Smoky > 1969 Mercury Marquis
1969 Mercury Marquis
| Owner: |
Smoky   (All of this user's registries on SuperMotors) |
| From: |
Grand River, OH, U.S.A. (Other registries in OH) |
| Year, Make, & Model: |
1969 Mercury Marquis (Other Mercury Marquiss) |
| Avatar: |
 |
| Clubs: |
SuperFord.org (Other vehicles in this club)
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| Nickname: |
Topaz |
| Mileage: |
40500 |
| Engine: |
429 Thunderjet. 2V autolite carb. This is a TORQUE MONSTER! 460 pd-ft. @2200. 320 bhp with single exhaust, but mine has dual exhaust, so I reckon 335 bhp. (see Drivetrain below.) Compression test done Feb. 2022 results:
#1-200
#2-190
#3-200
#4-190
#5-205
#6-210
#7-190
#8-200 |
| Drivetrain: |
429-2V engine Dual exhaust, automatic c-6 transmission, 2.75:1 rear axle ratio. 15 inch wheels and riding on Toyo Extensa A/S radial tires size P235/75 R15 that I keep inflated to 28-30 psi per mfg. With a single exhaust it is rated at 320 bhp, but with performance dual exhaust on this car, I estimate 335 bhp! (The 4 bbl carb. version is rated at 360 bhp.) But the 2 bbl version of the 429 with 10.5:1 compression and running premium fuel is no slouch by any means, plus the improved mileage shouldn't be overlooked.
The only upgrade to the original factory setup is a Pertronix electronic ignition, which makes the points and condenser unnecessary. I also upgraded the standard suspension to the heavy duty, by adding HD Moog springs and Monroe load leveling shocks. I like the added height, plus a car of this size can benefit from the improved ride too. It's still surprisingly floaty. |
| Notes: |
This car was ordered in November of 1968, from Parkview Mercury in Windsor, Ontario, and was delivered in March, 1969. The original purchaser kept this car up until his passing in 2010. The car was appraised on 9/14/2010 with 35,811 miles on the clock and presumably sold by the first owner's wife. (Her name appears on the appraisal as the owner.)
A second Canadian owner bought the car, and kept it until 2015. (This is the only undocumented gap in this car's history. I know from talking with the second Florida owner, that the first Florida owner had the car shipped to Florida from Canada in 2015.) The car was sold to the first Florida owner on 5/8/2015 who had it shipped from Ontario to Florida, where it was registered with Historical Plates now showing 37,305 miles. (so the 2nd Canadian owner (assuming it was only one) kept the car for just under 5 yrs. and less than 2k miles). The first Florida owner kept the car until 2018, and may be responsible for adding the dual exhaust, new tires (Toyo, 2016) and a new top. (So he kept the car for over 3 yrs. and less than 3k miles.)
The second Florida owner (with whom I spoke) bought the car on 11/16/2018 with 40,060 miles, and kept it only a few months and a few hundred miles. He had a devil of a time with the brakes. (see my log on how I eventually worked out the brake problem.) He also kept losing hubcaps (which might explain the scratch that I touched up, on the passenger lower side door.) He traded in the car to Sunrise Ford in Florida, where it apparently got auctioned off to the 2nd dealer, Auto Sensations (from whom I bought the car in August of 2019.) The current mileage is all documented with a 3 ring binder of repairs, maintenance, and other work going back to the original purchase contract. I then had the car shipped up North to Mentor Ohio, where the lack of AC is not such an issue. By then it had 40,499 miles when I took delivery. In all, just under 5,000 miles racked up in the last 10 years, and three different owners! It runs great, and the mechanic that did the initial safety check and maintenance agreed that it was in very sound mechanical order. (But that was the same mechanic that was unable to fix the brakes -see log.)
I like this car because in the 44 year history of Mercury Marquis (including Grand Marquis--1967-2011) it is the first year of the convertible body of which there were only 2319 made in 1969 (1970 was the last year for the convertible Marquis.) Also, this Marquis is on the new (and largest ever) frame for 1969, which continued to be used until 1978. It is also just the 3rd Marquis ever, as the first two years; 67-68 were strictly 2 door luxury coupes. By most accounts, it is considered a 2nd generation Marquis. In '69 the Park Lane was discontinued and the Marquis was now the top of the Line full size Mercury with all body styles including 2 dr. and 4 dr. hardtops and sedans, the Convertible, the Colony Park Wagon, and even the Marauder was revived again with the Marquis front end, but using Ford's wheelbase and frame. Finally, Mercury had a car that would successfully compete with the Olds 98 and Buick Electra. And lastly, I like really big convertibles! At 224 inches long, and 124 inch Wheel base, even the '69 Caddy is barely bigger! The Marquis along with its sibling, the Monterey, were the largest convertibles available from Ford or Lincoln/Mercury in 1969, or indeed, since 1967, with the loss of the Lincoln 4 Dr convertible. After 1970 even these Merc droptops would disappear, leaving just the Ford to soldier on for a couple years more.
The color combination must be pretty good too, as Mercury used this same combo in all of its 1969 sales literature showing the convertible. It is simply called dark blue metallic, with the dk. blue vinyl interior and white pinpoint vinyl top with a glass window.
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| Last Updated: |
4/11/2025 |
| Hits: |
8589 |
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 Photos | 54 | 0 | 0 | 10,062 | 0 | 10/2/19 | 10/28/24 | | Items | 112 | 0 | 1 | 17,758 | 0 | 3/14/20 | 5/9/24 | | Engine | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1,630 | 0 | 2/25/22 | 10/28/22 | | Trunk | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1,428 | 0 | 2/26/22 | 2/27/22 | | Headlands Photo shoot | 7 | 0 | 0 | 704 | 0 | 2/25/22 | 2/25/22 | | Headlands 2 top up | 7 | 0 | 0 | 820 | 0 | 8/31/22 | 8/31/23 | | OLG Shrine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 549 | 0 | 5/11/24 | 5/18/24 | | video | 0 | 0 | 1 | 137 | 0 | 7/19/24 | 7/19/24 | | Shows & cruise ins | 1 | 0 | 0 | 70 | 0 | 8/30/23 | 9/29/23 | | Annabelles | 42 | 0 | 0 | 3,001 | 0 | 8/22/20 | 8/30/23 | | Eastlake Cruise-Ins | 40 | 0 | 0 | 4,124 | 0 | 6/18/21 | 7/12/24 | | Mentor-Cruise-In-2021 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 866 | 0 | 8/15/21 | 8/30/23 | | Mentor-Cruise-In-2022 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 1,210 | 0 | 8/13/22 | 8/30/23 | | Misc Shows | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1,517 | 0 | 9/29/23 | 9/29/23 | | Convoy Tire Car Show | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1,439 | 0 | 6/30/24 | 6/30/24 | | Debonnet Winery 8/21/21 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 970 | 0 | 8/22/21 | 8/30/23 | | StJustinMartyrShow | 8 | 0 | 0 | 655 | 0 | 8/23/21 | 8/30/23 | | Roar by the Shore 2021 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1,267 | 0 | 9/5/21 | 8/30/23 | | Roar by the Shore 2022 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 1,913 | 0 | 9/3/22 | 8/30/23 | | Fairport Harbor | 3 | 0 | 0 | 298 | 0 | 10/11/21 | 8/30/23 | | Laurel Square Cruise In | 9 | 0 | 0 | 700 | 0 | 7/10/22 | 8/30/23 | | Lake Shore Assembly 2022 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1,070 | 0 | 8/18/22 | 8/30/23 | | Harwood Show | 15 | 0 | 0 | 532 | 0 | 7/29/24 | 7/29/24 |
 9Z65K586097-1.jpg
832 hits | 81.75 KB | Posted: 10/2/19
Dk. Blue with White top and blue vinyl interior
 Monroe-Fr.-Shocks.JPG
663 hits | 36.96 KB | Posted: 3/14/20
Monroe Front Load adjusting shocks
 LensCoverBackOnD.jpg
663 hits | 81.25 KB | Posted: 8/3/23
Working clock, new LEDs and Gauge Lens assembly installed
 gas cap.jpg
615 hits | 66.47 KB | Posted: 3/29/23
This shows the difference between what the new gas cap looks like (Stant #10640) and what was already on my car. The new gas cap is not vented properly, causing the gas tank grommet to fail and then leak. Keeping the old one on.
 ClockOutA.jpg
553 hits | 89.35 KB | Posted: 7/30/23
This was the last step in disassembly: getting the clock out. It was a tight squeeze, had to pull the front white base away from the blue body metal behind it, while still being held by the wiring harness and speedometer cable which are right behind...
 Craig-n-Erik.jpg
492 hits | 64.14 KB | Posted: 7/27/23
After Craig got the top pad off, he was unplugging the speaker wire in this pic. Eric is holding up the pad on the far side. Pad is resting carefully in the trunk.
 Dash-Top-Pad-removed.jpg
490 hits | 98.57 KB | Posted: 7/26/23
July 26th, 2023 got the Top Dash Pad removed with Erik's help. Got car in garage before storms coming.
 Dash-mid-pad-removed.jpg
467 hits | 87.11 KB | Posted: 7/28/23
Dash mid level pad with gauge fascia removed on 6/27/23. Realized I lost the hex lock nut for the wiper switch. It wasn't present when I got home from Erik's shop, so maybe there? I had it unscrewed and loose on the knob shaft. dumb when I went ther...
 Dash-lens-plate-assy-removed.jpg
455 hits | 86.94 KB | Posted: 7/28/23
Lens plate covering speedometer etc. removed exposing all of the lights.
Maintenance & Modification Logs
| Date | Type | Mileage | Title / Description | $ Amount | | 04/09/25 | Maintenance | 44178 | Annual Miller Auto Service
4/7/25 Took the car in around 2pm as the weather was sunny and dry, but snow was due at 4pm (which did arrive). Erik got it up on the lift that afternoon, and noticed one of the stabilizer links was missing!! WTF? He'll replace it.
4/8/25: He called to say the oil pan drain plug was fubared, from before I got the car. He will retap the hole and find a fitting plug with seal.
4/9/25: Car was ready for pickup. Erik put in the parts I bought: the filler tube, sending unit and gaskets and seals. He said the only thing he could find wrong with the old sending unit seal was the gasket felt stiff and not very pliable. There were several oil leaks he found, one was the intake gasket had a leak which is why it pooled in the oil sending unit. Also the oil pan leaked a bit and also around the fuel pump. I told him we'll schedule an engine reseal for next fall/winter. He also repaired/replaced the missing stabilizer link under warranty. He said the brakes were good, and fluid was good. He also said wheel bearing are good, no play.
4/10/25: Added about another 1/2 qt. of VR-1 Oil. Just to top it off. Drained the windshield washer jug...he filled it up to the brim, but I like it pretty low since I never use it. Spent a full hour picking out dirt from the gas and brake pedals and cleaning them...it was really ground in, then vacuumed.
4/11/25: Checked gas tank cap and filler tube. Noticed the cap is very tight with this new tube. Also, a small slice was removed from the cap's rubber seal. I'll keep an eye on this. The cap is actually the original cap that was on the car. I replaced the old shrunken cork seal with a rubber seal that came off of a new cap (which I don't believe was properly vented.) | 427.91 | | 03/26/25 | Miscellaneous | 44170 | Another G. P. cruise
Another good sunny day, but only in the 30s again. Car started good, and ran smooth. Lots of landscapers blocking my lane on LSB, and again on Salida. Traffic was moving good on Rt. 2, so car maintained 65-70 mph. Fuel is reading 1/4 tank now. So that's low enough for Erik to deal with when I take my car in next week. | 0.00 | | 03/25/25 | Maintenance | 44156 | Clean battery
Got supplies from Amazon today. Battery cable puller, not needed since I just cleaned the pos. terminal yesterday. But undid the pos. terminal again. Used the new terminal/connector brush/cleaner to better clean the battery pos. terminal (worked very well.) Also did the inside of the connector. then put on the new red felt washer, and applied the dielectric terminal grease to prevent corrosion before re-attaching the connector to the battery. The Neg. terminal has always stayed perfectly clean. Hoping to prolong the life of this battery, as it's a really good Die-Hard one. Later, I started the car to check for any improvement...maybe a little, then let it run for about 10 minutes or so. | 30.83 | | 03/24/25 | Miscellaneous | 44156 | Another G. P. Cruise
Started fine again, on a cool, windy, partially cloudy Monday morning around 11:00 am with temps in the low 40s. Got up to 70 on Rt 2 in the slow lane again! Big blockage on Salida near the intersection with LSB, so I took LSB to Lakeway then up Marine Pkwy home. Fuel is reading 3/8th of a tank now. | 0.00 | | 03/23/25 | Miscellaneous | 44141 | Another G. P. cruise
FIrst thing I did was disconnect the battery POS terminal and clean the wire clamp and battery terminal with a brass brush. Vacuumed up the powder. Then reconnected and charged the battery, but it didn't take more than 1/2 hr. Then I noticed when I started the car, it cranked more normal, not sluggish like before. It was a chilly but bright day in the 30s. Left about 11:30am. Car idled and drove smooth as silk. Traffic was heavy but really moving along fast. I was going 70 in the slow lane! Fuel is reading just under a half tank. now. I have an appointment to bring the car in to Erik on Tue. April 1. | 0.00 | | 03/21/25 | Miscellaneous | 44127 | Another G. P. cruise
At 10:30am on a bright sunny Friday morning with temps in the upper 30s, I set out with the heat on half, no fan. Car started right up, and ran smooth throughout. Traffic was moderate, and kept normal speeds on Rt. 2. Fuel is reading about 5/8th now. This is when it drops fast, but tends to read lower than actual. | 0.00 | | 03/18/25 | Miscellaneous | 44113 | Another G. P. cruise
Around 10:45am on a bright sunny Tuesday with temps in the 50s, I started the car and left. Took a couple tries because I was pushing down a little too much on the accelerator while cranking. Otherwise ok. Traffic was normal to busy. I was boxed in on Rt. 2 so I only maintained an average speed of 65mph. I kept the heater off for the whole trip, but windows and vents were closed. Fuel is registering a smidge below 3/4 of a tank. | 0.00 | | 03/14/25 | Miscellaneous | 44098 | Another G. P. cruise
About noon on a bright sunny Friday with temps in the mid 60s, I took the car out again for another cruise to keep using up the gas in the tank for when Erik gets it. Traffic was heavy, as expected, but had the car over 60 most of the time on Rt. 2. Everything went fine. Had longer wait than normal to pull out and make a left on Andrews, and had to suddenly stop again, but brakes are very sure. Fuel is reading a smidge below 7/8th of a tank. | 0.00 | | 03/12/25 | Miscellaneous | 44084 | Another G. P. cruise
Today about 1pm, started car no problem, and ventured out on another dry sunny day in the low 40s. I thought traffic would be lighter being after lunch hour, but no. It was fairly heavy. Did manage to get the car up to 70 a couple of times on Rt. 2. Car was toasty warm again with the heat on, but no fan needed. Everything went smooth. Fuel is reading just under full now. | 0.00 | | 03/11/25 | Miscellaneous | 44070 | Another G. P. cruise
About 11:00 am, on a sunny dry day, with temps in the low 50s, I started the car with some s.f. help. Idled fine, and drove great. traffic was sorta heavy being close to lunch hour. Still had the car over 70 on Rt. 2 for a while. Salt residue was visible on the road edges, but the road surfaces looked clean and dry. There hasn't been a good rinsy rain since the last slight snowfall. Heat got the car toasty warm, no fan, with heat lever at half way. | 0.00 | | 02/28/25 | Miscellaneous | 45055 | Headlands Cruise
Had a few days of rain, rinsing off the salty roads, so about 1:15 pm on a dry cool Friday, partly sunny with temps in the upper 40s decided to take the car for a cruise. Car started up without any s.f. Had the heat on, but no fan. Only went to the Headlands and back, as I wasn't sure the roads were going to be dry enough, but they were. Very windy. Had the car up to 70 for about a minute. No problems, Brakes were good. Had to turn the heat down. | 0.00 | | 02/22/25 | Miscellaneous | 44045 | Stationary run and warm up
After charging the battery this morning, around 10:20 am, I started the car with the help of some s.f. I let the car run until 10:45 am, then shut off. I had the heater on with medium fan speed, which warmed the car thoroughly. The garage door was fully open and outside temps were in the middle 20s, but sunny. | 0.00 | | 12/26/24 | Miscellaneous | 44045 | Another G. P. cruise
The next day, I thought I would do a GP Cruise just to have a margin of safety on the gas tank level. I checked and inflated the tires to about 32 psi giving a bit more to the front ones. I noticed the car handled very well and drove smooth during the trip. I have started ordering gas tank parts for when I take it in for repair: 2 fuel filler tube grommets of two different makers, a new filler tube, a new sending unit kit, and 4 new sending unit grommets/gaskets which is probably all I really need. Total for parts: $267.92
1. Sending Unit Gaskets NPD $26.72 (X4) PP National Parts Depot
2. Tube grommets FNS $47.34 (X2) C1 Filler Neck Supply
3. Tube grommets RRP $53.48 (X2) PP (ebay)
4. New filler tube AK $82.28 C1 (AutoKrafters)
5. New Sending Unit kit EC $58.10 PP (E-Classics)
| 267.92 | | 12/25/24 | Fuel | 43983 | Circle K ethanol free gas 90 octane fill up
By later afternoon, the weather was cloudy but the roads were dry and reasonably clean, so I thought I would take the car out to get gas at Circle K, since they were open on Christmas. They have the ethanol free gas. I filled up the tank which by this time was approx. 3/8 left of the racing gas I got in September. Cost $5.16 g. Total: $75.02 for 14.5 gal., Mileage since last fill up: 213 mi. or 14.7 mpg. When I got home I noticed an odor of gas in the garage, so checked under the rear of car. Dripping gas and a small puddle evident. This was the first such incident in almost 2 yrs. However the gas was coming in a new direction: from the front of the tank (where the sending unit fits). I took the car back out and drove up LSB to 44 to 2E to Lost Nation Rd. where I turned around and came back by the same route. This was 23 mi. (with the 9 miles from the gas station, that would be 32 mi.) However still dripping gas. So took the car back out for yet another trip like the one above, adding another 23 miles for a total of 55 miles. This time the dripping stopped. This was very nearly like the previous time when I drove all the way into downtown Cleveland and back for a total of 50 miles which also was good enough to stop the leak (but that leak was from the ruptured filler tube grommet). So with about 4 gals. Less in the tank, the dripping stopped. During my last trip, I had to turn on the headlights. I pulled them on slowly and carefully. I didn’t notice any hissing during the trip like the last time I had the headlights on. I also noticed the ashtray light works whenever the headlights are on. Odometer End of first trip: 44007, end of second trip 44030. | 0.00 | | 11/27/24 | Miscellaneous | 43965 | Another G. P. cruise
The day before Thanksgiving and it's sunny with temps about 40* at 10:30am when I started the car, with a little s.f. Started up fine, but battery caused the starter to be a tad sluggish. Traffic was not too bad considering the day, and Rt. 2 was moving right along, so had car going 70 most of the way. Fuel is reading 3/8th of a tank. Heat was pouring in even without the fan. So good and comfortable drive. | 0.00 | | 11/20/24 | Miscellaneous | 43951 | Another G. P. cruise
Beautiful sunny morning about 60* @ 10:00am when I started the car using a shot of s.f. (been 8 days) traffic was a bit heavy on Rt. 2, but I got up to usual cruising speed of 70 mph. Car was performing perfectly. Still some colors on trees. Gas is showing just a hair under half tank now. | 0.00 | | 11/12/24 | Miscellaneous | 43937 | Another G. P. Cruise
Used a small shot of starting fluid, as it's been 8 days since the last run. About 10 am, I left with the vents closed and heater half on, on a 40* morning with sunny skies. All went smoothly with moderate traffic. Gas is still reading slightly over half. | 0.00 | | 11/04/24 | Miscellaneous | 43922 | Visit Erik and Headlands cruise
Another sunny warm day with temps in the 60s, with the vents and windows closed when I left. Stopped at Erik's to talk with him about getting new gaskets for the engine. He will call me when he can do it. Finished like a regular Headlands cruise. Gas is showing about 5/8ths now. | 0.00 | | 10/31/24 | Miscellaneous | 43911 | Headlands Cruise
Nice sunny warm morning in the upper 60s @ 10:00 am, I left with the windows up and vents closed. ( I opened one on the way home as the sun was warm through the window.) All went well. No construction obstructions. Start up went well. Got up to 60 mph on 44N. Gas is reading 3/4 of a tank
I noticed at this point, I have owned this car for more time, and have driven it for more mileage than anyone since Roy Lancaster! (more than 5 yrs. and more than 3k miles) | 0.00 | | 10/26/24 | Miscellaneous | 43901 | Another G. P. cruise
Sunny cool fall morning around 9:45am I started the car and left with the windows & vents closed, and the heat half on. Temps in the mid 50s, but a glorious morning. Traffic was a bit heavier than expected, but normal speeds on Rt. 2. This is supposed to be the Peak weekend for foliage, and with the sun on some trees, they were breathtaking. Gas is reading a hair under 7/8th of a tank. Had to make a rather sudden stop at one light, but no problem at all. When I got home, I checked the power steering fluid again, and it was just a smidge above full. | 0.00 | | 10/24/24 | Miscellaneous | 43887 | Brennan's Fish House Dinner
A sunny cool afternoon about 3:00pm with temps in the mid 50s, Pat, Michaelangelo and I left for Brennans. (this was his first ride in the car, which he says he likes a lot.) Windows stayed up, vents closed, but no heat needed. Michaelangelo got the stuffed orange roughie with mashed potatoes and gravy, Pat got the oriental salad with mandarin oranges and popcorn shrimp, while I got the bowl of chili, and a half order of Lake Perch n fries. Everyone was very happy with the food, and we took some pics on the way out. Very pleasant evening! Separate checks; ours was about $80 | 0.00 | | 10/21/24 | Miscellaneous | 43877 | A Cruise to Windsor Ohio and the OLG Shrine
Left on a beautiful sunny warm Monday afternoon about 12:30pm (temp 72*) Pat and I decided to take a tour of the autumn foliage out toward the OLG statue. Everything went smoothly on the way out, despite sporadic construction spots. We stopped at the shrine briefly, and then returned to have lunch at Capp's Tavern. I got the chicken quesadilla and Pat got the onion rings. The rest of the way home would normally be fairly quick, but today the traffic was horrendous at approx. 3:15pm. There was a big tie up on 84, where we crawled inch by inch for about 20 minutes. Then again on Lake Shore by Hopkins. I worried that the car might overheat, as the temps were around 76* by this time. However, it purred just like always, without missing a beat. There was just a tense moment at the shrine starting up the car, due to starter heat soak. But it did start ok. Even after eating at the Tavern, a little bit of heat soak, but not too bad. Lunch was $20. Gas is reading right on Full. | 0.00 | | 10/18/24 | Miscellaneous | 43823 | Another G. P. cruise
A sunny cool morning about 10:15am, I started the car using a shot of s. fluid, but the battery was low as well, but started anyway. (9 days). Vents closed, heat half on when I left. Ran into construction right around the yacht club, and again around Hopkins, then again on 44 S. to go to Rt. 2. But clear sailing from then on. Had the car up to 70 on 2, but traffic was just moving that fast. Everything went smoothly. Idled very well at the lights. Passed on '66 Mustang on Rt. 2! Fall colors were nearing peak, especially along Rt. 2. Checked the power steering fluid level when I got home, and reads right where it should be. | 0.00 | | 10/09/24 | Maintenance | 43809 | Another G. P. cruise with Power Steering fluid check
A sunny cool morning in the mid 50s around 9:30am when I left with the vents closed and the heat half on. Traffic was somewhat heavy for the hour, but got up to normal speeds with no problem. When I got home, I parked the car in the drive so I could check the power steering fluid hot. It was low enough so I couldn't get a reading. I put in about a cup or better of Type F ATF, as recommended. However now it reads too high. I might try to extract some. It was reading a bit low when I added another gulp or so, and then it read too high, so I shouldn't have to remove very much. Later that same day, I suctioned out, what I thought might be the excess. Next time I go for a ride, I will recheck the level. | 0.00 | | 10/03/24 | Miscellaneous | 43795 | Headlands Cruise
Left at 10 am, on a cool (low 60s ), Thursday morning, windows closed, vents closed. Car started fine (it's been a week.) Lots of obstacles; at Corduroy the intersection was blocked by a bucket truck. At the entrance ramps to 44 N, there were cones due to fresh paint on road. Otherwise ok cruise. | 0.00 | | 09/26/24 | Miscellaneous | 43783 | Another G. P. cruise
An overcast warm day in the mid 70s, when I left, vents open, driver's window open, top up. I needed to get the gas level down a bit, as I saw gas in the fill tube after I got home from getting gas, when it was pretty warm in the garage. Traffic was pretty heavy everywhere after 1:00 pm when I left. But I did get up to normal speed on Rt. 2. All seemed good. | 0.00 | | 09/22/24 | Fuel | 43768 | CAM2 at Chardon Oil
Another warm sunny day in the mid-70s. About 1:10pm I left with the top still down for Chardon Oil to get my last fill up of summer of CAM 2 Racing Gas. At the pump mileage was 43761. Distance from last fillup: 219 miles. Filled when just a hair above 1/4 tank showing with 15.5 gal. @ $11 a gal. total: $171.18. 14.2 mpg on this tank. When I got home, I put the top back up, as next week is supposed to get rainy and cooler. | 171.18 | | 09/21/24 | Miscellaneous | 43754 | Christian Life Church Show in Mentor
This show was from 1-4pm on a fine sunny warm Saturday afternoon with temps in the high 70s. I put the top down before I left. Pat couldn't come with me as she had her eyes injected the day before, and the bright light gives her headaches. It's not exactly a pleasant drive down 615 to Mentor Ave. then down Garfield Rd. to the Church right before it passes over I-90.
