Gents,
Here is the link.
Dave was a Good Man.
Peter
http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000328229/?fullname=david-o-harris
Loyd,
You should check with some of the auto upholstery companies, like Mac’s (Cartouche) or dare I say SMS.
I also expect that there are other vintage automobile upholstery suppliers.
You also might wish to check out companies that stock home or commercial chair upholstery, as the cushions in a Travelodge wouldn’t get lots of seating time relative to the front seat of a car.
Home and commercial chair / couch upholstery will off you 10,000 times as many style / fabric options as automobile upholstery companies.
Peter
Jack,
TRICO was / is a Buffalo Company.
I don’t think back then that there was much difference between a factory accessory and an aftermarket extra.
If you wanted something on your Pierce-Arrow, the PAMCC would find it and / or make it for you.
I attach the link for the TRICo history.
According to the history, the VISIONALL was introduced in 1927.
Peter
Ed,
John sold me what I believe was his last Visionall a few years back.
Now I have TWO spares, one is NOS.
At the beginning of each driving season, I run a vacuum pump to one side of the Visionall unit with the car engine off, just to make sure that it runs properly.
If it doesn’t, I just let the vacuum pump suck in the oil needed to re-set the seals.
I know that I “hit gold” when the vacuum pump powers the Visionall.
From then on, the engine will do it.
Peter
Gents,
This link will get you to the auction website.
The link above was missing the www.
Peter
Jack,
That is the one!
That wiper system is the TRICO VISIONALL !
They are Very Cool!
I can hook you up with THE Visionall guru, if you wish, but I believe that I listed him in the Parts & Service section of the PAS website (Paul Ayers).
He not only sells the replacement seals, but will rebuild the unit if you need.
As I posted in another thread today, you use 10W oil or 3-in-One oil to lubricant it and make it run.
Email me at DoctorPeter@comcast.net for the instructions.
Peter
Jim,
The TRICO Visionall winter era run off of the vacuum tank, so if that is what you are asking about, then my response above is correct.
If you are asking about electric wipers, I DK.
Peter
Jim,
The TRICO Visionall wipers, if that is what you are writing about, Do Not use Grease for lubrication.
You need light weight oil, like 10W or 3-in-One oil.
The 3-in-One is the easiest to install.
I believe that I posted this on a previous PAS M-B entry.
If you have specific questions, send me an email.
If that is not what you are questioning, then I DK.
Peter
Jack,
Also, what is the big silver thing?
It looks like a top latch.
Does the top of your Series 81 come off?
Peter
Jack,
As for the electric switches, I DK, but you can always run them back to their ends to determine what they do.
Perhaps, a dash instrument, an interior light or something in the engine compartment.
Peter
Jack,
It appears that you have a FULL Length TRICO Visionall.
A photo from outside would confirm.
They are quite the Cat’s Meow!
If it works, that is great.
If not, then I can connect you with the Visionall Guy.
Also, I have two spares of that unit, one NOS.
They need to be oiled every year with light weight oil (3-in-1 oil or 10W).
If you want details on that procedure, send me an email.
The engine manifold vacuum drives the wipers after you flip the switch.
They should also “PARK” and one of the positions on the switch should bring them together in the middle of the windshield.
As soon as they PARK, you shut off the valve.
Peter
Jack,
BTW, my wipers had that sort of Left-Center-Right toggle until I swapped it out for a three position In-Out type.
I will post photos soon.
Also BTW, it is cool to have wipers on a 1920s car.
Peter
Jack,
Just as a point of correctness,; Electrics, not Electronics.
Electronics came in with Transistors and that didn’t happen until the 1950s or 60s.
How about an under dash photo of the mystery switches?
Do you have ONE wiper or Two?
Is your wiper motor a small semicircular type that swing back and forth or a Long type that goes back and forth all the way across the windshield?
Photos?
Peter
Jack,
I have similar small pulls on my Series 80, one is for the Visionall Vacuum Wipers and one is for the Cowl Lights.
On your Series 81, do you have Auxiliary lights in between the headlights?
Do you have wipers?
Are they both electrical switches or is one a vacuum switch?
I see in the one photo what looks to be a vacuum tube (although it appears cracked).
Do you have vacuum wipers on the car?
Peter
Greg,
My Series 80 was upgraded about 91-years ago to run the Stromberg O-3 carburetor.
It was upgraded by my Uncle Joe’s, Uncle Joe Waldorf who was the Supervising Director of the PAMCC Grisholt rear-end / differential plant.
In addition, I am confident that there are no Choke Knobs in any of the boxes of nickel do-dads that I have floating around.
If there was such a knob, it certainly would not have a hole for mounting on the dashboard of my Series 80.
The Rich-Lean level adjusts the Choke / Butterfly on my Series 80, Stromberg O-3 carburetor.
If you note my second question to Jack, I requested that he post a photo.
After that, I made no comments regarding the Choke Knob..
As to my adding confusion to the discussion, OOPS, as I clearly pointed out from the beginning this discussion, I am not familiar with the dashboard configuration / Choke Knob on the Series 81.
Cheers,
Peter
Kevin,
It seems that you are being ignored here (Sunday posting effect?), so contact George Teebay (see PAS Roster) on the matter, as he will provide everything you need to know about gear and transmission oil.
If I can dig up my document on Lubrication, I will send it as an email.
Also, you should contact Olsen’s Gaskets (listed in the Parts & Service section) for gaskets.
Peter
Greg,
All of what you wrote is fine, but remember that my Series 80 runs a Stromberg O-3, Series 81 carburetor on it.
If the carburetor has a real choke on it, that is great, however, my Series 80 does not have a “Choke” knob, but a “Rich – Lean” slide on the dash and that adjusts the level of choke, which I usually run mid-way between Rich & Lean.
Peter
Jack,
How about a photo?
The Series 80 has a slide that is a “RICH – LEAN” lever, and no “CHOKE.”
I believe that the Rich-Lean lever IS the choke.
The Series 81 must be different.
Also, the problem with detail parts for the Series 81 if they are different from those on the Series 80 is that the PAMCC made very few Series 81 cars.
Peter
Gents,
Here is the guy that I used for a number of casting projects.
He does great work with reasonable turn around.
Peter
Walter Butler
New England Castings
57 Main Street
Post Office Box 295
Hiram, Maine 04041
(207) 625-3256
Jack,
Are you talking about the PRIMER PULL or the Rich-Lean assembly?
If the former, contact Wayne or Marc Hancock (PAS members).
If the latter, I DK.
Peter
