Archie Project update week 8 -- July 23, 2014

Week 8 - we had a week off last week elated to rain and more rain.  Today, the group started again with troubleshooting why the engine did not start last time.  The voltmeters came out again, connections were checked, the spark plugs were re-evaluated and the gaps checked.  The distributor was inspected, the points cleaned as necessary and, the timing was re-checked with the crank.  After a couple tries, Archie's engine sprang to life with some smoke and a sputter and then it sounded pretty good!  Al Sylvia tightened up some bolts on the front end, and the rattles decreased.  The water pump and fan were lubricated.  In the mean time, the first transmission was readied for installation.  The first transmission looked like it was working well.  The cross-member was aligned with the second transmission universal. A need to alter a portion of the (throw-out bearing guide) on the second transmission, which is only used as a guide seal & bearing retainer was tasked to Ray Pagliarini.  The second transmission went on, but after it was in place, it appeared  to be out of alignment.  At that point, so was the first transmission.  So the men tried to take the second transmission off again and re-group.  At this point, it was getting dark, and it was time to eat.  But, SUCCESS tonight was when the engine started!  The ladies had a delightful "breakfast" meal prepared  - frittata, ham with pineapple, muffins and bagels, apple and blueberry baked French toast,  chicken wings and a gelatin mold.  Desserts included blueberry cheesecakes, Ambrosia gelatin, cookies, and biscotti - wonderful!!!  Our thanks again to Pat and Charlie for hosting the project!

Archie Project week 8 - July 23rd - Pictures

2014 Summer Picnic

     The 2014 picnic was held at Wright's Farm in Rehoboth Mass. on July 20.  The weather was perfect, cloudy, low 80's and low humidity.  Chowdah and clamcakes started the day at noon, followed by our July business meeting.
     After the meeting, we proceeded to the fields for the car games.  Richard Mowry had a few tricks up his sleeve, including a variation on the blind race, and a "Sweep the soccer ball through the goal" test of our dexterity.  Jason Landry was the big winner for the day there, with everyone having fun, win or loose.
     The dinner of chicken, pasta, potatoes and salad followed by watermelon, met up to everyone's expectations, and no one left hungry.
     Our thanks to the staff at Wright's farm for making us feel at home, and providing the field for the car games.
     Enjoy the pictures and as always, click on a picture to enlarge it.

Al is Ready for Tailgating

Francis Farm is Antique Friendly

 

Model T Truck

Look!  I Made the Journal

 

Getting Ready for the Gas Shutoff Race

John...Dead Last!

Start of the Ball Sweep Race

Angel Gives it a Try

Don't Go So Fast Al!

Angel...At it Again

Our Esteemed Members watch the Action

Now Let's Try This Blindfold Thing

Al Gets Ready to Go

All You've Got To Do Get the Spark Plug in the Bucket Dale

Richard Reads Out the List of Winners

Jason and His Winnings

July 13, 2014 South County Museum

Several of the club members went to the South County Museum Antique Auto Show on the 13th of July. Al Silvia came away with a prize for his Woody - instead of a trophy, he won a signed cartoon by Don Bosquet (the MC for the day at the Museum) which depicts a Woody!

Archie Project- Update Week 7 - 7/9/14

Week 7 and it did not rain, again - but hot, steamy and the mosquitoes were buzzin'.  This was a pivotal week on Archie!  Everything was coming together and hopes were high to get the engine started tonight!  Al Silvia brought back the oil pan - painted ORANGE - surprised everybody, especially Bob O,   that he really did it!  But then he brought out the REAL oil pan, painted gloss black.  The  oil pan was fitted with gaskets including the oil soaked ones for the ends of the pan.  Sue got to work on putting on the gasket cement.  With a lot of effort, John M and Al S went under the car again to get the cork gasket out of the way to receive the new one  on the assembled oil pan.  The side panel on the engine was put back.  The radiator and connections went on, the ignition was set up, the water pump was replaced,  oil was poured into the engine, water filled the radiator, gas was put into the tank.  The muffler was placed so as not to startle the neighbors when the engine sprang  to life....   Everybody was tuned into the group members turning on the ignition!  Not even a sputter, it did not start.  Troubleshooting began from different directions... group members took turns trying one thing and another, it was getting dark.  So, they cleaned up and went to eat.  Another great dinner!  sloppy joes, potato salad,  a broccoli crescent wreath, pickles and chips, yum!  Then desserts galore - Ray P's apple pie, a pineapple & cream cake, and homemade whoopie pies...and OMG, ice cream!  After dinner, it was back into the darkness to give Archie one more try...but alas, it was a no-go.  So next week, more troubleshooting and no doubt it will be lift off (so to speak...).

Archie Project - Week 7- 7/9/14- Pictures

July 2, 2014 Update Archie Project - week 6

Time flies! This is week 6 with Archie! As planned, the first thing to do is check the compression - There were a few tense moments as each cylinder was checked. John Mennucci was "shocked" literally as the third cylinder was checked. Ray Pagliarini retrieved the oil pan from the trailer, and the group pondered who should get the job of final clean up - Sue took it on and did a great job. The old paint and grease were removed on the pan. Almost everybody was involved in scraping the exterior!


The water pump was re-inspected, parts checked for functionality, and a list of new parts that are needed was made. John Mennucci was again under the car for placing the cotter pins to finalize the cylinders from the outside of the engine. Richard Preliasco and Al Bowder tackled cleaning and inspecting the valves after the side panel was removed. Charlie Howard used the crank to help with inspection of the function of each cylinder/valve. the clutch was re-inspected for torque on the nuts. It seems we are almost at the point where reassembly can begin!

Dennis Allsop was unable to come this evening, and was sorely missed. Sandy Bowder was there! The food was amazing and as Charlie Howard declared, those Model A ladies can really cook! Rosalie P. made Chicken with peppers and mushrooms, Pat H. had American Chop Suey, marinated mushrooms and plain bread plus halved loaves of bread topped with a special mixture of cheese sauce. Dale Silvia brought a three bean salad, and there were several desserts including a strawberry gelatin masterpiece, apple pie, fruit squares, and a lady finger dessert.

See the pictures below.... Enjoy!

Archie Project - week 6 July 2, 2014- Pictures