Curtiss,
Here is a photo of the bottom side of a Series 80/81 distributor cap.
Peter
Curtiss,
If that rotor is the correct rotor for that engine, Greg is correct about it needing Series 80/81 cap.
That cap does NOT have studs on the inside as do most, if not all of the caps of that vintage.
A Buick cap will not do the job.
The Series 80 / 81 cap has smooth contacts on the inside; it is totally flat on the inside.
Those caps are difficult to find.
I’ll post a photo of the inside, if I can find one.
Peter
Curtiss,
What type of wheels are holding the frame above the ground?
Are they for sale, or not?
Can you post an email address for your buddy?
There may be a few bits of interest bolted to that frame.
Thanks,
Peter
Bob,
The Series 80 uses a GE 1133 mushroom, 24W, 32CP bulb.
It looks like the GE 2330 / 2530 but without the flange at the neck of the bulb.
I trust that the photo will load.
Peter
Bob,
Those bulbs have a flange on the neck of the bulb and won’t fit in a Series 80 headlight socket.
They appear to LOCK IN at the neck of the bulb and the Series 80 needs the type with only the bayonet mount base.
The Series 80 also uses single contact bulbs (but there are ways around that aspect of the single vs. dual contact thing).
Peter
Brian,
That Primer Valve is just for starting the car.
It is not a pump.
It works, when activated, by pulling gas from the carburetor fuel bowl and shooting it into the intake manifold using the vacuum created by the pistons moving up and down in the cylinder block.
It does nothing if the engine is not turning over.
It is activated by pulling on the “Primer”” knob while cranking over the engine.
Any accelerator pump ought to be a part of the carburetor itself and should be connected to the fuel pedal / carburetor connection.
Peter
“
George,
What do you run as headlamp bulbs to improve the ability to see while driving at night?
Please illuminate us.
Peter
Patrick,
The battery box is indeed large enough for TWO Optima 6v red Top batteries.
I have that arrangement, AND I have been told many times that such an arrangement is serious overkill with a Series 80 6-cylinder engine.
That stated, I installed that two battery set up because I was the guy who arranged for the Killer Deal on Optima 6v Red Top batteries a few years back.
For about $200, I have an absolute bulletproof battery system and no more lead-acid batteries to go dead in a few years.
Note on the photo that I have the batteries mounted on a piece of plywood with a foam cushion between the plywood and the batteries with the strap running around the wood.
I do believe that the Pierce-Arrow 8 & 12 cylinder cars can benefit from TWO 6v batteries.
Peter
Patrick,
Check this posting out.
Positive Ground Question, General / Series 80 & 81 Kenneth R. & Twila Arritt 21-Jun-16 11:54 PM
Use the Search Term: BATTERY, and it will come up near the bottom of the first page.
It seemed to not pop up on the first page when I used the words “POSITIVE GROUND QUESTION.””
DUH!
Peter”
Tom,
A number of similar events occur yearly both in the US and Europe.
All you need to have to participate is a qualifying car (correct vintage, etc.), lots of time and a boatload of clams, duckets, lolly or moolah!
Our Annual PAS Meet attempts to offer a similar experience, but at a more affordable price and a home base hotel from which we begin each tour.
Peter
Tony,
I have know about that Marmon HCM or a number of years and merely needed to roust the recollection from my aging brain. Regardless, thank you.
According to the Sotheby article, Walter Dorwin Teague Jr. designed that car as “the way a car should look,” so I guess that Pierce-Arrow got the fender mounted headlight design correct according to WDT, Jr.
P-A cars are wonderful in their design and when shown always draw a TON of admirers.
Just as do YOUR assortment of cars, Tony.
Cheers,
Peter
Terry,
I guess if you wanted to play down the concept that “there is no mistaking a Pierce-Arrow,” you bought one with bracket lights.
Peter
The Marmon HCM with the fender mounted headlights was a Prototype that never made it to production.
Marmon would have been sued by the PAMCC for patent infringement if the HCM made it to production.
David,
Here is a Hemmings piece on HAC.
Peter
Gents,
Many years ago, I worked as a consultant for Woodman’s, in Essex, Massachusetts.
Woodman’s is a Clam Joint and claims to have “invented” the Fried Clam.
Larry Woodman (RIP), then President of the family firm (started in 1918 or so), once told me about their “invention” that History is what one person claims and no one disputes.
Thus it may be with Bracket headlights on Pierce-Arrow motorcars and “New York Lights.”
Peter
Curtiss,
Do you want to buy a slightly used bridge?
It’s in Brooklyn.
Peter
Roger,
Thank you for your learned and amusing comments.
Peter
I understood that the headlight POSITION was the problem and not the lenses, per se.
The family lore is that my 1925, Series 80 with fender mounted headlights (New York born and liveried until 2006) was fitted with cowl lights by my Great Uncle Joe (a PAMCC Supervising Foreman) to meet state requirements.
Perhaps the “aiming potential”” of the fender mounted headlights is different from that of the bracket mounted headlights.
“
Tony,
As an addition to my semi snarky NOPE, I must tell you that I thoroughly appreciate your well considered input, both on this Message Board and in person.
You are a veritable fount of detailed information on per-war motorcars; a true Scholar hiding in sheep’s clothing.
In addition, your collection of same is outstanding, bat guano and all.
I look forward to seeing one or two this summer at the PAS Meet in California.
Felicitations,
Peter