Dixie Flyer "Firefly" speedster photographs

2 minute(s) of a 91 minute read

Now that we have sorted out the differences in language, it is back to work! Just hang in there I promise to have the photographs that you all have been waiting for within the next two or three days. Believe me no one will be more pleased than me.

5-11-2010

The British call it "Sod's Law" right now I still cannot believe my luck. 

Just when I was thinking that I was on top of everything the starter motor decided to quit! 

Having removed the offending item and made some tests I discovered that one brush retaining spring had broken. Not a lot but just the bit that presses the brush into contact with the commutator. After striping down the starter and removing the offending spring I went into panic mode! Where the heck do you get a spring for a 90 year old Dyneto starter. Most people (unless you own a Franklin or an early Packard) have never even heard of Dyneto Auto- electrics. 

Somewhere there is a supreme being who is looking down on the Dixie Flyer. My second call was to a local Vintage parts supplier "Auto Surplus". They have been buying up new old stock for the past 50 or 60 years and never throw anything away. In reply to my request the answer came. We have a box of about 200 starter Brush springs, bring over your sample and have a look.

Within an hour I was able to re-assemble the starter and after testing it replace it back onto the Dixie Flyer.

5-15-2010

:)Night Time photographs are never the best but as I had made a promise I was not about to change a lifetime practice so here are this evenings pic of the Dixie Flyer. I will try for some better ones tomorrow.