47-55.1 55 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100

[VWNate1]

I guess GM was jealous of all those MoPar owners in the 1970's who needed to always carry a spare ignition resistor......

Very nice you were able t find one made in America .

[vintovka]

Whats funny is that even the NAPA staff did not know it was US made or even that it had a 5 year warranty.

[VWNate1]

Not too surprising, they day of guys like me behind the counter who knew anything are long, long past =8-( .

That's why we have this nifty internet thing .

[dsraven]

yeah, man, I could tell you stories about the junior parts guys at the parts stores. they ask you what you need so you tell them. then they ask you the year of the vehicle, even though you just told them. then the make. ditto. then the model. ditto. is it a 4x4. well, I never realized they made a vw beetle in a 4x4 I say. so after explaining in detail what part I need they may or may not have it. some will get upset but not say anything as they walk past you and pick it off the showroom floor, like a filter or something. then, if you need another part for the same thing it starts all over, year, make model etc. one kid I had ask me about 4 times because he had such a bad memory. I got frustrated and said "is that why they put your name on the shirt, so you know who you are? maybe try a pen and paper and write this stuff down so you don't look so dopey for the customers". this is when the other, older, parts man laughed and showed the kid his pad of paper and pencil. he said, "see this kid? it's why people line up at my counter and not yours. because I take notes as they talk and dont ask them repeatedly what their car is".
it was kinda funny but it made the kid look really stupid.
an older GM parts guy I know, a buddy for years, said where he worked before he retired the parts guys all worked on a commission basis. he would have more commissions by noon on monday that the junior guys had by friday afternoon. he asked me once when I call in what are the other parts guys like to deal with. I told him the same story as above and said, same. now if I call and can't get him I simply email him the vehicle vin and what I need. he emails me back a quote with parts and availability. done. he trained the others to do the same, on a timely basis for commercial accounts especially. that freed up the phones for actual calls for customers and made a new position for the email clients to deal with.

[vintovka]

Fortunate here as it seems only old timers are willing to work. This is Prolly out of boredom, bad choices or diversion from health issues made worse by useless young folks who can't pass a piss test. Seems all agree dealing with customers have become very distasteful. How would you like being facing frustrated customers stuck with high prices for shoddy parts that fail quick. Add in theres little other choice than trying the same part again and hoping for a better outcome. Seems "firing the parts cannon" at a problem has become manning a a nerf machinegun nowadays.

[dsraven]

yup, getting stuff fixed is bad enough trying to find a shop that knows how and is willing to do it right the first time. then there are the shoddy parts. the parts guys that don't like getting a hard time over prices have prolly already frustrated the customer with the aforementioned procedure of year, make, model, engine size, transmission type etc etc. all for looking up an interior light bulb or a wheel lug nut. haha
it's gotta be frustrating for the older parts guys, too, when a young buck comes in looking for something and he has no idea about any specs on his ride. i have seen that too. the parts guy does the eye roll and says, with a smile, he needs to know if it is a v6 or a 4 cylinder engine first, in order to find spark plugs. haha.

[VWNate1]

I too could fill pages with stories :

Customer : I need spark plugs for my Chebby mon

Me : 'What kinda Chebby do you have ?'..

Customer : Uh, a RED one mon.....

And so forth .

The flip side is when you know what you want but the counter guy can only go by the computer that doesn't seem to have a 1928 Ford in it......

I was out doing a multi day back roads tour with some rich fellas (Iron Bottom No Frills Motoring Tour) when my buddy's 1939 Lagonda (I know, right ?) fouled the spark plugs and they didn't know what to do .

Eventually I rattled up in my old jalopy and when I hear them talking I asked to look at the oily plug and said 'oh, you need a BOSCH W8A or equivalent' .

They stared at me so we loaded into my jalopy and wheezed over to O'Rielly's, the kid asked 'model make and year ?' .

I said 'trust me kid your computer doesn't have this car listed and we went 'round a few minutes until i said 'I need 8 spark plugs for a 1972 VW Beetle with 1.6 Liter engine, once you get to the correct page scroll way down and you'll see the basic BOSCH or NGK copper cored ones, that what I want ' .

He comes back with a package of four........

"I asked you for 8"

'But Sir, the computer says it only needs four......'

Me : I need spares, okay ? .

Done and done and my knowledge is in fact pretty narrow, I know there are multiple water pumps for small block Chevies, some even turn reverse but that's all I know about them .

