First Ride of 2020

jason99

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After spending a lot of garage time replacing the oil pan, I got the car out for a nice, bright, warm Georgia mid day drive. Car seemed happy with fresh oil and the silicone valve cover gaskets seem to have resolved that leak & burn situation. I picked up a multimeter while I was out because I have some measuring to do with the charging system, which may not be keeping up.

Happy 2020 and thank you all for your help and perspective this last year.

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Glad you're getting it sorted out. You get the first "you suck" of the year from the frozen, salty roads north. :p
 
I lived in Minnesota for a long time, so I totally get that. Trying to actually take advantage of the good weather this year.
 
Hey nice rear! Actually up here in Minnesota there was nice looking 57 Chevy belair driving down the main drag in my town last week. Some people???
 
My first ride of the year was in the Scat Pack.

The NYB is stowed for the winter.
 
Hey nice rear! Actually up here in Minnesota there was nice looking 57 Chevy belair driving down the main drag in my town last week. Some people???

Cabin fever. Sometimes you just have to go out for a rip.
 
Out for another nice drive today since it’s sunny, in the 50s, and I needed some bits for the house from Lowe’s. I spent a few minutes taking some measurements from the battery terminals with the multimeter while I ran some accessories and put some revs into it. Looks like there is indeed some things to be sorted there, but illl do some reading this week and then get back after it next weekend.

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Yea, if those readings were on the running car; you aren't charging properly.

I pulled a handy FSM and you should be seeing (depending on temp @ 80 F) 13.9 to 14.6 Volts at the battery with engine operating at 1250 RPM and lights/ accessories off.
 
That matches what I started to read. 12.6 was at the terminals with no accessories. 12.32 was with lights and blower going. This will be my first go with hands on electrical troubleshooting , so it should be a learning experience.

The gas gauge may have also checked out, but I’ll get back to that once the power issues are dealt with.
 
I bet you'll find it quickly resolved.

Often a bad voltage regulator (this guy...literally comes in many colours, including silver)
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; rusty regulator ground on fender where this guy bolts up;

Broken wire, often near pigtails to unplug alternator.
 
I suspect you are correct. I have a new voltage regulator in the parts bin thanks to erroneously leaving it in the cart on my last Rock Auto shipment.
 
I bet you'll find it quickly resolved.

Often a bad voltage regulator (this guy...literally comes in many colours, including silver)
View attachment 342604
; rusty regulator ground on fender where this guy bolts up;

Broken wire, often near pigtails to unplug alternator.

Started by inspecting connections and boxes, found the voltage regulator leaking goo and a not great fusable link connector off the positive battery terminal. I don’t have anything to fix the fusable link so I swapped the voltage regulator. Seems in line with spec now, but bad weather is preventing an extended test drive. Good progress for today.

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Now you're cookin'... Good work! Don't worry too much about the fusible link connector...they are often brittle/ broken by now. You'll know if the connection there is bad, because the car won't start.

I'd say you're fixed.
 
Yeah, I think I’m set. I either need to tape the connectors on that link or replace them, because the snaps are broken and it’s only being held by friction. Hopefully NAPA has whatever those connectors are called and I can swap them so I don’t have to deal with it later.
 
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