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Messages - janobyte

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1291
Maintenance / Re: Excessive Amperage Draw
« on: December 11, 2013, 09:49:12 PM »
Which is better for monitoring a vehicle's electrical system - a Voltmeter or an Ammeter?


Short answer:   

 
A voltmeter, by far.   

 
Electrical guru Mark Hamilton of M.A.D. Enterprises points out that amperage is a measure of current flow, so an ammeter is actually a "flow meter" that's intended to measure current flow to the battery (under normal conditions) or discharge from the battery (in the case of alternator system failure). On a typical flow meter, all output must be directed through the device to obtain an accurate reading. In the ammeter's case, that means all the alternator output used to recharge the battery must first be routed through the ammeter under the dash. Which requires a heavy-gauge cable and presents a possible fire hazard. And the ammeter itself must be able to handle all this current flow, so it must have a higher current rating than the alternator's maximum rated output.   

 
All this might be worth the hassle if the ammeter produced reliable information. But the ammeter can only measure the amount of current output to the battery for recharging purposes: When the alternator recharges a "low" battery, the ammeter indicates a high charge rate; with a fully charged battery the voltage regulator reduces alternator output, and the ammeter is supposed to indicate a very low charge rate. But how can you really tell the regulator has reduced alternator output because the battery is fully charged? Maybe a diode in the alternator rectifier failed, or the alternator belt slipped after it warmed up, just as if the battery were fully charged. Or maybe the meter indicates a medium charge rate most of the time-does the battery want this much or could the voltage regulator be overcharging the battery?   

 
On the other hand, a voltmeter works like a fuel pressure gauge-but instead of measuring fluid in psi, the voltmeter measures electrical system pressure in volts. Just like a fuel pressure gauge, a voltmeter only needs to tap into a circuit; all the fuel (or electricity) does not have to detour through the gauge itself. Voltmeter installation is easy, quick, and safe: It hooks up to a fused, ignition-switched "off/on" source and does not require any modification of the circuit used to recharge the battery or any part of the alternator/regulator system. In short, the voltmeter installed at the dash will be a stand-alone circuit.   

 
The voltmeter directly measures the result of charging-system performance. With normal alternator/voltage-regulator function, battery voltage is maintained at 14.0 to 14.5 volts-and this is reported directly by the voltmeter. In the event of alternator-system failure, voltage will be low and continue to drop as the battery discharges. In the event of an "overcharge" condition, the voltmeter will climb above its normal zone. In summary, there is no chance for misinterpreting a voltmeter's readings as can happen with an ammeter.   

 
Voltmeter vs. Ammeter?   

 
Auto Meter offers both, but for most applications a voltmeter yields a safer installation while providing more useful information on charging-system conditions.   
 

Not debating ,just some info on the ammeter's function---hope it helps.

1292
General Discussion / Re: Age Groups of Our Hobby
« on: December 11, 2013, 09:26:55 PM »
Man enjoy, best pic I've seen in here so far .


Looks like the "old guys" are starting to catch up in the poll !  highway gears.

1293
General Discussion / Re: Mecum z28
« on: December 11, 2013, 09:20:30 PM »
Yea, with a gate style shifter(Cheetah) only way to fly. He doesn't say too much negative anymore, looks speak volumes. He's only 68 so we got a few builds left. He knows my love of 55-56's and stokes my desire for one on a regular basis. He doesn't have much interest in what I'm doing with the Z now ,but is around if I got questions or need a hand.

1294
General Discussion / Re: Age Groups of Our Hobby
« on: December 11, 2013, 06:19:40 PM »
I'm only a couple birthdays from 50. I always figured with my kid going off to college I'd feel a lot older ,not the case ,feel years younger. My wife feels the same way.

1295
General Discussion / Re: Mecum z28
« on: December 11, 2013, 06:14:10 PM »
Funny how that is ,my z's totally apart and I too am building the next one in my head. And I'm noticing a correlation between equal love of 1st gen Camaros and Tri 5's here. I have a 64 327 on the stand with a very well prepped set of 2.02 's and a full manual 350 turbo with a brake on a pallet. Gotta find something to eat these parts up!

1296
Maintenance / Re: Excessive Amperage Draw
« on: December 11, 2013, 06:03:15 PM »
Check ALL your grounds. P=IxE   where power is expressed in watts, voltage is the "push" (E)  I is current measured in Amps ( what's being used) A bad ground will impose an increased load in the circuit. Just as dirty connections increase resistance ,also increasing total load(or impedance) in the circuit----Does amperage vary with accessories being turned on/off ?
With just the engine running ,only the  coil should  be drawing. Or be your biggest draw.  Try using another meter in line bypassing your gauge and compare readings.  My luck has always been with bad grounds. How are your body/chassis ?  If not so simple, you can pull fuses isolating circuits and measure readings. Just one approach--surely others will chime in.

1297
General Discussion / Re: Age Groups of Our Hobby
« on: December 11, 2013, 04:44:02 PM »
So, let a kid sit in your car at the next show...

yes-my dad did one better a few years back. He was showing 2 Anglias at the time. The blown  one caught the eye of a kid with severe disabilities. Helped get him from his chair to the car ,strapped him in and gave him a ride around the lot. I was not there but was told you  couldn't wipe the smile off that kid's face.

