Thread: For Don Shilady

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For Those Who May Be Interested,
The cause of demise of the wiper motor was tracked down to my mistake in connecting BOTH the radio system AND the wiper motor to the same 15 amp circuit! There are several higher amp paths in the circuit and I wanted to keep the wiper motor on the 15 amp circuit and use one of the non-used 40 amp circuits for the radio/amplifier system but no space could be found on the block connecor except a 30 amp circuit for the radio/amplifier circuit so for now playing the radio will be a $58 gamble on replacing another wiper motor, but the radio is on a separate circuit. The original intention was to allow playing the radio on the "accessory" key position when the motor is not running but that is still a foolish capability since it will run down the battery anyway! I got that idea from a "hotrod circuit" diagram without thinking through the current load. I am still not sure 30 amps is enough for the radio/amplifier system but at least the wiper motor is alone on its own 15 amp circuit. Live and learn! Since the wiper is necessary for Virginia inspection I had help from Bruce Orlandi at Performance Transmissions in Ashland Va. Now the car is inspected for the coming warm weather.
Unfortunately plans for a cam change have to be put off because Bruce also had to replace the front disk brakes and the oil seal on the transmission of my daily driver 1998 Pontiac convertible requiring a depletion of my "fun funds" for the immediate future. However I would still like to hear from the "Techinspector" regarding choice of a Howard cam.

Still Learning,
Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/Teen Rodder

Originally Posted by Don Shillady

However I would still like to hear from the "Techinspector" regarding choice of a Howard cam.

Don, I will be pleased to help, but I don't remember your combination. Can you help me a little?

Cubic inches
Static compression ratio
Primary use, street, street and drag or what
Transmission type
How many gears if stick, 3, 4, 5, 6
How many gears if auto 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Converter stall rpm if auto
Rear differential gear ratio
Flat tappet, aftermarket roller or OEM roller
.

Well the weather is finally summer and the roadster seems to be running fine after I discovered I could clean out the carb the easy way with a few squirts of ether. Evidently, the combination of sitting over the winter months and a few gallons of stored stale gas really messed up the carb for a while. When nearly running out of gas I used a few gallons of gas that was stored in the lawn mower shed over the winter and the engine really did not like that stuff! Fortunately a can of Seafoam and setting the idle up to 950 solved the problem and it has been running so good that I can postpone a cam change or aluminum heads a little while longer. However, the Vega steering box is really annoying. I had a second brand new Vega box installed along with a new drag link and if you tighten the worm gear to eliminate the slack, parking the car is a real chore. If you let more slack in the steering you have to constantly correct the path when driving. My big 2011 Impala and my little 1998 Sunfire both steer steady as a rock easily due to the rack and pinion setup. I don't see much on this Forum for Model A rack and pinion setups even though the Speedway unit has been available since about 2015. I found one picture of a deuce frame with the Speedway unit on the HAMBE site but is there anyone here with pictures and/or experience with the Speedway unit? I am considering spending what funds I have this year on the Speedway rack and pinion unit but there are some negative comments here and there about this unit among some raves about easier steering and more precise control. In my opinion the Vega box may be OK for a Vega with a light engine but with a 550 pound SBC it is terrible in my experience. Comments please!

Best Wishes,
Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder