Donna Onat recently sent out an online "Help" message regarding a problem with her 54. 

"My '54 210 Powerglide has developed an annoying habit of stopping dead in her tracks without warning. She stopped three times in 5 miles last week (luckily twice in parking lots, and finally in my own driveway. Took her to shop to have brakes looked at, and she stopped on Bellevue Way where we held up traffic to the great annoyance of fellow motorists for at least five minutes before she finally started again.  Fixit fellow checked for loose wiring, other indications of electrical problem, and thought that the carburetor should be rebuilt. That's one piece we haven't had to do anything to (yet) except change the fuel filter.  It also may be the cause of the poor mileage. Thanks to Lee for checking my battery and other things, I did purchase a new battery & it is now installed. Yesterday the car stopped again on city streets three times, but at least it did start up again readily. Does anyone in the group have a rebuilt carburetor which would work on my car that you are willing to sell?? ?   I'm on the verge of having this one rebuilt; hopefully it will solve the problem. The stopping problem is just that- suddenly the engine turns off. No sputtering or signal of any kind."
 
Bob Helgeson wrote: "From what you have described, I still think you have an electrical problem. Your comment that the engine just turns off -stops running, no signal or sputtering-just stops, tells me you have an electoral problem. Now, where is the intermittent short? It sounds like Lee has checked some of the items but then it could be things like the coil, condenser circuit, ballast resister, or even the ignition switch.  If it is running out of gas, the problem could be the carburetor or fuel pump. Poor mileage indicates that it is getting gas."  Bob then suggested that this might be a good Club project.

Ten other people responded to Donna's plea and she responded back with the following:

"Larry read all of your comments and ideas. He took off the distributor cap & rotor and tightened the condenser base screw (it turned twice). He then tightened the nut where the wire connects the distributor to the coil. Then, checked & tightened the wires connecting to the top of the coil. Finally, he got to the starter (or solenoid?) and tightened some stuff there (not too sure about that part) - and the next day he had errands including a trip to Seattle; I begged him to drive the Chevy, which he did, and reported no problems : > )
 
I took her out today, all afternoon in very fine winter weather (clear & not raining) and we made 4 stops, getting home after dark with the headlights on in good shape and no unexpected events.  So, perhaps we're out of the woods for the moment. (Sigh of relief)!!
 
Thanks for all the input about rebuilding a carburetor too. Seems that it may not be needed right now. We do have a new gas filter that's going to go on. And you all offered so many kinds of assistance, for which I'm truly grateful.  It really cheered me up."


Keep the questions coming. This feature helps us all.

Jim

New questions or questions & answers are always welcome.  You can email me at farrismej@aol.com.  Thanks.   Jim Farris-Custodian of the Glove Box