Re: New owner

[rbrogren@xxxx]

Thank you to all that answered, both here and via e-mail!
Sorry about the omissions, my first more detailed posting disappeared into 
cyberspace and when rewriting it I omitted some information!

To DMC Joe:
- Torsion bar; thanks, I'll replace it.
- Starter modification; how do I determine if the started has been upgraded 
with the mod? The starter is marked PARIS RHONE D10E59, 12V <--CO, Made in 
France.
- Heat shield in this case is the one between the muffler and the engine. The 
shield is about 23 inches wide and 8 high. It covers the crank and alternator 
pulleys, but not the water pump, idlers or A/C pulleys. 
(Previous owner had to replace bushings/seals on some of the pulleys, 
presumably because of the radiated heat from the muffler.)

To Knut:
No apologies needed! I agree 100% with getting to the root of the problem 
rather than wholesale part swapping and I will tackle the possible problem 
that way. 
The reason for my quesion was based on the many relay problems I have read 
about here. If the original components are inherently unreliable or prone to 
age related malfunctions and if better components are available, I thought it 
may be better to replace them all at the same time. 
It may appear that I am advocating a "shotgun technique", but that is really 
not the case. Please remember that I have less than a week of ownership and 
at this time I am trying to put together a plan of action to assure that the 
right areas are tackled in a logical sequence, i.e., the sequence you 
recommend. IF I find something wrong I want to correct it with an improved 
component, if one is available. (Refer to John Harvey's comments about the 
relays in the same post.)

To John Harvey:
My alternator is marked Valeo 3939830, 98R2938T, 14V, 90 A. It looks a bit 
dinky for a 90 Amp alternator if it is of the original vintage! If in fact 
this alternator is too weak for the application it would seem logical to 
replace it.
Your comments make sense and although any modifications from original would 
be detrimental from a concourse standpoint I think I am more interested in 
making the car more reliable as I move along.

Thanks again to all, your help is greatly appreciated!

BTW: Someone posted a switch fix using a spring from a Bic pen. My engine 
compartment switch didn't work, the spring was missing and the Bic spring did 
the job! Small item but big help. Thanks!

Roger


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