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Starter

February 28, 2018

I finally got the new starter in the TC yesterday, but when I put the new starter switch on one of the screws striped out almost immediately. I’m thinking Loctite since I don’t want to pull it out again. Then I went to connect the starter cable, and being the Foolish Mechanic I am, completely forgot where the bracket in the starter cable was mounted. And yes, I did take pictures, just not of the damn bracket. I looked online and could not find I picture or reference for said bracket, so I’m thinking it was added by some forward thinking mechanic long ago. But that’s not all folks. When I connected the starter cable to the new switch and tightened the locking screw the cable snapped like a twig. As much as I’ve fiddled with it I can’t seem to get it to pull the starter switch now so a new cable is on order. 

I won’t even go into the state of the cooling system, but to say a new thermostat housing and branch pipe are on order and I probably wouldn’t be remiss to pull the water pump or send the radiator out to the shop, but that’s another story. As is the tale of two exhaust systems.

I did manage to get the speedo cable housing replaced today, although the gear shaft did feel like a really tight fit in the new housing and I’m not altogether sure the cable itself is snug enough against the housing. 


I’ll close by saying I am constantly amazed to discover, let’s say techniques, so-call professional mechanics use when they repair these cars. I put about 25 hours in on this car in the last week and the week included three days on a trip to Texas, yet I’ve only accomplished about half of what I set out to do and discovered ten more things that need doing. God help me I do love it so. 

A local magazine is coming to do a photo shoot of the car this afternoon for an article on “antique cars” so I have to get it off the jacks and get the bonnet reinstalled by then. Wish me luck.

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