The church is on a very large property with ample room for this show, which turned out to be a bit on the small side (maybe 30-40 cars) but Mentor had a fire engine there, and the state of Ohio had a huge snow plow truck, where they gave away state maps and plastic hard hats for the kids. I got there before 1 and stayed until 3pm. The show was very well handled by the church with several assistants directing traffic and helping us park our cars. They also allowed plenty of room between cars, which is rare. There were good restrooms, food trucks, roasted corn on the cob, hayrides etc. So it wasn't just a car show. The assistants also helped me park when I got there, and helped me leaving as well. Saw Ted there (owns a '69 Mercury Cougar, one I see at these local show pretty regularly.) Comments were about the huge size, bench seats being great, etc.
Fuel is just a hair above 1/4 tank now, so I am low enough to get more high octane gas. Everything was free. I brought my own water, so I didn't buy anything. | 0.00 | | 09/19/24 | Miscellaneous | 43741 | Lavender's Macarons Cruise
Beautiful sunny day in the upper 70's when I left with just the driver's window down and the vents open at 11:40 am. I take Rt. 2 from 44 and get off at Fairport Nursery Rd. Then N. Ridge to Bacon Rd. Despite fairly heavy lunch hour traffic, I maintained 60+ mph on 2. Got an assorted dozen macaroons to surprise Pat when she gets home from helping her sister. Gas is now reading under a half tank. The Macarons were $23.00, but I'm not adding it here. | 0.00 | | 09/18/24 | Miscellaneous | 43721 | Headlands Cruise
Another beautiful morning in the low 70s, sunny and dry, with the driver's window open and vents open, I backed out of the garage. All went smoothly, and speeds around 60+ on 44N. Gas is registering just slightly over half. | 0.00 | | 09/12/24 | Miscellaneous | 43711 | Another G. P. cruise
Beautiful sunny low 70s morning about 11:05am, I left with the windows all up and the vents open. traffic was a bit on the heavy side. I had a good 70 mph. run on Rt. 2, with no traffic in front of me almost the whole way! Traffic was slow on Reynolds, but moving along. One cop was spotted, so just as well! On Salida another cop was coming toward me, and I think he was waving to me. Otherwise a smooth enjoyable ride. Gas is reading about 5/8th of a tank. | 0.00 | | 09/09/24 | Miscellaneous | 43696 | Headlands Cruise
I guess it's that time of year, when the weather is perfect almost daily, for cruises. This morning I left about 10am, temps in the low 70's with clear sunny skies. All windows up and 1 vent open. Polished the car yesterday with a new product called Ceramic Speed Shine (Griots Garage). Car looks very good. Pat's Subaru which got the ceramic coating back in the spring, responded even better to this product. Good pleasant drive, gas is reading about 3/4 tank still. | 0.00 | | 09/05/24 | Miscellaneous | 43686 | Headlands Cruise
A great morning in the low 70s with low humidity, bright and sunny, I left about 10 am with the vents open and my window down half way. One lane roadblock on LSB near school for road marking wet paint. Then I noticed LSB going into Grand River was also closed(?) I turn left onto 44N before the roadblock though. Smooth sailing on 44 going around 60-65 (speed limit is 50). Traffic was somewhat light. Fuel is now reading about 3/4 tank. | 0.00 | | 09/02/24 | Miscellaneous | 43622 | Another G. P. cruise
About 7:30am on a cool (low 60s) sunny Labor Day morning, I started the car with a shot of helper (almost 2 wks. since last run), with the windows up, top up, and only 1 vent open. Traffic was light, but several bike riders on LSB, one of whom gave me a big thumbs up! The car did mostly 70 on Rt. 2. Everything went well on the whole, brakes stopped good, car idled smooth. | 0.00 | | 09/02/24 | Miscellaneous | 43675 | A Cruise to Windsor Ohio and the OLG Shrine
Beautiful day, cool and breezy, sunny and dry. We left about 12:45pm. We still had the maps from the last time we went there (5/10), and we intended to retrace our steps today. It was quite a bit more busy today at the shrine, perhaps because of the holiday, with many latino families. I got better pics this time too. Stopped at the Capp Tavern in Leroy twp. on the way home, like last time. I got the chicken quesadilla, and Pat got the onion rings. Both were fantastic! I brought half of mine home, there was so much. Traffic was back to its usual self for a Monday work day on LSB. Pat was very glad we did this today, even though her back has been giving her trouble. Car always started right up, and ran smooth as silk! | 0.00 | | 08/20/24 | Miscellaneous | 43607 | Headlands Cruise
A cool day in the mid-60s, partly sunny, around 10:25am, so the top is still up, windows up and vents almost fully closed, when I started the car and left. Traffic was light. High water on both sides of 44N. The Headlands park itself was closed due to flooding, but I usually make a U-turn there at the entrance anyway. Otherwise a smooth enjoyable ride. Gas is still showing above full. | 0.00 | | 08/15/24 | Miscellaneous | 43597 | Headlands Cruise
Another great day, temps in the 70s, low humidity, sunny and dry. Top still up, windows down, vents open. Traffic was heavy on LSB but on 44 it wasn't too bad. Had car buzzing along at 60-65 for the most part. Otherwise all went smooth. Fuel is still reading above full. Today is 5 yrs since I had my appraiser look at the car at Auto Sensations, Fort Lauderdale, FL. to give me a full report. Sure is a much better car now than it was then!! | 0.00 | | 08/11/24 | Miscellaneous | 43586 | Headlands Cruise
A gorgeous day, like yesterday; mid 70s, breezy, sunny, and low humidity. Had to go for a quick cruise, to make sure everything was ok after running over my sign. Top still up, windows down and vents open, with moderately heavy traffic on LSB, and a little more than usual on 44, yet still a good run, with speeds around 55-60. Left about 1:45pm and returned around 2:10pm. Everything seemed ok with the car, no residual issues since running over the sign. Gas still reading above full when I got home. | 0.00 | | 08/10/24 | Miscellaneous | 43576 | Annual Mentor Cruise In Show
This is the BIG MENTOR CRUISE IN. Goes from 10am-2pm, but gates open at 8am. Today was a gorgeous day in the 70s with a constant breeze off the lake, keeping things cool, but still sunny. At first when we arrived about 10 am there were a couple of passing rain clouds that only had a few random drops. I closed my windows, the top was always up. But for less than half and hour, then reopened the windows, as those clouds were replaced with blue skies and puffy white clouds. I was #230 coming in (and that was at 10am when they officially opened!) So we got a goody bag. We had to park at the far end of the show, but that was also where the food trucks were. A lot of people that came after us, had to park in outlying lots. Our spot had a couple of small trees offering shade, which was good, as we've been sunburned at this show in the past. We both used sun screen this time too. Apparently I parked in a great spot, as I don't think I have ever seen my car attract so much attention and admiration! Reminded me of when I owned the '59 Imperial back in the 80s. We stayed until 2pm. By that time I had ascertained that my car hadn't won any awards. But the nature of the show is that the judging is done by their sponsors and city councilman, and the awards have THEIR name on it, not a car category. So the award received was because you were chosen by one of those judges. There was about 15-20 trophys (judges), but as said, each judge picked his own favorite. But if the judging had been popular choice, I would have had a better chance. Not that it was so important, just a side note. Talked to quite a few people, and as usual, the color is very popular. The beauty of the interior, AND that it is original was the next big talking point. The engine bay is also popular. I only open the hood for people that seem genuinely interested in seeing it. A slight mishap when leaving; I forgot my info sign in front of the car, and felt it when the back wheels drove over it. Surprisingly, the sign was a bit scuffed, but not otherwise damaged. The master cylinder is what I felt driving over, and that was fine too. I couldn't find any damage on the car either, looking underneath and below on the driver's side. I display the sign on the driver's side. I must have missed it with the front wheel. $18 for some chicken tenders and fries for lunch. We had so much, we brought the rest home, along with two big bags of kettle korn that Pat loves. The show itself is free! | 18.00 | | 08/03/24 | Miscellaneous | 43570 | Headlands Cruise
Left about 7:15am on a partly sunny Saturday morning with the windows down still, and vents open, top up. Very smooth sailing the whole way there and back. Although a bit cool, still muggy, but comfortable enough. Fuel reading over full. | 0.00 | | 07/31/24 | Miscellaneous | 43560 | Headlands Cruise
A sunny morning about 7:10am, with temps around the low 70s, but very muggy, windows all down, vents open, top up when I left. Tried to video record some of the way. Road on 44 was damp in places, from either rain the night before, or dewy, not sure which. Smooth easy ride, with moderate traffic. | 0.00 | | 07/28/24 | Fuel | 43549 | CAM2 at Chardon Oil
On a bright sunny warm Sunday (low 80s) with the top up, windows down, and vents open, I left to get gas about 11:50am. Traffic was very heavy, difficult even to get out of the driveway! I got to Chardon Oil without any problems, and filled up the tank. The fuel gauge was showing just about exactly 1/4 tank. I was able to put in 16.8 gals. That is in actuality about 1/3 tank remaining when I filled up. Total came to $184.86. Mileage at pump was 43542, therefore I got about 13.8 mpg on this tank. But there were some very slow city traffic cruises in there. Especially on 6/24 at East Coast Custard, where we idled in the drive-thru line for at least 15 min. and other slow going cruises too. | 184.86 | | 07/27/24 | Miscellaneous | 43535 | Harwood Classic Cars 10th Anniv. Car Show
We left on a bright sunny clear Saturday Morning about 10am. Temps were in the 70s but would get up to the mid 80's during the afternoon. I brought cleaning supplies etc. but never used them. We found a good spot with a little grassy areas to set up our chairs and umbrellas. Luckily no one tried to park on my driver's side, as I was little close to the line on that side. But everyone was super friendly as usual. This is the first time I took my car to this show in Macedonia (36 miles away by super-busy expressways I-90 and I-271.) I had just a bit over half a tank of gas, so was hoping to get there and back without needing to fill up. However, I did find out that the Sheetz just down the street from the show had E-0 gas. Anyway, I got home with 1/4 tank still left, so not bad, for mainly holding 70+ mph most of the way. So, as I expected, the car show was pretty well attended, with lots to see. Pat walked through all the cars twice! Got some pics (under Harwood) Traffic was pretty busy and hard on the nerves. Kept the top up the whole day, and the windows all down, with vents open. While driving it was fairly comfortable. Car was driving and handling about as good as when it was new! The most frequent comment I heard during the show was what a great color the car was, many especially liked the matching interior. Everyone thought it was absolutely beautiful. (and I was surrounded by Camaros and Firebirds.) Expenses were $20 for "food tickets" at a dollar a piece. Pat and I each got a hot dog, plus she had a tiny bag of chips. That was $9! | 9.00 | | 07/20/24 | Miscellaneous | 43462 | Another G. P. cruise
Left @ 6:30am on a bright sunny Saturday morning with temps in the low 60s. Windows up, vents closed. All went smoothly. Traffic was light even on Rt. 2, so speeds of 70+ mph were easily maintained from start to finish. Half way up 306 a 1965 Buick Skylark coupe pulled out behind me, and shadowed me the rest of the way home. Apparently I'm not the only one that likes to take advantage of this quiet hour for a spin. Gas is reading above half. | 0.00 | | 07/19/24 | Miscellaneous | 43447 | Another G. P. cruise
Suddenly, today is cool with low humidity. At 6:15am with just enough daylight to need only my parking lights, I left with the windows all up, and the vents closed. It stays so warm inside just like that, without any draft. traffic was light on LSB, so I thought I'd record this drive on my phone for a little bit. Traffic on Rt. 2 was in full rush hour mode, with all kinds of speed demons zooming around as I tried to merge on. Once on, I stayed in the far right lane and could go as fast as I wanted. Traffic on 306 was average or even light going North. I recorded a little bit on 306 too. Gas is reading below 7/8th already! | 0.00 | | 07/13/24 | Miscellaneous | 43433 | Another G. P. cruise
A partly sunny slightly cool mid-60s Saturday morning @ 6:30am, I started the car for another cruise. Because of the clouds, and the early morning, I put on the parking lights. Top was up, windows up, except driver's, and vents open during cruise. Traffic was light as expected, though on 2 it was surprisingly busy. Still, had the car up to 70 mph, no problem. Only hit one light on 306 at LSB. Gas is registering about 7/8 tank now. Smooth sailing all around. | 0.00 | | 07/11/24 | Miscellaneous | 43419 | East Lake Cruise In
Pat and I Left about 4:30pm, on a bright sunny Thurs. afternoon, with the top up, windows down, and vents open. We got there early enough to secure a good spot with a shady place to set up our chairs. It never got very crowded, considering the ideal weather. Some regular cars, and some new ones too. We toured around together about 5:30pm. There was a friendly '66 Olds 442 guy near us that I talked to for a while, and later another guy that had a Marauder once. We packed up and left around 7pm. Car performed smoothly and without issues. | 0.00 | | 07/08/24 | Miscellaneous | 43405 | Headlands Cruise
Left around 6am again, as it promises to be another hot humid day later on. Car started right up, top still down, and headed to the Headlands. Temp was mid 60s, and felt somewhat chilly driving. I had already decided I was going to put the top up at the park, so it would be warmer coming home. At the park, I stowed the boot in the trunk, and put the top up. The top did look a little more wrinkly than usual, since it was down about 2 wks. Traffic was usual Monday morning stuff, but this is a very low stress cruise, staying on LSB and 44 N. to the park. Gas is reading just a bit over full still. This week will be hot, and later in the week, rainy, so I don't foresee taking the car out this week much. This also made it easier to take out the garbage, as I left the car running in the drive, and filled the bin inside the garage, and then moved it out to the curb. So a good smooth, enjoyable ride! | 0.00 | | 07/05/24 | Miscellaneous | 43394 | Another G. P. cruise
I left at about 6am on a very muggy but cool (70*) morning with mostly clear skies. Car started up fine, and I turned on the parking lights, as the sun was just coming up. Because yesterday (Thursday) was the 4th of July, this morning was extremely quiet with minimal traffic. It seems most people took a long weekend of this holiday. Even the gym was very sparsely attended. That's what convinced me to take the car out now. Later the humidity will be worsened by temps in the high 80s. So the top is still down, and although very muggy, it felt a bit on the cool side while driving. Rt. 2 was very light too, so smooth sailing there. All the way up 306 was light, with smooth sailing too. In all, it was a very enjoyable trip! The car needed a good run, since the last few were anything but. Gas is registering above full. | 0.00 | | 06/30/24 | Miscellaneous | 43380 | Convoy Tire Car Show
Because it was Sunday, and Mass @ St. Bede goes till 10am, then breakfast at Manhattan Deli, I didn't get home until 11:30am. Pat was sick today, and didn't go, and she was still in bed when I got home, but she told me she has a bad cold. So I thought I'd go to the show myself. Because it was after noon when I was pulling in, it was too late to Register, but they found a place for me nonetheless. I got a goodybag, with my entrance fee, which goes to a good cause. The top is still down on my car, and although, it was very overcast and breezy, it was supposed to stay dry (which it did.) Temps were in the mid-60s. There were quite a few cars with a leaning toward race cars and gassers, but all cars, trucks, and motorcycles were welcome. This was the first time I used my AACA car sign! I got to talk to several guys at length, and I stayed past closing, watching everyone tear out doing excessively noisy burnouts etc. After the show one guy pulled in next to me with a huge black p.u. truck because he liked my car, and wanted to talk. His name was Wil, and he lives on Bellflower near the 615 end. Car performed perfectly, especially when leaving it turned over instantly. | 10.00 | | 06/28/24 | Miscellaneous | 43370 | Fairport Harbor Creamery Cruise
Pat & I left a little after 1pm. Car started fine. Top was still down. A clear sunny day with temps in the mid 80s, without too much mugginess, but in the direct sun, it felt pretty warm. Traffic was heavy everywhere, so the car didn't get a good run, but performed good. We squeezed into their little parking lot behind the store backing in with Pat's help. The a middle aged guy working there was very impressed with the car, and knew right away it was a Marquis, but thought it was from the 70s. We talked a little before going inside. I got a pint of the boozy vanilla ice cream to go, and Pat got a scoop of vanilla, and a strawberry shake, and 1/2 dozen of their fresh baked cookies. We had a little cooler with us to store the ice cream on the way home. Honked at the guy on LSB with the red Chrysler LeBaron Convertible K-car, who was just pulling out. As I was pulling in to the garage, he honked as he drove past. We were home by 2pm, but with the heat, we were glad to be home. | 0.00 | | 06/26/24 | Miscellaneous | 43355 | Headlands Cruise
About 9:15am, with temps in the upper 70s and a bit muggy, I started the car easily, and left with the top down (still). It's supposed to rain or storm this afternoon. One person was watering LSB which because no traffic was around I was able to skirt the wet spot. 44N is so smooth, but not that far of a drive up to the Headlands State Park. Made a U-turn at the Park entrance and headed back. There was another person sprinkling LSB on the other side of the street, so tried to skirt that one too. Car handled perfectly. | 0.00 | | 06/24/24 | Miscellaneous | 43344 | East Coast Custard at night
A little after 10pm, Pat and I left for East Coast Custard. Earlier in the day, I started the car and put the top down. It was twilight when we left, so the headlights were on. It was already cooling down, with temps in low 70s. The lawn sprinklers were showering LSB again, but I seemed to avoid the worst of it. I stopped at the corner store and put on my hoodie, although Pat said she was fine. I thought being a Monday night at that hour, traffic would be less, but no, it was as if it were high noon around Mentor. So going down 615, lots of lights and traffic. Turning on the Rt. 20, Mentor Ave., traffic was a bit lighter. When we got to East Coast, it was almost dark, but there was a quite a line at the drive through window, so we idled there about 15 minutes, which was making me impatient. After getting our order I drove over to the shopping strip next door to park. Pat got a choc. shake, and I got the vanilla custard in a waffle cone. It was good to let the car (and myself) cool down. Pat was fine with all of it however. After finishing, the car started ok but again traffic on 306 was very heavy, and got stopped at several lights. This must have been a dismal gas mileage trip! I noticed there's a slight vacuum noise the whole time the headlights are on. I suspect that it is possibly wasted engine vacuum, as the car seemed to idle slower too. Got home safe and sound. | 9.00 | | 06/18/24 | Miscellaneous | 43332 | Headlands Cruise
Today is already hot at 9:00 am! About high 80s with a bright sun. Top is down, so decided on a shorter cruise. Before Hopkins, someone was watering their tree lawn, but included most of LSB in the coverage! Used the windshield wipers after passing through. A lot of those cottonwood seeds were blowing into the car. Sheesh! 44 North is such a smooth road now, it's a pleasure to drive on. When I got home I cleaned off a few bugs, and removed the cottonwood seeds. Later, I put the top back up as the weather was going to stay very hot, with pop-up showers for the next week.. | 0.00 | | 06/16/24 | Fuel | 43322 | CAM2 at Chardon Oil
A very warm Sunny, Sunday afternoon, about 3:30pm with temps in the mid-80s, I started the car with no helper, and set out for gas with 1/4 tank showing when I got to the gas station. Traffic was very heavy, as could be expected being Fathers Day. There was a hot rodded Model A getting gas from my pump when I got there. He told me he had about 8 cars, that all needed this expensive gas! yikes! As usual it was $11.00 a gal. I pumped 16.2 gals. so the tank should have been registering about 1/3rd tank instead of 1/4, which is about how it usually runs. I drove the remainder of my G.P.Cruise on the way home, so that with the coming heat this week, the gas in the tank wouldn't burble up with expansion and leak out like it did last summer. I did fix the old gas cap last summer with a new rubber gasket, which keeps the tank better sealed than last time, but still not super tight. I went 217 miles since my last fill up, so that worked out to 13.4 mpg. Which is about normal from the kind of driving I have been doing. When I got home, I let the car idle as I put the top down, and attached the boot. I may want to take the car out for a midnight spin when it's cooler. | 178.00 | | 06/12/24 | Miscellaneous | 43302 | Another G. P. cruise
Still trying to get the fuel tank lower so I can fill up with CAM 2. Right now it's registering about 1/4 tank. Today was a warm (low 70s) bright sunny day around noon. Because it was lunch hour traffic was pretty crazy. But the ride still goes ok, just more cars to look out for. Driver's window down half way and driver's vent open. Everything went smoothly. Car started right up. | 0.00 | | 06/10/24 | Miscellaneous | 43287 | Lost Nation Cruise
This cruise goes further by one exit to Lost Nation Rd, up to LSB and left on Reynolds etc. Today was cool in the low 60s, cloudy, but dry. Car started fine (only been 2 days). Kept windows and vents closed. Gas reads under 3/8th by the time I got home. Good run on rt. 2. I want to empty the tank some, so I can fill up with the CAM2 gas. | 0.00 | | 06/08/24 | Miscellaneous | 43270 | Another G. P. cruise
A little Starter fluid to start the car since it was a week. Charged battery yesterday. A bright sunny morning around 7:30am with temps in the 60s. Windows closed, but vents open. Good time for a cruise on a Saturday morning. I had to move Kate's Honda out of the way, as Pat drove it home while Kate is in the hospital. Gas was showing 1/2 tank when I left but over 3/8 by the time I got home. Traffic was light as expected, so cruise was very easy and smooth. | 0.00 | | 06/01/24 | Miscellaneous | 43256 | Another G. P. cruise
After a 2-1/2 wk. snooze, I woke the car up with a shot of starter. Battery was low too...oops. Anyhow, it was a beautiful warm partly sunny Saturday around 3pm, with temps in the 70s, when I went on this cruise. Just driver's window open, and vents open. Traffic was actually lighter than expected for the time. Rt. 2 was very light, and had the car up to about 75 for a bit. Rt. 306 was busy though. I saw that familiar gorgeous '36 Packard Roadster in bright red, with dual side mounts, come from the other direction, but I don't take my eyes off the road for long. Car performed flawlessly and smoothly. Braking was good and sure. We just got back from a 2 wk trip to Ireland yesterday, and we did no driving there, so it was great to be in the driver's seat again! | 0.00 | | 05/12/24 | Miscellaneous | 43241 | Another G. P. cruise
Sunny bright Mother's Day Sunday around 60* when I left about 1:20pm. Car started fine, let it idle for a minute or so before I bump it down and back out of the drive. Traffic was expectedly heavy, but this route is pretty stress free even with that. There was a breakdown up on LSB with a cop car partially blocking my lane, so I stopped and slowly passed them. Otherwise Rt. 2 was heavy traffic, but no problems getting up to usual speeds. But some forethought was needed before changing lanes. Luckily I know my blinkers are bright and easy to see. So smooth sailing the whole way. Fuel is registering about 5/8th of a tank. This is when the needle almost visibly moves down! | 0.00 | | 05/10/24 | Miscellaneous | 43227 | Cruise to Windsor, Oh to OLG Shrine
Cool morning about 11:30am, mostly sunny with temps in the upper 50s, Pat and I left. Car started fine. It's about a 27 mile trip to get to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a huge outdoor statue. It is very remarkable. The trip out there is a very pleasant drive in the country. Once there, we found good parking, a gift shop (with restrooms), being a large former farm.
