{Chrysler 300} Idle arm and other delights...

*** I am still hopeful that someone can measure the distance from the bottom of the torsion bars to the center of the tie rod studs on a ’63 or ’64 for me so I can see if my idle arm is bent.

*** I sent an email to the Detroit Public Library asking if they had the AMA sheets for 1964 Chrysler in the National Automotive History Collection at the Skillman Branch Library where it is housed. Turns out that some billionaire is building some big thing in downtown Detroit, and they closed the branch until it is near completed due to parking and other disruption. The real burn is that the Detroit Public Library reference librarians do not have access either. So, anyone wanting or needing information from the National Automotive History Collection In Downtown Detroit… is screwed until some rich guy gets has edifice built.

*** We ran the 300K hard for the first time these last 10 days. From our place in San Francisco up to our place near Lake Berryessa a 160-mile round trip plus a lot of drives down to Vacaville and back to Winters for runs to Home Depot. The car is running ok. Not perfect, but OK. I need to sort out what is wrong with the steering geometry, I think is may well be the idle arm. It could also be a lower control arm bushing or a combination. I need to get into the brakes. I also heard a small ticking-rumbling sound and I think it may be a universal joint or a wheel bearing. I plan in replacing all of them soon.

*** Door Panels. On my car the driver’s door top is through the upholstery. Other then that the door panels look fairly good. I know that if I want to replace the vinyl on the panel, I will have to do them all to get them to match. I really do not want to go there as getting new panel material and tearing into them is a long job to do correctly. I know as I have done them twice before on a ‘64. I did have a thought and would not mind people’s thoughts on it. There is a stainless strip the wraps around the top of the panel. The inside belt whisker attaches to it and then it wraps just around the top to cover the top edge of the vinyl. I wonder about making up to replacements for that strip that wrap around and down past the level of the two outboard panel screws. Say 1/8 inch below the screws. These would then allow me to keep from having to rebuild all door panels. It would also help with the fact that this is the spots that always wear through. Of course, on a hot day it would get hot!

*** Power Master wrote be back in the subject of the 90 AMP round bottom early 1960’s Alternators that have the “correct” case. I sent them all my data and findings and they confirmed it. The larger the output beyond 40 AMPS and the sensing circuit using the MECHANINCAL voltage regulators causes the system into an overvolt situation. They made a change in their catalog suggesting that people should use an electronic VR with it. Company double speak as opposed to just admitting that it may not work correctly with a mechanical VR. I would like to talk with someone who is an EE with a background in alternators and generators to understand exactly what is going on. I suspect that as the current levels go up the magnetic field becomes more sensitive to the voltage sensing circuit or something along those lines. By the way, the Transpro V1200 electronic adjustable voltage regulator I set for 13.8 volts (shows 13.7 at the cigar lighter gauge) has been dead steady. Interesting in that the brake lights use .2 volts.

*** I purchased a set of those new (eBay) ’64 circuit boards for the dash. With the 90 AMP alternator putting out about 50 at idle and those board the lights in the dash at idle at night with everything on is great! I recommend them.

I hope all are having a good spring.

Best, James