Went in today and started to look for where a vacuum leak might be. Since the auto parking brake release wasn’t quite working I started with that.
Here is my handheld vacuum guage and pump connected to the line that feeds the parking brake release switch on the steering column. Transmission was in park so it should have held some vacuum off or least given some resistance. No discernible vacuum accumulation. No resistance. Sucked on it and it was like drawing on an unlit Churchill cigar. It’s a big line and I gave it several good pumps but it just wasn’t going to hold vacuum at all.
Went down to plug the line to make sure it was the switch and not the line.
No problem with the main line to the engine that feeds the switch. Need new switch.
Next came the line to the vacuum motor. No vacuum building at all... need a new switch and motor.
Put a plug in the line down by the switch. Need to start sourcing switch and vacuum motor. Project for another day.
Started the engine to check if this was the problem ..... and all smooth. Drove the car a bit and the A/C shut off problem went away; even under part throttle acceleration up to 60.
The a/c idler bearing has gotten worse and will be replaced tomorrow. I had greased it and it had gotten better (almost silent) but now it’s worse than before.
As soon as the engine reached operating temp and the choke came off, the stumble returned but lt was noticeably less pronounced.
Ok, need to set choke but it has to be dead cold to start the process and get it right.
Meantime, I figured I would give the vinyl roof a good cleaning. Soap and water were just not cutting through the grime of 40 years.
Took out my Wesley’s Bleach White to cut through the grime and oxidized vinyl. It made a difference but I would never recommend anyone do the same. It is great on white walls but contains a weak acid and strong surfactant that works great on tires but can damage anodized metal if not used very carefully and removed quickly. To minimize this I washed and left the mild soap on before using it on the wet, soapy top. The difference was impressive on the first pass. The second pass made an almost equal difference. The picture is actually of the second pass.
After careful washing a second time with soap and water. The difference was impressive. The top and paint are almost the same color. I dare not do it again but it was worth the effort I think. I dried the top and dressed it with some Armorall vinyl dressing and cleaner.
Usually the cleaner/dressing comes away with a little dirt but not this time.
Detail view of same color top and paint... almost.
Now if I only had some NOS Brougham emblems....
view of top from behind.
View of top from front... notice the worlds tallest antenna. That itself was a project that I didn’t document but would have been worth it if I had.
I even made a little time to hand polish the front bumper. Still need to raise it as far as I can.
Oh and here are the dash lights working.
Would have done more but I had to go look at a car with a friend. I’m his go to guy for cars for some reason. Like throwing candy in front of child.... I just can’t say no.
