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Automotive/1958 edsel pacer brakes locking up
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Question
hi its me again, we got our Edsel running...by the way thanks for the advice it really helped. but we got it running went to pull out of the storage unit and wouldn't move. i know its not the tranny because i just replaced it. now my dad and i tried rocking it when it was in neutral and still wouldn't move also in reverse. Afraid the brakes might be locked. Emergency brake cable might be hung up. what should i do ..???
The problem here would appear to be a car which has been parked for a prolonged period, with little or no preparation to prevent seizures by eliminating existing corrosion, seals drying out, etc. Over time, things DO go bad, especially if neglected.
Very simply, putting this or any car in similar circumstances back on the road again is going to require more than simply patching up problems as you find them. To bring the car "back to life" effectively, you are going to have to do a complete investigation on all the systems and moving parts, especially those which normally are replaced from time to time.
It follows then that you must be willing to invest some time in doing some research on auto mechanics in general and on late-fifties Fords in particular and, if you don't want to spend a lot of money on the work of others (assuming you are lucky enough to find someone both knowledgeable of and truly interested in "legacy iron"), you will have to take this hobby to the next step and work to learn and develop your own experience. While there is much that most of us on this forum could say on the subject, effectively writing books on our areas of specialty, this would be time-consuming and impractical.
Getting Edsel shop manuals these days is difficult, although individual sellers may have them - check out the Edsel Owners' Club or the International Edsel Club web sites. I do have manuals for both 1958 and 59 Canadian models, bought during the seventies, and have found books for other Fords of that era in recent months ... aside from a few Edsel-specific accessories, there is very little of significant difference between late-fifties Fords, Mercuries and Edsels; they share most electrical and mechanical details and parts.
I can help with very specific questions as I can make the time, and would be happy to subject to that limitation. But, your bigger picture is to really adopt this car as your own, and find out as much as you can on its electrical and mechanical systems, via investigating them, reading up and them and, if you are lucky, finding a mentor in your own area.
It can be arduous, but will be fun and worth it provided you persist.
Good luck and regards ... EGK
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Answers by Expert:
Ernest (Ernie) Kenward
Expertise
The challenges I most enjoy are thoughtful technical questions of a trouble-shooting nature in both electrical, power electronic and mechanical systems, mainly automotive but also machine control and small-machine PLC applications. Please note, however, that I am NOT a walking shop manual! I DO, however, make it a point to have those manuals and other service literature for those vehicles I DO own, and highly recommend that anyone serious about maintenance or modification of their vehicles do the same; MOST of your answers WILL be found there. For that matter, I do NOT go out of my way to acquire shop manuals for any vehicle I do NOT own! That being the case, any general query to me along the lines of "What is the meaning of this code read from the ECU of my 2015 XYZ?" or "Where is the fuse for the windshield washer pump found?" (try your car's electrical distribution panel for a start!) will not go far. What I do offer is a pretty good collection of literature, insights and hands-on experience with 1950s to 1980's Ford products (plus a developing database of information and practice with the Mercedes diesel cars), along with an engineering perspective and the ability to design and implement custom control, electrical and mechanical subsystems for vehicles. For that reason, I am happy to make my thoughts and efforts available to those who are of like mind and/or are seriously making a point of learning about their vehicles. Use the Opportunity to Learn!
Experience
A key skill in my work and hobby pursuits both is STRATEGIC TROUBLESHOOTING. I am a senior instructor in Electrical Engineering Technology at a leading Canadian polytechnic, my areas being Electrical Power and Industrial Control, electrical and electronics design and manufacturing, and AutoCAD and related CAD/CAE software - plus equipment problem-solving and new equipment design and prototyping.
Hobby-wise, I have 30-plus years of experience in auto restoration, mostly in electrical and mechanical systems. Ongoing projects include a 1959 Edsel Corsair, my 1978 Ford E250 class-B motorhome conversion, and the care and upkeep of my Mercedes 300CD.
My vehicles become engineering test beds for electrical and mechanical upgrades as ideas present themselves. This includes the design and production of circuit boards to restore or enhance features for which no OEM replacement parts are obtainable, or where better specifications or reliability can be had via newer concepts. Regarding the E250 RV conversion, I designed and continue to revise a custom power distribution system, managed by a Programmable Controller (PLC); this has made most revisions as easy as uploading new firmware as I develop it.
The "mini" PLC is a powerful device for custom automotive control systems. One good example (there are many) would be the Moeller "Easy Relay"; these offer a wealth of control, monitoring and variable-and-status display options for such projects. A good example project which has worked well is that one for my RV noted above, which has been on the job - revised in firmware only - for a decade now. It is a load management and charging control system to avoid the sulfation-induced early failure that often befalls deep-cycle batteries used in RV power applications. The battery installed in 2003 lasted long enough to more tnan pay for the PLC that contributed to its longer life ... and the PLC will be there for the next battery as well!
Organizations
IEEE - senior member ... past WCC Student Activities;
SME - senior member ... past chair, greater Vancouver chapter chair 318;
Edsel Owners' Club - have served in various capacities on chapter executive during seventies;
have been Power and Driveline resource on the Edsel Owners' Club "E-team" for more than a decade.
Education/Credentials
Graduate of UBC
Awards and Honors
Certificates of appreciation from IEEE and SME for work in student and chapter activities
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