PV Jitters

[Joel T.]

Hi All;

Scheduled to attempt the PV end of next week up at the New England Regional (my '65)... I've gone over the car a number of times based upon the PV Judging Guide and think things are in good shape... Having said this, I have been hearing a number of comments regarding the level of difficulty in passing this judging including a number of operational requirements which are not listed in the guide (or potentialy anywhere else that I can see).

I would apreciate any comments folks are willing to share as well as any pointers/pitfalls.... Given the cost, in time and money, to travel up to the event, I want to make sure that I have as many bases covered as possible!

Thanks!!

Joel

[George D.]

Re: PV Jitters

Joel,

Going thru a PV can be nerve-racking. I'm not familiar with a 65, but had a 90 PV'd (more stuff to check than a 65) so the proceess would be similar. However, since its a pass/fail it takes the subjectivity out of the process. I would suggest you get a copy of the judging sheets to see what is actully being judged and have a copy of the judging manual at the meet. Make sure you are well versed in the operation of the vehicle. Take a deep breath and have fun. I'll be at the meet having my 90 judged in preparation for the nationals next to try for a Mc Clellan.

Good Luck,

George

[Harmon C.]

Re: PV Jitters

Some items I see fail often is how well the E-Brake holds and loose door or hood hinges.

[William C.]

Re: PV Jitters

In the past I've PV'd a '65 Fueler, '72 Bigblock with AC and an '89 with automatic air. All of these cars were complex in their own way, and all required some effort and "adjustment" to make the grade. The first step is to fully understand how the car is supposed to perform, and then how well does it match that description, The Owners manual, Service manual, and AIM as well as the applicable PV manual from the NCRS store are all bits of the puzzle, but the goal is still the same, how well do you know your car, and how much confidence do you have that it does what it is supposed to? The Pass-Fail nature of the PV can create some anxiety, but the better you know your car and it's functions, the better off you will be. I think #14 once said he put a number of miles on each car he put thru before the PV just to eliminate unknows from the process. You still have time to run yourself and the car thru the process at home a few times and ask for each function "do I understand how this item is supposed to work" and "Am I satisfied that it does work properly per the factory documentation" Drive it some, ask the questions, and Have Fun!

[Dick W.]

Re: PV Jitters

A couple of killers with mid-year PV's are the vent window regulators and the windshield washers. Do the keys turn the right direction when unlocking the doors from the outside? Are your hood hinges and door hinges tight? Do ALL the light bulbs burn? Does the horn blow when the button is pushed at various locations? These are just a few things that are commonly overlooked in preparation. I probably could write a book on the things that have happened when I was conducting a PV. A cam with definately more duration than stock for example, a speedometer cable breaking on a 4,000 mile car.

Just take the book and you and a couple of friends start at the top and go to the bottom of the list. Come back the next day and do it again. Do it at least three times before you leave for Marlborough, and then again as soon as you arrive there.

Good luck

[Terry M.]

Re: PV Jitters

If you are towing the car there, be sure to allow enough time to go through the PV after you arrive. You have no idea what will shake lose on the trip there. If you are driving, it is still wise to run through the PV again on arrival, although the chances are better you will know what broke or came lose along the way if you drive.

Just keep telling yourself this is supposed to be fun. If you say it often enough, you will come to believe it. You will survive -- lots of us have. Save the stop at the bar for after the PV.

[Joel T.]

Re: PV Jitters

Guys;

Many thanks to all of you for your comments!! I appreciate the help and the encouragement!!

Joel

[Dave S.]

Re: PV Jitters

[quote=Joel Talka (43778);438277]
Hi All;

Scheduled to attempt the PV end of next week up at the New England Regional (my '65)... I've gone over the car a number of times based upon the PV Judging Guide and think things are in good shape... Having said this, I have been hearing a number of comments regarding the level of difficulty in passing this judging including a number of operational requirements which are not listed in the guide (or potentialy anywhere else that I can see).

I would apreciate any comments folks are willing to share as well as any pointers/pitfalls.... Given the cost, in time and money, to travel up to the event, I want to make sure that I have as many bases covered as possible!
Joe,
'll be right beside you in Boston attempting a PV on my 71. I just came "up for air" after checking and re-checking things this morning for the 20th time. You have been given excellent advice here as to how to approach things. I have been through this several times but we all have the "fear of failure." It's only a car and a single test. Many have failed before us and fewer have passed. Enjoy the experience. I always bring a PV disaster kit with epoxy, duct tape, bailing wire, hi and low beam headlamps, extra light bulbs, extra fuses and flashers, rags and all the basic tools in case you need to use the one 15 minute fix you are allowed. Don't forget your registration, insurance papers and to put water in the windshield washers.

[Jack H.]

Re: PV Jitters

You've gotten good advice from others. I'd add the following:

(1) There's nothing that's 'hidden' or 'held back' in the PV Guide. There ARE differences of interpretation on what this/that actually means (e.g. how does one perform a brake test to properly determine correct operability)....

(2) In my opinion, the biggest cause of PV failure is the human nature of the beast. Having done a MAJOR restoration, owner's are hesitant to actually drive/use their cars for fear of burning paint off the exhaust manifolds, picking up stone 'dings' in the paint, Etc.

So, when it comes time to actually start and drive the car, their adrenaline is pumping AND they've not REALLY driven the car before... My advice is to construct a 'dummy' PV course locally, enlist the assistance of a local chapter member who's been there/done that/gotten the T-shirt and rack some miles on your car being VERY critical of what you see/do.

Treat the car as if you were the initial buyer out on a test drive with it and don't be afraid to log 100+ miles on 'er while you do the shake down... That way you'll be calm, cool, collected + familiar with the car's operation when it's time to do the real deal PV test...

[Tim E.]

Re: PV Jitters

Joel - I'll be making my 3rd attempt with my '66 in October in Texas. I knew my car wouldn't pass on my first try, so my goal was to learn and understand the process. Like you, my worry was with the many items that weren't published anywhere.

The judges were great, knowledgeable, and even though the car failed early, completed the entire checklist for my benefit. My car failed on 18 items....6 of them on the driver side door alone: vent window play (as Dick mentions), door glass play in the roller track, key could be removed in any position, lock cylinder dust cover spring broken, inside door opener play, and door hinge play.

I learned of many other common things to verify: make sure your hood opener operates smoothly and snaps back into position (without any assistance from you), make sure your ashtray lid, sun visors, interior & exterior mirrors all remain in position after a 10 mile road trip, make sure your air vents fully close and seal completely, and make sure your trip odometer resets easily and to zero.

I thought I had a real chance to pass on my second attempt but failed on only 2 items. A positraction clutch noise appeared (intermittent) and my car drifted slightly during the heavy braking test (50 mph, hard on the brakes, hands off the wheel, car needs to stop in a straight line).

The posi clutch pack has been replaced and no fingerprints on the brake pads for this next attempt! We'll see!

Good luck.....drive the car a lot prior to the PV. As you know, they don't sit very well. Good luck!

[Greg H.]

Re: PV Jitters

This is all great advice I'm saving for next year when I hope to do this. I will be in Marlboro looking for you guys to see how it went.

Not meaning to change the subject...

I haven't studied the PV manual completely as I am not ready yet, but it seems from talking to people that the standards may be higher than what I would have expected from a new car - at least in the 70's. Could it be that these measures are better than you would expect from a new car? I'd like to hear from some of the original owners - would your car have passed PV when it rolled off the lot?

[Terry M.]

[Joel T.]

Re: PV Jitters

A couple of killers with mid-year PV's are the vent window regulators and the windshield washers. Do the keys turn the right direction when unlocking the doors from the outside? Are your hood hinges and door hinges tight? Do ALL the light bulbs burn? Does the horn blow when the button is pushed at various locations? These are just a few things that are commonly overlooked in preparation. I probably could write a book on the things that have happened when I was conducting a PV. A cam with definately more duration than stock for example, a speedometer cable breaking on a 4,000 mile car.

Just take the book and you and a couple of friends start at the top and go to the bottom of the list. Come back the next day and do it again. Do it at least three times before you leave for Marlborough, and then again as soon as you arrive there.

Good luck

Dick;

On the vent window regulators, I have heard that they can be a problem as well.... can I impose upon you to indicate what is looked for and what is acceptable... My car has the original regulators in there.

Also same question on the cam if possible.

Thanks,

Joel

[Dan H.]

Re: PV Jitters

Joel, I found some of the best information came from members who've had their car PV'd by the Team Leader who will PV yours. The manual is excellent, but items checked go beyond the amount of info which can be inserted in ANY manual! NO fluids of any kind must be detected! Posi chatter, rattles while driving, ebrake holding on hills, etc. I was VERY impressed by my Team Leaders knowledge of a real working car!!!!! I did some of the first PV's in the 80's, the trailered ones had big problems, the driven ones were usually right on!
Dan

[Jack H.]

Re: PV Jitters

The criteria I'm used to seeing is no excessive 'wobble' play on handle attached to shaft + vent window snaps securily into its fully closed position within 1/4 turn of crank.