Upcoming Improvement no 8 - Carby Upgrade

Now that I am doing a lot more driving at highway speeds, I am looking for smoother acceleration, a slight increase in power and if possible better fuel economy. I have always been a big fan of the original Carter carby, defending its honour to the max, however lately I have been paying more attention to the experiences of other Chev 4 owners.

The name that came up from several sources, mainly in the states was the Zenith 14991, an after market carby, been around for don't know how long, used as an after market unit on A models and various tractors. Recently a couple of 28 Chev owners on the net, one from the States and the other from Great Britain have completed successful installations with positive results

With no intention of ever doing substantial engine modifications, I have always looked for add on or bolt on improvements. The first was Autolite 3077 spark plugs, and hopefully the next will be a carby upgrade.

The only thing that was in my way was the cost, not budgeted, and a plan to buy one in the future, but not now or that soon. All that changed when a close friend, and you know who you are, shouted me the purchase price of a carby as a gift. Your generosity was very much appreciated.

So its a month later, the carby has finally arrived, I have compiled a lot of data about the installation, and I am ready to go. After the "Last of the Chrome Bumpers" run this weekend, the 2nd October, I will start the conversion process.

I need to fabricate an adaptor plate as the mounting holes are 90 degrees opposed to the Carter, re route the fuel line and change the throttle and choke linkage.

So which one will run better, the 83 year old technology in the Carter, or the more modern Zenith 14991. I will let you know in a week or two, but the money would have to be on the Zenith.

I have included a few pictures below. The original Carter has a brass bowl and black body, and the Zenith is the more chunky looking all alloy unit.

And this is what one installed on a 28 Chev in Great Britain looks like.

2011 - 28th September - Preparing for a 160k run

Weather permitting this Sunday I will be going on a club run to "The Last of The Chrome Bumpers" at Lardner's Park in Warragul.

So I decided to do a bit of servicing on the Chev last night.

Lubed the rockers arms, valve tops etc.

Cleaned up the spark plug wires that were covered in oil, and fitted new boots on the dizzy.

Cleaned the inside of the dizzy cap, removed carbon from the 4 contacts.

Cleaned the points with a couple of rubs of fine emery, lubed the dizzy shaft.

Sprayed inside of dizzy cap with WD40.

Pulled out just one plug, clean, still clean after about 700 miles, straight back in.

 What a difference. The Chev has always started in a few seconds since 2007, but this time started in about 1/2 second on a cold engine.

Pushed choke straight in, fully advanced, runs like a purring kitten, well as close as a 28 Chev can that is.

 Hope that remains constant.

Up to about just after the wedding in 2007 , when I finally got the timing right, discovered the choke was not working and converted to 3077's used to take about 30 seconds to start

Checked the overflow tank, no water needed.

Good nights work.

All set for Sunday, hope the weather is kind.

If Only

Below is a letter from a Ford dealer in 1929 to a client offering servicing with fixed prices.

If only prices were still as low:

New Fenders $3.50 to $5.00, labour to fit $1.00 to $2.50

Brakes $1.25 plus $5.00 labour

Front axle overhaul $5.00

Rear axle overhaul $7.50

Valve grind $4.00

Pistons and Rings $7.00

If only...........

My After Market Oil Filter

When I first put my Chev on the road there were no original Oil Filters readily available, and EBay was not invented.

But even with my limited mechanical knowledge at the tender age of 20 I knew I should have an oil filter.

So still sticking with the GM theme I fitted an after market oil filter, mounted to the firewall. Very similar in appearance to the Chev Fram type, this Aussie made Ryco unit was used in early model Holdens up to the early 60's.

I have used this set up for most of the 38 years the car has been on the road and have always been happy with the performance of the unit.

Although the die hards may say the fit up is not original, it enabled me to fit a radiator overflow tank where the original oil filter was.

Another good reason to run a local filter is they inserts cost about $20, where as the original style from the Filling Station cost about $80 plus postage. Not a hard decision I would say.