[vintovka]

Have a similar experience trying to get parts for my GB crate engine. Doesn't have a date or model and many young counter guys have never heard of 350 crate engine before. Using the 84 GMC Sierra Classic k10 label seems to work but not always.

[VWNate1]

For what it's worth, GM called them "TARGET" replacement engines .

Maybe that will help a little bit at the dealer, not in the aftermarket .

We installed dozens of not hundreds of them in our big fleet, mostly 1981 > medium duty rigs .

At one time you could even get 292C.I.D. i6 Target engines, sweet .

[vintovka]

Moved the list of crap parts to avoid to general discussion. I have NO doubt it will grow.

[VWNate1]

You forgot to add a link.....

[vintovka]

Here the link:

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=850546

[VWNate1]

Thank you kind Sir .

[vintovka]

Well between illness and non stop rain its been a long cold wet winter. Did get some stuff on the 54 fixed however and thought it might be helpful to point out things. The module fix went fairly smooth. After a month or so of being down with this or that i discovered a serious electronic miss. Engine was not running well and very poor power. After some investigation and ruling out improper firing order and/or a broken wire we found the culprit. Yup Chinese EBAY parts again. The way the cap/coil set up is, it leads to a bad coil ground. Pic below says it all. Even with the coil screws fully screwed down it did not ground well. Also the inside contacts were really burned as shown. Friend suggested replacing the cap/coil with a real, US made, Delco Remy parts. It worked. Even stopped the tach needle from jumping all over. Since were back on the Chinese crap part issue here's a pic of my almost new heater valve. Less than 2 years and its badly corroded both inside and out and leaking. Replaced it with an all brass valve and will post pics when i get the cable to cab hooked up right.

[vintovka]

A pic of my homemade heater valve and simple cable control. FWIW i made a huge mistake putting in an oversize heater. Its the Jegs one with the 3 outlets. Could just used the one with 2 outlets. One for cab and other for defroster. Thing will cook you in minutes and have some control by running fan on low and partially closing valve.

On another matter I wish woulda stayed with the auxiliary vacuum pump to assist the power brakes and the original vacuum wipers. The power brake reservoir worked great to assist both. Sadly i got a deal on electric wipers and switched, Sorry i did. the pump worked great and miss the sound and performance of the vacuum wipers. The Pump and a pile of all the stuff like spare new alternators, starters ect, will go to ebay or craigslist soon.

[doowopper]

Eagerly awaiting updates.

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by doowopper

Eagerly awaiting updates.

Just a couple. The rear view camera has been plagued by both rain an glare issues impeding visibility. Took a section of 2x2" square steel tubing whacked off like 1.5" and cut it in half. Made some quick bolt on brackets, rattle can black and bolted it on. Works great and really sets off my exotic $1.49 temu backup camera.

In another issue engine started running rough again for no reason. Thought it might be the new HEI or ground issues AGAIN!!. Mechanic friend took a listen and immediately asked what fuel was in it. When i said ethanol regular he just laughed at me and said go get "white gas". At only 5.59/gallon ethanol free ain't cheep!. It is the most i ever paid for gas in last 75 years but worth it. Far cry from the 16.9 back when. Its Running great again and ready for the Florence Oregon "Rhody Days" parade, car show and cruise.


https://florencechamber.com/event/11...hody-days/189/

[vintovka]

Attended first real car show yesterday. Annual Rhody Days show and cruse in Florence . About fell over when they gave me a 2 foot tall trophy. Show was huge and overwhelmed at response. Only 2 ADs out of like tons of vehicles. The other was so perfect it was amazing but would b scared to own it for fear of a scratch. The Jeep was great with .30 MG, Thompson on dash and Garand in scabbard. That evening over 100 cars made the cruise.. Actually made it thru myself with one eye on road and other on temp and fan controls. Made it ok but what crowd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[vintovka]

Been a busy 2 weeks. Had to replace all 4 shocks and steering stabilizer. All were leaking oil. Working with Rancho to replace all under lifetime warranty. Sad cause there's pics on back on post 83 showing them new in 2017. Also replaced the original drivers side door hinges in hopes door would seal better. Hinges are nice seal is still bad regardless of adjustment. Lastly i fixed my chrome harbor fraught foglights. Tired of replacing halogens i spent a whole $1.87 (shipping included) on a pair of yellow leds. Modified mounting holes as shown and hot glued in the leds. Will use them as running lights from now on and still have the lower led fogs to blind deer and oncoming cars with.

