1967 Family Patrol Project

[faux40]

Lookie what I just got from our local Nissan dealer... I ordered two, received one and it only took six-ish weeks!

[faux40]

The ONLY advantage to waiting on parts for the engine is that I can spend time on other things... For example, here's Version 1.0 of my super duper, non-invasive, headlight relay system. Perhaps I should refer to it as Version 0.9 as I still need to test it for fit and function before calling it ready for prime time. I'm hopeful that the leads are long enough and that stair gauges I picked up & re-purposed to use as clamps hold well enough (they've been rethreaded to use a standard 1/4x28tpi Allen bolt both top and bottom so they can be snugged up tightly). Once I'm sure it works, I'll share the details.


John

[RiverPatrol]

Nice insulator. Amazing that they even came up with one. Your dealer must like you.

[faux40]

Nice insulator. Amazing that they even came up with one. Your dealer must like you.

That's funny -- there are a few parts guys there. One will dig, dig, dig for the parts. The others say "Patrol?", then "... uh, nope, that part isn't in the computer." -- It's all about who's at the parts desk!

John

[faux40]

Just a quick FYI -- The cam bearings and gaskets made their way to the machine shop today. I should be able to pick it up by Friday! I just have to say what a great guy Dave the machinist is...

Sounds like a weekend adventure may be in the works... of course, the trick is fitting it around all three soccer games on Saturday!

John

[Esteban]

I propose the Headlight Challenge! For research purposes anyway. I'm curious as to how much voltage drop others are seeing in their systems. If anyone is interested in the challenge, take six measurements and post the results so we can compare. With the engine running and the low beams on, take a voltage measurements at the big black wire on the upper corner of the fusebox (main power feed from the battery) to ground (I used the ground tied to the inner fender wall); then between the low-beam connection to ground on each headlight terminal strip. Next, repeat but for the high beams. Here's what ours showed this:

Measurement Point	Low Beams On	High Beams On
Fusebox to Ground	12.23v	12.25v
Right Headlight to Gnd	9.91v	9.24v
Left Headlight to Gnd	9.78v	9.19v

Note that ours will likely be quite different (lower) than yours as our engine is still on the operating table -- I did have a charger hooked up, but I'm sure the headlamps were feeling power starved! With a good generator/alternator, your baseline should be around 14v if I'm not mistaken. Anyway, I think it will be interesting to see the variations in the different vintages of Patrol wiring harnesses.

John

----------------

Esteban's measurements:

Long overdue, since I promise to do this sooner. Today, with the help on a big battery from another car, I made the test. I didn't start the engine

Measurement Point	Low Beams On	High Beams On
Fusebox to Ground	11.27v	11.13v
Right Headlight to Gnd	8.06v	7.06v
Left Headlight to Gnd	8.25v	7.38v

The batteries voltage, connected together with jumper cables was 12.63v. After finishing the test it was 12.51v and at this point the voltage measured at the alternator terminals: 12.48v

I have to give thanks to John for this challenge . A number of issues surfaced that otherwise would have been left unattended for who knows what time.
- As you can see, my readings suck!
- Other voltages taken across the fuses also show a not pleasant drop (that's in the same fuse, between contact sides)
- And the scary cherry on top: the big cable that's the main feed to the fuse box has unusually warm. I felt it when I was going to fit the cover again. I spliced this one years ago, when I fitted an aftermarket fusebox of the same brand, and the cable was not long enough due to a different position of the terminals.

And F is what I would rate my system at the moment.

On the bright side, my battery is now 10.5 years old! It's a Solite, a Korean battery that I installed before putting the car in the container that brought it here. After this experience, I will never fit an Optima. Regular batteries for me.

Again, thanks John!

[faux40]

Esteban -- Sorry to hear that you have droopy voltage! I suspect it's caused by running super high wattage lights -- they try to pull lots and lots of current through the old, thin wire. Works just like a resistor!

Here's my solution: http://www.60patrol.com/forum/viewtopic ... 816#p23816

You can find the full pdf copy here: http://www.balestrini.net/public/Headli ... tem.v2.pdf

John

[Esteban]

Esteban -- Sorry to hear that you have droopy voltage! I suspect it's caused by running super high wattage lights -- they try to pull lots and lots of current through the old, thin wire. Works just like a resistor!

Here's my solution: http://www.60patrol.com/forum/viewtopic ... 816#p23816

You can find the full pdf copy here: http://www.balestrini.net/public/Headli ... tem.v2.pdf

John

Couldn't come at a better time! I will need to follow these to the dot. Thanks John for taking the time to do this wonderful guide.

By the way, I copied the link from the other thread since the above one doesn't work.

http://www.balestrini.net/public/Headli ... tem.v2.pdf

[faux40]

The great news is that the engine has made it's way home... again! Re-Installation is slated for Sunday... if not sooner! We'll see! I'm going to try doing the stop-frame video again (this time while monitoring the camera so it won't shut off at the climax!).

On another front, I asked the lovely Missem (My lovely wife & Family Patrol member... Emily) to make some cards for me to send out... Here's what she came up with! Being married to an artist has its perks! Our local PBS station is having an art auction this weekend and one of Em's pieces is being auctioned live at their premier party!


John

[RiverPatrol]

I LOVE the cards! Em has quite the talent.