Below is a few photos, including the insert part number.

2011 - 25th September - Club Display at the Doveton Show

In what turned out to be a beautiful sunny day a very good crowd rolled up for the Doveton Show held at Myuna Farm in Doveton, located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.  

http://www.dovetonshow.org.au/

I was joined by my wife, daughter, son in law and two grand kids, and a good time was had by all.

A display of club cars was organised by he DVHCC http://www.dvhcc.com.au/ and the number of cars indicated the event was well supported by members.

Plenty of activities for the family, and between the car display, the show attractions and the farm animals, I was keep occupied for most of the time.

Thanks to all who organised the event, a very enjoyable outing.

And just to show the writer is not completely obsessed with old cars, here is a picture of no1 grand daughter trying out another form of transport at the Doveton show.

Improvement no 6 ( Done in the 80's) Radiator Overflow Tank

 I have just remembered another improvement previously forgotten when I was writing this blog in sequence, time line wise. Back in the 80's I fitted an overflow tank to the cooling system. Cant exactly remember what prompted me to do it at the time, hey it was over 30 years ago, but suspect it was something to do with not wanting to continually add water to the radiator.

Anyway the system involved 3 steps.

1. I installed a rubber gasket under the dog bone, to seal the radiator except at the overflow pipe.

2. A suitable overflow tank was sourced from a Mini, originally black, then discovered some years later was brass, so of course in 2011 its fully polished and sealed with a coat of clear acrylic.

3. Rubber tubing, suitable for coolant system use connects the overflow pipe from the radiator to the tank which can be located in several locations. In my case it is directly where the original oil filter would be, as I run a firewall mounted oil filter. To ensure the system is low pressure I removed the sealing gasket from the cap on the recovery tank. Have never checked the pressure, but estimate approx 1 to 2 lbs.

After many years the system still works great. I check the water level every week and only need to add water every 4 to 6 months.

Another benefit is being able to use modern anti corrosive coolant.

In 2009, and under another posting, I replaced the water pump with one with modern inners . This compliments the system, and eliminates the drips that Chev 4 water pumps have on a regular basis.

Below are a few photos of the set up.

2011 - 10th September - The Wind in my hair, 1928 style

During a visit to see Monty the 1928 Chev today, his owner Grant threw me the keys for a drive.

http://montythe1928chevrolet.blogspot.com/2011/09/resto-rear-axle-pivots-cleaned-and.html

And what a great drive it was.

Just a shame though he did not also throw me the body, doors, floorboards, upholstery and front windscreen.

Still he did give me the latest in after market seating.

Cheers

Ray

2011 - 4th September - Club Run to The Briars Homestead

By the time I had driven from The Basin to the meeting point at Cranbourne, the weather was already looking at bit doubtful for the DVHCC run to the Briars Homestead in Mt Martha, Victoria. We threw caution to the wind and set off in convoy and were joined at the homestead by others who motored down the peninsula on their own.

http://www.virtualsorrento.com.au/trust-properties/the-briars

http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melbourne_details.php?id=24562

http://www.napoleonguide.com/briars.htm

The oldest homestead in the Mornington Peninsula, the Briars Homestead is a hidden treasure, and the extensive Napoleonic collection is an added bonus. If only these old walls and buildings could talk, what a story they would tell us. We enjoyed a very thorough guided tour through the homestead, and a good education on the association with Napoleon.

Another surprise was the Eco House, which gave many an idea or two for up coming renovations and home improvements.

The weather finally took control and down came the rain around lunch time, which was my cue to leave, and would you believe it, 10 k's down the road, dry weather all the way home along Nepean Highway and Eastlink.

I am sure all enjoyed the outing, and thanks to the organisers, a fine job. Another 78 miles of trouble free motoring in an 83 year old car.

If you have not been to the Briars, do yourself a favour, you will not be disappointed.

A few photos of the day are as follows: