Re: Progress on my '65 Ambo

["John M. Livingston" <john@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Turned out I had a combination of issue's with my starting system.  First
off, I replaced the plugs and wires.  The wires that were installed didn't
match, and the plug out of cylinder #5 was wet.  That makes me wonder if
that cylinder may not have been firing.  An overnight charge of the battery
made a huge difference as well (Thanks Ralph!).  My all-in-one jump
starter/charger just didn't cut it without that overnight charge.  I did
pull the starter off anyways, I'm glad I did as it was being held on by only
a single bolt!  Turns out the pinion gear on the starter is worn on the end,
probably the assembly wasn't sitting right since it was missing the upper
bolt.

I also started some light painting.  I pulled the valve covers off and
painted them a bright red, a new set of valve gaskets should arrive
tomorrow.  The right front tire came off, and I painted the rim an aluminum
color and the brake drum black.  The red and black are high-temp ceramic
spray paints and the aluminum was meant for rims, so I'm expecting no
issue's due to heat and such.  Since the rim was a simple steel wheel, this
was more for protection than looks.  Eventually these will be replaced by
some sportier, shinier rims.  I stripped the existing white spray paint and
some light rust using a steel brush attachment on my drill, this did a
pretty good job but was more work than I'd anticipated.  This week Pepboys
(yuck!) has advertised a Wen 4-in-1 orbital tool that comes with sanding
disks as well as washing/polishing pads.  I'm considering purchasing this or
something similiar for stripping at least one of the body panels where a bad
bondo job was done.


John M. Livingston
1965 AMC Rambler Ambassador 990-H
http://1965rambler.blogspot.com