I have recently got my ultimate dream car.It is a chopped 51 chevy.The roof is 90% done and the rest of the car is still stock.My plan and parts gathering so far are to install a mustang II front and Jiminez bros rear set up both on air.I have a later model 250 six and an S10 5spd.This all started when we were talking about the warm weather being here and I had not got all my parts together.I said The guy I bought the car from(Thomas31) had the car running and driving a couple years ago before he chopped it.My dad told me I should put some gl*** in it,slam it and drive as is until I get the rest of the parts.We started trying to get it started with a new set of plugs,wires,and 6v battery.I reached in and hit the starter and nothing.After some trouble shooting we found the solenoid to not be pulling in.I started trying to find one online and could not believe how expensive they were.My dad drops by the shop and starts laughing at us.He dropped the easy fix on me.It seems that the two br*** bolts on the solenoid can become wore over the years.The fix is to simply pull the cap off of the solenoid and turn the battery side bolt 180 degrees,sand the br*** contact ring and starter side with some 100 grit and re***yemble.I also polished the plunger while I had it out.I reinstalled the starter/solenoid and fired my ride up for the first time.I am 39 years old and still get taken to school by him.I is so great to have someone who has been there done that hanging around the shop.He and I will never agree on the style of cars we like,but I have yet to have a question he can't answer.
Dads rule. Mine has forgotten more than I'll ever know. Every day I appreciate him more. Plus, that's good tip.
My dad was the same way. Unfortunately he p***ed away this past december, and was never able to see me buy my 54. I know it's something he would have been proud of. But anyway, dad's are good people, and they will always know more than we think we ever could!
40 years ago at a Guy Henshall parts store in Tulsa, the guy behind the counter taught me that trick. He also sold us teenagers starter brushes and bushings, for a quarter!
I remember when my dad taught me about cold timing an engine. My first thought was "You mean, before it's had a chance to warm up???"
I think the greatest thing any of our dads taught us was that we "could", if only we try.... Mine's been gone about 10 years now and not a day goes by that I don't think of him....
Remember, many of our Pops are from a time when they couldnt afford to just buy a replacement part. They had to figure out a fix for themselves. And we are better off for it!
I swear my dad could get a car running with just stuff laying on the ground.... One time I was popping my clutch to start my mustang and the gas pedal fell to the floor and I found out I had broken the cable to the carb....Will never forget the sight of my dad with his arm out the window with a string coming from the hood which was attached to the accel. arm of the carb....drove it all the way home like that
I remember tuning a six and having dad on the phone. He said "Number 4 isn't firing, check the cap". And it was, well, number four and a bad cap. The man was awesome.
The sad thing is that a lot of Chevrolet remanufactured starters/solenoids are done in exactly that same way. Clean the case up, fix what's failed, flip the contact pole, and add a cheap coat of paint. My dad died when I was a kid, so I guess I could say that I learned stuff because of his absence...somebody had to fix stuff, and, well, the family dog was a better supervisor than a laborer.
thats cool sounds like you all have or had great dads all my dad ever taught me was how not to be a husband and a dad
Sometimes that's the best lesson a Dad can give. Even though I'm on good terms with my Dad, he definitely showed me a fair share of what-not-to-dos.
Sounds like my Dad, sadly we lost dad the 27th of feb. this year. I remember the family heading to galveston,Texas in our 55 ford wagon and developed a leak in the gas tank while filling up at a station. Dad went across the street to a gro. store and bought a bar of P and G soap. Every time he filled the car up he would lay under the car and rub the soap on the leak and instatnt fix. It would last till the next time he filled the tank...repeat...and on the road again. Poor folks have poor ways..or do they?
I totally understand where you are comming from. When the Ol' man was still alive we didn't agree on engine choices or car or motor cycle choices but we did agree on one point good mechanicing was a must. He always knew a trick or two that I didn't and probably left without my knowing everything that he knew. You are a fortunate man.
My dad's been gone about 15 years now, he didn't know to much about cars....but he sure could fish and make me laugh. I really miss him...
Sometimes us old dads get to see our kids follow in our footsteps. Here's my youngest at the StrayKat 500 last weekend. It makes me feel good to hear so many of you speak fondly of your dads.
G'day all, My dad is 74 now, and has had ms for about 10 years now. At my age he was still running in full marathons and ran daily. We also used to call him the fastest mailman in the Red River Valley as his drag car ran high 9's. But he still spends as much time as he can at his shop working on cars. We had had to make some adjustments for him to make things easier but he still kicks ****. This winter he finished his 63 Nova SS with a 327 tri-power and is currently working on some ot trucks. We learned a lot from each other through the years of working on cars together and racing them. A lot of great Sundays spent at the track drag racing (and he was always the quickest and most consistent). I don't know what my brother and I will do when the inevitable happens. ms
I love all these stories.I have had several PMs for pics of what I did so here you go. 1.The first thing of course is remove the starter and then remove the solenoid from it 2. Remove the cap my taking the small screw out of the middle between the two br*** post 3. Remove the two long screw that hold the mount in place. 4.Loosen the br*** bolt that the battery wire attaches to and turn it 180 degrees.The bolt has a square flange on it to hold it in place so it will need at least a 1/4 in to move. 5.Sand the contact ring and the other pole that goes to the starter.re***emble everything and BAM you are ready to go with only time spent. 6.Call your dad and have him come over while doing it.You never know what else you might learn.I am one of the VERY fortunate ones that could not have had better parents.I have an example set for me to my kids. We lost Mom in July of 08 and my middle brother in jan10 to colon cancer so my dad,little brother and I have gotten quit close in the last couple years. Sorry for the bad pics.These are all I had
Mark Twain said when I was 18 my old man was the dumbest guy I knew when I turned 21 I was amazed how much he had learned in three years.
The Jalopy Journal