On the way there we made one wrong turn at a traffic circle. I noticed the error within a mile and backtracked to the traffic circle and corrected our route. There was also a couple mile stretch where road crews were slowly removing traffic cones from freshly painted center lines, which was like being in a parade. (there was huge line of cars behind us) On the way home we stopped at Capps Tavern and Eatery in Leroy for lunch. It was a slow time being past lunch hour, so plenty of parking. Food was very good.
Car always started right up.and ran smooth during the whole excursion. Got home a bit after 2:30pm. We plan on going back!
| 0.00 | | 05/06/24 | Miscellaneous | 43171 | Another G. P. cruise
Mon. afternoon about 12:40pm (lunch hour), with some helper, I started the car. (8 days) It was a partly cloudy, dry cool day in the low 60s. Kept the vents and windows closed. High traffic volume on all parts of cruise, but no problems encountered. Car drove smooth. Fuel is still registering above full. | 0.00 | | 04/28/24 | Miscellaneous | 43157 | Another G. P. cruise
Thurs. (4/25) I started the car with helper, and pulled out into the driveway to clean up the wheels and wheel wells to get rid of any salt dust that may have happened, when driving the car in winter on dry roads, but with dry salt residue (slight). So today the car started fine without any helper. I also treated the top with VLR beforehand. It was about 3:30pm on a hazy sunny Sunday. It was threatening rain until about 3pm. All went well, but discovered a largish moth flying around inside the back window while on Rt. 2. Still got up to speed, amid heavy traffic, but all was moving briskly. By the time I was on Salida, the moth had worked his way up to the front passenger door/window. When I pulled into the drive, I stopped the car, and set it free! Then pulled into the garage. Smooth satisfying ride. | 0.00 | | 04/15/24 | Miscellaneous | 43142 | Another G. P. cruise
Little helper before starting (been 9 days) but fired up fine about 2pm on a Sunny dry Monday afternoon. Traffic was ok, but good on 2, so getting to and staying at 70 was easy. Got a wave from another driver in a purple jeep. All smooth and easy stopping. A school bus stopped on 4 lane 306, so I suddenly had to stop too, as I was in the lane next to him. No problem though. | 0.00 | | 04/06/24 | Miscellaneous | 43128 | Another G. P. cruise
A Beautiful sunny dry Saturday afternoon about noon, started the car with some helper fluid (been 9 days). Had the heat on part way with temps in the mid-40s. Traffic was fairly heavy as might be expected. However, this cruise is all right turns and I was able to get up to full speed on Rt. 2. Gas is reading above full. Nothing else worth noting today. | 0.00 | | 03/28/24 | Miscellaneous | 43113 | Another G. P. cruise
Today around 11:00am it is sunny and clear, dry roads after a rinsy rain last night with temps in the low 40s. Car started right up with no help. Pretty uneventful cruise, but that's my favorite kind. Gas is still past full. Had to turn heat temp down. It's good seeing the "brake system" light go on during start up then shut off. Brakes are still better than ever. | 0.00 | | 03/24/24 | Fuel | 43099 | E0 at Chardon Oil
Bright Sunny Sunday afternoon around 3:15pm, with roads dry, but some salt residue still showing in Painesville area. Car started fine with no help. Heat on but no fan. Nobody else at the filling station. I put in 13.5 gals of non-ethanol gas (about 93 octane). But with 3/8th of a tank of the high octane leaded gas remaining, I decided to use no additives. 43092 miles showing at the pump, so 177 miles since last fill up, returning 13.1 mpg. Not too bad for winter and repair shops etc. (total price put on Pat's Chase) | 66.00 | | 03/21/24 | Miscellaneous | 43085 | Another G. P. cruise
A cold morning (29*) around 10:45am, I tried starting the car without shot of starting fluid. It was 8 days since last drive. It took several attempts for success, but the coldness of the day probably weakened the battery as well. Let the car fast idle for a minute or two. Steering was a bit squeaky as I backed out onto the street, as is usual in these low temps until the car warms up. Roads are dry and sky is partly sunny. The drive itself was without incident, and the brakes are still noticeably improved with that new MC. Now just resting my foot on the brakes begins to stop. Got up to normal speeds on Rt. 2 (65-70). Car purred all the way back home. Gas is registering 3/8th of a tank. Still see some dry salt residue here and there near the curbs, as we haven't really had a good rinsy rain yet. | 0.00 | | 03/13/24 | Miscellaneous | 43070 | Another G. P. cruise
Another Great day, temps in mid 50s, sunny and dry. Before leaving I put the hubcaps back on. I noticed right away that the car is steering/handling a bit better with the tires rotated, and the brakes are noticeably better. Everything else was good. The car idled the same. There was already a drop of oil on the floor pan since yesterday. Today the car cranked a bit longer so I could see the "Brake System" light go on then back off again easy. Good to know that safeguard is in place. Traffic was medium for the time: 10:45am. I even set the clock before I left. A pedestrian on Andrews gave me a thumbs-up. | 0.00 | | 03/12/24 | Repair | 43056 | Annual Maintenance and brake light repair
3/5/24: Took car in to Miller on a sunny dry day with clean roads. Work is: Repair of the "brake system" light on the dash. Although the brakes work fine, the dash light was stuck on. The piston in the brake pressure differential block was left uncentered when the brakes were repaired 4 yrs ago, therefore keeping the light on. It took till now to get the parts needed for its repair: New electric switch, tool to keep piston centered while bleeding the brakes, new connector plugs, replacement block plug with pigtail, rebuilt block and piston etc. Miller Auto is doing the work. If all goes well, they may be able to center the block that is on the car now (originally from their Marauder.) But if it won't budge, then I left them with all the parts to install the rebuilt one that came out of my car 4 yrs. ago.
Maintenance items include oil/filter change, rotate tires, undercarriage lube and check rear wheels for any play, check for oil leak on top of engine.
Picked up car today 3/12/24, another sunny dry day! Erik got everything working with the "brake system" light. It comes on while the key is turned to crank the car, but goes out once the car starts. Apparently he could not get the old piston to center, so he used everything I gave him: the proportioning block and the brake pressure differential block with the tool to hold it centered. He returned all of these old parts so I can ship them off the White Post restorations to be rebuilt. He could not identify the slight engine oil leak which puddles in the oil sender, so he put in some dye with the new oil to see if he can find the leak after about a month or so. He DID find that the master cylinder he put on in Dec. 2019 developed a leak which was going into the brake booster. Therefore he put on a new Dorman Master Cylinder. | 705.37 | | 02/09/24 | Miscellaneous | 43044 | Another G. P. cruise
A remarkably warm (60*) sunny, dry day, about noon, when I started the car (no need for a squirt, as car binged right off.) No visible salt residue on this route, and although traffic was rather heavy due to being lunch hour, I was able to get the car up to 70+ mph on Rt. 2. Everything went as smooth as silk. Idles like a low growl at the lights! Gas is now showing 3/4 tank. Not expecting chances like today for a while to come. | 0.00 | | 02/04/24 | Miscellaneous | 43030 | Headlands Cruise
Yesterday I noticed a slight vibration at highway speed, so today I checked the tires. The right front was down to 25 lbs or so, and the rest were a bit low, so I pumped them all back up to ~32 lbs. I decided to make this a shorter cruise, although it was a beautiful day, sunny, dry but cold (in the upper 30s). Unfortunately there was more dry salt residue going up toward the Headlands than anywhere else I've been, so I tried to avoid the worst of it. Rather eventful cruise, since there was an ambulance and firetruck parked at the ravine just east of Hopkins, and once past that, there was a very heavy fog, but only covering the Headlands park! But I make a U-Turn right in front of the park, so no problem. Gas is registering about 7/8th of a tank now. Otherwise, the vibration seems to be gone. I think it might have been due to tire flat spot or inflation. Had the car near 70, but the speed limit on 44 N. is only 50. But the smoothness of the new pavement makes it a good place to check for vibrations. | 0.00 | | 02/03/24 | Miscellaneous | 43019 | Another G. P. cruise
Since it was a month since last startup, I gave the carb a squirt of starting fluid, but not much. A cold (32*) day about noon, I left with the heat on, but no fan. Being a Saturday with sunny skies and dry clean roads, traffic was heavy. That didn't stop me from going 70+ on Rt. 2. But that was just keeping up with traffic. Heat almost got to the point where I thought about turning it down, but once off the freeway, it got better. Car ran smooth as usual. | 0.00 | | 01/05/24 | Miscellaneous | 43005 | Another G. P. cruise
A very cold (~30*) morning around 10am, I started the car with a shot of starting fluid since it has been more than a couple of weeks since last startup. Car started fine, and was startled to see lots of dry salt residue on the edges of the dry roads. It hasn't snowed much at all (less than 1 inch) for the past couple of weeks, and there were some light rainy days in between. What puddles there were, were frozen. I stayed clear of all that I could. traffic was surprisingly heavy (maybe because it's Friday.) Still had the car up to 70 on Rt. 2, and she purred like a champ all the way. Heater works so well too, which is good, since I still have not completely shaken the cold I have had for the past week or two. This is an especially good run for the car in the dead of winter, as everything warms up, and gets to normal operating temps. Enjoyed getting the car out for the first time in 2024! | 0.00 | | 12/19/23 | Maintenance | 42991 | Dimmer Switch cover
Added the optional rubber cover to the dimmer switch. Looks good (pic under items.)
12/20: Meanwhile I worked on getting the brake system light on the dash to work again. I discovered why it looks like it should be ok, but isn't. Apparently North Coast Restorations mangled the inside of the plug sneakily so that it wasn't making contact, even though it was plugged in. Very disgusted with them. So luckily, I had obtained another plug with its wires from Erik, those many years ago while he still had that Marauder. I have attached a weatherproof 2 prong plug to the end of the wires on the spare plug, and I cut the mangled plug off from the wires on my car, and attached the other end of the plug there. That way I can plug in the good used plug (which is already attached to the new brake switch) and which I screwed into the pressure differential block. I have everything working again, so now the brake system light comes on as soon as you turn the key to "ON", and Erik can either bleed the brakes to recenter it making the light go off, or I have a rebuilt pressure differential valve already centered, and locked with the special tool to keep it centered while bleeding is in progress if he can't center the one that's on the car now. For my own sanity, I have unplugged my new inline plug to keep the light off until I can take the car to Erik.
Cost is for the tool and plug pieces and the crimping tool needed. | 50.00 | | 12/13/23 | Miscellaneous | 42991 | Another G. P. cruise
Left about noon on a bright sunny cold Wednesday with temps only in the mid-30s. Roads were clean and dry. Traffic on 2 was light, and had the car up to 70+ at times. Car ran perfectly. Gas is still showing above full. | 0.00 | | 12/10/23 | Miscellaneous | 42976 | Another G. P. cruise
A cold gloomy Sunday of 39*, very overcast, but because the Browns were playing, and the roads being clean and dry, I wanted to get another cruise in. The Browns playing means less traffic, and we were ahead when I left around 1:30pm by 7-0 over Jacksonville. Because it was so dark and gloomy, I had the parking lights on the whole way. When I got to 44, there were a few mini-drips on the windshield, which had me wondering whether I should return home by way of 615. But heading West on 2, the sky was a bit brighter, and the drops ceased. So I went the usual distance. When I got back by the lake on Salida, the drops resumed, but very minor. Just a rogue cloud. My car was throwing heat by the time I got to the Blackbrook Country Club (3 mi.) So I stayed warm with just my hoodie. Smooth traveling the whole way. This should have my vacuum tank full to keep the headlight doors closed for some time. Gas is still reading over full. | 0.00 | | 12/08/23 | Maintenance | 42961 | Windshield Washer and Dimmer Switch repair
12/8/23: Noticed a leak from the windshield washer tank (wasn't holding fluid). This was a result of repairing the tank and pump quite a while ago, but I never noticed the tank loosing fluid. The hose connects to the bottom of the tank, and that is where the leak was. I capped it off and that stopped the leak. So at least the leak was coming from where the hose connected. I noticed the hose enlarged where it connected from years of attachment. I clipped off the enlarged portion of the hose and re-attached the hose, and the leak stopped.
12/9/23: Since it was a warm day ~60*, I decided to tackle the floor dimmer switch. Since I bought the car, even though the old dimmer switch would turn the high beams on and off, there was never any "Hi Beam" light on the dash, so I wouldn't know if it was on or off. I bought a switch long ago, planning to do this eventually. I had to remove one screw from the kick panel near the carpet, loosen about 3 screws on the door sill plate in order to undo the kick panel and pull it up and away from the carpet/switch area. Pulling the carpet and pad after that wasn't hard. The switch had two nuts holding it down, which I removed. The right side of the switch had a narrow metal plate with hole for the stud. I had to lift that (not sure what it was connected to underneath the carpet, but assumed it was a ground plate.) The old switch came off the electrical connector plug ok, but there was a lot of crud around it. The new switch fit in ok, and reversed the process to re-install. Once all was buttoned down, I started the car and switched on the headlights. Brights were off to start. Then using the new switch, turned on the brights. The "Hi Beam" light came on in red, but was sort of dim, not bright like I expected from the LED that's in there now. I remember, now, when I had that section of the dash out for cleaning etc., I shined a flash light behind all of the dummy light windows, but the middle one for "hi-beam" was dark, and the flashlight didn't shine through... I guess it's actually surprising that the light is visible at all.. But it was visible in daylight. Anyway, the high beam lights came on ok, which was also important. Turned off the headlights, and let the car run a while to hopefully fill up the vacuum tank again. Note: found out from fb Marquis group that the "hi beam" light was designed to be dim, with an extra red window (double thick red). I'm glad I have a LED behind it, since I like things brighter. | 0.00 | | 12/07/23 | Miscellaneous | 42961 | Another G. P. cruise
Partly sunny morning in the low 40s, when I started the car with a small squirt of starting fluid. The new carpet mats look good. Heater on but no fan needed. Roads were clean and dry having been previously rinsed off by many days of rain. Traffic was heavier than expected for 10:15am. Got up to a good speed on Rt. 2. Smooth cruise! Gas is still reading full. | 0.00 | | 11/24/23 | Maintenance | 42947 | License Plate bulb to LED replacement
There are two screws holding the cover of the license plate light. The phillips head one is the correct one to loosen. The hex head one with machine threads should be ok to leave alone. Once the screw is out, the cover should drop down (pull on tab), and out. I cleaned up the lens cover (which is thick frosted plastic) and dated to 1965! I am currently waiting delivery of the new LED bulb to put in.
11/27/23: LEDs arrived today. Just as a freezing cold snow began to fall! But the car was all ready for me to just pop out the old bulb and stick in the new LED one. Reattached the lens cover, and tested. Works great. Good bright light on my rear license plate now.
Now the car is entirely converted to LEDs! (except the gear indicator and the heater controls.) Next I need to change the floor dimmer switch. | 10.00 | | 11/23/23 | Miscellaneous | 42947 | Another G. P. cruise
A quiet Thanksgiving morning around 9:20am, dry but chilly (45*) I thought would be a good day for a spin with light traffic.With the heater on, but no fan, windows up, vents off, I cruised my rounds. Traffic was light as expected. Maintained 70+ mph on 2. More traffic on 306 than anywhere, but still not bad. Smooth ride, although a bit floaty on 2 where there are some small dips. Blinkers working as when new. Gas is over full still. | 0.00 | | 11/21/23 | Maintenance | 42933 | Brake and tail lights LEDs
Loosened trunk carpet panel to gain access to the light panel. Removed spare tire. All of the tail lights pull straight out with their socket. They all were easy to remove the old bulb and install the new LEDs. The two outer lights are the brake/blinker/tail lights. (1157). The next light going inward, is the reverse light (1156). The next light is simply a tail light, (1156). Finally the middle light is just a brake light (1156). Once these were installed, the carpet panel could be refastened. I then checked the air pressure in the spare (8#) and inflated to 30# before returning to trunk. Next I checked the blinkers and hazard lights. Blinkers were OK but too slow, so adjusted them for a faster blink. The hazard lights wouldn't blink at all. Removed hazard relay and installed a new digital adjustable one, but like the blinker relay, I had to make a pigtail in order to reverse the polarity of the two wires. Then it worked fine. I adjusted it for normal blinking.
| 65.00 | | 11/15/23 | Maintenance | 42933 | Front and rear Side Marker LEDs
11/13; Monday switched out the driver's side front marker light with LED. Looks good and bright.
11/14; Tuesday started work on passenger side light but ran into snag. Fixture detached from fender ok, but the 4 screws holding it together could not be budged. Fear I was starting to strip out the heads of the phillips screws. I will need to remove the fixture entirely from the car.
11/16; Thursday, removed battery (found decayed cardboard underneath) then after checking fender, it turns out the front side marker light goes through the hole closest to the fender (opposite of the driver's side.) Removed light fixture from car. Then with the light on my work bench, bearing down with all my might, I was able to turn the remaining 3 screws from the backing plate. I think this may be the first time this was ever apart. Much cleaning needed on the lens and backing plate. put in new LED bulb and after cleaning screws with wire brush, and adding liquid wrench, I attached them all back together. One or two screws has some missing or low threads so didn't tighten as well as they should. But first I added the rubber preservative to the original gasket before reassembling. When I attached the fixture to the fender, one of the screws seemed not to tighten too well also. But overall, fixture is tight in place, and should repel water ok. (not that I would drive in the rain by choice..) After cleaning out the crud from the bottom of the battery holder, and vacuuming, I put in a fitted piece of rubber, then reassembled the battery hold down on top of the battery and turned on power. The passenger side marker light turned on fine with the new LED light! yay. The rear side lights are next, but they are easily accessed from within the trunk. I already had the correct 194 LEDs that I used in the dash, so those have been replaced as well. All side marker lights are good and bright! All that's left is the tail lights! | 0.00 | | 11/12/23 | Miscellaneous | 42933 | Headlands Cruise
Sunny dry Sunday at 1:30pm while Browns were already losing to the Ravens early in the 1st quarter, I took the car out with the windows up, vents closed, and heat on with temps in the high 40s. Took LSB up to 44 N, to check out the newly repaved highway up to Headlands Park. Road was smooth and great. Car wanted to speed, but I kept it below 70 as the speed limit is 50 there. Both North and South were repaved, so it was a great ride. Traffic was moderate despite the game. Car did well. So did the Browns, with a winning field goal at the last minute: 33-31! | 0.00 | | 11/10/23 | Fuel | 42923 | E0 at Chardon Oil
Added 1 bottle of MMO to tank before filling up. Racing gas is gone for the season (Mid-October) so had to fill up with E0 90 Octane gas, but I still was showing 3/8 of a tank. Filled with 13.7 gals. so gas gauge should have been reading a bit under half. So plenty of racing gas still in tank. Mileage at pump was 42915, so 205 miles for 15 mpg! yay! Car drove fine there and back.
While home, I noticed a strong gas odor. no leaking though. The old cap is just so loose. I made a new rubber gasket for it, that I hope is just thick (or thin) enough to stop the fumes but not interfere with the venting. Feels slightly snug, but not tight. Before it was downright loose feeling. | 68.90 | | 11/09/23 | Maintenance | 42908 | Front Parking Lights LEDs revisited
The day before, I realized that disconnecting the driver's side parking light would not be as easy as I thought. I had to first kill the vacuum with the little vacuum switch that controls the headlights. They then opened. I disconnected the two vacuum lines at the switch, after marking one side to keep them oriented the same. Next, after finding it still impossible to reach the wires plug because the vacuum tank was in the way, I had to remove 3 nuts holding it (under the fender). Then I was able to reach the wires, even though the vacuum tank was moveable, it was not actually removed. I was able to pull the plug apart then. Then I had to push through the grommet that surrounds the two wires holding it in the fender hole. Then I could remove the two nuts holding the parking lamp assembly, and pull it out and away from the car. Then it was a simple matter of removing the 6 1/4" screws holding the backing plate which is where the two wires attach. Once that is done, the heavy chrome casting comes off, along with the two plastic lenses (one a fresnel, the other the top clear lens.) I removed the old LED, and put in the new one I had, which was different, but had lots of leds on it, so I assumed it would be bright. The new one is a Phinlion 1157-3014-72SMD-Y Amber. The old one I took out was an Auxlight 2057 1157 2357...ke/Tail Lilghts (Pack of 2) New Amber/Yellow. (X002J717SH). That one is also still in the passenger side parking light. (which now works perfectly)
Then reassemble in reverse order. All went pretty smoothly, but when I went to test the lights, nothing worked! So I re-checked the plug to make sure it was all the way in. That did the trick! Then what was really amazing, is the other side was working perfectly too now!! So I tightened all the fasteners and double checked again. All is working as expected; parking lights with or without blinkers are fine. I am of the opinion that perhaps I had a bad LED in there to begin with, so now we're good... (not sure though.) I'm going to stop here and see if everything holds up. If it does, then I'm finally done with these parking lights!!
The day before I also switched out the trunk light for the LED equivalent. Nice and bright! | 12.00 | | 11/05/23 | Miscellaneous | 42908 | Another G. P. cruise
A sunny and dry Sunday afternoon in the upper 50's, around 3:10pm, when I started up the car. It's been a week and half or so, but it still started fine. The Browns were on TV, winning 20-0 against the Arizona Cardinals, so traffic was lighter than usual. Although I began with a hair under half a tank of gas, by the time I got home it was reading 3/8 of a tank. My next trip should be to get gas. I won't be able to get the CAM 2 but will fill up on the E0. Otherwise, it was smooth sailing all the way. | 0.00 | | 11/04/23 | Maintenance | 42894 | LEDs in Doors
Switched the old door courtesy lights out and installed the LED kind. Wow! much brighter! Now most of the interior is switched over. The only ones I haven't done, are lights behind the gear selector and heater controls. Not sure where they are or how to access them... | 12.00 | | 10/25/23 | Miscellaneous | 42894 | Another G. P. cruise
Left about 10:30am on a partly cloudy, moderate day in the mid-60s. Windows up, vents closed, no sun glasses needed while driving. Traffic was normal and all went smoothly. Gas is reading just about exactly at half a tank. | 0.00 | | 10/22/23 | Miscellaneous | 42879 | Another G. P. cruise
Left about 1:15pm on partly cloudy cool Sunday with temps in the mid 50s. It's nearing peak for autumn foliage around here, so thought a ride would be pleasant. Colors were near peak. Traffic was a little heavy, but not too bad. Although the midges are swarming around the house now, it appears I didn't collide with any on my cruise. Car performed smoothly and without issues. Gas is showing over half.. | 0.00 | | 10/17/23 | Miscellaneous | 42865 | Another G. P. cruise
Left about 12:30pm, temps in the mid 50s, very cloudy and overcast, but dry, going about my routine round. Not bad traffic considering it was lunch hour. Had car up to 70 for a while on Rt. 2. Need to remember to check tires though, because of the cooler temps. No incidents to report, pleasant drive. Blinkers worked great, and front ones are extra bright. I have already ordered the replacement LED ones, that I hope will restore my parking lights too. | 0.00 | | 10/13/23 | Maintenance | 42851 | Front Parking Lights to LEDs
Over the last two days I switched the old bulbs in the front parking lights/blinkers to LEDs. These fixtures were very difficult to work on. The main cable in the center of the fixture only allows a couple inches, or less of movement to access behind the fixture where 6 1/4" screws hold it together. It appeared to me that the driver's side light (which has slightly more movement allowed, had been changed at least once in the past, as there was a lot of di-electric grease on the bulb and socket. Plus the bulb still looked clear and amber. The other side however, which was a nightmare to get apart, looked as though it may have never been touched since the factory. The bulb was cloudy and amber flaking off, plus completely clean of any grease. After getting them both back together, neither light works now, nor do the blinkers. However, they do work when the hazards are activated. More work to diagnose...
Saturday 10/14: After some research and experimenting, I found that the original blinker canister would allow the lights to come on, but not blink (right or left) I had installed the new digital blinker can earlier which got no results at all. So as an experiment, I made a pigtale with appropriate spade connectors on either end so I could reverse the polarity. Sure enough, that worked! Apparently all of the cans made now have the reverse polarity as required by my car! Even though there is only ONE WAY it can be plugged in. So at this point, I have excellent blinkers, especially bright in front, plus hazards as before, so the car is completely safe to drive. However I still have a problem: When I pull the headlight switch out one click, which should make the parking lights come one, nothing. Whether the car is running or not. Since that was one of the MAIN REASONS I went to all this trouble, to have bright gorgeous front parking lights in twilight driving, that still eludes me... All other exterior lights come one normally though.