[VWNate1]

Wow ;

It seems not so long ago that Advance Design trucks were everywhere, now not so much .

It's nice to see all your hard work being rewarded .

Those M-B Jeeps look so cute ! I wanted one -so- badly in the 1960's got to work with a pristine 1952 M38A1 but never did buy a flat fender, now I'm too old (boo hoo) .

The cruise looks like fun too .

As far as your shocks I hope they'll stand behind them, I've managed to wear out / break a few Bilstien HD gas charged shocks and they flat refuse to even talk to me .

NOT cheap but I love 'em, I have an old pair taken off a junked VW Sand Buggy, they're now on my 1959 VW #113 Beetle and still working AS-NEW .

Work carefully, the heat is rising and it's not easy for us old guys .

[vintovka]

So far Rancho said they would honor the warranty on the shocks. Were really rusty and crusty too. Shocked to see them dripping oil on my recently cleaned concrete. Only 4000 miles in 7 years!!!!. This time i painted the bodies red (3 coats) and heavily waxed. If it wern't for the warranty would have gone with Bilsteins.

When I changed the plugs i found them all at .035. New ones gapped .045 and had to reset the timing due to a high speed miss that developed. Changing the plugs mad me instantly regret dumping the cast iron stock manifold for headers. Also adjusted idle and choke- running fine (for now).

The poor door alignment has me convinced the upper door is bent outward like 1/2"+. Still trying the seal route but about to give up. I should have fixed the original door back when and not "saved $" by finding a replacement. The latter has threaded holes for the door cards so i think its a an earlier year than 54.

Last or next to last will be hooking up the PA system side of the CB radio. Might be nice for parades and for irritating protestors.

The yellow fog/running lights look great and will run them when key is on. Halogens are now history and now all LEDs with exception of headlights and front turn signals.

No heat issues here. Rained yesterday and temp rarely goes past 62F. Our only issue is the very strong wind which goes to 25 MPH daily.

Am collecting all the spare AD parts (speedos, gauges, trim, emblems hardware ect) and will put on FB and some AD trader sights. I will never use them.

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by VWNate1

Wow ;

It seems not so long ago that Advance Design trucks were everywhere, now not so much .

.

Attended a small show here in Florence. Turnout was kinda pathetic and barely worth a pic. What was worthwhile was a fellow that has been hunting me down to ask questions about restoring a 53 ad. He showed me his calculations based on current parts and labor. Starting with $2500 parts truck he came up with 28K in parts alone and not including his own labor. Hes on the fence now.

[VWNate1]

Good to hear things are going well .

I love that Caddy ! a sky blue coupe of this series is a bream car of mine since the 1960's .

-Nate

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by VWNate1

Good to hear things are going well .

I love that Caddy ! a sky blue coupe of this series is a bream car of mine since the 1960's .

-Nate

Caddy belongs to lady here. Was completely rebuilt some years ago and the top works great.

Just sent the old Rancho shocks back -- all 30 pounds of them (which feels like 100+ due to old age)

Couple issues remain.

Drivers side door still doesn't close properly and had to add full size weather strip to opening to block birds and wind. New hinges made no difference and bending the door scares me. No one around here will help,

Rear window leaks and think they installed wrong seal

Need to figure out how to wire the auxiliary ign switch position so i can use radio without ign on.

[VWNate1]

The radio should be on it's own live fuse, rarely will it need more than 8 amperes, running the radio's load through the ignition switch is always poor practice .

Advance Design doors were well known for lousy fitment when new, the proper thing to do is : adjust the door and striker so it opens easily and closes firmly and fully .

Then you just have to look at the improper belt line, GM really did say 'close enough' on these .

When I had my unrestored '49 3100 series shop truck I noticed it was one of the few with perfect door alignment jamb and out side skin .

One of the older Mechanics bought a '49 and built a ground up Hot Rod of some note, he screwed around with those dang doors for a year or more, tried removing the outer skins and re welding them back on again, nothing helped, maybe his cab wasn't properly jigged when built, I don't recall but he was wild to buy my '49 simply for the cab , I said no dice, he offered $10,000.00 cash, no thankyouverymuch, I'll be rattling my way across the Desert with my 235 and Muncie SM429......