Never trust the P.O., Chapter 29

[showbizkid]

So Barney's at the brake shop. I knew there was work to do, but didn't expect what was found.

The guy I purchased the car from assured me that the brakes had "just been done." And indeed, Bryan told me that the front shoes looked brand-new. Unfortunately, all four drums had been turned over limits (.090" cut), and one rear was actually cut to .290" [:0] ! Plus, one rear wheel cylinder was totally blown out (I'd seen the fluid stain on the backing plate and expected this) and the other three partly frozen. No wonder the pedal was only 1/4" off the floor.

Luckily, Mr. Peterson has a pair of 10" rear drums for me. But geez... how did the P.O. let his 17-year-old daughter drive this car? I've said before, with all that was wrong with the engine, trans, suspension, brakes & wiring, it's amazing this car wasn't found smoking in a ditch somewhere.

Back to the salt mines


[img=left]http://members.cox.net/clarknovak/lark.gif[/img=left]

Clark in San Diego
'63 F2/Lark Standard

http://studeblogger.blogspot.com

https://www.studebakersandiego.com

[ozarkman]

Yikes!

From deep in the Ozarks...

Fred

[52-fan]

I wonder if the PO did the brakes himself or he was was the one who got done.

"In the heart of Arkansas."
1952 Champion Starlight w/overdrive. Searcy, Arkansas

[Guest]

I hate to be the noob, but what does PO stand for?

[Pat Dilling]

Previous Owner



Pat Dilling
Olivehurst, CA
Custom '53 Starlight aka Stu Cool

LS1 Engine Swap Journal: http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/jour...ournalid=33611

[Guest]

Makes sense, I guess I just don't understand the popularity of acronyms...

[Chucks Stude]

Who would cut brake drums past their limit? You could almost go to jail for doing that.

[raoul5788]

Geez, and I thought it was going to be another rant against the Post Office!

Chip
'63 Cruiser daily driver
'57 Packard wagon on the road!

[Roscomacaw]

PO sometimes is shorthand for Production Order as well.[}]

.290????? You shoulda been able to see the linings!!![:0][B)]


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1963 Cruiser
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President two door

[StudeRich]

Yeah Clark, I think you get better answers AFTER you pay for and pick up a car!

StudeRich

[jallen]

AMEN to that Brother!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Invalid User Name]

It makes you wonder why people own a classic car and then just treat it like a piece of crap. It sounds like they took every short cut they could find with the car. Keep up the good work bringing it back to life.

Doug

Venice, Florida
1950 Champion 9G F1

[bams50]

In all fairness, a lot of these problems are come by honestly. Folks take their modern cars to their mechanic, but sometimes they don't work on classic cars. But no problem, their friend's buddy "knows all about " old cars- they're SO much simpler than new cars. "Heck I could fix yer brakes on a Saturday, right in yer driveway!" To those that know nothing of these things, that sounds good. So the guy takes it apart and finds the drums scored, so he takes them to the local FLAPS to have them turned. The kid on the counter can't find a spec so the driveway mechanic says "Ah, don't worry, just clean 'em up enough to remove the scores and they'll be fine for the little amount of use the car'll have"... he swaps the shoes and adjusts 'em up and voila! we got pedal! So it must be OK![xx(]

This type of thing happens all the time with classic cars. The owner thought sure the job was done right, and the shadetree mechanic thought he did it right. To me, when one buys a classic car in ANY condition, they require more examination and dilligence than any modern used car.

So while what you found looked bad, the P.O. may have honestly thought things were in shape. It's one of the added challenges of the hobby!

Robert (Bob) Andrews- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys)
Parish, central NY 13131

GOD BLESS AMERICA

[Invalid User Name]

Thanks for the thoughts Bob. Not that I will ever be able to afford another Studebaker, but if I do I will be sure to give it a GOOD inspection.

Doug

Venice, Florida
1950 Champion 9G F1

[raoul5788]

quote:Originally posted by bams50

In all fairness, a lot of these problems are come by honestly. Folks take their modern cars to their mechanic, but sometimes they don't work on classic cars. But no problem, their friend's buddy "knows all about " old cars- they're SO much simpler than new cars. "Heck I could fix yer brakes on a Saturday, right in yer driveway!" To those that know nothing of these things, that sounds good. So the guy takes it apart and finds the drums scored, so he takes them to the local FLAPS to have them turned. The kid on the counter can't find a spec so the driveway mechanic says "Ah, don't worry, just clean 'em up enough to remove the scores and they'll be fine for the little amount of use the car'll have"... he swaps the shoes and adjusts 'em up and voila! we got pedal! So it must be OK![xx(]

This type of thing happens all the time with classic cars. The owner thought sure the job was done right, and the shadetree mechanic thought he did it right. To me, when one buys a classic car in ANY condition, they require more examination and dilligence than any modern used car.

So while what you found looked bad, the P.O. may have honestly thought things were in shape. It's one of the added challenges of the hobby!

Robert (Bob) Andrews- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys)
Parish, central NY 13131

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Quite true, Bob. When I had the drums turned on my '57 wagon, I brought them to a local FLAPS. Three of them were fine, but the fourth had already been turned and couldn't be done without going too far, so he wouldn't do it. Moral of the story, make sure you are dealing with someone who knows what they are doing.

Chip
'63 Cruiser daily driver
'57 Packard wagon on the road!