1931 Pierce-Arrow information needed

Here is yet another question. This question involves what is correct and proper for the horn on a 1931 Model 42 Pierce-Arrow. I have seen some Model 42’s, in picture, with double chrome plated Bosch horns each mounted under the front park lamps, more like what a 1934-35 would look like. I have a horn bracket mounted to the top of the cylinder head on the Black Model 42 which is the subject of this chat. The horn that is fitted to the horn bracket on the cylinder head is a large Klaxon. I assume that the Klaxon is correct? But….are the twin Bosch horns also correct?

Al

I have completed a fuel delivery update and have taken the 1931 Model 42 Club sedan on a shake down trip of 70 miles. I learned several things, one is that the original mechanical fuel pump mounted on the engine is not the best. I can run on that system only but performance and reliability is much better when relying on the new electric fuel pump mounted at the fuel tank. I also installed an electric fuel pump by-pass loop and included a one way check valve. At this moment, I consider the fuel delivery update a success. The engine starts, runs and pulls great. The Pierce-Arrow rides, steers and shifts nicely.  What now needs attention is the repair and rebuilding of the Archer ornament/radiator cap to control a nose bleed of coolant when the engine gets up to running temperature. My Archer radiator cap needs to be dismantled and a new spacer, gasket and center cup with the mounting tabs replaced. Could someone please speak to me on this subject and also share a picture or two that will show the correctly assembled Archer unit?  A picture is worth a thousand words in this case. The Archer cap, now on the Model 42 Club sedan, is not workable as is. It looks like I will be using a non-pressure cap, from an early International tractor, temporarily, until I can put together the repairs needed to fix properly the original Archer cap. I would like to devise a repair that includes a SS inner cup and mounting tabs if possible. Council, help, references, encouragement are requested from this Pierce-Arrow group with experience on this subject.

Thanks in advance.

Al

Here is another question regarding driving-touring the 1931 Pierce-Arrow Model 42, the subject of this chat. The Pierce-Arrow Society has been most helpful as I have brought this sleeping giant back to driving and operational status. The continual near issue still involves slight over heating. I need to factor in the reality that so far, all my driving and use of the Model 42 has been in the worst heat of our summer, where the coolest day might be mid 90’s and generally near 100 or more. I have flushed the cooling system thoroughly unit the system runs clear water. I have been thinking further. Did any Pierce-Arrow Model for 1931 have a factory installed fan shroud? I think a good part of my heating issue is that, currently, the fan is simply circulating heated engine compartment air and not pulling the air through the radiator core, (no fan shroud). I am considering building a fan shroud to encourage the fan to pull cool air through the radiator core rather than circulating heated engine compartment air around behind the radiator core. Your thoughts, on this subject are appreciated.

Al

Hello David,

Thanks for your response. I did install a 5/8″ drilled freeze plug against the upper radiator inlet and yes it did help. Not quite so much burping when parking. I also decided to go one step further. I removed the radiator hose casting from the top of the head and machined a recess in order to fit a 160 deg thermostat into it. Our summer heat is starting to subside so driving should not be so nearly at the boiling point. However, if I still feel that an improvement could be made, I will build a fan shroud to force air flow, by the fan, through the radiator and more positively push the heat of the engine compartment out the hood or under the car. I really feel like the fan, without a shroud is just recirculating the engine compartment heated air making it hotter and hotter. Thanks again for the response. The Northern California MODOC tour is next on our agenda for mid September. It is cooler there so I am not as concerned about heating.

Al