VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1916-1922 - Model 490 '22 490 build- LOTS of questions!!!

Been a while since I've been on the site!

I recently acquired a '22 490 "puzzle" that I'm trying to get back together. Long story short, an older gentleman was restoring the car, when he passed away, and his son-in-law picked up the pieces (along with a few other vehicles) and brought it down to GA, where a good friend and I went to look at it.

Some of the issues:

1) the front axle geometry is way off, with too much negative caster, and no way visible way to make it positive. Any advice would greatly appreciated.

2) the radiator is missing it's sides and base, so there is no way to attach it to the chassis. Any pics would help, and if someone has a spare base/sides, that would be a HUGE help!

3) the oil pump and generator/distributor housing are blown/cracked (normal for Zamac in the 20's, so I'm considering the idea of using a magneto (the car is missing enough sheetmetal that the chassis will be the base for an early speedster), but need to find an external pump to use that would keep things on the traditional side.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Thanks, Bill

You can correct the front axle with shims. A good alinement shop could handle that problem.

Your number two problem may get some response from the Forum.

Your oil pump is available from Gary Wallace. Also the back portion of the generator is being reproduced and Gary has that part also. If you need a distributor--contact me.

While I'd love to get a new casting for the oil pump and the generator end, I can't foot the $700 to make that happen

That's why I'm considering going the magneto route- have a couple mags to try, just need to see how Chevrolet mounted them for the export cars.

Thanks again for the help!

Bill

OK, If we can be of help as you go along, just give us a shout.

The Magneto is bolted onto the top of the generator with a mounting plate , and shims. The Magneto is driven by a chain on my 490 engine, which has a 20 teeth sprocket on both the Magneto and generator shaft.

Jack,

Thank you for the info on the mag!

No problem Bill.
The Magneto on mine is a Berling E-41 . I believe Simms C-4 and Bosch AT-4 are also able to be used. The Magneto need to be the correct rotation direction also.

Will keep that in mind!

Do have a question about the springs/ride. I have heard that it's pretty rough, so I'm planning on pulling a leaf or two out of the packs. Also considering looking for modern springs to cut down/trim to use. I know that we have a hill-climber and vintage racer on the forum- would love to get your thoughts!

Picked up a Chicago auxiliary trans for the '22- will be shortening the shaft so that I don't have to play with making longer brake cables, etc.

Will try to take some pics this weekend and post them.

Thanks again, Bill

Sorry for taking so long to post- school started and with it, 120 starting band students (and parents) with LOTS of questions

Soooo, I've been having trouble finding rear axle felts and have heard that I can use Model T parts- is there any truth to that?

Also, STILL don't have any pics of the braces that go between the radiator and shell, or how that all mounts to the crossmember. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

Took the block to a local shop to be hot-tanked. Everything looked good during the teardown, so I'm reasonably sure that things will go back together quickly and easily (knock on wood)!

Bill,

Not sure if Ford Model T rear axle felts will work or not. I imagine they're not too expensive so, if you got them and checked them for a trial fit to see if they'll work?
On another note, there are a pair of rear axle felts for a 490 on eBay right now. They're probably more expensive then the Model T felts. Just type in Chevrolet 490 Rear Axle Seals. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Gary

Sorry I didn't noticed your question about rear axle felts until now.

The Model T parts doesn't fit. As I recently made a major repair on my rear axle I bought them, at the same time as I bought some other parts from Snyder's that fits: The thrust bearing that I guess you have to the right of the differential, one big bronze washer and two steel washers. If you still have a pot metal washer between the steel washers, you must replace it with a bronze washer. If you wonder why, please take a look on my post, https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/300921/1. Snyder's also offer other small parts that fits the 490.

I asked on this forum if somone knew the diminsions of the two types of felt washers that I needed, but didn't get any answer.

So I tried to take the needed measures to get new ones made in a shop which make felt washers.

The inner felt washers, between the axle housing steel washer and the hub, I ordered inner diameter 26 mm, outer diameter 52 mm, thickness 15 mm. I had to press quite hard to get them in place, so I guess an inner diameter of 27 mm, an outer diameter of 51 mm or 2" and thickness 1/2" had been better. Maybe it depends on the kind of material? Maybe somebody else know?

The outer felt washer, between the hub and the brake drum, I ordered inner diameter 43 mm, outer diameter 96 mm. Maybe OK. But I ordered them much too thick, 8 mm. As I put on the
wheel I could not move the wheel! So I made my own, in a felt material that I had, quite thin, less then 2 mm.

After this repair, since july 2014, I have been driving more than 1 100 miles. Everything seems to work fine, so far. But if someone can tell me the correct thickness of the outer felt washers I will have new ones made.

The cost? I ordered eight pieces of each, and for these 16 pieces I payed SEK 400, approximately 50 USD.

Bummer on the Ford Model T parts not fitting, but who wants to use Ford parts on a Chevorlet ;) Guess just need to be custom made or find on Ebay. I guess the price you pay with a vintage car with limited availability on parts. Anything can be custom made though with the $$$.

Thanks for all the responses, and also for the link, Per (traveled in Up With People in 1986 with a Swede named Per)

Lots of good info- don't have the rear torn down yet, so will need to look and see if the previous owner swapped out the thrust bearing or not)

LORD, I hate Zamac- from the generator ends to the steering bushings, every ounce of it is blown up and falling to pieces. Should have gotten used to it restoring prewar O gauge trains over the years... but I guess not

Have not heard about "Up With People" in years. Sat through some fantastic presentations. Would like to see them again.

I actually performed in Kennewick and Seattle in Dec of 86!

Unfortunately, UwP went belly up about 15 years ago, but the alumni association have been working on bringing it back.

Things have slowed on the build since school has started ( I teach middle school band), but have rebuilt the transmission. The rear is a mess... broken keyway on one axle, gears are not aligned, etc.