Docs cheap tricks.....sticky

Discussion in 'Wrenchin' Secrets' started by doc, Sep 16, 2008.

  1. Bent Rod

    Bent Rod White Trash

    Watch your unsprung weight. A light wheel and tire combo, and a disc brake setup will quicken you up a bit.
     
  2. r0ckstarr

    r0ckstarr Well-Known Member

    Thanks for posting this. When installing electric fans, what needs to be done to keep them from sucking the life out of the battery? Bigger alternator?
     
  3. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    Yep , a good alt. is the basis for electrical systems, you need the battery that will handel the drain and a alt that will out do the drain....
     
  4. r0ckstarr

    r0ckstarr Well-Known Member

    What size alternator comes stock on the 66 Riv's, and what size should I get? I recently had the alternator rebuilt by a local shop. Would it be possible that they could beef it up while retaining the housing for original appearance?
     
  5. Sergeant Major

    Sergeant Major Biggest Nut in the Can

    OK... how about a "cheap trick" on fixing the horn ground on a 63 Cat...
     
  6. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    Brian, the amperage rating is stamped on the side of the alt,,,, and in 66 was probably around 65 or less.... yes they can usually built to raise the amps....while we are on alternators there is the cheap trick of putting a toggle switch on the field wire that kills the alt while you are drag racing to gain back the power drain that it has....
    Sarge , what part of it is broke.... kind of hard to figure a solution without knowing that... if it is the bronze plunger you can make one of ordinary brass.. the plastic bushings are more of a challenge...may have to break out the old dremel tool and dental tools and make some parts....
     
  7. gm4life

    gm4life if you let up you loose

    some of the buicks came with alluminum drums does any body run these on there cars ??? it helps with wieght
     
    Jonah Halbert likes this.
  8. r0ckstarr

    r0ckstarr Well-Known Member

    I still have the aluminum drums on my Buick.
     
    Jonah Halbert likes this.
  9. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    Me too...have you put that manifold on yet?????:Do No:
     
  10. gm4life

    gm4life if you let up you loose

    i havnt checked anywhere but can they be bought new anywhere
     
  11. CARHEX1

    CARHEX1 Founders Club Member

    HOW DO I KNOW IF MY 70 GS 455 HAD A SWITCH PICTH TRANS? THANKS FOR THE HELP I RAN A 9.949 @77.8 MPH IN THE 1/8 NOW THAT I FIXED A FEW THINGS AND ADDED SOME THINGS OFF YOUR LIST I HOPE TO DO BETTER CAN YOU BELIEVE I WAS RUNNING A 390 CFM CARB? HOPE TO DO BETTER WITH THE 850 CFM SWAP AND THE CRANK CASE BEING VENTED RIGHT. ALSO WENT FROM A 225-60-14 TIRE TO A 295-50-15 SHOULD GRAB ALSO ON THE IN TAKE THE PARTS THAT YOU SAID TO CUT OUT COULD YOU POST A PIC PLEASE SO I GET IT RIGHT. IM A BIT CONFUSED ON THAT :3gears:
     
  12. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    Carhex ,,, send me your email address and I will send you a pic of the intake mod....
     
  13. CARHEX1

    CARHEX1 Founders Club Member

    carhex73@yahoo.com thanks
     
  14. kitabel

    kitabel Well-Known Member

    Normally, the converter switch is wired to idle (can use the same lead as the neutral safety switch), the brake (brake light switch) and WOT (micro-switch on the throttle linkage). Now you have clean idle in neutral at rest (safety switch), in drive at rest (brake switch) and hard acceleration.
    However: converter stall speed and torque multiplication pretty much stops when the car speeds up, so you only have it once (although you'll get a bit more shift slippage o the 1-2 and 2-3).

    Here's the general manifold idea. One carb flange is done, one isn't.
     

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  15. Sergeant Major

    Sergeant Major Biggest Nut in the Can


    Figured it out Doc. It was the ground. Evidently where it is placed (steering column near the power steering box) I couldn't find very easy. All fixed.
     
  16. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    love that turquois Burrick.....:laugh: :laugh:
     
  17. Sergeant Major

    Sergeant Major Biggest Nut in the Can

    Turquois?? Dang now ya need glasses... (or a stronger prescription) :bla: :laugh:
     
  18. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    Yeah, Sarge, I need glasses, teeth, money, time, and on and on and on:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
     
  19. Sergeant Major

    Sergeant Major Biggest Nut in the Can

    Doc we're in the same boat..:TU:
     
  20. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    Sarge, the horn relay is hot all the time and grounding it with the horn button/ring is what makes them blow....
     

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