Several weeks ago my 15t started running strange. Very hard to start, had to advance the timing lever a LOT to start it at all, if I pushed the timing lever beyond half way it would stumble and slow down. The car wasn't happy and it just didn't feel like a fuel problem.
I pulled the cap checked it out and also checked the wiper and brush - all OK.
After putting up with this weird behavior for several weeks, I was at a loss.
Finally decided to pull the cap again, only this time I wiped it out thoroughly with acetone and used fine emory cloth on the contacts.
Ran like a new car (and still does). Sooooo .. I don't know if it was the acetone or the sanding of the contacts (why you never try two things at once to fix a problem)! I'm guessing it was the acetone wiping out some carbon tracks.
BTW its the good brown bakelite version.
Newdays aren't maintenance free they just don't have to be serviced as frequently. I run nothing but.
I usually buff out the phosphor-bronze residue with Brasso it does a super job and no big deal if you spill a little on your fender.
One day hopefully someone will make New Days using good materials like the bakelite versions.
They are good timers. The repo brushes are pretty good that are now available. Mine works great.
I have always thought overall they are the best. My opinion of course.
Thanks for the tip Bud. In the thousands of miles I have driven my sedan, it has always had a New Day on it and has been virtually bulletproof. The only time I pay attention to it is when I am doing something else in that area of the car and it needs to be removed. I too wish that someone would bring back the brown bakelite version. Until then, I will continue to hoard the new ones I have.
Possibly an insanely slight oil leak at the cam end causing deposits to develop?
If they had the technology in the '20s to make a proper New Day, it surprises me that they don't today. I have been running New Days for over 50 years in all of my T's, and love them. Apparently the original molds are still in existence, the problem is where are they?
It's not the molds as much as the cost of the process and materials. Bakelite is more costly material-wise and is very abrasive to the molds. The maker is just trying to get by cheaper and probably doesn't realize that the consumer would pay a little more to get a quality part.
With modern ceramics and plastics why can one be cast in some new age polymer or something????
Bakelite will do just fine if they would use it. This is not high tech rocket science. The problem is the use of thermoform instead of a thermoset plastic like Bakelite.
Thermoform plastic is heat sensitive and will melt at higher temps and tends to have less resistance to wear. Thermoset plastic once cured is not affected by heat until it burns and has a high resistance to wear.
I have used an original new day on my car for 3 years now. I have had to take it off twice during that time to clean it. A little scotch bright and some brake cleaner and its good as new. I have 3 more that have been reconditioned and await their turn. I'm extremely happy with them!
I just got a modern "S" New Day. Looks like it was only run a very short time. I am going to make a carbon brush for it and see how it stands up. My original style one seems to be going good, a cleaning now and then. Bud, glad to hear it was a simple fix.
Mark
I'm interested in the results of your test with a "new" New Day and a carbon brush.
Please report back and let us know the results!
Thanks
I've read in earlier posts that the "S" version of the New Day is not as reliable. Don't know why though. Keep us posted Mark.
New ones burn on the departure side of the contacts and form carbon tracks. I have used new ones and got only a short life from them and a heap of headaches trying to get a badly running car home, or not being able to start the car easily. I would reconsider using them if they were made from a better material. New type are a waste of time and money.
Peter
I have been running the new day S type for over 5k miles, no problem. Brush holder must be tweaked first to hold brush straight and less tension put on spring. My opinion, was a good part but was pulled from the market due to lack of constructive criticism. The best type made from a gray plastic is another story. KGB
You can help a timer out by driving with the spark lever in the "sweet spot". Without going into too much detail, the "sweet spot" is the place where the timer makes contact when the mag current is at the minimum. On battery, there is no "sweet spot" per se.
I switched my Anderson to an "S" type New Day and it runs like a sewing machine.....