The Siren Board

jerrylovessirens wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 12, 2022 12:16 am

https://youtube.com/user/JerryWick

Your channel 404's for me, is the link correct?

I fixed the link posted before. The new YouTube handles still have a few bugs to be worked out of them. Secondary Link here...

https://www.youtube.com/@JerryWick

I may post a project update in video format, basically recapping what I've already posted here for all the kids that are on YT. I know there are alot them that will wet their pants when I get this thing running haha. Don't blame them honestly lol

Just a quick update.

With the colder temps settling in, I'm sure glad I got all my painting done when I did. It's been in the low 30s for the past couple days.

I made another stop at Engines Service in Milwaukee. Phil and Rick were able to provide me with a good used kill switch that's in much better shape.
I was also able to aquire a NOS intake boot (the one that goes from the air cleaner to the carb) to replace the rock hard 70 year old one.
I asked Phil of there was any way to convert the unit over to a 12v negative ground from the current 6v positive ground. We found a good used 12v generator in the back room that is a direct replacement for the 6v. The only other thing I will have to swap out is the ignition coil. The 6v starter will stay. It will just crank over really fast!!
Cosmetically nothing will change. And everything will look OEM, which is what I want. Only things that I need to swap are the drive gear and the distributor drive.

Phil also gave me a few good tips in getting the distributor reinstalled and the engine timed. Basically we get it pointing at #1 on TDC with the points set at .020. You then start and run the engine and with using your timing light, you fine tune the timing at full governed speed to coincide with a certain timing mark on the flywheel cover. Pretty simple I think.

The 12v conversion not only for easy replacment of the battery and coil, but will also come in handy for plans I have to have an Arduino module to control the throttle solenoid I will be adding to the siren.
This particular Mobil Directo was equipped with a bare bones control system. One basically just started the unit and pulled the throttle out. You would then have to chase the siren around or even perhaps ride it to shut it off!

We also looked at the VF4's serial and build numbers to figure out when it was made. 1951 appears to be the build date of the motor. So this narrows down the manufacture of the Mobil Directo to 51 or 52

this is very epic,
I can't believe that someone had to ride it to shut it off!

Once again, im just speculating. My most realistic guess is that they just used it for a steady alert. One could then just walk up to the unit to hit the kill switch when you are done with the warning

Got all the parts from the old 6v generator swapped over to the 12v. As you can imagine. It took some mix-matching of parts. I very carefully had to removed both the generator and distributor drive gears. The distributor drive gear especially was tricky as the pin was peened over and had a very tight fit.

Only thing left to do it degrease and repaint which I will be doing today.

Also will be ordering new cloth-covered spark plug and terminal wire

Included pictures of 12v and 6v generator together.

Also got the completed generator back together and painted semi-gloss

Generator is ready to go in. Need to stop at Engines Service for gasket.

Got the VF4 on TDC on #1. Marked the fin at the timing mark.

Installed new Champion D16 Spark Plugs gapped at .030

Installed exhaust/intake Manifold. Used copper high temp sealant on gaskets. Will need to get four new 5/16 fine nuts.

you need to put up a video of the engine running on your YouTube channel.

matthewwatson wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 18, 2022 5:55 pm

you need to put up a video of the engine running on your YouTube channel.

I agree with this. Once you get it going, you should definitely film it; let's hear how that old Wisconsin sings at 3000 RPM!