Messages

1

Darrin Forum / Re: Brake Light Switch

« on: April 21, 2018, 08:43:42 PM »

Joe:

 Great!

Thanks,  Bob Benz

2

Darrin Forum / Re: Brake Light Switch

« on: April 21, 2018, 07:46:33 PM »

Hi All:

Thanks again for your responses.

FYI:

Checked AutoZone.  They have part # F4805 in stock locally.  They have absolutely no specification information.  Did some research and found that the actuation pressure is 60 -120 psi.  Could find no information on whether or not they are compatible with silicone brake fluid.  Joe: Are you using these switches with silicone fluid?  Please let us know.

Also found a lower pressure switch which is specified as compatible with silicone fluid and has a actuation pressure of 20-50 psi.  It is available from Hot Rod Express in North Carolina, telephone # 704-483-3300, SKU # SW32, at the ridiculous  price of $29.95!!!!  Anyhow, it's available and the brake light should come on much earlier.

Look forward to hearing from you on the silicone question.

Thanks to all,   Bob Benz

3

Darrin Forum / Re: Brake Light Switch

« on: April 19, 2018, 08:57:10 PM »

Hi Everyone:

Thanks for your replies!

I  disconnected the wires from the switch and ran jumpers from them up out of the engine bay so I could see the tail lights.  I then could make and brake the circuit bypassing the switch.  Consistently I got full bright brake light, confirming the grounds are still okay.

The brakes work very evenly, but crud in the system is still a possibility I suppose, but I'm leaning towards a bad switch.

These switches are available from many sources, but they all either don't specify the actuation pressure at all, or various ranges like 20-45 psi, or 60-100 psi as examples!  I'm assuming that lower is better .  As a "bench mark", does anyone know what the original Kaiser specs were, OR a vendor you may have purchased a satisfactory unit from who may know.  Note that one Hot Rodder blog suggested a Harley Davidson switch which was described  as "lower pressure" so the lights will come on sooner.  Anyhow, I'd appreciate any help in this.

Thanks,  Bob Benz   

4

Darrin Forum / Brake Light Switch

« on: April 14, 2018, 07:44:36 PM »

My Darrin brake lights do not come on unless extreme pressure is applied to the brake pedal.  They haven't worked right for years, even after the switch was replaced with a new one.  Trying to fix it before someone rear ends me!

With age, do the diaphragms on these switches get get stiff, OR do the electrical contacts get tarnished, OR do I just have a switch with too high a set pressure?

Can someone please head me off in the right direction.

Thanks,  Bob Benz     

5

Darrin Forum / Upholstery

« on: January 09, 2017, 08:54:27 PM »

Does anyone out there know of an upholstery shop in the northern NJ area that is familiar with Darrin upholstery replacement?

6

Darrin Forum / Re: Darrin front end...parts

« on: October 19, 2016, 07:46:26 PM »

The front suspension parts are Henry J and the brakes are full size Kaiser.  I got a kit from Kanter and was satisfied with it, BUT, that was 25 years ago.  It had mostly NOS Kaiser parts combined with new rubber components.  I don't know what they may currently supply.  Others may have more current vendor information.

Bob   

7

Darrin Forum / Re: HEADLIGHT TERMINAL BLOCKS

« on: August 20, 2016, 10:43:39 AM »

Thank you both for the information.  Very helpful!

Bob

8

Darrin Forum / HEADLIGHT TERMINAL BLOCKS

« on: August 19, 2016, 05:50:04 PM »

Does anyone have a handle on a source for the two three stud terminal blocks that are mounted next to the hood latch.  Mine are mostly not there!  The original style would be really nice, but a suitable replacement of the same size would be acceptable.  I also need the rubber grommets.

Thanks,  Bob

9

Darrin Forum / SEAT BELTS

« on: August 05, 2016, 10:28:13 AM »

Does anyone out there have photographs, installation sheet, or anything showing how the original factory issue seat belt package was attached to the four studs in the Darrin?

10

Darrin Forum / Re: Tachometer Drive Ratio

« on: July 12, 2016, 08:42:35 PM »

Lee, thanks for the additional information.

Bob

11

Darrin Forum / Re: Tachometer Drive Ratio

« on: July 06, 2016, 09:05:43 PM »

Terry:   Thank you very much.   Bob

12

Darrin Forum / Re: Tachometer Drive Ratio

« on: July 06, 2016, 06:50:07 PM »

Thank's for your input.  It was certainly helpful.

If anyone out there has a distributor on the bench and would turn it a couple of revolutions  and count how many revolutions the tach drive turns, I would still be very interested in that information.

Thanks again.  Bob

13

Darrin Forum / Re: Tachometer Drive Ratio

« on: July 06, 2016, 10:01:53 AM »

Yup, that's the easy way. BUT, at this point I have a restored running chassis (that's good), the body is on a dolly, the tachometer is seized, and I don't have an electric tachometer (that's all not so good), so I'm back to ratios.  Just the ratio of the distributor shaft to the  tach drive will help plan what will be needed.  At this point, I'm just trying to get in the ball game.  Will probably wait till I get the tach (and the speedo) rebuilt, to actually purchase the ratio adapter, if needed.  Then I can do the final check "the easy way"!

The ratio will be helpful.

A recommendation on a good speedometer shop to rebuild the tach and speedo would be helpful.

Thanks Bob   

14

Darrin Forum / Re: Tachometer Drive Ratio

« on: July 05, 2016, 07:13:31 PM »

I have a '55 Oldsmobile 324 engine in my Darrin with similar vintage Corvette generator which has a mechanical tachometer drive.  I need to know the correct original Darrin ratio between the engine RPM and the drive cable RPM, so that I can figure out the ratio of the reduction gear adapter that I will need to hook up the generator tachometer drive to the stock Darrin tachometer and obtain a reasonable tachometer reading.     

15

Darrin Forum / Tachometer Drive Ratio

« on: July 05, 2016, 03:49:02 PM »

Can someone out there advise what the ratio is between engine RPM and the tachometer drive cable RPM.  Thanks.