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Newbie with a couple questions....

 
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sandreassi



Joined: 03 Aug 2016
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 20, 2016 9:46 pm    Post subject: Newbie with a couple questions.... Reply with quote

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum as I just recently bought a 1954 Star Chief. I have many questions, but I'll start with just two for now.

1. Where/how do I check the brake fluid? I have a 1954 Star Chief. The brake fluid is the only fluid I haven't checked and topped off yet.

2. I need carpet for the car. Does anyone know where I can get carpeting for a 1954 4 door Star Chief? I've come across 2 door carpeting, but am having trouble finding the 4 door carpet. I was wondering if 4 door Chieftain carpet would fit my Star Chief.

Anyway, thanks for any help. I belong to a Cub Cadet forum and know these places can be great resources. I look forward to many helpful discussions here as well.

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Brian_G



Joined: 28 Aug 2016
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1953 Chieftain

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 11:53 pm    Post subject: Re: Newbie with a couple questions.... Reply with quote

[quote="sandreassi"]Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum as I just recently bought a 1954 Star Chief. I have many questions, but I'll start with just two for now.

1. Where/how do I check the brake fluid? I have a 1954 Star Chief. The brake fluid is the only fluid I haven't checked and topped off yet.

Your master cylinder reservoir should be under the steering column right in front of the firewall. That's where mine is on my 53' Chieftain. I'm working on my brakes right now. Have you tried pulling your drums off yet? I've got one wheel where brakes are locked up and can't tell if I need to take the hub nut off or not to get the drum off.

On your carpet issue, try RockAuto:

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/pontiac,1954,star+chief,4.4l+268cid+l8,1378458,interior,flooring,1264?a=Referer+www.google.com+URL+%2Fen%2Fcatalog%2Fpontiac%2C1953%2Cchieftain%2C4.4l%2B268cid%2Bl8%2C1378436

Hope that helps!
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helotech



Joined: 31 Aug 2016
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2016 4:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

congrats on the car.

if it's like my '54, its easier to pull the carpet back from under the drives side dash. there are about 6 or 8 bolts that hold a small access panel in place, remove the bolts and panel, then you can get easy access to the master cylinder to check the fluid.

I've been searching for parts for my "new to me" '54, check on e-bay, Kanter, and Pontiac-parts.net ---I've found carpet all over the place, both 2 and 4 door.

also, you can check with ACC carpet, they seem to be the supplier for all aftermarket vendors.

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Larry
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2016 1:12 pm    Post subject: 1954 Pontiac Reply with quote

I also answered this post here, in case you missed it: http://www.pontiacregistry.com/members/viewtopic.php?t=6065
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sandreassi



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PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2016 5:45 pm    Post subject: Thank You! Reply with quote

Thanks to all for your replies and help. I really do appreciate it. I did see your other post, Larry. Thanks.

I was able to check the brake fluid. All good there.

On another note, I flushed the radiator and out a new thermostat in. The car runs much cooler now.

Lastly, I'd like to change the oil and the tranny fluids.

The oil change isn't much of a problem. Have done that many times in other cars. I've done some research here and other places on oil weight, though. The shop manual calls for 20 weight oil. Is 30 weight non-detergent okay, though? That's what the guy I bought from was running in it.

Lastly, It seems as though there is a drain plug for the tranny as well. Can I just drain the fluid from there and refill with Type A tranny fluid?

Thanks again!

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Larry
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 01, 2016 9:12 am    Post subject: FLUID REPLACE Reply with quote

The 30 wt. oil is fine (probably best) for your engine. If it was using non-detergent, stay with that. If you start putting in detergent now, you might start flushing out a lot of stuff that is presently keeping the engine running quietly and not leaking. Sounds weird, but true. Many have switched oil and suddenly had a "smoker" on their hands.

As for the transmission fluid, see the shop manual procedure attached here (pdf). It is from the 1948-53 Hydra-Matic manual, but the same for your car. As for the fluid, it is now recommended to use Dextron or any GM fluid. Note the need to drain the torque converter separately, but it will "auto fill" when you fill the transmission. Just double check to bring up to proper lever as the torque converter fills up.

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sandreassi



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PostPosted: Thu Sep 01, 2016 4:19 pm    Post subject: Thanks again. Reply with quote

Thanks for the info and pdf Larry. Just what I needed!

I found Castrol Dexron VI fluid. It says it's for GM. Before I put $60 worth of fluid, just want to be sure though.

http://m.autozone.com/motor-oil-and-transmission-fluid/transmission-fluid/castrol-dexron-vi-transmax-automatic-transmission-fluid/930140_0_0/

Thanks.

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Larry
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 01, 2016 5:11 pm    Post subject: Transmission Fluid Reply with quote

I found where this was discussed in another one of our forums some time ago. The consciences is still that the Dextron II (even Mercon) is fine, and your new fluid saws it is compatible with II.

Someone said Type A is still available (somewhere?) and can be used. Some say shy away from Type F (Ford) fluid.

Actually, I learned a long time ago from an old timer that all fluids were actually fine and could be mixed and matched. As a matter of fact, he used Type F (Ford) fluid in his Pontiacs because he said it was easier on the seals.

Just don't do what a fellow I knew did in the Air Force and stole a few quarts of jet engine oil (very thin) from on the flightline where we worked, and put it in his transmission... tore out every seal in the darn thing... guess it was pretty caustic!

Bottom line is your Dextron will be fine. But if you want to do a bunch of double checking, just do a google search for "Pontiac Hydramatic transmission fluid" and you will be reading all night.

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sandreassi



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PostPosted: Thu Sep 01, 2016 7:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah, it's pretty easy to go 'round and 'round researching and have quite a bit of time slip by in the process.

The back of the bottle of the Castrol Dexron VI says it's for use in GM HydraMatic transmissions, so I went with it. Took it for a drive and it seems okay. I'm thinking I might need some adjustments, though. It seems like it shifts smoothly, but it shifts very quickly through the first two or three gears. Or is that normal?

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Larry
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 02, 2016 10:26 am    Post subject: '54 Shift Reply with quote

Those old 4-speeds were a balancing act between the 1-2 servo and the 3-4 servo.

There is a throttle rod on the side of the transmission See attached manual page) that can be adjusted. You're going to want to find a nice balance between the 2nd gear upshift to the 3rd gear. Going from 1st to 2nd is always pretty quick at slow speed. But the 2-3 upshift can either be too quick, or tend to linger between the gears. That is where you need to find out what feels best to you. If you slow down the upshift, you get some lingering.

No matter what you do, though, there will be times when, for example, going around a corner that it will seem to pop into 3rd quicker than you would like. You need to do the trial-and-error setting of the rod on a straight stretch and at a normal speed; obviously you won't have the tools the manual calls for. If you floor it,of course you won't get the correct feeling of the shift (it will hold in gear too long). Just use an easy, normal pressure on the gas.

Do some experimenting. It isn't hard.

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