We got down to Sarasota at 0930, got the roadster from its long nap in a storage unit and now we’re setting in our favorite local restaurant having a grouper sandwich. Life is good. The car fired right up with a whiff of ether, and moved after half a quart of trans fluid. The fuel pump dripped a little gas until I tightened the bolt at the bottom of the bowl.
I drove the car to the market and gas station earlier today, and it ran TERRIBLE. In addition, it wouldn’t shift into 3rd, and second only at WOT. That seemed to me like the vacuum modulator had come unhooked, so when I got home, after the groceries were unloaded I checked. Sure enough, I most have pulled the vacuum hose off the hard line whilst topping off the transmission fluid yesterday. I hooked it back up and, problem solved. Runs perfectly again. At home in Michigan I wouldn’t be concerned about things like this, but down here, with traffic, no garage and no access to a trailer, I do get a bit spooked when something like this happens.
You forgot to shut the damn door when you p***ed the border into Florida! Leave that Michigan weather up NORTH
Nice story about your motor/roadster. Hello, Back in my teens I was driving my 58 348 Impala. It had 3 carbs running on vacuum shifting and additional power from the other two carbs when needed. One day we were racing a modified 56 Chevy bel air hardtop with a big 352 c.i. motor. He was very fast and he thought he could beat my 348 Impala in the quarter mile. So, we went to the late night Cherry Avenue Drags location and had a outstanding race. I knew my Impala was faster since I had been in his 56 Bel Air Hardtop several time he showed me the full power. So, I was smiling. I did not know he had a 352 SBC motor now in place. He thought he was invincible. When we raced, he got off first and kept the lead through the first 1/8th mile, then I started to get ahead and then my 348 hit a wall and could not just pull away as it had many times over. We were neck and neck or a bumper ahead. He could not pull away, either. He had hit his limit and we were still tied. I could not figure out why I had no reserve power I normally have. But, at the last crossing, he had a bumper lead. It was exciting to see two cars so close in compe***ion on this dark street. no one else had seen the race. So, back to the drive-in restaurant parking lot to see what was the problem. When I opened the hood, I could see the black hose sitting on the manifold away from a little outlet on the middle carb. Without the hose turning on those secondary carbs, I was running a two barrel 348 against the 352 c.i. 56 Chevy bel air hardtop. So, I was lacking the full power of the 3 carb 348 motor. I attached the rubber hose and clamped it on to the tube. Now, my motor had the full power of 3 carbs, not just the center carb working, only. Jnaki But, the 56 Chevy owner said “no race again” due to something not working on his 352 motor. He knew I had tons more horsepower with the additional two carbs working as they should. I had to be satisfied that I would win any rematch, so I was happy and the other guy sulked off for the evening. For the next few weekends, when I saw him at the local hangouts, it was a standard thing for me to say lets go to Cherry Avenue. He always said no, due to something about his 56 Chevy. He knew the full power of the 3 carb 348 motor in the Impala and did not want to see it roll over his 352 c.i. SBC 56 Chevy hardtop, easily. The vacuum line is a critical component to make a motor work well as it should. YRMV
On that vacuum modulator hose, can you use a small tie wrap or some kind of mechanical hose clamp to make it harder to slip off? Have a great winter!
I wasn't ready for 40s here yet and was wondering what was up, now I know!! Still shorts and T shirt weather for the most part though but these mornings have been unseasonably cold!
I would, but for some reason I don’t know how to resize them. I don’t know if it’s a new update on my phone, or a change here, but the icon to change the size of a file is no longer available. I’m old…
I flippin' LOVE Michigan. I'm headed UP to Paradise in a couple weeks for a solo camping trip to look for birds and other wildlife. Can't imagine living anywhere else right now.
Ah, I rarely get to the north end of Sarasota when I visit the parents. There are a lot of cool old cars hiding in Sarasota
The Jalopy Journal
