Report Posted June 21, 2011 If you end up needing a generator, I have one off my 49 that worked when removed but needs a rear bushing and brushes.... Free and good for parts. I live in San Bruno and work in Sunnyvale. Hmmm. Yet another forum member who works in Silicon Valley. I wonder how many of us there are. Quote
bamfordsgarage Posted June 21, 2011 Report Posted June 21, 2011 Where I live our equivalent to AAA is called AMA (Alberta Motor Association). I phoned to check about joining and I had no problem when I mentioned I had a couple of modern cars and an older motorhome. However, they will not cover antique cars which is a real bummer. I would join them if they covered the older cars. I told them I have never had to have an old car towed in over 35 years but they would not bite. Don't know what other alternatives are. Your AAA in the USA sounds pretty good! Robert, you might have received bad information from whomever you talked to at the AMA. I've been a member for 25+ years and they have never given me any grief about towing antiques — they have towed 1906, 1912, 1924, 1926 and 1948 cars for me with never a question about the age or kind of plates... just the usual "is the vehicle registered and insured?". As a matter of fact, what Don Coatney posted about the AAA is also the same for AMA — they will tow you even if you break down in a borrowed car. I was on a road trip last June with some sports car guys and one of them had a probelm with his Triumph fuel pump. AMA was willing to drag him home under my policy, even though he was not a member and I was not driving the Triumph. Quote
RobertKB Posted June 21, 2011 Report Posted June 21, 2011 Robert, you might have received bad information from whomever you talked to at the AMA. I've been a member for 25+ years and they have never given me any grief about towing antiques — they have towed 1906, 1912, 1924, 1926 and 1948 cars for me with never a question about the age or kind of plates... just the usual "is the vehicle registered and insured?". As a matter of fact, what Don Coatney posted about the AAA is also the same for AMA — they will tow you even if you break down in a borrowed car. I was on a road trip last June with some sports car guys and one of them had a probelm with his Triumph fuel pump. AMA was willing to drag him home under my policy, even though he was not a member and I was not driving the Triumph. Thanks, Chris. I will have to go down to the AMA personally and check things out. I assume you are in Pincher Creek today. I unfortunately will not be able to make it down due to family commitments. I was looking forward to seeing you again and your Model T's. Enjoy yourself down there. It is beautiful country and lots to see. Quote
Drdialtone Posted June 21, 2011 Author Report Posted June 21, 2011 If you end up needing a generator, I have one off my 49 that worked when removed but needs a rear bushing and brushes.... Free and good for parts. I live in San Bruno and work in Sunnyvale. Adam, Thanks!! I'll keep that in mind. Having the generator and V-regulator checked for peace of mind... Cheers, Kirk Quote
Drdialtone Posted June 21, 2011 Author Report Posted June 21, 2011 Hmmm. Yet another forum member who works in Silicon Valley. I wonder how many of us there are. So far THREE!! ...maybe legion? Or just settle for a small group of fellow enthusiasts is good. Quote
bamfordsgarage Posted June 22, 2011 Report Posted June 22, 2011 I assume you are in Pincher Creek today. I unfortunately will not be able to make it down due to family commitments. I was looking forward to seeing you again and your Model T's. Enjoy yourself down there. It is beautiful country and lots to see. Pincher Creek is next week. We leave Saturday, arrive Sunday, tour from Monday to Friday, home Sunday July 03. With it being a week later than you thought, maybe we can still see you there... Quote
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