Today was a very exciting day for me!

allaircooled · allaircooled's Garage

Today I registered my 75 for the first time in over 8 years, and got to drive it!

I only went 60 miles as I am still trying to build up a trusting relationship with her again.

8 years ago I took a job as a traveling tech working on those big wind turbines and my car didn't get much attention. I started a thread here when I ran into some problems and decided I was going to start fixing everything. Turns out, I opened a big can of worms where nothing on this car was done right by previous owners.

Long story short, I only had maybe a couple weeks a year where I could do anything to it so it took me much longer than it should.

I also had this weird oscillating air sensor plate that turned out to be the FD. (There is a metal piece inside where the plunger goes that got pushed up somehow and partially blocked the port to WUR.)

Now that I can drive it, I need to look into what looks like low oil pressure. It was reading a tad over 20 psi at around 3400 rpms. Oil temp was around 210F (almost 100F outside today.)

manbridge 74 · 08-27-2018, 05:54 PM

That is low but don’t panic because maybe the sending unit isn’t up to par after all the years. I’d confirm with a mechanical gauge first. Does the light stay on solid at idle?

Bill Douglas · 08-27-2018, 06:01 PM

What a joy. And remember the more you drive it the more reliable it is.

allaircooled · allaircooled's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

That is low but don’t panic because maybe the sending unit isn’t up to par after all the years. I’d confirm with a mechanical gauge first. Does the light stay on solid at idle?

Didn't notice the light. I will check it out tomorrow. How does one confirm with a mechanical gauge?

Quote:

What a joy. And remember the more you drive it the more reliable it is.

That's what I am hoping for.

Bucketlist · Bucketlist's Garage

Good to see another Aircooled guy in the 'hood.

Flojo · Flojo's Garage

Cheers! Enjoy!

billh1963 · billh1963's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by allaircooled

Didn't notice the light. I will check it out tomorrow. How does one confirm with a mechanical gauge?

That's what I am hoping for.

You just pull the sender and screw in the appropriate size hose with a mechanical gauge. Do a quick search on pelican..... people have posted the correct fitting info in the past.

If it were me I would just replace the sender. If you didn't have a problem with oil pressure before then your sender is going bad (mine did the same thing), It's a very quick and relatively inexpensive fix.

allaircooled · allaircooled's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot Euro

Good to see another Aircooled guy in the 'hood.

Cool I am down in Lubbock all the time since there isn't ***** in Plainview. Maybe we can meet up sometime when I am not working

Quote:

If it were me I would just replace the sender. If you didn't have a problem with oil pressure before then your sender is going bad (mine did the same thing), It's a very quick and relatively inexpensive fix.

Yeah probably not a bad idea. I might just do that.

Thanks all!

SalParadise · 08-28-2018, 07:45 AM

Right on.

Superman · 08-28-2018, 08:02 AM

I'd guess it is more likely the sender has failed than the oil pressure itself. If not the sender, then perhaps something else simple. Pressure relief spring maybe? The oil pump, pressure galleys, main and rod bearings, etc., are pretty reliable by design.

allaircooled · allaircooled's Garage

Took it for another drive today. At start up and when the oil is cold the oil pressure seems good. When it gets hotter I can watch the pressure go down while cruising at highway speeds. I did order a new sender this morning before the drive. Do you still think that could be it? I am going to get a mechanical gauge to verify but I guess I can only check while at idle.

On another note, I did notice a very slight surge at idle and fuel consumption seemed high for the short time I have been driving it. RPM's dipped when I pushed in the clutch as well. All signs of running rich. I used my gunson to check CO and it was way high. Brought it down to around the 3.0-3.2% range. No more dip in rpm's and no more surge.

manbridge 74 · 08-28-2018, 05:27 PM

Post a pic of your sump plate where the drain plug is. If the drain plug is in the wrong position due to sump plate installed wrong you can have cavitation and the foamy oil will not be conducive to good oil pressure.

allaircooled · allaircooled's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

Post a pic of your sump plate where the drain plug is. If the drain plug is in the wrong position due to sump plate installed wrong you can have cavitation and the foamy oil will not be conducive to good oil pressure.

When I had the engine out of the car and on a stand I had this plate off. I made sure when I put it on it was oriented in the right position but it doesn't hurt to double check my work.

911SauCy · 911SauCy's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by allaircooled

Took it for another drive today. At start up and when the oil is cold the oil pressure seems good. When it gets hotter I can watch the pressure go down while cruising at highway speeds. I did order a new sender this morning before the drive. Do you still think that could be it? I am going to get a mechanical gauge to verify but I guess I can only check while at idle.

On another note, I did notice a very slight surge at idle and fuel consumption seemed high for the short time I have been driving it. RPM's dipped when I pushed in the clutch as well. All signs of running rich. I used my gunson to check CO and it was way high. Brought it down to around the 3.0-3.2% range. No more dip in rpm's and no more surge.

These cars do require love, but once understood, it's these simple fixes that are soo satisfying.

Bucketlist · Bucketlist's Garage

[QUOTE=allaircooled;10159666]Cool I am down in Lubbock all the time since there isn't ***** in Plainview. Maybe we can meet up sometime when I am not working

Cars & Coffee 1st Saturday of the month 8-10am Cooks Garage, Lubbock
Be there this Saturday, See Ya!

911obgyn · 911obgyn's Garage

At those temperatures make sure you are using a 20-50 oil

allaircooled · allaircooled's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot Euro

Cars & Coffee 1st Saturday of the month 8-10am Cooks Garage, Lubbock
Be there this Saturday, See Ya!

Well darn it, I just drove to Florida to visit my son. Maybe I can make it to next months! Was wondering what the deal was with all those signs at that place.

Quote:

At those temperatures make sure you are using a 20-50 oil

I am using 20-50 brad penn. All though it has been in the engine for around 2 years now. Engine ran with this oil a little over a hundred miles and maybe 2-3 hours of idle running time while I was trouble shooting and adjusting. Wondering now if I should just go ahead and change it.

QueWhy · 08-31-2018, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allaircooled

I am using 20-50 brad penn. All though it has been in the engine for around 2 years now. Engine ran with this oil a little over a hundred miles and maybe 2-3 hours of idle running time while I was trouble shooting and adjusting. Wondering now if I should just go ahead and change it.

I don't seen any downside. I think an annual oil change regardless of mileage may be a bit overkill with today's modern/synthetic oils but it's always been my practice in any vehicle. Pretty inexpensive in the grand scheme of things.

Must feel amazing to have it back on the road. I know how excited I get after just a couple weeks or months.

geoff_68s · 08-31-2018, 10:46 AM

Isn't that an awesome feeling? I am just building a relationship with my '68 again after she was a driveway queen for several years, and I'm overjoyed too. Congrats on getting yours back on the road.

allaircooled · allaircooled's Garage

Yeah it is a really good feeling for sure. Still have plenty of work to do but at least now I get to drive it.