Our first 63 Jetfire

[jensenracing77]

I sent you a PM John

[jensenracing77]

This steering wheel is only temporary till I can find a correct one and in better condition.

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[jensenracing77]

I was looking through the extra parts I got with the car and found the hood emblem! It needs restored and I have no idea who can do this? The emblem is so delicate I can’t see how they can restore it. Does anyone have a recommendation where to send it?

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[macf85]

I had one of my emblems restored by Iverson Automotive and he did a great job fixing the pits and re-chroming it. I did the painted parts of it myself. I shopped around and they were the least expensive, Paul’s Chrome was the most expensive at a little over 3 times the cost of Iverson. I got pricing from 3 others that were in the middle. If you email good photos to these companies they’ll give you a rough estimate but you’ll need to send the part to them for examination to get a true cost. It’s a little nerve racking hoping the part doesn’t get lost or damaged especially for parts that are hard to come by. Here’s a link to Iverson’s website if you’re interested:
http://iversonautomotive.com/Services/Types/Potmetal

[jensenracing77]

[quote quote=13235]All vacuum and boost gauges work the same with a copper coil inside that expands and contracts, so it should be cheap to get fixed. I have an extra one but it does not work and I am trying to fix it.I think the coils get clogged.[/quote]

I believe you are right. I took this one apart all the way to the copper coil and brass. I took all the mechanicals off of it. I held it under water with 15 PSI on it and it was not leaking at all but also not moving the coil. I tried a small gauge torch tip cleaner but it is not long enough. I have the copper coil soaking in carb cleaner now. We will see what happens with that.

[jensenracing77]

More bugs to work out… I drove it about 7 miles and it turned off. It felt as if it ran out of gas. Showed 1/4 tank. I pulled the fuel bowl off and emptied it out and reinstalled it. I cranked it and it filled right up so it is not likely a supply problem. It ended up starting so I headed for home. A mile later it turned off again. Did this all the way home. The body shop had this same problem when they first got it running. I will have to dig into it deeper and figure out what is going on. When it happens it sure feels like a fuel problem and not completely sure it is not. I will try to run some tests tomorrow.

[jensenracing77]

You were correct oaklyss. The boost gauge was plugged up. The carb cleaner did not get it so I felt as if I had no other choice. I drilled out the back side where the tube goes into the copper. I tested pressure and vacuum from my new hole and the coil expanded and contracted like it should. I then took a smaller drill bit and drilled into the tube from my new hole I made. It cleaned out the tube and then I could get air through the tube. I then put some heat sink gel on the solder joints of the coil and soldered my hole shut. Now the coil works just like it should. I will assemble the entire gauge back together and see what happens but it should work.

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[jensenracing77]

I am not out of the woods yet. The coil is working but can’t get the bumper springs to work correct after I assembled it

[jensenracing77]

Roads were bad so I did not get to do any more testing on the issue of it dying on me. I did pull the speedometer cable out to re-run it. It was laying on the exhaust manifold and melted some of it. I got it fixed and was able to run it proper. Also adjusted the shifter linkage just a little.

Decided to test the fluid system. The cap works just like it should and the the rest of the check valves and relief valves work like they should. I knew Jim’s part was going to be fine but I was more testing the tank, cap and check and relief valve installations for leaks.

Still a long road ahead, this car need lots of attention to get it reliable and enjoyable.

[jensenracing77]

Joe Padavano recommended Qual Krom in Erie, PA for the emblem. I will send it to them and see how it turns out. Not cheep so I am glad I only need one restored.

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