Sunday 10/15: Kurt on fb group suggested that one of the nubs in the socket may not be making contact... Or the LED bulb itself is defective. (original bulb is a two filament type). That seems very likely to me. Only fix would be replacing them again!! However I have since learned how the fixture can be disconnected from the car, so making the job a lot less difficult. But meanwhile the car has blinkers etc, so I can find a better LED bulb. | 35.00 | | 10/11/23 | Miscellaneous | 42851 | Another G. P. cruise
Left about 11:30am on a cloudy cool day with temps in the 50s. All windows up and vents closed. Car performed without issues. Gas is reading a hair above 3/4 tank. Once the gas gauge reading drops below full, it almost visibly continues downward! Traffic was not too bad. Almost bumped off some geese on Reynolds, but they flew to safety... | 0.00 | | 10/06/23 | Miscellaneous | 42836 | Check cigar lighter and radio
With the car off, but accessory switched on, I tried the lighter and radio for functionality. The lighter took about 1/2 minute to pop out red hot, and the radio tuned in strong stations with the antenna down, not pulled all the way out. There was a hum background noise though.. So everything is functioning properly since the dashboard job. I still have to check the floor dimmer switch, to see if that will get the "hi-beam" light to come on --currently the dimmer switch works on the headlights, but does not make the dash light come on. | 0.00 | | 10/03/23 | Miscellaneous | 42836 | Another G. P. cruise
Beautiful sunny morning, temps about 70*, when leaving at 10:15am, with all windows up, both vents open. Smooth sailing all the way. Traffic was a bit light, and gas is reading under full now. | 0.00 | | 09/29/23 | Maintenance | 42822 | Top well repair
Last time I put the top down, I noticed my old repair to the top well from 8/2021 from the inside, was curling away from the patch on both sides of the split. Repaired inside of well with a new patch. I first glued the two curled sides back to the old patch (applied from the trunk side). Next day I applied a new patch on the inside covering this repair, which was a bit messy looking. Today I removed the duct tape holding the new patch (top and bottom) and saw that it looked real good. Hopefully this will last. Fabric Glue was free, courtesy of the Mentor Cruise In goody bag! | 0.00 | | 09/24/23 | Miscellaneous | 42822 | Another G. P. cruise
Temps in the low to mid 60's, with top up, windows up, and one vent slightly open, I left just after 2:30pm on a cloudy gloomy afternoon, but dry. Even though traffic is usually pretty heavy on a Sunday afternoon, this Grand Perimeter cruise is usually ok, as it is so familiar, and allows freeway time to get car up to 70 mph or so, especially since the last two cruises were in bad city traffic where I barely broke 30 mph for more than a few seconds! Clock has been on for several days, and is keeping great time. Gas gauge is reading just a hair below full. | 0.00 | | 09/23/23 | Miscellaneous | 42807 | Kirtland Creamery
Set out with the top still down, temps about 70* with low humidity and a breeze. Pat and I drove down 615 to 306 and the Creamery where she had a cone and I had a hot dog. Traffic was pretty heavy everywhere, but other than the usual crap, nothing really bad. Put the top back up when we got home. Surprisingly, the gas is still registering above full. | 6.00 | | 09/21/23 | Miscellaneous | 42790 | Eastlake Cruise In
Left about 4:10pm on a Sunny warm day of mid to low 70s, but low humidity and a breeze. Top put down, and boot over. Loads of traffic both there and back. Very pleasant evening, with friendly neighbors. Didn't stay too long because tomorrow is an early morning (3:45am). Pat enjoyed the show and riding with the top down (finally) this year. Left the top down, as there may be some more warm days in store.. | 0.00 | | 09/18/23 | Miscellaneous | 42777 | Another G. P. cruise
Temps in the mid-60s, partly cloudy, but sunny dry day around 10:30am, I took the car out. Started easily, ran smoothly, but on LSB past Corduroy, some one suddenly pulled out into the street right at a turn in the road, a blind spot. Stepped on the brakes, and got some tire squeal from the rear for a second, but he pulled out of the way quickly. Otherwise no other problems during the cruise. When I got home, I decided to charge up the battery. It took a little charge but not too much. | 0.00 | | 09/13/23 | Miscellaneous | 42762 | Another G. P. cruise
Temps in the mid-60s with top up, windows up, vent open, leaving about 9:45am on bright sunny morning though partly cloudy. Car started easily, drive went smoothly. Gas is still registering above full.
The weather turned rainy and cooler since my last cruise, so scrubbed the idea of another cruise with the top down. However, the clock is keeping time with amazing accuracy! | 0.00 | | 09/06/23 | Miscellaneous | 42748 | Another G. P. cruise
Today was already in the 80s by 10am when I was leaving. But beforehand, I put the top down, along with the windows, and put on the boot. This is maybe the last hot sunny day to go out with the top down! I put some VLR on the boot after it was put on. There is more mileage than usual today because I got as far as Hopkins when I realized I didn't have my wallet or phone. So went back home, got them, and resumed the cruise. A gorgeous morning, clear blue skies, and very warm already. Traffic was normal for this time of day. I had the car only up to about 65 or so on Rt. 2. Car handled and drove great. I realized that because this car has such low mileage, the steering is still very precise, and doesn't require lots of correction like most cars this age. I set the clock before I left, so I'll see how accurate it is after a while.. I left the top down, as one of these days, when it gets cooler, Pat and I will be going for ice cream somewhere. | 0.00 | | 09/03/23 | Miscellaneous | 42732 | Another G. P. cruise
Today was very warm, hitting almost 90*. By evening, when I checked the car in the garage, I noticed a whiff of gas smell. Upon inspection I noticed a small wet spot under the gas filler area. I checked the cap and the gas was all the way up to the cap, which is where it was leaking from! When I filled up, I only drove 7 miles home, and hadn't driven the car since. So apparently the very warm day allowed the gas to expand right to the cap! I'm using the old original cap, as I know that is vented, and have been using it BECAUSE the new (supposedly vented one) caused the old filler tube grommet to fail. Now there is a new grommet and gas tank, so as unlikely as it might be, I am sticking with the old gas cap rather than chance another problem with the new one. This cruise is 14 miles, so around 1 gal. of gas should have been used. When I got home I checked the filler tube, and as far as I could see down the tube there was no sign of gas. Meanwhile I left the garage door open while I was gone, allowing the gas spot to evaporate. I left about 7:30pm, and the sun was very low, but still in the sky. I turned on the parking lights, but not the headlights. It was great to see the new dash lights on while driving! It wasn't too warm, and I just left the driver's window open and a vent. Traffic wasn't that much worse than my usual morning cruises either (especially considering this is labor day weekend.) Car drove great. | 0.00 | | 08/31/23 | Fuel | 42717 | Gas at Chardon Oil
Beautiful sunny morning around 10:45am, a rather cool 67*, with the windows all up, top up and one vent open, drove up to Chardon Oil in Painesville to fill up with CAM 2 racing gas, with gauge showing 1/4 tank left. (see 8/10/22 for specs). A guy was shouting to me from another pump island asking the year, when I found him, we talked a bit, while I kept a close eye on the pump. When I get over 12 gals. I like to pump real slow, otherwise it shuts off with lots of splashing gas. Put in 16.09 gals., having driven 207 miles since last fill up. Mileage was 12.9 (13) mpg, which seems to be right about where it should be. There weren't any long freeway trips in the last tankful. Car seemed very smooth driving. | 193.08 | | 08/29/23 | Miscellaneous | 42703 | Manhattan Deli Show Willoughby Hills
Pat & I left just after 4pm. Sunny and bright in mid 70's. Traffic could not have been worse! Just inched along all the way down 615 to I-90 which of course was very busy. The exit as Rt. 91 was jammed and you had to wait more than 1 cycle of lights to get through as there was some gridlock. Finally pulled into parking lot in front of Manhattan Deli. Only two rows of cars reserved, but there was a DJ, who talked to me for a while, and gave my car special mention during his announcements. There was a grassy area right behind our car, which was nice. We were surprised by the appearance of Michaelangelo Mule. He said he just happened to see the car while driving through the area! After he left, Pat and I went into Manhattan Deli, and ate on the outside terrace overlooking the car show. We split a Deli club sandwich and fries, very tasty. There was a wet spot under my radiator drain hose, but nothing worrisome. However, everyone felt duty bound to bring it to my attention... But considering the heat of the day, the horrendous traffic with lots of idle time at lights, it wasn't surprising to me. When I got the car home, close to 7pm, there was no leak whatever. Dollar amount was the meal. | 16.00 | | 08/26/23 | Miscellaneous | 42678 | Another G. P. cruise
Sunny clear Saturday morning around 8:30am about 68* with the windows up, top up and one vent open, the car started right up. I thought traffic would be minimal at this time, but was I ever wrong! Lots of traffic everywhere. Possibly because of the fierce storms Weds-Fri this week. Fri. early AM even had some tornadoes touch down in Mentor! However, in my G. P. cruise, I saw no damage anywhere. Most damage was centered around the Great Lakes Mall area. Averaged 65-70 mph on Rt. 2. Car purred at the lights, and nothing unusual to report. Gas is now just a hair below half.
About 4 pm went to Annabelle's Diner in Mentor with Pat for their cruise-in including a live band. Kept the top up as it was sorta threatening and overcast, it was rather pleasant with a mild breeze. Got some pics, and walked with Pat through the display of classic cars. Had conversations with "Ken" who had a '74 Olds Omega parked next to me for about 1/2 hr. Then another guy after him in a huge '70 Olds 98. Got a hot dog to share with Pat $7!! Then about 6:45 packed up and left. This is the FIRST show I've attended this year!! | 0.00 | | 08/22/23 | Miscellaneous | 42656 | Another G. P. cruise
Sunny pleasant morning with temps in the low 70s, driver's window down, top up, snorkel flap is propped open now. Mentor schools started today, so traffic was light just after 9am. Mostly speeds of 65 mph on Rt. 2. Saw a nice Dodge 400 convertible on Salida on the way home. Gas is still reading over 1/2. Car ran smooth whole way. | 0.00 | | 08/17/23 | Maintenance | 42641 | Top, interior, exterior and tire treatment
Masked off the windshield, side windows and rear window with plastic before scrubbing the top with VLR. The stuff is excellent cleaner and vinyl top protector. Job went pretty fast because of the masking (otherwise the windows get smeared with it, and is hard to clean off). By the time I was done, I had one saturated towel which I used to do the interior vinyl, seats, sides, dash, steering wheel pad and even the tires. I had a second towel to wipe off the excess. Now I just need to wax the car, and it will be ready for shows and cruise ins.
8/18/23 Waxed hood, trunk, and driver's side of car using buffer. went fast, but cut my finger while trying to get a pad stretched onto it while it was plugged in (big mistake)
8/19/23 Waxed by hand passenger side of car after pulling out of garage. Cut away the tight fitting carpet around the hi-beam foot switch so it works easier. Then I tested hi-beams to see if hi-beam dash light came on. No. It's the middle bulb of the middle three. It has a new bulb, so presume it is a bad hi-beam foot switch. I already have one in stock, so need to change it.
Car is finally ready for shows, cruise ins, etc. | 0.00 | | 08/16/23 | Miscellaneous | 42641 | Another G. P. cruise
Sunny pleasant morning about 10:00am, with temps in the low 70s, had the driver's window open, and vents open, top is up. Engine seemed slightly vibrational at warmup, but seemed smooth driving. Traffic was fairly heavy on Rt. 2 and 306. Still had the car averaging 70 mph. The new LEDs in the blinkers are great. Really easy to see them now, plus blink rate was just slightly slower than normal. (still using the OEM flasher) When I got home, I realized the snorkel flap is still not propped open. Even with how hot the engine was when I got home the flap was closed, which isn't right. I'll prop it open once the engine cools down. Otherwise, really like how the dash and steering wheel look now. Much better than before. Gas is registering 3/4 of a tank. | 0.00 | | 06/28/23 | Repair | 42627 | Dash lights, wiper switch and Clock replacements
Started car and backed out into driveway. Removed all the screws holding the dashpad however even with Pat's help not coming off. Continued struggling with it through Saturday. Seems like over the gas gauge it is stuck on something. Ruined the Wiper/Washer bezel in the process, but found another NOS one on Ebay for $94. total. I also lost the switch's locking hex nut, so ordered what I hope will work: (15/32-32): $9.50 with shipping. (found the original hex nut in the caddy) However new hex nut works too, so I left it on.
On 7/5 I called Erik to see if he could help. On 7/7 he called back to say he would next week because he was short handed, but that him and Craig would come here. That didn't happen, but it was very kind of them to offer. Erik lost a man, so is short handed, and Craig hurt his shoulder. So it was going to happen when it happened..
On 7/26 Erik was finally able to take me. I drove up on a hot 90* day with the top down and the top dash pad all unfastened. Craig drove the car into the shop bay, and Erik motioned for me to come through the office into the shop. By the time I got there Craig had to pad off already!! He explained that he had just done a Cougar with this same situation, and how you have to lift up on left side vent hole, to clear the gauge cluster, then voila! The toughest part was unhooking the speaker wire. So now I can resume work on the dash. Erik also gave me a couple of LED bulbs to try out to see if I liked them better than the incandescent kind. Mileage was updated.
On 7/29 I removed the clock. Had to remove speedometer housing screws, but still being held by wiring harness and speedometer cable. I was able to loosen and remove all 4 clock screws without having to undo the harness or speedometer cable. I am now waiting for the LEDs lights to arrive, before installing the new clock.. In the process of removing the middle pad I scratched the lens over the gas gauge.
On 8/1 I installed the new repaired clock. I also tested the lighting: A: white LED under the blue dome or B: Blue LED no dome. I went with B. It was brighter, especially when the gauge cluster fascia was held over it. The light is very interesting sort of electro-luminescent blue! THe clock also is working. The second hand moves with small increments (like a wristwatch) but looks pretty smooth and is quiet. I decided against putting a cutoff switch for it somewhere, as the battery cut off switch will work just as well. I didn't want to deface any of the dashboard with a in-your-face switch. I did have some trouble installing the clock, I dropped one of its screws and my 1/4" socket somewhere in the vicinity of the radio. Prolly have to drop the radio to retrieve them.
On 8/2 Installed the black face to the gauges.
On 8/11 finished the dash work by reinstalling the mid-pad and top pad. With the new LEDs, the blinkers are a bit slow (while the engine is running). The Hazard lights are normal. Both pads were re-installed ok, however, I have 2 screws left over from the mid pad which are for under the plate, driver's side. (I'll check under the access plate once more.) One screw on the left vent, left side did not get seated, may keep trying. Otherwise, all pieces are back on with their proper fasteners. The windshield wiper works with 2 speeds now, washer works great too. The map light was converted to LEDs which works fine. The mid-pad was detailed somewhat, so looks better around the gauges. Also did the steering wheel center piece.
Finally found the original hex lock nut for the original wiper switch! It is on the old wiper switch in the misc. dash box. So Amount is updated with misc. expenses and I gave Erik a $50 tip. | 145.00 | | 06/03/23 | Miscellaneous | 42620 | Another G. P. cruise
Early Saturday morning ~6:50am, on a bright sunny dry day, I started the car by first giving it a quick shot of starting fluid, having not started the car for about a week and a half. Started right up. Sun was in my eyes going East up LSB. But traffic was definitely light, as was expected. I maintained about 70 mph on 2 with light traffic. Rest of the way home was uneventful and smooth. This is really a good time for these rides. Gas is reading just a hair below full. | 0.00 | | 05/23/23 | Miscellaneous | 42605 | Grand River P.O.
In the upper 60s, with windows closed, heat off and vents open, I left for the post office just before 2pm, to mail Gayle a box of shopping bags, as she really uses them. I had to use some starter fluid, since it was almost 2 wks. since last run. Traffic was pretty heavy on LSB. When I came out of the post office, there was a Grand River native ogling my car. He was across the street, and couldn't tell what my car was, supposing it to be a Newport!! He came over to the car, now that I was there, and admired it. I was a good chance encounter. He really like the color, the hidden headlights and the full width tail lights. Everything went fine during the drive home. | 0.00 | | 05/10/23 | Miscellaneous | 42596 | Another G. P. cruise
Temp in low 50s, bright and sunny and dry. No need for heat with car closed up. traffic was moderately heavy. Didn't get up to 70 on 2. All went smoothly. Car started up fine. Gas is still registering above full. | 0.00 | | 05/05/23 | Miscellaneous | 42582 | Another G. P. cruise
Temp in the high 50s. Car started up fine, no starter fluid. Car closed up with heat full on but no fan. I turned off the heat completely before getting on 2. Traffic wasn't too bad so I was up around 70 mph average. Gas is still registering above Full. All went smoothly, nothing to report.
| 0.00 | | 04/30/23 | Miscellaneous | 42568 | Another G. P. cruise
Temp about 50* but sunny and dry. Rained all night and morning, so a couple of lingering puddles which were easily avoided. Being a week since last start up, I used a little starter fluid to start. Idled smooth and after about a minute of high idle, I bumped it down and backed out of the garage. Lots of traffic on LSB, so not easy getting out. Once on the road, ok. Traffic was naturally on the heavy side being 2-3pm on a bright sunny Sunday afternoon. The car ran 70+ mph on 2 smoothly. Had the heater on high for 1/2 the cruise then turned it way down, as it got nice and warm. Never had the fan on, as usual. Enjoyable and calm cruise! Gas is still reading above full. | 0.00 | | 04/23/23 | Miscellaneous | 42554 | Another G. P. cruise
Temp in the low 40's, but sunny with dry roads when I left. Almost 2 wks since last cruise, so I sprayed some starting fluid before starting. Fired up perfectly then. (headlilght covers staying closed) Traffic was typical for Sunday morning. Had car running 65+ on rt. 2. Reynolds rd. was a bit slow. but car ran perfectly. Nothing to report. Did not notice the slight imbalance this time. Heat was on the whole time (no fan) which kept the car wonderfully warm. | 0.00 | | 04/11/23 | Miscellaneous | 42540 | Another G. P. cruise
Temps in the high 50s @ 10:40am when I left. Couple of shots of starting fluid, since it's been nearly 2 wks from last run. Started right up, and ran smooth. I'm really hearing that new cam sprocket, which is sort of like a ringing noise when in the garage. Traffic was average. Had the heat on when I started, but turned it off before I got on 2, and the car stayed warm thereafter. When the car is high idling during warm up, if feels almost like there is a slight imbalance maybe, also when high throttle (but today I never had the chance on 2 because traffic was too much.) Otherwise no problems to report. | 0.00 | | 03/30/23 | Miscellaneous | 42525 | Another G. P. cruise
First one of the year! I Left around 10:15am on a clear sunny day but cold with temps in the low 30s. The car starts getting warm after a couple of miles. Now that I have a good water pump on my car, I now think the high pitched ringing I sometimes here is probably the new metal cam sprocket. Traffic was surprisingly heavy this morning everywhere. I was very surprised to see a white '59 Lincoln approaching me from behind while driving on Rt. 2. I let him pass, and he honked and we exchanged greetings! What was more surprising was that he had snow and ice on his roof and trunk. I did see another car like that, so don't know where they are coming from. Car otherwise ran smoothly as usual. | 0.00 | | 03/26/23 | Fuel | 42510 | Gas at Chardon Oil
Beautiful Sunny Sunday @ 50* and probably the best day of the coming week. So went to get gas at Chardon Oil. It's been so long that first I forgot the Octane boost, and went back home from a few blocks up, then on my way again I remembered I forgot my wallet and phone. So went back home from near the Black Brook Country Club. Finally made it to Chardon Oil after that. Mileage at the pump was: 42,503, with 245 miles driven since the last tank. MPG= 13.25. Gas was $4.90/gal. and total was: $90.84. My tank was registering a hair below 1/8 of a tank which means I would supposedly have only 3 gallons left, so would be able to fill up 21 gallons. However it was full at 18.5 gallons. Therefore it is still reading about an 1/8 of a tank lower than actual. When I pulled my car out of the garage, I noticed a liquid spot (about 1/4 cup or less maybe) of what might have been water. I wiped it up, and it wasn't oily. The spot was right below the front of the driver's door, inside a bit. I'll keep an eye there. After a few days there have been no leaks, neither gas nor whatever that other one was. I put the old gas cap on at the pump, since it doesn't seal that tightly. I'm hesitant to put on the new gas cap at this point.
Update to gas cap issue: I finally got what I think is an authoritative answer on a Restoration website. It says there should be NO HISS when removing the gas cap, as the system should automatically balance the air pressure. So my suspicion that the new gas cap was to blame for the failed tank grommet was correct. I will stay with the old gas cap because a: it doesn't leak gas around the cap, and b: there is no gas smell when it is on. So even though it feels somewhat loose when on, it's fine. | 90.84 | | 03/15/23 | Maintenance | 42488 | Redo repairs at Miller Auto
Because Winter weather returned this week, the roads were once again wet and salty, so I had Bob's Garage and Towing of Painesville Flat Bed my car over to Erik. The day is frigid, but sunny, and the roads are drying, but not enough to driver there. Erik will be replacing the water pump with another new one I found (entirely new--not rebuilt) and a new gas tank to filler tube grommet, as the old one didn't hold up when he replaced the gas tank and used the old grommet last October. Erik still has a leg cast on but is ok to do my car he says. I can't let a spot with Erik go to waste, as he ALWAYS has a steady stream of classic cars coming in for work. When the tow driver was looking over my car, he pointed out what looked like a sort of abrasion across my driver's door. It must have been done during the winter some time, I think. Anyway, I was unable to just rub it off with my cloth gloves, so I will have to examine that more when the car gets home. Bob's towing will bill Miller Auto, so will be on my final bill when the car is done.
