Martin's Argosy Rebuild Thread

[bkahler]

Martin, how'd the fuel pump install go?

Anytime I suspect the engine is going to take a long time to fire I will usually pour a little gas down the carburetor to get it to start quicker. Cranking on it for long periods just to get it to start just puts more wear and tear on the starter. The last thing I want to do is replace a starter cause it's worn out!

Brad

[martin300662]

Joseph just gave a lift to pick her up Brad,, seems to work well, started straight up and ran fine on the way back from the shop.

Doing about 250miles tomorrow back up to Boston so will know better then.

I had the shop follow your circuit diagram - live on ignition via a relay. 6 hours labor, plus about $150 in parts including the pump.

Fingers crossed!

[bkahler]

Six hours may seem a bit long but chasing down and routing wires can be time consuming.

Enjoy your trip

[martin300662]

They did a good job of the installation and wiring so I'm not unhappy....

[bkahler]

Martin, looks good.

Now you need to get the idle adjust solenoid installed

[martin300662]

Definitely need it! Idle is good when AC is running adding load, but is too fast when everything is off.

However, and this seems too good to be true, I have go into the habit of topping off the tank every 180-220 miles just because that is when the backwards reading gauge is above full and I have no idea of what is in the tank. Typically this takes 17-21 gallons at a rate of around 11mpg. So today was the first 180mile top-up post the new electric fuel pump and the GearVendor......180miles on......12 gallons for 15mpg. Admittedly that is just about all highway driving at 60-65 but I hope it is the new norm!

[bkahler]

It might be to good to be true but I bet it is

That gives me high hopes for the overdrive gear in the 4L80e I'm installing!

[martin300662]

500 miles this weekend and apart from some new rattles and creaks Bella seems to be holding here own.

Starting Friday night with a quick trip up to Food Truck Paradise.





New England's version of the PCH.



Then on up to Wompatuk State Park, where the foliage is already falling





Then today a quick stop at Hingham beach, where the winter storm fencing is already erected.



This marks the start of 4/5 weeks chasing the Fall Foliage down the east coast.

[mayco]

"Food Truck Paradise"!!!! Im in. That looks like a great time Martin.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by martin300662

500 miles this weekend and apart from some new rattles and creaks Bella seems to be holding her own.

Were you referring to Bella or yourself

This marks the start of 4/5 weeks chasing the Fall Foliage down the east coast.

Sounds more like being a storm chaser to me, should be fun though.

[martin300662]

Dangit!

The Schlange deadlock won't open and I can't get it Bella. I think it is just the cylinder as the my spare key is just turning in the lock as well....time to look for a small child to climb through the window!!!!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Dangit!

The Schlange deadlock won't open and I can't get it Bella. I think it is just the cylinder as the my spare key is just turning in the lock as well....time to look for a small child to climb through the window!!!!

I wonder if that was one of the new rattles that you heard?

Hopefully the worst case is you have a locksmith drill the key tumbler out.

[martin300662]

Luckily she is parked up in a hotel car park and I am working at the same facility for the next 3 days....gives me some time to decide best way to get in rather then doing something crazy.

I can get the drivers cockpit slider open...the issue is I am about 100% wider than the gap!

Looking through the window it appears the lower screen door gizzy (the aluminum one As NE made) is hooked on the inside latch so as the cylinder turns outside it can't release the lock.

[bkahler]

It does sound like a small child would be the simplest approach.

[martin300662]

I'm in, and no animals or children were harmed in the process.

Really I struck lucky, and persisted in trying at various times of the day, and found after the sun had been on Bella all afternoon the metal had expanded enough that by turning the key outside, it moved the lever inside enough to 'walk' the gizzy back in the screen door until the inside lever was free and the lock realised.

Also means I have isolated the cause of the rattly alumin(i)um gizzy as it was interfering with the inner lever when closed.

[Isuzusweet]

Definitely one of those "OH SH!T" moments. At 6'3" and over 250 lbs I can commisurate with trying to fit through the front windows, and yes, at first glance it does seem impossible, but I have done it.

Throwing my youngest girl through the window is still preferable though.

Glad it can be fixed.

Cheers
Tony

[martin300662]

I did forget to describe the circumstances behind the issue.....

I'm working in PA and so have the luxury of a motel room for a few nights; Bella is parked outside.

To get here I had driven down from NJ (stayed at JM2 house the night before), and I had picked up another entourage for folks who followed me into the car park. They left (after the usual - can I buy it, NO, where can I buy one, YOU CAN'T conversation) and I had just unloaded my case and carried a few essentials into my room, when another car pulled and explained they had seen me drive past and they had jumped in their car and chased me, and could they take pictures? I say sure, do you want to look inside? They say yes and I find out the door would open. Honestly these folks thought it was their fault, apologising, offering to pay for a locksmith, offering to climb in for me. At this point I didn't know what had happened or I would have accepted! When I convinced them, they weren't to blame they disappeared at about 100mph in case I changed my mind!!!!!!

[mayco]

Thats a really good story!

[martin300662]

Not a good day for Bella. I finished up at one client and went to start up Bella to drive about 80miles from PA to NJ. It was pouring with rain and I noted the water under Bella had an oil sheen, but thought it was just a result of the rain washing off the oily undercarriage. Drove to the second client, no issue, parked Bella up outside, spent about 4 hours inside, came out - another oil sheen. I was about 70mikes from Joseph M's place so I said I would stop by.

As I pulled into their street in Closter NJ (right near the NY state line), I lost oil pressure. I was watching the gauge so immediately turned the engine off. When I checked it took 3 quarts of oil to bring the level back up to registering on the dipstick. After adding the oil, checking the level I fired the engine up and have good oil pressure again.

So Bella is currently parked up outside their house with a sheet of cardboard under her to try and trace the leak. Nothing so far, it appears the oil just vanished!

[SteveSueMac]

Oh no! Perhaps a faulty seal which is worse under pressure/while driving? You may not see the leak while parked but that oil slick was from drops that formed while driving?