1298
General Discussion / Re: Mecum z28
« on: December 11, 2013, 03:04:25 PM »
yup , all of you are correct. I'm keeping a watchful eye on those Tri 5's--my favorite and first love. When this Z's done I'm aggressively pursuing the 56 of my dreams! Minus motor and trans of course. Let me tell you the car I turned down in HS : Dad's friend's pearl 56 210, M22, 3:73---327 with shaved 2:02's.Wanted a 55 ,ended up buying that GTO. For more $$( I was a dumb kid!) My dad hated that "junk Pontiac" and I heard about it daily. You guys are surfacing painful memories! LOL. I did own a rolling 55 ,old Dragway 42 car I traded a rm80 and few hundred bucks. Very rough but all the glass and stainless. Sold the body for what I had in it and parts throughout HS--did "well" on it.

1299
General Discussion / Re: Age Groups of Our Hobby
« on: December 11, 2013, 02:37:01 PM »
Natural order of things :D   Not many guys out there wearing " Flat heads Forever"  tee shirts any more ,and I have a box of old(vintage) hot rod mags where some looked down on "hopping up" these new V8's. On a good note , if you pick up a Good Guys mag looks like  the birth of Rat Rods is keeping the hobby alive and well. And some are done well ( some truly junk) ,all rolling art none the less. Over the top 6 figure street rods soured folks for a while then the hobby came back strong. Same is happening with the muscle cars. Opinions vary, my dad likes creating something from nothing--give him a shell and he's happy, he's more into gassers and his 38. I'm into restoring an old Day 2 car ,my 27 year old is into Hondas. In the true spirit of the hobby, these tuner guys are the next generation of Hot Rodders. Hitting junk yards ,swapping labor, creating something from nothing. They love the old iron , just unattainable $$ ( the 19yo is into college, no time for cars, he likes old Ford trucks)


Common thread is the love of getting in the garage ,going to the parts store and crossing your fingers it fires up with no leaks ! timeless.ageless ;D

1300
General Discussion / Re: Mecum z28
« on: December 10, 2013, 08:53:33 PM »
Careful--might get your wish when the new generation of Hot Rodders come of age: the tuners.

Flip side I have no interest in selling ,would be fun buying with a 50% decrease ! And I agree ,hate the thought of these American classics being bought up and shelved. Part of our history.

1982 I bought a 68 GTO convertible for $1800.00. Fair paint ,flawless interior .Flipped it for a Jeep 1 year later .made real good $$ on the Jeep...Would love to have that goat back as a daily driver. Forgot about that car until I was digging through old pics.I was in HS at the time.

Bundle up out there today Bill ,cold up here in Ohio.

1301
Maintenance / Re: Oil Pan leaks... ugh..
« on: December 10, 2013, 08:30:21 PM »
Thanks for the input Mark , I've seen them out there...just wanted some feedback on quality--not just looks-I've read nothing to suggest substandard, figured somebody on this site is using one.

1302
General Discussion / Re: Mecum z28
« on: December 10, 2013, 06:48:00 PM »
Looking through Saturday's results ,looks like a "numbers" 69 z sold for almost 70K---I'm assuming the "no info" 69 z ,which stopped at 36K--still bidding ,was the black one  ??? (did the black one sell, and if so how much?) No one fell for the "magic beans" in the glove compartment is what I am reading Saturday.


Mecum is there to sell cars--period. And lots of them.(I really do enjoy watching) Like anything for sale forget the bold statements and read the fine print.

Imitation is the best form of flattery--I really see no point taking offence  to someone calling their car something it is not pending : 1. beating someone's car out at a legit ,points based event(never going to happen) 2.Prices surpass the "real thing" ( never going to happen) those cars raise the tide.

Honestly, years ago it used to bother me ,not so much anymore.  diamonds/zirconia's   You have a diamond" bill of ohio"

1303
Mild Modifications / Re: Intake/Carb recomendations
« on: December 10, 2013, 01:58:30 PM »
Just my suggestion:Brand:AED Performance

Manufacturer's Part Number:4175

Part Type:Carburetor Rebuild Kits

Product Line:AED Ultimate Performance Carburetor Kits

Summit Racing Part Number:AED-4175


Lose the filters in the carb---yes you can run an inline between the pump and inlet to carb---just secure it. I always use the see through. Trick kit might be more $$ than you need to spend. Car ran fine before you said---fix the problem for less than 50 bucks, it'll run fine again.  Oh switch to Klotz or Amsoil Synthetic for the 2 strokes ,50:1,and run them dry ,alcohol kills them. Had no issues when my boys where younger racing dirt bikes--1 gas can.

1304
Mild Modifications / Re: Intake/Carb recomendations
« on: December 09, 2013, 09:00:42 PM »
Did the car run good at one time and now displays symptoms ?  Start of cheap and rebuild the carb. I strongly suggest the newer style neoprene metering block gaskets. And fresh plugs. If the car was running poorly might have fouled/glazed a few. Throwing on bolt ons could be a mistake if you do not know the engines demands. By your choice of rear gears sounds like your not pursuing a stump puller but a nice cruiser with a rumble.
Check choke adjustment.

Try a low profile air cleaner for clearance issues---I think the first gen designs are hard to beat---

If problems persist post some pics of your problem areas.

1305
General Discussion / Re: Replace or not replace door panels ?
« on: December 08, 2013, 08:53:53 PM »
Got an oil pan ?  ;D

This is why I'm following my project board, to keep on track. However some question arise . Even though I'm pretty set on my decisions, I have no problems throwing a few out to make sure I'm in the right direction. Who better to ask than those who restored 68 Z's, and those other Camaros :D      thanks for the input.

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