3/22/23: Car is finished. New water pump is on (no play in fan bearing this time). New Gas tank filler grommet installed, and old one put in spare parts box. Car is showing 1/8 tank of gas, so my next trip will be to Chardon Oil in Painesville to get some E-0 gas. Driving home the sky was murky, and a few rain drops fell, but nothing to make the roads wet, as they were covered with salt residue still. Mileage when I got home: 42491.8 Erik is looking good, considering his condition, and he said everything went smoothly. He did have some doctor visits on various days though which probably accounts for the long time in the shop. | 393.01 | | 03/09/23 | Miscellaneous | 42488 | Start Car
Removed car cover and put away. Headlight covers were open. I noticed this back in February. I think possibly the extreme cold temps may have had something to do with it. Charged battery. Used starter fluid, and car started right up. Let it run for about 15-20 minutes. I am supposed to take car into Miller Auto Next week, Tuesday for the water pump replacement and gas tank grommet install. | 0.00 | | 12/22/22 | Miscellaneous | 42488 | Another G. P. cruise
With a big winter storm heading this way tonight, yet with several days of dry roads, and today being hazy/sunny although cold (45*) it was impossible to resist taking the car out for a spin before winter descends on us. Left about 12:30pm. School is out for the holiday, so traffic was somewhat heavy. Had the car up to 70+ mph on 2, with the heat on, vents closed, and windows closed of course. Car was toasty warm during the drive. I have never had to turn the fan to high yet, although I did try it out just to check it. Smooth sailing the whole way, and got some big smiles from a few motorists. Gas is reading exactly on 1/4 tank. Erik emailed me and told me he was in a bad motorcycle accident, so he won't be able to take my car for some months yet. So I may have to just get enough gas to get the tank above 3/4. That way if the occasional dry sunny day happens, I can go for more rides! Later that day I put on the car cover, as I don't want the snowy weather getting on my car. | 0.00 | | 12/09/22 | Miscellaneous | 42473 | Another G. P. cruise
About 11:30am, with temps in the low 40s, but clear sunny skies and dry roads, I started the car with a squirt of starting fluid, since the gas tank is not sealed tight yet (when it starts really well). Windows up, vents closed, heat full on, but no fan, the car performed well. Moderate traffic, with high speed of about 73 mph on rt. 2. Smooth sailing all the way home. Fuel is registering a hair above 1/4 tank. I think this is low enough to take to Erik for the completion of work needed. | 0.00 | | 12/05/22 | Miscellaneous | 42459 | Another G. P. cruise
Great Sunny day, about 50*, probably the last for a while now, as many days of rain are predicted. Windows up, vents closed, heat on low. Started right up. Moderate traffic, with usual speeds. Fuel is still about 3/8th tank. Very pleasant drive. | 0.00 | | 12/04/22 | Miscellaneous | 42444 | Another G. P. cruise
Clear and Sunny Sunday afternoon about 2pm but cold @ 33*. Used a squirt of starting fluid to start, so no problem starting. Roads dry and clean, windows up, vents closed and heater full on, but no fan. Had car up to 75 or so on 2. Traffic was moderate. very good day for a ride. Fuel is now showing about 3/8 of a tank. Could hear the water pump a little more than usual, maybe because of the temps. | 0.00 | | 11/29/22 | Miscellaneous | 42430 | XL Cruise
Cloudy to Sunny afternoon about 1:15pm @ 52* Windows up, vents closed, heat on about half. LSB was a bit dewey, but elsewhere perfectly dry. Had a little trouble starting again. I'm thinking having the old gas cap on changed the starting ease. I've put the new one back on, since the tank is now just a little over half. But car ran perfect, and it was clear sailing all the way. I can hear the waterpump noise when accerating from a stop. | 0.00 | | 11/26/22 | Miscellaneous | 42405 | XL Cruise
Finally a nice day, after a couple of weeks of snow and salt, and one rain day. @ 10am, started car, after more than 2 wks. It took several tries, so I should have used a squirt of starting fluid. But once it started, all was fine. Roads were clean and dry. Took LSB to 44, than East on 2 to Fairport Nursery rd. and exited freeway. Got back on and drove to Rt. 306, and conintued as usual on a G.P. cruise. This added 10 more miles (24 miles) Gas is registering a hair below 3/4 of a tank. More traffic than I expected for the hour. Windows up, vents closed, heat on. Temp outside was upper 40s. Otherwise good cruise! | 0.00 | | 11/10/22 | Miscellaneous | 42381 | Another G. P. cruise
Probably the last beautiful sunny morning for a while. 10:30am, high 50s, heat off, windows up, vents closed. Traffic moderate, about 70 mph or so on 2. Fuel is now reading about 7/8ths full. Smooth sailing all the way. | 0.00 | | 11/09/22 | Miscellaneous | 42366 | Another G. P. cruise
Another beautiful sunny morning, 10:15am, about mid-50s, heat on just a little, windows up and vents closed. Traffic moderate. Had car up to 75 mph again on 2. Still hearing water pump whine. Fuel is reading exactly Full now. All went smoothly. Enjoyable ride. | 0.00 | | 11/07/22 | Miscellaneous | 42352 | Another G. P. cruise
Beautiful sunny Monday morning, 10:15am, about mid-50s, heat off, vents closed, windows closed. Traffic moderate to light. Had car up to about 75mph on 2. I can hear the water pump high pitched whine when stopped or just starting to move. Fuel is still registering slightly above Full. All went smoothly. Car sounds exactly right when idling at a Stop. | 0.00 | | 11/02/22 | Miscellaneous | 42338 | Visit to Miller Auto
Left just after 1pm for Miller Auto to pick up an extra can of engine spray paint that matches my car's engine. While there Erik looked at my new water pump. He doesn't like the way it feels. He said when I bring it in for the gas tank grommet install, he will pressure test the system and see if it is tight. He spotted a leak that he thought may be coming from the intake gasket, but I think it may well be coming from the heater hose which is right above that spot where he noticed the moisture. It is also above the spot that has lifting paint on the valve covers, and I was able to tighten the hose clamp with another 1/2 turn with little effort. That is where there has been a rusty sort of crust around the end of the rubber hose. I had cleaned and painted it once to make it look better, but that was all gone. | 50.00 | | 10/29/22 | Miscellaneous | 42330 | Another G. P. cruise
Left just before 1pm on bright sunny but cool Saturday afternoon about 60*. All went well, windows up, vents closed, a little bit of heat. | 0.00 | | 10/27/22 | Fuel | 42316 | Gas at Chardon Oil
Left about 12:15pm on a cloudy cool day in the high 50's. Even though Erik retarded the timing by 2*, it doesn't seem to have affected the idle by much. I think I can hear the new cam sprocket though. It is a high pitched noise that I never had before. But it is only under certain circumstances, not noticeable while driving at all. At the pump, mileage was 42258, so 201 miles since my last fill up. I added 1 bottle of Octane Boost, which apparently has some lead substitute type additives. The fuel gauge was reading just under 1/4 tank, so if it was really accurate, I should have had less than 6 gals left in the tank. Or IOW, would need at least 18 gals. to fill up. However, the tank only took 16.6 gals. So the fuel gauge is still reading a bit lower than actual, but not by too much. I filled up with the E0 gas which was $5.50 a gal. or $91.34. When I got home, (mileage 42265) I checked, and I have the leak still. Gas was dripping under the gas tank area. I took the car for a drive at night around 10pm to downtown Cleveland and back again. That is around 50 miles, which consumes at least 4 gals. of gas. When I got home I checked after an hour or so, and the leak stopped like it did before. As a test, I put the new cap back on, and again, I noticed a few drops of gas, so I put the old cap back on. Traffic was moderately heavy on the freeway, the headlights worked well, and the car performed smoothly otherwise. I'm still registering over full on the fuel gauge.I talked to Erik on Friday 10/28, when he called to tell me the extra can of engine paint arrived for me. He knew right away what happened. The old grommet or donut that they put on the new tank seemed a bit loose. They used silicone hoping to seal it. I told him I would order a new one, which I did from Filler Tube Supplies @ $28.00. I also told Erik I would drive some of the gas out of the tank before bringing the car back to him to put in the new grommet. | 119.34 | | 10/10/22 | Maintenance | 42243 | Big Cam Sprocket Gas Tank repair
Took to Erik Miller's shop to have the OEM Cam Sprocket replaced with new all steel one, and have gas tank checked, as it leaks slightly when totally full. Gave him an instruction sheet along with a box of parts in the trunk including: New Cam Sprocket, Crank sprocket, timing chain, cast iron water pump (painted), aluminum timing cover (painted), fuel pump, sending unit, gas filter for carb, Oil filter, radiator hoses upper and lower, thermostat, belts p.s, and alt.
Tues. 10/11: Erik called to say timing cover on car had been broken then fixed with JB Weld (apparently) so I ordered a new one from Federated, painted it, and took it to Erik on Wed.
Wed. 10/12. Erik will have to remove the dipstick tube from the old cover and intall it on the new one. While at the shop, I found out the water pump I purchased and painted from Rock Auto was wrong. It is the Dayco DP822 which, I later learned is for the '75-'77 Ford Truck with the 360 or 390 engine! It was purchased too long ago (over 30 days) to return. When he tried to order another correct one, he got the same one I did. So apparently everyone has the wrong part listed for the 429, not just Rock Auto. He says the current water pump has some slight leakage seen in the weep hole, so it needs to be replaced. He also found the gas tank to be heavily rusted and deteriorated on the inside, so I ordered a new Spectra fuel tank, from ebay. He said the leak was coming from the sending unit hole (probably near the top.) Meanwhile, he showed me the cam sprocket, and luckily, was wholly intact with no breakage. I examined the sprocket under magnification, and I couldn't even find any cracks!
Fri. 10/14: Received the new Spectra fuel tank, and took it to Miller Auto. Erik thinks it looks right, but will paint the outside with a black rustoleum. He is also getting a custom color matched to the air cleaner to touch up the front of the engine block, etc. where all the work is being done. He showed me the dark discolored gas that was at the bottom of the tank due to all the flaking interior rust.
Tues. 10/18: Erik called to tell me the water pump he got from Federated based on the casting number was also wrong! He found one on Ebay, with several pics that matched what was on my car. It was an OEM rebuilt one with a 90 day guarantee. I later found brand new ones on Ebay from MK II Enterprises for $235 (incl. free shipping and no core needed) that exactly match my old one. When I got home I noticed a very slight bit of play in this new pump. He also told me that gas tank worked fine, and he painted with two coats of sealer before installing.
Monday 10/24: It's now been two weeks that Erik had my car. He called @ 9am to ask about the water pump (which was just delivered last night by Fed Ex ground.) I took the water pump to him right away, and noticed my car was up on the rack in the windows behind the counter. Everything must have worked out ok, as he called around noon to ask about what oil to use in the oil change. He will put in Valvoline Racing Oil 10W-30.
Tuesday 10/25: Finished up the car. Erik said he had to take the sending unit wiring harness out of his Marauder parts car to fix mine (which had a damaged plug, that might explain why my fuel gauge always read lower than actual.) When I picked up the car, fuel was registering 1/4 tank. I'll have to do a fill up to check how accurate this is now. The work all looks great, as he painted the water pump and misc. with his color matched paint. The only part he couldn't use (besides the first water pump I bought,) was the lower rad. hose. It didn't bend quite correctly. So he put the old one back on, since it was still in good shape. Erik also reset the ignition timing back to 12* btc, as it had drifted up to 14*. I think I'll have to reset the idle, as now it feels a bit on the low side.
Parts I bought:
Cam Sprocket-timing chain set: $34.89
Gasket set: $12.42
Water pump(s): $41.99 (428 one), $412.91 (ebay)
Aluminum timing cover: $127.35
Fuel pump: $30.00
Sending unit: $48.26
Oil filter: $7.05
Radiator hoses (upper/lower): $20.60/ $27.43
Thermostat: $15.00
Belts: ps/alt: $17.00
Fuel Tank (Sprectra) $260.48
shipping and tax: $32; $23; $35
My parts Total: $1,145.38
Erik's Labor and misc. parts & paint: $1,300.00
Mileage when car was back home: 42,250
| 2,445.38 | | 10/03/22 | Miscellaneous | 42238 | Another G. P. cruise
Leaving at 10:15am on a sunny but cool (40*) day, with the windows up and vents closed, I noticed that the fuel was registering above a quarter by the time I returned home. Traffic was moderate, but I hit every light on 306, and more obstacles on Reynolds too. Otherwise smooth sailing, with a couple of sudden hard brakings. Got up to near 70 on 2. | 0.00 | | 10/01/22 | Miscellaneous | 42224 | Another G. P. cruise
Near 1:30pm on a Saturday Afternoon, with temps around 60* I left with the windows up, vents closed, but no need for heat. Traffic was heavy, as might be expected on a Sat. Afternoon. Was up to 70 mph on 2 nonetheless. All went smooth. Fuel is reading slightly under a half now. Saw TWO modern convertibles with their tops down! | 0.00 | | 09/30/22 | Miscellaneous | 42210 | Another G. P. cruise
Left about 10:30am, cool morning (56*), windows up, vents closed. No need for heat though, the sun warmed the car up enough. Traffic was moderate, but I was up to 70 mph on 2. All went well. Fuel is now reading slightly above half. | 0.00 | | 09/23/22 | Miscellaneous | 42195 | Another G. P. cruise
A cool morning in the upper 50s. I checked the tires. Only the pass. rear tire is a .5# low (29.5#) I consider 30# to be optimum. With the windows up and vents closed but with driver's vent very slightly open, I left about 9:45am. Was up to 70+ mph on 2, although traffic was moderate. All went well. Saw a '66 Pontiac driving in the opposite direction on Salida, and we exchanged greetings. | 0.00 | | 09/19/22 | Miscellaneous | 42181 | Cruise to 44 and back
At 6:45pm on a warm Monday evening, left with driver's window partly down, vents open. Sun was low and blinding, so only went up to 44 and back on Lake Shore, as the sun was below tree level. Traffic moderately heavy, but still a good warm up run. All went smooth. Where I turned around, just past 44, I was asked by another motorist about directions, and also complemented the car! | 0.00 | | 09/17/22 | Miscellaneous | 42173 | Another G. P. cruise
About 10:15am on a sunny, warm (74*) Saturday morning, with the driver's window partly down, and vents open, took the car for usual cruise. All went well. Traffic moderately heavy, but had car up to 70 mph on 2. Fuel is registering about 3/4 tank now. | 0.00 | | 09/15/22 | Miscellaneous | 42159 | Another G. P. cruise
About noon, on a sunny day of about 73* took car out for routine cruise; windows all up, and vents open. I need to get the tank of gas emptied somewhat before I take it to Erik for the Cam Sprocket replacement and gas tank repair. Fuel gauge is reading just slightly under Full. Talked to Erik today, and he can take on this job in a "couple of weeks" which will be at the end of September. Cruise went fine, with moderately heavy traffic, so didn't get much over 65mph on 2. | 0.00 | | 09/08/22 | Miscellaneous | 42144 | Cruise to Grand River P.O. and back
I was a little concerned at how the car acted yesterday, after cleaning that spot in the garage, the car started immediately, no problem, but ran sort of uneven while I was pulling into the garage. So today was fine, everything is ok. I'm just paranoid about that cam sprocket until I get it replaced. Meanwhile I have been watching that spot where I got the slight leak. Not a drop for the past few days. I'm thinking, that when the gas tank is full to the brim is when I get the slight leak, but once it goes down even a little, it stops. | 0.00 | | 09/07/22 | Miscellaneous | 42136 | Another G. P. cruise
Great sunny morning with temps in the low 70s, left about 10:10am. Driver's window partly down, vents open. Traffic was medium. Had the car over 70 on Rt. 2. All went smoothly. Parked the car in the drive, and cleaned off a couple of spots made by a very slight leak coming from the gas tank. The tank is currently registering over Full. Have to attend to this when I take the car to Erik for the timing chain work.
9/8/22: after cleaning up the leak spots yesterday, not a single drop since. Gas is still registering as above full. | 0.00 | | 09/03/22 | Miscellaneous | 42121 | Roar by the Shore Cruise In
Left about 8:30am. Temps in the mid-70s. Windows all down, top up. Found a good spot under a huge line of oak trees like last year. Stayed until 4pm after the announcing of all the award winners. Had lots of people admiring the car and talking to us. I wandered around and saw some great cars too. Pics in folder MOL cruise in 2022. | 0.00 | | 08/31/22 | Miscellaneous | 42121 | Headland Photo shoot
Beautiful Sunny Morning about 9 am, left for the Headlands Park with the windows up and the vents open with temps about 70*. I wanted to get some good morning shots of the car with the top up using my new phone. All went smoothly. Car started instantly when ready to go about 5 minutes later. Photos under Headlands 2 | 0.00 | | 08/20/22 | Miscellaneous | 42109 | Another G. P. cruise
It was just too nice a Saturday Morning to resist. Temp in low 60's, bright and Sunny at 7:15am when I left with the windows closed and vents open. Light traffic, and was up to 75 mph on 2 for a brief time. Sun was blinding me when I pulled out of the drive, and again when I was approaching home. Very pleasant run, with no probs. Gas is still above full. | 0.00 | | 08/19/22 | Miscellaneous | 42095 | Another G. P. cruise
Temps in the mid-70s Sunny about 10:15am when I left with just the driver's window down and the vents open. Traffic was a little on the heavy side, but I was able to maintain just under 70 on 2. All went well, brakes are working very well! | 0.00 | | 08/17/22 | Miscellaneous | 42080 | Lake Shore Assembly Car Show
Left about 4:30, for show which started at 5pm. Temps were in the mid-70s, mostly sunny. Kept the top up, and put the driver's window down on the drive there. The last time I was at this show was in June 2011, with the '66 Imperial Convertible. I won a trophy that time. This was their last show of the season. There is no charge, but they provide a free dinner, and award trophies and other prizes. I found a good spot right in the center of the action. I have pics in the Assembly Show 2022 folder. The show's honored car was all Jeeps, new or old. They had a parade of Jeeps drive through the show @ 6pm, and they all parked in a special spot. They had their own category for judging (by popular choice). Their was also a motorcycle section. Pat and I got the hotdogs, and I donated $10. But they also offered pizza and sodas. 7pm was the beginning of the awards portion of the show. To both of our great surprise, I won a trophy! The MC even seemed surprised that it won in the popular voting, considering its strictly stock nature, and driver condition. Overall, a fantastic night for us both! We left about 8pm. One thing surprised me; a lot of people didn't know this was a convertible because the top was up! Even Pastor Jim (a car nut himself who is responsible for these shows all these years) had to look inside the car to convince himself it was a convertible! I even noticed when I went to Kluznicks, they were also in doubt whether my car was a convertible, and asked me a couple of times. I will have to consider that problem at future shows. I love to show off the pure white top, which complements the dk. blue paint of the body, so I'm conflicted... | 0.00 | | 08/14/22 | Miscellaneous | 42076 | Produce run
Took the car to Kluznik's roadside produce stand. Got some sweet corn and red haven peaches. Traffic was incredibly heavy. I had no wish to drive any further, so just went back home. | 0.00 | | 08/13/22 | Miscellaneous | 42070 | Mentor Cruise In: 2022
Left about 8:30am. All windows up. Temp was barely 60*. When we pulled into the show, we got registration number 147 so we got a goody bag and dash plaque. No cost at this show, thanks to the generous sponsors. We parked in the same spot we were in last year, near the restrooms, and right at the entrance. Maximum exposure there. I left the top up for a while, but then put it down at Pat's insistence around 9 or 10am. It was a picture perfect day, with very moderate temps. Got up to 75* by the time we left just after 2 pm. When I got home, I put the top back up and pulled into the garage. One offer to buy, and many lookers. This car always attracts admirers, even though it is basically bone stock. Car worked flawlessly. We walked over to the food trucks at noon and got Pat a hot dog. I was good with the grapes I brought, plus one of my protein bars. Pat had a good time too, and often the women would direct their conversation to her. Pics from this show in the folder Mentor Cruise In 2022. | 0.00 | | 08/10/22 | Fuel | 42064 | Gas at Chardon Oil
Even though it was 2 wks. since last start, the car fired right up no problem. Left around 10 am, temps in mid-70s, driver's window rolled half down, vents both open. Fuel gauge reading about 3/8th of a tank. Pumped 13.2 gals. of CAM2 racing gas (110 Octane, leaded) @ $12 a gal. 186 miles since last fillup; reading 42057 at pump which equated to 14.1 mpg! Not bad! | 158.39 | | 07/27/22 | Miscellaneous | 42050 | A Midnight Run
Left home about midnight, with temps in the mid 60s. With headlights on, the front parking lights are off. Driver's window partly down, and vents open. Took Hopkins to the Ave back to 306 and home. Headlights seem to be aimed perfectly. Dash lights are pretty dim, but gauges are legible. Smooth sailing the whole way, with most traffic lights blinking yellow. Blinkers on dash is brightest light! Gas is reading 3/8 of a tank. | 0.00 | | 07/26/22 | Miscellaneous | 42038 | Another G. P. cruise
Because it has been over a week, I gave the carb a quick shot of s.f. Left about 7:15am on a sunny morning with temps in the low 60s. Kept windows rolled up with vents open. As expected, lots of rush hour traffic on 2, but everyone was moving along fast, so I kept up at 70 mph. Car performed smoothly as always. Gas is now reading about 1/2 tank. | 0.00 | | 07/14/22 | Miscellaneous | 42024 | Another G. P. cruise
Left @ 7:30 am on a clear sunny morning in the upper 60's. Windows up, vents open. Started fine, and everything went smoothly. Usual rush hour traffic on 2. Tank is now reading 5/8 full. | 0.00 | | 07/10/22 | Miscellaneous | 42010 | East Coast Custard Cruise
Top was still down from yesterday. Left about 6pm for East Coast Custard. After getting order at the drive through, we parked in the shopping strip next door and watched traffic on the Ave. while eating our custard. Put the top up right there, and drove home | 0.00 | | 07/09/22 | Miscellaneous | 41998 | Laurel Square Cruise In
Left for Jim and Diane's place @ 1pm. Top was up, front windows rolled down partially, vents open. A 51 mile trip one way to Brunswick in Medina County. Took the Shoreway to 71 to 303 in Brunswick. Traffic was bad, and some long construction zones, but we kept moving along ok. Weather was in the upper 70s, clear and sunny. This is the longest trip I have made in this car, mostly urban freeways, so I was a bit apprehensive. Visited with Jim & Diane until about 3pm, and left for the show with Jim in the back seat, and Diane coming later. This was a VERY LARGE cruise in, and it used up most of the shopping center's very spacious parking lot. Pics under "Laurel Square." There were plenty of fast food places, with restrooms, and we found a little patch of trees to park against for some shade. The car was a BIG HIT at the show. Offers to buy (not uncommon with this car.) We stayed until about 5pm, and drove home with the top down. It was a fairly breezy/windy day to begin with, and with the top down, it was a little too much noise and windiness. But Pat thoroughly enjoyed it, and had no regrets! All said, it was over 100 mile round trip, and the car performed flawlessly. Unavoidable road bumps and holes were barely noticed. The car floated smoothly all the way. No problems to report. I suspect this is the best drive this car has had in many years... Gas gauge is reading just above 3/4 tank! | 0.00 | | 07/04/22 | Miscellaneous | 41893 | Another G. P. cruise
Left @ 7am on a clear sunny morning with temps around 66*, Windows closed and one vent open. Started fine, with a couple of pumps. First good cruise with the new leaded high octane gas. Everything went smoothly. Very light traffic. 70mph on 2. | 0.00 | | 06/28/22 | Fuel | 41878 | Gas at Chardon Oil
Left about 11:00am on a clear sunny day of about 68*. Had windows closed with one vent open. Took LSB to 44S to Jackson. It turns out there are two purple pumps there. One (out on its own) is the unleaded non-ethanol 90 Octane. The other one is labeled CAM2 racing gas, and is closer to the office and is Leaded gas with 110 octane! My tank was showing 3/8 full. I was able to pump 12.9 gals. of the CAM2 gas in. (nice not to need to add any additives.) So my tank was really at half (reading 1/8 tank low in that range) At the gas station my mileage was 41871 for a total of 166 miles since my last fill up. (that would seem to indicate a maximum of ~300 miles per tank with my current mpg.) This tank's mileage was 12.9mpg. Not too bad, but there was some freeway driving mixed in. Total charge was $11.9999 per gal. for a total of $154.80. I think next time I can just get the non-ethanol one and add some octane boost. I didn't notice any difference in the way the car ran, but it wasn't that good of a test, driving home, with traffic being pretty heavy. The gas was obviously diluted by the unleaded 90 octane that was still in the tank. If I can, I will try to put this in at least once a year.. On the way home I left the driver's window half open. | 154.80 | | 06/24/22 | Miscellaneous | 41864 | Kirtland Creamery Cruise
Pat & I left about 5:45pm on a Sunny Friday evening. Top was still down. Traffic was horrendous as could be expected. I got a hot dog and Pat got a small salted carmel truffle ice cream. While there we were discovered by Ted's wife. We met Ted the day before at Eastlake. Had a lively conversation with her. Ted was at a show in Macedonia with his Cougar. Aside from the traffic, and lights on 615, all went smooth. (Took 615 all the way to 306 and back) | 0.00 | | 06/23/22 | Miscellaneous | 41847 | Eastlake Cruise-in
Our first show of the year. Left about 4:10pm with clear sunny skies and temps in the high 70s. Top was still down from yesterday. Pat and I drove to Eastlake taking LSB the whole way. Loads of traffic, but no incidents. Found a great parking spot, because we were a bit early... Show starts at 5pm. Pics are in Eastlake folder. Left about 6:30pm. There was a good turnout. We attracted a lot of attention! Several people commented that they never knew there was a convertible Marquis, as well as questions about whether the taillights were sequential, like the '69 Mercury Convertible we were parked next to. The owner of that car Ted, (married 55 yrs.) owned it for a long time (back to the 90s.) He was very friendly, and he had a friend turn up in a '70 Camaro, Terry who also sat with us. We in turn attracted more people who came to talk and inquire about the Marquis. A great show, as always, with terrific weather, and friendly people. Interesting notes: Found out Chardon Oil, on Jackson would be a great place to get gas. They have leaded high Octane Sunoco (ethanol free I think) racing fuel. It would be closer than going to Circle K. Ted also agreed that changing the timing chain and sprockets is a sound idea, because of the plastic teeth on the cam sprocket. He had horror stories to back that up. | 0.00 | | 06/22/22 | Miscellaneous | 41833 | Top down and cruise
Today is going to be pretty hot, so at 10am with temps already in the 80s, I put the top down. I am planning on attending the Eastlake Cruise-in tomorrow, so it will be all ready for that. Once the top was down, I put on the boot, all the while the car was idling. Then turned off the car, and wiped some VLR on the boot, as I want to keep it flexible and looking good. Wiped lightly the seats etc. inside, but just using the rag, not adding any more VLR. This keeps the interior glowing with a metallic dk. blue look. After taking some pics, I went for a short spin up to St. Bede's and back. If it seems like I am driving the car less this year than last year, it's true. With my gas now up to over $6 a gallon, I am watching it. When I got back, gas was at 5/8th of a tank. Car seems to run smoother and quieter with the top down? Maybe I'm imagining it.. | 0.00 | | 06/19/22 | Miscellaneous | 41828 | Another G. P. cruise
Gorgeous Sunday morning around 7:15am, temp around 60* took the car for a spin, with the windows up and vents closed. Because it was 2 wks. since last start up, I did squirt a small dose of starting fluid, and it fired right up. I also propped open the air cleaner snorkel flap a few days ago, since we're into the hot weather again. Traffic was very light. I was up to 75mph on 2, and had to keep from going faster. All went well. Gas is down to 3/4 tank. | 0.00 | | 06/05/22 | Miscellaneous | 41814 | Another G. P. cruise
Left about 11:00am on Sunday morning, overcast and about 70*. Kept windows and vents closed. Smooth sailing the whole way. Was at 75 mph for a bit on Rt. 2, but traffic oncoming at 615 slowed me down to 65 mph. Car started right up (after a week) with nothing more than a few pumps. Gas is already reading just a hair below 7/8ths. This is when the gas gauge drops like a lead balloon.. | 0.00 | | 05/29/22 | Miscellaneous | 41799 | Another G. P. cruise
Left about 7:45 am on a clear sunny Sunday Morning, mid sixties temp. Car started right up no problem. All windows and vents kept closed. Light traffic, so 70mph on 2 was no problem. Smooth sailing the whole way. Gas is reading just slightly under full. | 0.00 | | 05/23/22 | Miscellaneous | 41785 | Cruise to Grand River P.O. and back
Left about 10am, clear and sunny, but sort of chilly at about 62*. Kept windows up and vents closed. Traffic somewhat heavy on LSB. Smooth sailing, but hit every light, and never got much above 40 mph. | 0.00 | | 05/20/22 | Maintenance | 41776 | Windshield Washer Status
Today I started the car (after 6 days) with a few pumps, then fired right up. I tried the windshield wipers, which work fine, then I tried the washer button. Nothing. I removed the washer reservoir, and cleaned it out. A lot of hard gelled blue stuff that must be ancient cleaner. I removed the little pump and Ordered a new one from Greene's ($25) and ordered some syringes from Amazon ($15) to test the tubing..
