19 November 2018

The screech

It's been 4-5 years 
since wedging the 302/5.0
into the green 40.
Long enough I can't pinpoint within a year!!
Holey chit...
This time period has been a battle.
Long term readers may remember,
custom brackets were fabbed up
to fit in a mopar alternator.
I had mistakenly bought the newer regulator type,
not the old points style,
which is larger and uglier than the early 60's radial housing.
From a distance still looks better than a ford or chevy.
The mistake ended up being the correct choice,
as a '76-'78 distributor was modified with an 80's Chevy electronic ignition module,
which pairs up best with the higher output
and the solid state regulator.
"Where's the battle?" you ask.
The battle emanated 
from an occasional piercing belt screech.
Over the years I've changed the alignment,
at least 3 different times.
The main bracket was off a hair,
long studs allowed adjustment as well,
and a new belts would be quiet til they weren't.
The temporary fix was having extra belts,
about one a year.
Was it 5 or 6?
The permanent solution was so easy
it's embarrassing to admit.
Basically the little inside bracket would pivot under force,
allowing the alternator to swing crooked,
resulting in el screecho.
All that was needed,
was a second hole,
which wouldn't allow the twist.
Less than 2 hours total time,
lifted a half decade weight.
Doh...
Now that we had a solid running rig,
the goal was to make it a snow car.
After months and years of searching,
a budget trac-loc/posi/limited slip center 
was scored on eBay.
The 8" rear had a street perfect 3.00 ratio,
so I was picky to not want dragstrip gearing.
Since Jaxon was back from his summer so-cal stay,
he was volunteered to focus all those years 
of push-ups and junk moving,
installing his first pumpkin.
Ahhh child labor has its benefits.
The gamble on an original 70's unit
seemed like a mistake the first.
Clunk ...clunk...clunk...
until oil additive and figure 8's 
finally soaked in.
The difference was significant.
Maybe no chains this year,
I found some old studded tires that look fun.
Now we're ready for winter!
Okay maybe windshield wipers 
and door windows would be nice...
TP

2 comments:

  1. Dang, I waited as long as I could for a new post... I wish you posted anything a bit more often... how are the stereos? Speakers? Van? Hot Rod?

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  2. Thanks for taking the time to share this wonderful post. I enjoy stopping by your posts for the great photos that you share. Have a great upcoming weekend.
    Classic Body Worx

    ReplyDelete