Last weekend I had the '72 '6 out for about 500 miles. Went to two
shows (one LBC show in N. NJ - nice job by NJTA in Westwood, the
other a classic car show in E. PA, only LBCs were a '56 Bentley,
'58 Jag and '80 MGB Special, but lotsa' American Muscle machines)
Lucas issue #1:
On the weekend tour, fuel and temp gauges were okay, I filled the
tank, fuel gauge went to 'F'. On Monday, the fuel gauge read less
than 1/8th, so I put in $10 (or 5 gallons) of fuel. I checked and
found the tank was topped off full. Temp gauge was also reading
less than 1/2 which is slightly lower than usual.
Okay, Dan's Handbook says check the voltage stabilizer if both
gauges are acting funky. On the 'scope, the stabilizer is showing
a nice, though somewhat asymmetrical square wave (0V - 12V - 0V)
when battery voltage is applied to the 'B' terminal. I also
checked the spare stabilizer from my '73 parts car; that one showed
the same results.
I reinstalled the stabilizer, but, no joy, still a low reading on
the fuel and temp gauges.
Any hints here?
Lucas issue #2
THIS MIGHT RELATE TO issue #1. About a year ago, I had problem
with my 8 year old battery always emitting large amounts of liquid
(acid) in the form of vapor. This vapor deposited itself onto most
of the metal in the vicinity of the battery tray. This is
unhealthy for most paint, metal, etc.
I replaced the battery and alternator too, assuming something was
wrong with the regulator. Not aware of the Ford conversion, I got
a replacement Lucas (#17, I think), supplier said the original
Delco Remy was NLS. Had to convert from a five wire to a three
wire connection. Everything seemed fine, until this week.
I just finished draining a 1/4" of acid from the plastic battery
box. I looks like the same thing is happening again. Based on the
voltage measurements, I think I've got another broken regulator:
Battery voltage, on bench, after 12 hour charge: 12.2VDC
(Specific gravity: 1.250 @ 75 degrees F - not exactly charged, eh?)
Alternator output to battery, high beams on, 2000RPM: 12.6VDC
Alternator idiot light acts normally: Goes on when starting car,
goes off while driving, unless I slow the engine to a crawl, then
it goes on slightly. Ammeter also acts normal: sharp momentary
swing to 'D' upon starting, sharp swing to 'C' for ~20 seconds
right after car starts, sits right in middle, a hair to the 'C'
side while driving.
This is not rocket science: one battery, one alternator, an idiot
light and a few wires.
What am I missing??
Thanks,
Rick Olson
/// triumphs@autox.team.net mailing list
/// To unsubscribe send a plain text message to majordomo@autox.team.net
/// with nothing in it but
///
/// unsubscribe triumphs
///
|