May 24: Received syringes and tested tubing. All is good! Tubing is not blocked up, but free and open. Next I'll have to test that electrically, the new pump works (when I get it.)
May 25: Received the new pump and installed. Unfortunately, still not working. Now I suspect the Wiper switch. It is a valid suspicion since only one speed works (slow) and fast doesn't work. It's also a little wonky trying to turn on and off. I have been unsuccessful finding a new one so far. But I will keep searching. Meanwhile I feel everything is ready to go once the electrical aspect is repaired. | 40.00 | | 05/14/22 | Miscellaneous | 41776 | Another G. P. cruise
Today, Saturday, I took the car out at 6:30am on a sunny morning of about 68*. Kept the windows closed, but had the vents open. The back window fogged slightly during the ride. Because it was only 4 days since my last cruise, I pumped the gas several times, and floored it to set the choke, and it started immediately. This was a good time to go because traffic was very light, and there were virtually no bugs. It was smooth sailing the whole way. I will have to prop open the air cleaner snorkel soon, as the weather is getting warm enough. Gas is still registering full even though I have gone about 71 miles since my last fill up. | 0.00 | | 05/10/22 | Miscellaneous | 41762 | Check lights and cruise
Pat helped me to check the back-up lights. When I put the car in reverse, the shifter has to be nudged a bit to the right for them to work. If it is in the center or nudges a bit to the left they go out. Checked all of the external lights. The front parking lights/directionals are amber as called for, so are the front side marker lights. I purchased all new lights for all the external lights, including extra spares, and it was only 36.52 with shipping. I took the car for a short cruise up to St. Bede and back. Nice warm day, had the driver's window down, and both vents open, which was comfortable. I used just a bit of starting fluid because it was 5 days since my last run. Traffic was sort of heavy @ 1:40pm when I left. | 36.52 | | 05/05/22 | Miscellaneous | 41757 | Another G. P. cruise
Sunny day, near 60* around 1:30pm, I took the car out for a cruise. For some reason traffic was very heavy everywhere.. Mother's day on Sunday? First nice day in a while? Whatever, I only got the car up to 60 or so mph because traffic on 2 was so heavy. Otherwise, smooth sailing the whole way. Stopped in the driveway to measure steering column, but for some reason the rubber cover would not push out of the way like it usually would. I'll have to look into that, as I want to know the diameter of the column where the Neutral Safety Switch is. After more thought, I supposed Erik might have done this when he had the car in February, since one of the things I asked him to look at was the NSS. I tested that theory today; 5/6/22 by trying to start the car in neutral. It worked! That's the first time since I've owned the car! I'm going to check my back up lights next.. | 0.00 | | 04/19/22 | Maintenance | 41743 | Hood stops
Ever since I bought this car I have had to REALLY slam the hood to close it. I mean, from about 1-2 ft. open, then push down with all my might to close it. Posted a question on Reddit, which was answered by saying check the hood stops (duh!) Why didn't I think of that?? After playing with the adjustment, I found that to make it easier to close, I had to lower them too far, so that the hood was to low when closed. Then I remembered I had bought the whole hood bumper kit from Dennis Carpenter. I still had 2 brand new hood stops with new rubber! Put them on the car, adjusted them, and now it works much better. From just 6-7 inches open, I can slam the hood shut no problem! I put the old stops (marked old) in the kit. | 0.00 | | 04/17/22 | Miscellaneous | 41743 | Another G. P. cruise
Because it was 8 days since my last cruise, I did squirt a shot of starting fluid into the carb before starting. A partly sunny day of only 38* with dry roads. Smooth sailing the whole trip. Put the heat on for a while, which always warms the car up real good and fast. Traffic was not all that bad today, Easter Sunday. | 0.00 | | 04/09/22 | Miscellaneous | 41728 | Another G. P. cruise
Left on Saturday afternoon about 3:15pm on sunny but chilly day (in the high 40's) All went smoothly. I checked tires before I left and two are at 31 and two are at 29.5 diagonally. This should have been a good run for the car on freeway at 70mph. Returned in about half an hour. Some small easily avoided puddles here and there. | 0.00 | | 03/06/22 | Fuel | 41716 | Gas at Circle K
Beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon about 2pm, with roads cleaned from rain last night. Drove to Circle K on Vine St. to get ethanol free gas (90 octane). Cost is up to 4.80 per gallon, for 15.9 gal. for a total of $76.22 which I put on my Chase. Removing gas cap gave a loud hiss! Also added about 8 oz. of MMO, and one bottle of Octane Boost. After all my note taking etc., the car started right up (amazingly no heat soak) But it's a very windy day of about mid-60's temp. Lots of Sunday traffic, but all went well all the way home. Gas gauge was reading a little under a quarter tank when I began fill-up. Mileage at gas station was 41,705 or 182 miles since last fill-up. This equates to about 11.7 mpg. But over the winter I did a lot of stationary running etc. Still, I'm averaging 11 mpg or better overall, which for this 429 V8 is not too bad. A good long run on the freeway would probably yield much better. | 76.22 | | 02/11/22 | Maintenance | 41692 | Service at Erik Miller's Shop
I had my car towed to Miller's, because of the weather, and the roads still being wet and salty. It was dry in the morning when I had it picked up (about 9:30am) By Bob's towing who does business with Miller's. About a half hour later, I got a call from Erik. The car was delivered OK, and was inside his shop. Unfortunately, the problem where the car wouldn't turn off happened to him, when he got the car inside. (I had turned the car off twice earlier that morning with no issues) I thought the new ignition switch would have cured the problem. So I emailed him some service manual pages, and gave him more info about it. Otherwise, the main reason I wanted him to look at the car was to check all of the wheel bearings, and to replace or repack as necessary. Also to do brake maintenance, as it was two years since he fixed them. Lastly I wanted the cylinders checked for compression.
Erik called again about 1pm to say the car is acting normal again, and shutting off ok, so he's going to try and troubleshoot it some more. I said I will send him some schematics for the coil.
Picked the car up on Wed. 2/23/22. Everything checked out good. The ignition switch is good, but the starter relay was bad, and was replaced. Also the oil sending unit on the back of the engine was leaking oil, and replaced. Otherwise, the Brakes were adjusted (rear drums) and wheel bearings were great, just repacked, and the compression test was also good. All the hubcaps seem to be on properly. Car was always inside throughout the time they had it. I was able to drive the car home as the roads were dry and rinsed clean from the previous days rain. The brakes seemed even better than before. Car shut off properly. I'll be needing gas soon, as I am showing only 1/4 tank (although it always reads lower than actual.)
Price includes a $90 charge for the tow in.
Compression test results:
#1-200
#2-190
#3-200
#4-190
#5-205
#6-210
#7-190
#8-200 | 655.75 | | 02/01/22 | Miscellaneous | 41692 | Run the car to warm up
Charged the battery, then a shot of starter fluid, then start the car to let run for about 20 minutes or so, until the inside got toasty warm. First time car was run this year! Ignition switch working fine. Car started and shut off like normal. | 0.00 | | 12/29/21 | Repair | 41692 | Replace Ignition Switch
Today I replaced the ignition switch. Then I charged up the battery, and shot some starting fluid in the carb. It started right up. Let the car run for about 20 minutes, till it warmed up good inside, then shut it off. Car turned off perfectly, just like it always did. This was a very simple job. Hopefully that corrects the problem. The switch was a Standard Motor Products # SI US-45. Exactly matched the original switch. Cost: $31.94, using PayPal. | 31.94 | | 12/12/21 | Miscellaneous | 41692 | Short cruise
Sunny day in the 40s. Previous day's rain rinsed off the roads from salt residue. Drove to Grand River and back. Everything went smoothly. However, when I was parked in the garage, the car wouldn't shut off. tried playing with the gear shifter, the key, even tried disconnecting the battery. Nothing worked. car continued to idle smoothly through it all. Then I gave the gear shift a good bump into Park, and finally it turned off like normal. Checking into this, it seems that a bad ignition starter switch could possible cause this, plus random stalls. So I am ordering a new ignition starter switch from Rock Auto. Never had the opposite problem of the car not starting though. This is the first time I ever had this happen though, where the car simply wouldn't shut off. It usually shuts off very well. | 0.00 | | 12/05/21 | Miscellaneous | 41683 | Grand Perimeter cruise
About noon on Sunday, temps about 44*, bright and sunny. Car got a shot of starter fluid before starting since it was almost a month since it was last started. Headlight doors staying tightly closed during all that time. Started right up then, and did real fine. Averaged 70 mph on Rt. 2. Car seems to like the colder weather. Lots of traffic of course, but nothing crazy. Had the heater on, but not the fan, which was enough to keep the car warm. Between 1/4 and 1/2 tank of gas showing on the gauge before and after the run. | 0.00 | | 11/12/21 | Miscellaneous | 41669 | Grand Perimeter cruise
Left around 10:30am, Bright sunny day. A few easily avoided wet spots on the road. Ran the car up to 60-65 on Rt. 2. Quite a bit of traffic though. All went smoothly. | 0.00 | | 11/10/21 | Miscellaneous | 41655 | Trip to Lavender Jones
Beautiful sunny day in the upper 50's. We both Left about noon. Took LSB to 2 East to 20, to Bacon rd. where the little bakery is. Bought a doz. assorted macarons, a cupcake and a scone (all gluten free) Then drove up to the housing development of Lake Erie Shores by the Lake, as Pat wanted to see the houses. Then drove home. A bit of heat soak at the bakery when leaving, but started again ok. otherwise, no problems. | 0.00 | | 11/07/21 | Miscellaneous | 41630 | Short cruise
Beautiful Sunday. Sunny, about 52* and dry. drove up to Grand River and back on LSB. No issues. | 0.00 | | 10/31/21 | Miscellaneous | 41621 | Short cruise
Just a short cruise, since it's been almost 2 wks. since last one. Beautiful day, in the high 50's, sunny and dry. One puddle at the Hopkins dip, which I slowed down for, especially because it makes the car bounce. Smooth sailing the whole way. | 0.00 | | 10/18/21 | Miscellaneous | 41615 | Short cruise
Gorgeous day; high 60's, bright and sunny. Kept the windows and vents closed. all went well, up to St. Bede's and back, until I got to that dip in the road where the little bridge crosses the creek before Hopkins. I took it a little faster than I should, causing the car to bounce, this almost caused the engine to stall, but a couple of light taps on the gas got it back, since this bounce occurs at the bottom of the dip, and you need to give it gas to get up the other side to the light. I think this might be something with the carb, where the bouncing is doing something, I know not what. Same thing happened on 9/23 in the same spot. Anyway, the car drove the rest of the way home fine. | 0.00 | | 10/14/21 | Miscellaneous | 41610 | A couple of cruises
Another G.P. Cruise:
Left about 10:00am. Warm partly sunny morning about 72*. Lots of construction on LSB. Fairly heavy traffic on Rt. 2, so never got much above 65mph. Had driver's window half open and vents open. Very comfortable. All went smoothly. This might be the last nice day for a while. A cold front accompanied by rain is moving in tonight. Mileage at home 41590
Trip to Bakery.
Trip to Painesville Twp. to visit Lavender Jones Maccarons gluten-free bakery. Weather warmed up to about 80*, by 1:15pm, when we left (both of us,) so I put the top down. I'm getting pretty proficient at this, only taking a couple of minutes including putting the boot on. Took Rt. 2 to Fairport Nursery Rd. The bakery is on Bacon Rd. right near Rt. 20. Picked up a dozen assorted maccarons and a couple of biscottis. Traffic was a little worse going home. Car drove great. No incidents. Left top down, but I will probably put it back up tomorrow. | 0.00 | | 10/11/21 | Miscellaneous | 41575 | Fairport Harbor Cruise
Left about 4:15 PM, on a warm (about 72*) sunny afternoon. Put the top down earlier in the afternoon. Pat and I both went to Fairport Harbor where we wanted to check out the Fairport Creamery, and ice cream store right across the street from the historic Lighthouse. (pics under Fairport Harbor) I accidentally drove up Water st. instead of vering right for High St. Apparently it does connect to 2nd Ave. eventually, but I turned around and went back down to where High St. went off to the right. Water St. was a bad road. Parked on the street right in front of the Ice Cream store. The ice cream and bakery were most excellent. I got the fancy brownie, and Pat got the sea salt caramel ice cream. Plus we bought some cookies to take home with us. Cost was about $11.50, but I'm not including it in the car's running total. Upon leaving we drove down into the Harbor Park, where there is a beach and a very large picnic area. Total mileage was 21, which was a good ride, although most of it was around 30 mph. traffic coming home on LSB was very heavy, but all went well! | 0.00 | | 10/08/21 | Miscellaneous | 41559 | Short cruise
Left a bit after noon, warm, a bit humid, about 73*. Just up to St. Bede parking lot and back. A few puddles noticed, but easily avoided. Car ran great. Started up good too. Beyond St. Bede was road construction, so didn't want to keep going.. | 0.00 | | 10/01/21 | Miscellaneous | 41554 | Another G. P. cruise
Left after 1pm, on a clear sunny day with temps close to 70*. Same scenario as on 9/23, but this time, no hint of a stall. Smooth sailing the whole way. Running about 70-75mph on Rt. 2. I have to say the carb tweak helped. Lots of traffic, especially here in MOL. Could barely make a left off of Salida to Andrews. | 0.00 | | 09/28/21 | Miscellaneous | 41539 | Test carb tweak
I think the stall that happened on 9/23/21 may have been caused by the fuel-air mixture to the carb being a little too lean. I tuned it for maximum leaness, while maintaining the 21" of manifold vacuum. With the car off, I backed out each screw 1/4 turn richer. I think the car was driving a bit better. I only went up LSB to just past 44, then came back; just 7.5 miles. But it was slow driving with some stops and idling. Just the situation when the stall happened before. All went well. | 0.00 | | 09/27/21 | Fuel | 41532 | Gas at Circle K
Fuel gauge was slightly under 1/4 tank, and this was a bright, warm, dry, sunny day (~75*) At Circle K mileage was 41523. Put in 14.6 gal. of ethanol-free 90 octane gas (@ $4.15 per gal.) Total: $60.88. When taking off the new cap I put on the other day, it hissed for a second or two! First time that happened since I owned the car. The next day, after sitting all night, I removed the cap again, but no hiss. So all good. This happens when fumes expand and contract inside tank, but don't match the outside air pressure. Added 1 bottle of lead substitute (none added since May) Total of 186 miles since last fill-up. 12.8 mpg with this last tank. | 60.88 | | 09/23/21 | Miscellaneous | 41514 | Another G. P. cruise
There were a couple of incidents on this cruise. Yesterday, I had taken all of the connectors off the Starter solenoid, and cleaned them all with a wire brush. Meanwhile I ordered a new solenoid. I was interested in seeing if this would cure or lessen the starter hesitation problem. First incident occurred just after the small bridge after Hopkins on LSB, where there is a swail in the road, which makes the car bounce pretty hard. That almost caused a stall, but a light tap on the accelerator, and it was ok again. The rest of the cruise went well, especially on the freeway. However, when almost home, on Salida, near the Monterey Bay condos, while driving along at about 30mph, it stalled. This is the first stall in a very long time (since I adjusted the carb's anti-stall dashpot.) It started right back up immediately, with no starter hesitation at all. So apparently that's better, normally this would have been a bad scenario to restart. Ran fine the rest of the way home. I still have the flap propped open in the air cleaner snorkel, and since it was pretty cool today (in the mid-50's) I wondered if I should take that back out with the return of the cooler weather. But that really shouldn't be problem after the engine warms up, and the engine should have been properly warmed up by the time it stalled. | 0.00 | | 09/18/21 | Miscellaneous | 41499 | Annabelle's Cruise In
We took Kate (Pat's sister) and Tom, with the top down, up to the Annabelle's cruise in. We went early, before they technically open, because Kate wanted to get home before it got dark. So arrived about 4:30pm after making them a grilled chicken dinner with Pat's special lemon-blueberry pound cake for dessert. Not too many cars were there yet, of course, but a few. I think they enjoyed it. I was able to get all four lawn chairs, umbrellas and Pat's rollator in the trunk! Pics are in the Annabelle folder. Car performed perfectly. A warm day, in the mid-80's, but low humidity with a breeze, so nice overall. I bought two rootbeer floats at the window; one for me and one for Tom. | 6.00 | | 09/14/21 | Miscellaneous | 41491 | Another G. P. cruise
Another bright sunny day, warm in the high 70's with high humidity at about 10am. Only needed driver's side window open and vents open. Smooth sailing all the way! Traffic seemed heavy on Rt. 2. and Lake Shore though. | 0.00 | | 09/10/21 | Miscellaneous | 41477 | Grand Perimeter cruise
Lovely day; about 72* at 9:30am, clear and dry. Had driver's window down a couple of inches only, and one air vent open. All went smoothly. | 0.00 | | 09/06/21 | Miscellaneous | 41463 | Photo session cruise
Labor day outing about 4:00pm with Pat, and the top down still. Headed over to the Mentor marina, which was where I was hoping I could get some good photos. Unfortunately all of the best areas were gated, with no entry. Therefore, I headed up to the Headland Beach Park. I've gotten decent pics there in the past. I walked Pat over to a picnic table in the shade, and took some good photos I think. Sort of a last hurrah, for what was really a truly great Labor Day Weekend. When I got home, I put some rubber preservative on the header gasket, which it turns out is pretty good. That would be the most vulnerable area for a leak, if we ever got caught in a rain while driving, heaven forbid!! | 0.00 | | 09/05/21 | Miscellaneous | 41450 | Ice Cream Cruise
We tried out a new Ice cream parlour: Kirtland Creamery, just down the street from the historic Mormon Temple built before Joseph Smith travelled far West.. Anyhow, it is a great spot with lots of good parking, a huge covered porch area with picnic tables, and a vast assortment of unusual ice cream flavors. I got the brownie bandit, and Pat got the butter pecan. Very tasty. The trip there and back was scenic too! Took 615 down to Chillicothe rd. in Kirtland. Gas is below 3/4 tank. | 6.00 | | 09/04/21 | Miscellaneous | 41433 | Roar by the Shore, MOL cruise in, 2021
This annual Labor Day event in Mentor on the Lake, at Mentor Beach Park is a huge cruise in. With a $10 registration, which goes to charity, it features dash plaques, goody bag, door prizes and trophies for popular categories. Entrants receive a ballot which must be returned by 3pm.
Officially the show is from noon till 4pm. Already a lot of cars were in place when we arrived at 8:30am. This location is excellent with lots of wooded areas, so we parked under a line of tall oak trees, figuring we would be in the shade by noon and after. Restrooms are conveniently located, there is a whole area of food trucks, another area for a craft show, and yet another for vendor booths. In addition there was an opening ceremony by a military color guard which played the national anthem, and shot a salute. I was between an '84 Buick GN, and a 2021 Corvette. I had enough room to open my huge doors though. About 10am I was approached by the crew of "Cruise-in.tv" about doing a tv segment for their show on my car! I was fitted with a microphone, directed where to stand, and then interviewed by "Bill". "John" was the camerman/director. They were 1 man short, so altogether the bit took over an hour. They spent most of the time shooting my car from every conceivable angle. The guy next door with the Buick said this was the second time they did a segment on the car right next to him! Must have been good luck for me!
Although the shade DID cover my car after about noon, there was an occasional acorn that would fall on the car! They were small thankfully. Both my neighbors were very fine people, and we got along great. I was rather surprised at the attention the '21 Corvette attracted. I didn't realize how difficult they were to obtain. I was just at a show 2 wks. ago that had 2 of them parked together. It seemed to me that they were everywhere!
I got a hot dog for both of us after our tv shoot, which were very tasty. Mike showed up about 1pm and we ambled about the show, looking for something that might appeal to him. He really wants to buy my car, so I feel I should help him find another. He has his heart set on a blue convertible, preferably large, and from the late 60's. Otherwise he is pretty flexible.
