Hello all, again. I seem to be back in business. Bad luck, never a lonely
traveler, has been my incessant companion for a few weeks now, but I seem to
be at the back end of it, now. I could get myself kicked off the list
sharpish by boring you all with the details, but won't.
Sticking to our premier and only topic, namely Imperials, I must report that
using one as a daily driver does not work for me. I imagine even the most
avid fisherman gets bored if he indulges in the hobby every day, and so it
is with Mrs. Blueberry. My perception of the car is as a great big, goofy,
weekend toy. A delight for the senses, to blow away the cobwebs and cares
of the week. Having to use it all the time robs the experience of being
unique.
That and the fact it ain't running too good. My starting problems have both
improved and gotten worse. It will now start after only a short stop, even
if it is hot. Who knew it was a timing thing? But now, since I washed the
engine, it frequently does not start at all. All I get is the dreaded
solenoid click. At least before it would turn over, albeit slowly. This
problem is intermittent, but rather scary.
The smoking is still present but no where near as bad as before. I have a
lunatic theory that it was because I was using high detergent oil in an
engine unused to such stuff. I may be clutching at straws, but, otherwise,
it's performance leaves nothing to be desired. And the plugs are not
fouled. Theory number two is the drainage channels back down to the bottom
of the engine are a little clogged. I have yet to get a compression test
done, which will tell me definitively, one way or the other.
I got a $3,500 quote on a ring job. Fabulous. On the other hand it may be
possible to do a lower engine job without removing the engine, if the car
will fit over the pit at the museum. I suspect it won't, but look forward
to finding out.
The intermediate plan is to do another oil change, flush the engine and
start using the stuff Dimitrios suggested some time ago, Valvoline's "High
Life" 20-50W. I have a lot of good thing about it. I may also have another
leak, from the rear main seal to accompany the ever present drip from the
oil canister.
In addition, the coolant temperature gauge stopped working. Not good, with
this car's history. Using some advice from Chuck Ariens, I left the hood
open to the sun for the afternoon yesterday, as he perceived, evidently
correctly that the old wires were affected by all the water from the wash.
Mysteriously, this afternoon, the gauge started working again. Go figure.
I had to do the wash because oil was evacuating from the filler tube. The
tube is quite high off the valley cover and has several baffles in it and
yet, somehow, oil was coming out, through the wire mesh of the cap. That's
a lot of pressure to get the stuff up there. Rats. I thoroughly, maybe too
thoroughly, washed the engine with degreaser and paid particular attention
to the cap. Since then, no oil has emerged. Maybe it was condensed hot oil
trapped in the mesh. Who knows?
The car has dealt with the tempestuous weather nicely. With my daughter
aboard we negotiated a heavy hail storm completely unscathed. Who would
have guessed the crappy paint job I have on it would persevere so well.
I hope to get the 92 Chrysler back this week. That is a tale too long and
too far from our focus to tell here. Dealing with the insurance was very
educational. Getting the plot of their perspective helped greatly to get
the car back on the road.
In conclusion, I must admit I also had an accident in the Imperial. I ran
into a newish Buick LeSabre. I have never been a particularly good driver
but I have never had so much evidence to back up this theory.
I hope your week has been just as much fun!
Hugh
Until further notice, celebrate everything.
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