By 3:30 we were both pretty exhausted, and left. I was pretty sure I wouldn't win any trophies in my class which was 1960-1975. That was where the bulk of the best cars were, and most of them were muscle cars. Beside, that tv interview beat any trophy here! | 10.00 | | 09/01/21 | Miscellaneous | 41432 | Cruise to 44
This was a short cruise. Turned around at the rehab center at 44. A few raindrops were falling. (The edges of Hurricane IDA) Got behind a motorcycle that wouldn't go over 25mph, often less, on the way back.. grrr... | 0.00 | | 08/22/21 | Miscellaneous | 41425 | St Justin Martyr Car Show
This was kind of a spur of the moment decision to attend. Pat was tired, and didn't come. I put the top down before leaving, and drove there and back with the top down. It was nice to find a shady spot to park. It was at the Italian and American Club of Wickliffe. St. Justin Martyr Church had their festival/car show there this year. So there was plenty to do and eat, plus listen to a band. I got there late, in fact I think I was the last car there, coming in about 5:30pm. Show started at 4:00pm. But I wanted to miss the worst of the sun. It was another hot and muggy day, but no rain. The club itself is somewhat hard to find, and getting back to where the car show was located even harder. Why doesn't anyone put up signs?? There was a 5 dollar registration fee, but a generous goody bag. No dash plaques this year they said. I stayed until the door prize winners were announced after 6:30pm. The show ended at 7:00pm anyway. Car was performing great, but I get nervous when someone goes by with a noisy car or truck, because it sounds like its coming from my car... | 5.00 | | 08/21/21 | Miscellaneous | 41400 | Debonnet Car Show
This AACA car show is at the Winery in Madison Oh. We left home after noon, and got there about 12:45pm. Took I-90 from rt. 44 to rt. 528. Pretty hot and humid day, although temps were in the mid-80s. Very noisy on I-90 with all the windows open. Not easy finding the Winery either. Once there, there were NO SIGNS in their sprawling compound as to where the car show was. Managed to find it by accident. It was already almost completely filled up with cars.. Est. about 300 cars. Even though it didn't technically open until 1pm. Found a spot WAAAAY in the back far from where everything was. Kept the top up, as I didn't want the seats roasting us on the way home. We stayed about 2 hrs. only, as there was just no escaping the sun and heat. We stopped in the pavillion for a bit, but there were a couple of bridal parties there as well making incredible amounts of noise... all screaming females.. By then I had enough and we left. The car did great though. No issues to report. Amazing torque from the 429, as there were some steep windy hills on the way to the winery. Even from a stop accelerated effortlessly up the hills. The biggest problem is that this car is not made for hairpin turns at speed. All hubcaps accounted for after the trip. | 3.00 | | 08/20/21 | Repair | 41348 | Patch top's well liner
Went to JoAnne Fabric and got some dk. navy blue canvas (didn't have the charcoal I would have preferred.) Also some Aileen Fabric Fusion glue. ($21.50 total) I stuffed some empty boxes inside the well, and cut a patch from the fabric. From inside the trunk, I applied the glue with a small plastic trowel. Applied the patch. The boxes inside made applying pressure ok. Used some duct tape to hold down the edges when done. Waited 3 hrs. before removing the tape and boxes. (Set up time is 2-4 hrs.) but being another hot humid day, I suppose it set up faster. Also centered and attached the torsion rod clip that came with the ones I ordered from CTC Autoranch. My car originally came with a rubbery tape that was wound around just one rod for about 12 inches centered. I've seen them both ways. | 21.50 | | 08/17/21 | Fuel | 41348 | Short cruise and Gas
This morning about 7:00am it was light enough to go for a ride. I noticed the gas gauge is at 1/8 of a tank, so I decided to keep it short, since I'll need to get over to Eastlake to buy gas on the next trip. Went up LSB to Rt. 44 and back. Just need to remember to take some Octane Boost. What's left in the tank should be good for lead sub. and MMO. Temp was about 70* but very humid. Some easily avoided puddles too. Windows just began to fog a little by the time I got home. Kept all windows closed, just vents were open. mileage: 41328
About 11:00am, went to get gas at Circle K. 169 miles since last fill-up on 5/18/21 Added 1 bottle of Octane Boost. Filled up with Ethanol Free @ $4.07 a gal. Total: $58.09 on cc. Total Gal: 14.27. (still had more than 10 gals. even when reading less than 1/8 tank) Mileage this time: 11.9 mpg. Not as good as last time, but more city driving, etc. mileage: 41337. Got mixed up coming home and turned onto Rt. 2 West instead of East. Got off @ Rt. 91, and back on to home. | 58.09 | | 08/14/21 | Miscellaneous | 41322 | Mentor Cruise In
This is a really big show, and one of the nicest I have EVER been to. It is just a cruise in, so cars go where they want, and there is no rigorous judging. However, there were trophies given by a City Council team, and a couple of sponsor teams for their favorites. There were also goodie bags for the first 250 cars. We checked in about 9:00am (opened at 8:00am) and we were car 203! Dash plaques and other goodies in bag. The show also had several food trucks along with East Coast Ice Cream, and a local radio station truck (WIXY 1260) This created a whole food court area. There was also a band which played in the Amphitheatre starting at 11:30am. Most cars had parking lot spaces, but the overflow (which there was) used the lawns. We stayed until 4:00pm. I was amazed at all of the interest my car generated. Not that I thought it was undeserved, but more because it isn't the typical muscle car/hot rod/resto-mod/pick-up truck that dominates these events. Not only was it popular with the gray hairs, but even the young guys and gals were intrigued. Next to me was a 1970 Monte Carlo with a monster stroked 472 engine. The owner told me he gets about 5 miles to the gallon! Since he is from Cleveland, he figured getting to Mentor and back cost him about $35. Good thing this show is free! I'm so glad the trunk was fixed, as I was constantly in and out of the trunk, retrieving things, stowing things, and just showing people. Because we were planning to stay at the show all day, I never put the top down. I wish I would have used the same care with myself, as I came home with a sunburned head, arms and legs. | 0.00 | | 08/10/21 | Repair | 41316 | Trunk torsion rods installed
Yesterday, Monday, 8/09/21 at 8:00 am, I took the car in to Chuck's Body & Paint on Tyler. He does all the work on our Subaru. Left him with copies of the relevant manual pages and pics. He said he wouldn't get to it that day, as someone was absent. About 4:30pm I returned wanting to take the car home, because the weather report said the whole week was going to be filled with strong storms and rain. Chuck said he would do the trunk first thing in the morning, and it wouldn't rain. He also said he would put the car inside over night. That was good, since starting at 7 pm all hell broke loose with wild storms and rain. Today, Tuesday, 8/10/21, the strong storms continued along with rain. He called around 11:00am to say the car was done, and when did I want to pick it up. According to the weather 2 pm looked good. But NO! It started pouring the instant we pulled out of our garage, and continued most of the way down to Chucks. He wiped the car off earlier (because of dust, not rain.) It was fairly dry by Chuck's, but started to rain, just as I was getting in the car. So I was in a slight amount of rain, and the roads were damp. But I was able to keep the window open (along with the vents) as it is another steamy humid hot day as well.
Because Pat said I was going so fast down 306 on Monday, when I was taking the car in to Chuck's, I decided to test my speedometer with an App I put on Pat's phone which uses GPS to track your speed. According to the App, my speedometer is dead on. Very accurate. I drove home using Rt. 2 over to 615. So I'm not sure why Pat thought I was going so fast. (I never went over 40-45 mph) But my speeds varied from the 40's to the high 60's on the way home and the speedometer always tracked the same as the App.
After parking the car in garage, I examined the trunk, and was very pleased. Trunk opens properly again, and the tear I made is not too noticeable. I plan to patch it though. I vacuumed out the trunk, and restored all the usual stuff inside. | 122.27 | | 07/30/21 | Repair | 41303 | Correct Torsion rods arrived.
CTC Auto Ranch came through again! These are the correct rods, and are an exact match to mine. Dave there, said they were out of a '69 Marquis Convertible. (so they never snapped..) | 195.00 | | 07/27/21 | Repair | 41303 | Removed broken torsion rod
Went to Home Depot, and bought a steel bar: 3/4" x 1/8" x 36", which I cut in half and made a tool to remove the unbroken rod from the hinge "U end." Turned out using two bars wouldn't fit, so just used one, which was strapped to a wood handle with hose clamps. It worked, causing the "U end" to snap down and out of the "grabber." Then I removed the other end which was still tight in the first slot. I used my hubcap pry bar to pry it out and WAP! It shot back towards the well liner, slicing through it. At this point, the broken bar could finally be removed. I took the broken bar and the piece that broke off, and compared it to the new replacements I received, so I could determine exactly which one needed to be cleaned and painted for re-installation. The unbroken rod was left as is, since it will be re-used. On 7/31 I bought some primer, dk blue metallic paint, and sandpaper, and cleaned and painted the old bar from Texas. It is now ready to be re-installed.
On 8/2 while picking up Pat's Subaru from Chuck's Body & Paint, I asked whether he could re-install them. He said yes! Erik declined to do this job. I also talked to Frank's Auto Body in Madison regarding this (8/3/21), but he will be out of town for the next couple of weeks, so I wouldn't even be able to schedule a time to come in until 8/23. However, he said he would do this too.
Home Depot: $8.02, Autozone: $29.41 | 37.43 | | 07/23/21 | Repair | 41303 | New torsion rods arrived
Ordered from CTC auto ranch in Texas. I told them '69 or '70 Ford or Mercury. That was a mistake. The ones I got have the right size and shape, but are only 1/4" dia. whereas the originals in my car are 5/16". Turns out the Mercury trunks WERE larger than the Ford full size ones. 20 cu. ft. vs 18 cu. ft. So Mercury used a beefier one for a presumably larger (longer and therefore heavier) trunk lid. I may be able to use these nonetheless, by just putting in a higher tension hole. Or as patterns for fabricating ones in the 5/16th dia. size. Meanwhile, I am hoping they have the Mercury ones, which I requested again. The cost of these shipped is shown. | 195.00 | | 07/11/21 | Damage | 41303 | Trunk torsion bar snapped
Had trouble opening the trunk. Noticed the left side "L shape" end of the torsion bar broke off. The other side is a "U shape". Reverse is true on the other torsion bar which is ok. I think it just let loose for no apparent reason. The last time I used the trunk, was at the car show on 6/17, and everything appeared fine then. Part numbers for them are: C9MY5444890-A and C9MY5444891-A | 0.00 | | 07/10/21 | Miscellaneous | 41303 | Headlands Cruise
Cool morning, in high 50's, about 6:15am, but clear. Kept the windows all rolled up and the vents closed. Not much traffic, being a Saturday, although lots of boats being pulled by cars and trucks. Back window started fogging up a bit. Fuel is registering just over 1/4. But otherwise uneventful, and smooth cruise! | 0.00 | | 07/07/21 | Miscellaneous | 41293 | Cruising again!
Another nice morning, though still warm and muggy. Left about 6am for the grand perimeter route, with driver's window rolled down, and parking lights on. Traffic was noticeably heavier on Rt. 2. Ran the car at a steady 70, which was what all of traffic was doing! The engine likes this muggy warm air! Once home, all hubcaps accounted for, and noticed some gnats etc on front of car which was cleaned up, polished and waxed -just the front. Also need to check tires: all are 33#. (waited over 3 hrs. before checking. I noticed this higher inflation after the alignment, but will let it go for now) Fuel is reading between 1/2 and 1/4 tank. Only 125 miles since last fill up. But the gauge always reads lower than actual. | 0.00 | | 07/05/21 | Miscellaneous | 41279 | Another Cruise!
This morning, around 6am, because I just ran the car a couple of days ago, I gave the gas a couple of pumps, and floored it once slowly to set the fast idle, and it started right up. Not a very fast idle, because it was already warm at this hour. Let it idle for a minute or two, and backed out for the grand perimeter cruise. Put the parking lights on in the garage, where I could see the dash lights much easier. Had the driver's window open about half way, but closed it once I realized the vents provided plenty of air. Temp was about 72*. It has been a good time to drive because there have been no bugs either. The car is staying pretty clean, windshield and front end. Everything ran well, with no funny noises etc. Once again had all green lights all the way up Reynolds! Noticed the sun as it was rising, was a large red disk, as I was cruising up Reynolds, so I turned off the parking lights. Gas is just shy of half a tank. | 0.00 | | 07/03/21 | Miscellaneous | 41264 | Grand Perimeter cruise
This morning, about 5:50am, with temps around the high 60's, took the car for a spin. Since this is the 4th of July weekend, this is the best time to go to avoid traffic. Even though it was just 4 days since my last cruise, I gave the carb a squirt of starting fluid anyway. I probably didn't need to. But as usual, started right up and fast idled for a minute or two, before I kicked it down, and backed out. Had the car up over 70 mph on Rt. 2. Back window started to fog up a little, as I just had the vents open, but the windows were all closed. Because it was not fully daylight when I left, I put the parking lights on. But it was very hard to tell from the dash whether they were on or not. I need to get all new bulbs in the dash. Later, on Rt. 2 I turned them off, as it was fully daylight by then. All green lights all the way up Reynolds! Car ran well. Hubcaps all present. Fuel gauge is just slightly above half a tank. | 0.00 | | 06/29/21 | Miscellaneous | 41250 | Headlands Cruise
Because of the heat wave we're in, I took the car out for a spin about 5:45am, on the usual LSB/44 Headlands cruise. It was very comfortable at that time of day, although muggy, but traffic was light. So a very enjoyable trip. Although 44 up to the headlands is not that smooth, all hubcaps stayed on. I will have to do more at this hour. I also cleaned up the drip pan in the garage with a couple of paper towels. | 0.00 | | 06/17/21 | Miscellaneous | 41223 | Grand Perimeter cruise
The "Grand Perimeter" cruise is taking Lake Shore to 44 South, getting on Rt. 2 West, exiting at Rt. 306 and going North all the way up to Salida and home. This is basically the whole perimeter of Mentor. Well, at least the large northern half! The real grand perimeter would be to take I-90, but there is too much traffic, and the road is not as good. It is only 14 miles which is surprising, as I thought it would be more. Rt. 2 is a good smooth freeway. Had the car above 70 while passing a landscape truck. Otherwise everything went well. Low growl when idling at lights. I left about 10:30 am, and was back after about 20 minutes. Weather was warm and sunny, but just had the left vent open, all windows closed. Traffic was worst when I got to Andrews. But overall, this is usually a good time to cruise, although early morning is even better. | 0.00 | | 06/17/21 | Miscellaneous | 41239 | Eastlake Cruise In
Put the top down at home. Temp already about 80*. About 4:30pm, Pat and I drove via LSB to the Eastlake Avenue of Flags, where they have their cruise in every Thursday evening from roughly 5-8. Lots of construction on LSB from Mentor line to Lost Nation Rd., which we vowed to avoid on the way home. Car behaved great. Already lots of car in place, even though we were about 20 minutes early. Someone said it now starts at 4pm. Anyway, still lots of choice spaces to choose from. Lots of comments about "don't see these ever." Pat's doctor D. was there and we talked with him and saw his movie car "the Pie Wagon" from Hollywood Knights. Stayed until after 6pm. On the way home we took LSB to Erie st. all the way down to Lost Nation Rd. (turning left) and then got on Rt. 2 and exited at 615. Still, surprising that whole outing was only 16 miles! Put the top back up once home, and parked in garage. Very good adventure! | 0.00 | | 06/11/21 | Miscellaneous | 41209 | Shake down cruise
Took the car for its usual spin to Headlands and back to see if the front pass. hubcap would stay put. Also wanted a better test for the newly redone front suspension and alignment. The hubcap DID stay put. The feel of the front suspension, was surprisingly about the same as before. Maybe a little tighter. So despite some degradation etc. it was far from being bad. I think the steering is just a bit easier.
What got all of this started was not the handling per se. Rather, after the new HD springs and load leveling shocks were installed, I noticed that one of the lower ball joints had lost its rubber boot. Then I had those replaced. After that, I thought the alignment might need adjusting. The alignment shop said all of the rest of the work needed to be done in order for their alignment to be held. Which is why I did all of the rest of the front suspension. There was some play etc., that was not good, but as for driving, it wasn't that noticeable. | 0.00 | | 06/04/21 | Maintenance | 41198 | Front wheel alignment
Friday morning @ 8am took car in to Heisely Tire and Brake for the front end alignment. Dan Gambler is the alignment specialist, who would be there for my car. I gave them the paperwork that they gave me the last time I had it in, when they told me about all the front end work that needed to be done first. By 3:30pm, Dan called to say everything was done. He said everything is completely within spec, while the only problem he encountered was getting the steering wheel exactly centered because of the tie rod ends and sleeves, that apparently need to be adjusted, then the wheel, then back to the sleeves etc. But as far as I can tell it's fine. But he got the caster and camber exactly where it should be. He took the car for a test drive and was thoroughly impressed with the car overall. He said it was basically like a new car! He asked me about the hubcaps, which were in the trunk. I cautioned him, that when he put them back on to BE SURE they were on tight. Pat drove me up a bit after 4pm, and because it was Friday AND the last day of school in Mentor, AND sunny and warm (in the low 80's), traffic was intensely heavy. Heisley is especially busy at such times. After settling my bill, Pat followed me out of the parking lot on to Heisley North toward Lake Shore blvd. After about a mile, the passenger side front hubcap flew off! grrr! I heard a loud clanging noise, and feared what it probably was. I saw Pat (behind me) pull off on to the shoulder of the road and stop. Yep, that was it. She immediately went after the hubcap which was down an embankment on very uneven ground, but retrieved the hubcap before I could get to her. She was having much difficulty getting back up the hill, so I yelled for her to wait till I got there. I left my car running on the side of the road. I helped her get back up to her car, and THANK GOD, she didn't fall, plus the hubcap looked ok too! When I got home, I couldn't see any distinct damage around the front wheel, and Pat said she saw it fall off, and it seemed to just go out from the car without banging into anything. The rest of the way home was smooth sailing, with the car running fine. (I have the snorkel flap propped open) and the front end seemed very steady and rattle free. Steering is so much easier too! I'll have to take the car out for a better test drive, when traffic isn't so bad. | 168.82 | | 06/01/21 | Maintenance | 41186 | Front end rebuild
Took the car in to Miller's Auto Service Inc. on Tues. May 25th @ 8:30am. Erik wasn't around, so I left the keys and the paperwork from Heisely Tire and Brake in the drop box. Erik knew about what to do in advance, so no problem. When I scheduled the appointment, Erik did complain that he was having a very hard time getting help, and it was slowing him down etc. All of the parts worked properly, so that was a relief. He replaced the upper control arm bushings (which required him to remove it), the upper ball joints, Inner and outer tie rod ends along with the sleeves, and the idler arm. He also adjusted both front wheel bearings. The car was finished one week later, on June 1st (Tuesday.) I was able to drive the car home, although it was pulling pretty hard to the right. But already it seemed like the front end was tighter. I am currently waiting for a call from Heisley Tire and Brake for when to bring the car in for the alignment. | 781.85 | | 05/18/21 | Fuel | 41168 | Fill up with Real Gas
Sunny, 72* day. Left @ 2pm. Found out there are TWO Circle Ks where I fill up. The BIG one, which is WEST of RT. 2 on Vine ST. is the one that has the Ethanol Free Gas. Gas gauge was showing about 1/8 tank. Today ethanol free was $3.80 a gal. Filled up with 14.22 Gals. Total sale was $54.00. Before the fill up I dumped in half a bottle of MMO, and a full bottle of Lead Substitute. (Next fill up, just add Octane boost, nothing else.) There was still about 10 gals. in the tank. 202 miles since last fill up. Mileage is 14.43 so far. So mileage is improving, for whatever reason.. (maybe because of the ethanol free gas?) No issues at all, although the starter was still a little heat-soaked when I went to leave, but it started. Idled well at stops. I did a lot of stop-n-go driving because I went to the wrong Circle K first. Then it was the school buses. On Rt. 2 I was averaging about 60 mph. Smooth sailing, although I think I can feel a little looseness in the front end, now that I am really paying attention. Fuel cost: $56.00
Parts:
All the parts are in for the front end rebuild. Biggest problem was finding a non-Mevotech idler arm. Unfortunately, nothing else available right now, so had to settle for Mevotech. The rest of the parts are Moog. I have the car scheduled to go in for the repair on Tue. May 25th. at Miller's. Total cost of parts: $285.70 includes shipping. | 339.70 | | 04/28/21 | Maintenance | 41158 | Front end alignment
Took the car up to Heisley Tire & Brake for the front end alignment today. They called to say that the front end needs a lot of parts before an alignment can be done: Viz: 2 upper control arms (bad bushings); 2 upper ball joints (do with arms); Idler arm (8/10 loose); Tie rod ends, inner and outer (Loose 3/10 squeeze) also sleeves (?) This was checked and listed per Eddie. Dan Gamber would do the actual alignment.
I also installed the correct crankcase breather cap, which is a reproduction of the exact one that goes on my car (even has "autolite" stamped in it.) The old one, a Stant, which was silver, which I just recently put on, was smaller, and I was unable to install the correct washer plug for the elbow, making it loose. That cost $10 from Amazon. I had to put the included new elbow into the Scott Drake repop myself, and found I could do it, if I put the washer and elbow into the breather cap together. I was at least able to get it started, and then with a screw driver was able to push in the rest of it to seat properly. Good firm assembly now, just like the original. This breather cap and PCV valve should last as long as I own this car. The charge is for the breather cap assy. purchased from Summit Racing. The silver one I put away for a spare.
I will now have to order all the parts listed, and when I have them all, reschedule to have them installed and the alignment done. | 30.00 | | 04/09/21 | Miscellaneous | 41140 | 5th Cruise of the year
Replaced the PCV valve, and added the rubber extension to the radiator. I wanted to see again, if I felt the car pulling slightly to the right. I made sure all of the tires were inflated equally (about 31#). I think there is definitely a slight pull to the right. I checked with Bob's Garage and Towing in Painesville. I would have to leave the car with him, as waiting might be hours or more. Gas gauge is reading just above 1/4 tank. Otherwise the car idled and ran smoothly. Lots of traffic on LSB and 44N at 1pm on a Friday. | 0.00 | | 04/01/21 | Maintenance | 41115 | Replace lower ball joints
Took car in on Tues. 3/30/21 @ 8:00am. Sunny and dry. Gave Erik the TRW ball joints I bought, and asked him to also do an oil change. He explained that my engine needed the oil with extra zinc and phos., which I never knew. This is only the second oil change I've done. The last one was in Oct. 2019. On Wed. he called to say the TRW ball joints were wrong. I bought the press fit ones, and he needed the bolt in kind. (that was my mistake) I couldn't see any sign of the bolts. So he found some Moog ones and installed those. Did the oil change with Valvoline VR-1 Racing oil with high zinc/phos. Used my oil filter. Car was ready for pickup today, Thurs. with off/on lake effect snow! I picked up the car around 3pm, and the roads were still mainly dry, although damp in places. I am already planning on scrubbing the undercarriage when the weather improves, and there was very faint dust/slight spatter on the lowest panels behind the wheels. I also took the LSE back to storage, with so-so roads, mainly dry, but snow off/on. On the way home it really let loose, and was actually a white out near Lake Catholic HS. By the time I was done, the roads were actually wet! | 591.37 | | 03/06/21 | Miscellaneous | 41100 | 4th cruise of the year
Usual spin, no issues. | 0.00 | | 03/05/21 | Miscellaneous | 41090 | 3rd Cruise of the year.
I over-pumped the gas when starting, so flooded it. I let it rest a couple of minutes than just turned the key, no pedal or anything, and it fired right up. Even after 3 days I probably only need one pump. Let the car warm up a little, then left. Little bit of the rubbery noise when turning the wheel. Otherwise no issues at all while driving. Beautiful sunny morning about 30*F. @ 10:30am. | 0.00 | | 03/02/21 | Miscellaneous | 41080 | 2nd Cruise of the year.
After sitting unstarted for almost 2 months, the headlight doors were still closed tight! After a squirt of "primer", the car started immediately, and idled great. Let it run until interior was warmed up. (It was in the low 30's today). Took it out for it's usual 11 mile spin, but with a stop at St. Bede, where I left it running, to drop off the envelopes. Had it up to 60 mph without issues. no stalling. Because the car was warmed up before I pulled out of the garage, I didn't hear that "rubbery" noise. I noticed the gas gauge is reading around 3/4. | 0.00 | | 01/08/21 | Miscellaneous | 41069 | First cruise of New Year!
The weather was dry and hovering around freezing. However, the roads still had dry salt residue. Examined the car when back home, and did see salt dust on the lower panels, so washed off and dried. Will make sure roads are rinsed too, before next drive. However, the worst road was 44 North to Headlands beach. That had a very heavy coating of dried salt, which is probably where I got the dust from. In the spring I will rinse the wheel wells etc. well. When leaving the house, I heard the "rubbery" noise, which I believe is coming from the steering column rubbing something, either under the dash, or in the firewall. By the time I got home, after the car warmed up from the drive, both in the engine, and in the interior, the noise was gone. Otherwise, the car fired right up (with the help of a squirt of starting fluid), idled well, drove fine with no stalls. After sitting for over a month in a cold garage, the headlight covers were still tightly closed. | 0.00 | | 11/29/20 | Miscellaneous | 41011 | Stall fixed?
There were two items I focused on, with regard to the stall issue. 1.) the Air Cleaner's waxstat flap, which routes warm air to the carb, until the temp rises sufficiently to cause the flap to close, thereby only allowing cool air in. I checked this with a heat gun, and verified that the flap is definitely closing all the way, and opening all the way with sufficient heat. 2.) The "anti-stall dashpot" which the throttle rests on when closed. This dashpot was never properly set when the new carb was installed this past summer. So I set it. Since then, there have been no stalls! I'm hoping this was the fix. If it was, it certainly makes sense! I am driving the car on my usual 8-9 mile runs, and no hint of stalling lately. | 0.00 | | 10/25/20 | Fuel | 40966 | Fill up with Real Gas
Sunday morning, took the car first to Pat's friend's house in Eastlake, to drop off some stuff to her. Then went to the Circle K in Willowick, where they have ethanol free gas @ 90 Octane. 189 miles since last fill up. Gas was $3.099 per gal (approx. a dollar higher than normal gas.) First added 15 oz. bottle of Octane boost, then filled it with another 15 oz. of Marvel Mystery Oil, and added it too. Then filled tank with 16.23 gals of ethanol-free gas. Gas gauge was registering 1/8 tank. I still had 7.5 gals left, so it should have been reading under 1/3 tank or over 1/4 tank. That equates to 11.65 mpg so far. Not too bad, considering I do mostly stop and go city driving, with just a few free-way miles. Drove excellent on highway (rt. 2) from rt. 91 to rt. 615. Then on slow drive up Center st to Hopkins, it stalled right near Governors point. Thankfully no one was behind me during this episode. The starter was heat-soaked, so restarting was a little tense, but it finally fired up, and drove fine rest of the way home. The emergency flasher was apparently working, because I put it on, while I tried to get the car restarted. BTW, at the gas station, the car was off about 10 minutes, and no heat soak at all, car started immediately. The Circle K is about 10 miles away, by taking Rt. 2. | 50.31 | | 10/13/20 | Miscellaneous | 40920 | Driving update
I have been driving the car almost daily, about 8 miles. Nothing more than leisurely cruising on the boulevard. No more stalls so far. Starting right up, idling smooth, but, if shut off after about 4 miles then restarted after a couple of minutes, the starter still exhibits a bit of heat soak, despite the insulation blanket installed on the starter. The fit is dodgy though. I have under a half tank of gas and added 4 oz. Of Marvel Mystery Oil. I will add some more at the next fillup. Enjoy these outings though. 😀 | 0.00 | | 10/02/20 | Miscellaneous | 40869 | Sudden Stall
For the past 3 days I have been driving the car up to 44 and then to Headlands Beach State Park (about 12 miles total.) Yesterday I gunned the engine @ 50mph to see how it did. It jumped into action! Today I actually floored it (WOT) @ 50mph to see if it downshifted properly. It did great! This car is ready to pass anyone! However, after driving through the park slowly, and then getting back onto 44 at the stop, when letting up on the gas, the car stalled. This is the first time since the new carb that this happened. I suspect either the fuel system (North Coast Restorations claimed it still needed to have the gas tank cleaned to prevent further stalling.) Or the fuel pump (of unknown age --although it looks like new.) I ordered two fuel pumps and 5 fuel filters from Rock Auto (to have spares.) | 71.99 | | 09/14/20 | Maintenance | 40810 | Miller Auto
Flush and refill ATF in Tranny, and torque converter. This was done by Fri. 9/18. Erik said there was no grit or shavings, but a clean pan, fluid looked good too. New filter also. He is also checking the headlight aim and installed a universal fit insulation blanket on the starter to prevent "heat soak." He is also replacing all four springs and shocks with those I provided which are heavy duty springs and load leveling shocks. Total: $459.68 from Parts Geek, LLC 3/11/20 Moog Springs and Monroe Shocks.
He completed all of the work today; 9/24/20. I picked up the car a little after 3pm. His charge for installing all four Moog heavy duty springs, and all four Monroe Load leveling shocks, complete flush of ATF system with a new filter, gasket and Type F fluid, as well as adjusting the headlights (they were turned inward only, but height was ok.) AND install new sway bar links, was $903.95. The car handled beautifully on the way home. Not a harsh ride at all, but very confidence inspiring. No longer so soft and wallowy. Didn't notice a need for alignment yet. Erik says to give it about a month to "settle" before deciding. The car sits at least an inch or two taller, and looks terrific! | 1,363.63 | | 09/06/20 | Fuel | 40777 | Gas fill up
At Get-Go, fill up with premium. No additves this time. Only 92 miles since last fill up. But I was doing a lot of carb and timing tuning, and idling the engine etc. Put in 14.7 Gal. Car guage was reading just under 1/4 tank. 6.25 mpg. (Yikes) It looks like the guage is gradually getting more accurate. But still reading lower than actuality. (I should have been able to put in over 18 gals. with less than 1/4 tank showing. Gas was 2.86 per gallon. I got the gas about 8 am on Sunday morning. First tried Sunoco, but they were still closed. The starter exhibited signs of "heat soak" when I tried to start after the fill up, but it started ok. | 42.20 | | 08/19/20 | Miscellaneous | 40761 | Cruise
Drove car around 10:00 AM from home up LSB to 44 to RT. 2 East and got off at RT. 306 North, up Reynolds to Salida and home again. A total of 15 miles. Gas was showing above a quarter when I left home, and is still above a quarter. Smooth sailing with no problems to report. Top speed around 70 mph on Rt. 2. Good engine braking when taking foot off gas. Smooth idle at stops. Ordinary creep after removing foot from brake. Traffic was heavy, especially on Rt. 2. This is the second trip like this. I also drove the car last week, same trip, but went back home via Rt. 615.
8/22/20: Took the car to Annabelle's for the first cruise in since I have owned the car. Near miss episode at Hopkins & Hendricks, with car running a red light. But the car squealed to a stop and then stalled. Started back up and got to Annabelle's about 20 minutes early (4:40pm). Already a crowd there! So I put down the top with Pat's help, and noticed most people had masks and were Covid compliant. However after about an hour, the people coming in were less and less compliant, so we left. Sunday afternoon drove the car to Judy's with the top down, and she took some pics. When I got home, I put the top back up. | 0.00 | | 07/29/20 | Miscellaneous | 40715 | Pick up Carburetor
Went to North Coast Restorations and picked up the original Autolite Carb, that was sent in for a rebuild. It was a part of my bill, so no charge today. 7/30/20: adjusted the idle down some more to 550/600 in drive with Pat's help. Now acting like a normal car, and not going more than 6 mph from a stop while giving no gas. In actuality, I spent the better part of July getting things to this point. | 0.00 | | 07/15/20 | Repair | 40703 | Follow up to NCR
I am very disappointed with North Coast REstorations, and have lost my trust in them. After some initial investigating when I got home from their shop, I realized that Cylinder One was not firing at all! So they sent me home in a car that was just tuned up with a missing cylinder, and with the idle set dangerously high. I began by ordering a couple of new spark plugs and a set of cables, since I figured he may have put in a bad spark plug. I knew it was cylinder one, because my timing light wouldn't work, however it worked fine when connected to any other cylinder. It took a week for them to arrive by mail, but after installing them, still no joy on cyl. 1. I looked next at the old distributor cap, which he never changed (as well as the cables) and it looked pitted and worn. So I ordered another one of them. Another week goes by, installed it, and still no joy on cyl. 1! Lastly I figured it must be the new Pertronix electronic ignition he installed. After searching the web, I found that sometimes the magnetic ring can be bad and have missing or defective magnet inside causing a missed cylinder. I ordered a new Pertronix 1281 kit from O'Reilly's Car Parts, and 2 days later had it. Popped it in the distributor, and voila! all 8 cylinders were finally firing. (I called Pertronix about this, and have a new magnetic ring being shipped to me.) Meanwhile I checked the timing, which could not have been set properly with no cylinder 1. It was showing an initial timing of 30*!! I backed it down to 10* I also adjusted the carb, at least 5 or 6 times (always beginning from scratch) and the idle. Finally yesterday I was satisfied that the tune was about as good as I could get it. The car appears to be idling @ 550 in drive, and the car creeps from a stop to about 12 mph, but no higher. Still a little fast perhaps. But the idle is about as low as I feel comfortable with. I adjusted the carb so that when turning in the mixture screw I just began to lose vacuum, so I have it set about as lean as I could, while still maintaining good vacuum. It was reading around 19" 7/21/20: replaced magnetic ring in distributor with the one Pertronix sent under warranty. Put the old working one back in the box I got from O'Reilly's, so it is a complete set and spare.
On the good side, the windows roll up and down much much easier now. I am also getting good vacuum advance from the new canister they installed on the distributor. The passenger side seat belt retractor works well too. The headlight aim is still questionable. Driving at night on a dark residential street, the lights seemed good on the road in front, but was also lighting up the street names and other signs so much, that I wondered if it was the improvement with the Halogen lights, or the aim still be too high. I restored the original plug and cable to cylinder one, as they had been when I brought the car home. I have a complete set of new cables, and a couple of new plugs, as well as a new Pertronix to keep as spares. I also ordered a new Coil for a spare as well.
Other complaints: They cross threaded the wing nut on the carb stud which holds the air cleaner. Very annoying, as that always spun easily on and off, now requires constant manual turning, but not seriously damaged. There also appears to be a dent in the driver's armrest above the wood trim (perhaps when prying it off?) The backup lights still don't work. They said they adjusted the neutral safety switch to fix it. They flash while changing gears, but that is all. | 100.00 | | 06/24/20 | Fuel | 40685 | Fill up
At GetGo, fill up with Premium. First added 1 bottle of Octane boost. 17 Gal. Gage was reading on Empty. This is the second fill up. The first was in August of last year. (gage was also reading on Empty (directly on the "E") and put 14 gal. in. So I was surprised at how much went in this time. Gas tank capacity is 24.1 Gal. Put in lead substitute and octane boost in previous tank of gas. Will put in lead substitute every 3rd fill up; Especially since the tank is never fully emptied. | 22.00 | | 06/17/20 | Repair | 40662 | Northcoast Restoration
General maintenance and repair of carb etc. Lake Auto Towing took the car. List of items needing attention discussed with Steve Frangos. Car will be kept inside while he has it. Towing charge of $67 added to my account with Northcoast. 1.) reseat brake pressure differential valve so brake system light goes off on dash. 2.) Check aim on headlights. 3.) Blow out entire fuel line. 4.) Remove carb and send out for rebuild and calibration. 5.) install reman. carb. 6.) Install new vacuum advance unit. 7.) Install Pertronix electronic Ignition kit. Pertronix Ignitor 1281. 8.) Comprehensive tune-up: cap, rotor, ignitor kit, plugs, (wires and air filter good), set timing, adj. carb fuel/air. 9.) check and top off all fluids. 10.) rebuild/clean and lube RH seat-belt retractor mechanism. 11.) Remove left and right door panels to lubricate both window regulators, tracks, and guides. Rear windows lubed as well without disassembly. 12.) light detail interior, exterior and under hood, includes remove some light scratches. 13.) repair intermittent backup lights (adjust neutral safety switch --was lighting up in neutral instead of reverse. Price includes tax. Car was finished on 6/24/20 (just one week total.) Always kept inside. | 2,566.13 | | 04/15/20 | Damage | 40651 | Carb problem
While driving on Lake Shore, two backfires through carb. and loss of power. A couple of days later tried driving again, and after about a mile, stalled while driving. Now car has become undrivable. | 0.00 | | 03/22/20 | Miscellaneous | 40650 | Cruising
Started the car for the first time since I replaced the Vacuum cutoff switch. The headlight covers stayed tightly closed the entire time; about 2-1/2 wks. Car driven about 11 miles including freeway @ 65-70 mph. No problems. Brakes good. Heater works like crazy! (It was only in the 30's, but clear and sunny and dry.) | 0.00 | | 03/05/20 | Repair | 40639 | Replace Vacuum cut off for headlights
Put on the NOS Vacuum cut off switch purchased from Green Sales. The hoses seemed pretty tight, so I don't suspect a leak there. I have to wait and see how long it holds now... | 30.00 | | 02/15/20 | Maintenance | 40638 | Vacuum leak
After a couple of days, I noticed the headlight doors were starting to open on their own, which indicates a vacuum leak. I suspect the vacuum cut off switch, as it was very difficult to turn, which I used to open the headlight doors while I was replacing all of the headlights, plus it is the only thing in the vacuum system I handled. I will order a new one. | 0.00 | | 02/10/20 | Maintenance | 40638 | Headlight Replacement
I bought 4 new headlights (from Ebay) for $60 which are guaranteed OEM, although they are upgraded to Halogen bulbs instead of filament, and are therefore much brighter. I needed to buy a spring puller tool, which holds the headlights down. Replaced the driver's side, hi and lo beams. Cut myself in the process, so stopped. Finished job today 2/12/20. Both hi & lo beams check out good. | 60.00 | | 01/17/20 | Miscellaneous | 40638 | Brake warning light switch (cont.)
Checked the car's electrical connector which had been soaking for a week in silicone. The rubber was amazingly pliable, so I plugged it in to the Pressure Differential switch. Still a struggle, and was not on a 100%, yet enough to work. Unfortunately, the Pressure Differential Valve is not centered, and is therefore throwing a ground, and keeping the "Brake System" warning light on, even when just turning the ignition switch to "on" rather than "start." For the time being, I am going to unplug the connector, let it soak some more in the silicone for a while, and then plug it in to a spare switch I have. That will permit the warning light to act normal while I decide on what to do next. There are two options. 1. loosen the connector for the line on the high pressure side (to simulate a leak) then pump the brakes causing the piston to return to the center, then lock down and refill the MC. or 2. replace the Press. Diff. valve block with a rebuilt one, but having the tool installed which holds the piston in the center while bleeding the brake system again. 2/3/20: Talked to Erik about this, and gave him a page from the service manual describing the reset procedure, and he will try to reset the Press. Diff. Valve when I come in again. | 0.00 | | 01/03/20 | Miscellaneous | 40617 | Brake warning light switch
Went to Miller Auto to purchase the pigtail (connector and wires) that plug into the Brake pressure differential block electrical switch. The one on my car won't plug in. Erik took the pigtail out of the X-100 he has which also provided the pd block. Unfortunately, even though this connector looks very clean and undamaged, it too will not push in. I believe it is the rubber in it, which is so hard from age and heat, it won't stretch enough to let the connector push on. | 10.00 | | 01/02/20 | Maintenance | 40617 | Fuel filter replacement
Replaced the fuel filter at the carb. No problems. Test drove the car today 1/5/19 and the hesitation when accelerating is virtually gone. Much better now. | 1.00 | | 12/27/19 | Repair | 40610 | Brake Job Finished
Picked up car today. Brakes are all done. Everything was replaced except for the metal lines. The wheel cylinders, the front calipers, all four brake hoses, master cylinder, and even the proportioning valve (NOS I found on ebay) and Pressure Differential valve (sometimes called the distribution block) which actually came off a 1969 Mercury Marauder X100, which incredibly enough, was also in Erik Miller's shop for possible parting out. Luckily that valve/block was in good usable condition. Erik found corrosion and thought the original one which was on my car was unfixable. The lines were flushed and blown out. Erik said there was some spagetti stuff that came out of the rear lines due to the mixing of the Dot 3 with the Dot 5. Currently the car is restored back to DOT 3. The brakes functioned flawlessly on the way home, as I checked the automatic releasing emergency brake, as well as making some sudden panic stops. So this is the first time the car's brakes have ever functioned properly, since taking delivery. I got all of my old parts (like the original distribution block, and proportioning valve) So I will keep my eye out for a new distribution block to match my old one. | 758.03 | | 11/20/19 | Maintenance | 40595 | Brake Job Cont.
Dropped car off at Miller's Auto in Painesville. Erik checked my car over for scratches etc. He will check car over. ON Tues. Nov. 26th I dropped off the Proportioning valves, rear wheel cylinders and hoses, along with the MC and Calipers (original) for cores. We talked again, and he will do system over. I am having new front hoses sent directly to him. (he received them on Monday Dec. 2nd.) The first week of December I am away in Maui, but I left him my email address should he need to contact me for any reason. Mon, Dec. 9th. Erik has all of the necessary parts, and will work on it asap. Mon. Dec. 16th, everything was installed on the car, including flushing and blowing out the lines. However the Brake distribution block that I gave him was incorrect. He disassembled the original one and found much corrosion. Doesn't appear to be rebuildable. May be able to get one from the '69 Marauder he has in shop right now. Tue. Dec. 17th, I took in a photo of another one I found online with NPD that says it is for the '69 Merc. Cougar, it appears to have the correct number of ports, which the first one I took him lacked. | 0.00 | | 11/14/19 | Miscellaneous | 40589 | Towing
Lake Towing, on Tyler towed the car a few blocks from Confident Car Repair to Rohaley's Auto and Truck Repair (both on Tyler) I have some pics of this operation in my album... | 66.34 | | 11/14/19 | Maintenance | 40589 | Brake Job (cont.)
Alec Rohaley Sr. checked in my car, while I explained the situation. He thought this was a serious problem (mixing the Dot 3 and Dot 5) whereas Bob @ Confident seemed to think it was a small matter.
Today 11/15/19 he told me that I have to buy ALL NEW BRAKE PARTS; Master cylinder (again), front calipers (again), both proportioning valves, all 4 flexible brake hoses and rear wheel cylinders, and THEN, bring the car back in the spring of next year!! So no charge from him. I drove the car home myself 3-4 miles up 306/Reynolds. I had to constantly pump the brakes up to get a pedal. But I was able to come to complete stops at lights etc.
I have an appointment on 11/20 (next Wed.) with another (3rd) shop who says he'll look at the car, even after telling him all this. | 0.00 | | 11/08/19 | Damage | 40560 | Brake Job (cont.)
Today: Nov. 8th, I went to the shop to talk to Bob about the brakes. We talked for about a 1/2 hour or so, with him drawing pictures to explain his theory about the brake hoses being the culprit, whereas I tried to convince him that because they are DOT certified, the vendor has tons of positive feedbacks (not one negative) regarding his hoses, from people around the world, having cars that were my same age (and older.) Right now the car has one new hose on and one original hose on. The brakes pump up, but then the pedal starts to go down, until they are pumped up again. He swears that the system was properly flushed with denatured alcohol before the DOT 5 was put back in, and that furthermore, even if there was still some trace of DOT 3 left, it would not have this symptom. The car is marginally drivable for short distances at this point. Bob's next idea is to put the car on the rack, clean all areas where he suspects a leak, and put pressure on the brakes overnight, and see if this get any result. Nov. 13: Stopped in to check on status of car. No progress. Bob says he can find no leaks after his testing. However he did see bubbles coming up in the master cylinder. Now Bob thinks that the (new) brake hoses are balooning or maybe there is an adjustment on the master cylinder. Anyway, I told him I would be taking the car tomorrow and to finalize my bill. The car has no brakes so I have decided to tow it to the next shop. The amount shown is for new brake calipers (and core charge) plus master cylinder and some labor. The Most I ever paid to have my brakes ruined!! | 480.17 | | 10/15/19 | Maintenance | 40560 | Brake Job (cont.)
Brought the car in early Tue. morning to Confident Car Care, along with the Brake Hoses I bought on Ebay from AutoKrafters. These are the brake hoses that are supposed to fit the full size Ford and Mercury for 1969 with front disc brakes. After a week of having the car, I finally heard from the mechanic. The hoses don't work. I asked if they were defective or wrong. They said they were wrong, not defective. On Oct. 22nd I found another supplier on Ebay called Brake Hoses Unlimited. I called and talked to the proprietor about them. I explained what the mechanic said about the first set I gave them: "the ID is too large, and flare is too big." It took a while for the proprietor to figure out what they meant, but eventually he understood, and even knew why that happened. His hoses, he assured me do not have this problem because they use the old "SAE" standard that was in effect in 1969, not the modern one. Anyway, I had him ship his hoses FedEx overnight, and took them to Confident the next day. I asked to see the old hoses so I could compare them to the new set. Sure enough, there WAS a difference in the ID and flare. So took photos, and gave them the new set, and took the old set so that I could return them for a refund (which I did, and I got.) In the meantime, Bob told me the Master Cylinder was also messed up, and he ordered a new one. ANOTHER week went by, and while looking through all the receipts that I had from the original owner, I found one dated 1995 that showed he had all new brake system installed along with SILICONE (DOT 5) Brake fluid! I emailed Bob on Sunday 10/27/19 along with an image of the receipt. Although it was so long ago, the mileage was 35k then (only 5k from where the car is now,) so I reasoned that the silicone was still there. I called the shop on Monday morning also to tell the mechanics about this. I heard nothing for almost a week again, and then on Saturday (Nov. 2nd) I talked to Bob. Now he found problems with the front calipers, and ordered them. (They wouldn't return right.) He also said he will flush the system, as it is certain he was using DOT 3 brake fluid in his procedures. However, he said he will return the brakes to DOT 5 when done. (I intend on attaching a tag to the Master Cylinder specifying DOT 5) | 0.00 | | 09/30/19 | Maintenance | 40555 | Safety Inspection-Maintenance
Monday, Tues. and Wed. came and went with no call from Pearce's. Finally on Thursday, 9/26, I called Confident Car Care on Tyler and set up an appointment to bring the car in on Monday Sept. 30th along with my laundry list of things to check/service; i.e. Diff., Cooling, Oil Change, Tire rotation, Brake check, etc. (Pearce's called on Friday 9/27 saying they would take the car on Tuesday Oct. 1st! I told them I already had an appt. elsewhere.)
I showed up on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 1st, to check on status. The car already had some of the service items performed, but they were having trouble finding the front disk brake hoses which were needed. Called on Thurs. Oct. 3rd for update. Still no luck finding the hoses. I did some checking online, and with some parts dealers I had already found, and discovered the brake lines were only available on Ebay @ $50 each. (they had to be for the disk brakes.) which is what makes them hard to find. On Friday Oct. 4th, I ordered them after Bob Considine at Confident verified they looked correct. Since I would have to wait for the hoses for perhaps another week, I settled up with Bob and brought the car home.
Work done according to the Invoice: Oil pressure switch/gasket (for a leak) Oil and filter change. (oil looks fantastic now.) Cooling system flush and refill, Differential oil drain and refill. Otherwise, tranny fluid looked good, and nothing else appeared to need service. I will call Bob when the front brake hoses arrive and setup another appt. to install.
| 318.26 | | 09/19/19 | Maintenance | 40511 | Pearce's Garage
Took the car in to Pearce's on East Ave., on Thursday for my general Safety/Maintenance inspection. Called on Friday afternoon for status, and they had not looked at the car at all yet. So I went there and picked up the car. Dennis, in the office, said he would definitely call on Monday about when they could look at the car, as they were currently very busy. | 0.00 | | 09/15/19 | Maintenance | 40508 | Interior lights
One of the first problems I tackled after becoming familiar with this car, was the total lack of interior lighting. E.g., the door courtesy lights, map light, glove box light, and the trunk light. The weird thing was that the headlights, taillights, and all exterior lights worked fine. I checked the fuse first; nope, then I checked the bulbs; nope. Oh, and the dash lights worked ok. Finally I realized that the headlight switch DID control these lights, even in the off position! Amazingly, this car's switch is still available from Autozone. The switch even includes the vacuum hose connections which control the headlight doors. Once installed, all of the interior lights worked again! | 37.50 | | 09/11/19 | Miscellaneous | 40504 | Registration in Ohio
Took the car to the DMV on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019 to have the car registered. The original Florida Title finally arrived Mon. 9/9/19. First I had to have an "out of state inspection" done. Cost: $3.50. All he did was verify the VIN and verify the make and body style of the car. The inspector was pretty impressed with this car! Then I was able to have the Title transferred to my name in Ohio. Cost: $892.50 with sales tax and a credit card surcharge of 3%. Finally, the historic vehicle plates, with 1969 Ohio plates registered to them: Cost $33.35. I believe the "out of state" inspector may have misread the mileage, or else the Title person did? Anyway, mileage at the time of title transfer was recorded as 40,491, but this corresponds to the mileage Auto Sensations recorded on their own transfer of title/registration paperwork. This number is strange, because the appraiser photographed the odometer after his test drive, which registered 40,499.8. I drove the car to the DMV so the mileage was more likely 40504 since it is 3.5 miles from home. | 929.35 | | 08/28/19 | Miscellaneous | 40500 | Shipping and Delivery
The original shipper was ready to take the car on Friday, Aug 23rd. He waited around all day, but the dealer wasn't ready (for whatever reason.) The dealer said it would definitely be ready on Monday, Aug. 26th. When I called the shipper on Monday for an update, he said the driver was injured and would have to schedule for the following week! So the Shipping broker which was Freedom Auto Transport found another shipper/truck that would pick up the car up on Tuesday, Aug. 27th. The next day the new shipper (Long's Specialized Transport LLC, out of Tiffin, Oh.) delivered the car in the afternoon in a HUGE SEMI, having driven straight through from Fort Lauderdale to Mentor Ohio. Cost was $1575: $575 deposit and $1000 cash paid on delivery. Car arrived in perfect condition. I then saw that the car came with 30 day tags from the dealer (which might have been the cause of the delay.) But this was a good thing, as I could drive the car in the meantime, while I awaited the dealer to send me the actual Title. This ended up taking another week! | 1,575.00 | | 08/17/19 | Miscellaneous | 40499 | Purchased
Bought from Auto Sensation in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. I first learned of this car while they had it on Ebay. However, the car failed to meet their lowest price and didn't sell. I called a week or two later to see if they still had the car. (which they did.) Therefore I had an appraiser look at the car before I made an offer, which was ultimately accepted on this date. I hired John Layzell of Auto Appraisal Network of South Florida to do the inspection/appraisal. He did the appraisal on 8/15/19. He did not drive the car (which was a disadvantage, but he observed everything, even as a passenger, during the test drive, pretty well.) By the next day, I had loads of high definition digital pics, plus a pdf booklet of all his findings and evaluation. He appraised the car at $24k! Cost of his appraisal: $375. He had no idea what the dealership was asking. 13k which was their absolutely lowest price, so after rejecting my offer of 12k on Friday. I assured him I understood his reasoning, and figured the sale was off. However, Saturday morning he called and asked if I would go to 12,500, which I readily agreed to on Saturday morning 8/17/19. The purchase order papers were drawn up on Monday 8/19/19. Still the appraisal will come in handy if I ever sell the car. It also assured me that the car was really as good as the pics made it look. Buying internet cars can be VERY risky. I didn't add the appraisal into the price for the same reason I don't add the cost of insurance, just peace of mind. | 12,500.00 | | Total | 30,557.06 |
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