When You Get Your Crosley Home

Inventory

• Take an inventory of all tasks and anticipated parts.
• Please use Crosley vendors to ensure long-term parts availability.

Steering & Suspension

Jack up the car, then wiggle each front tire to diagnose play:

• 12 & 6 o'clock: indicates king pin or bearing issues.
• 3 & 9 o'clock: indicates tie rod or steering linkage issues.
• Visually confirm the source of movement.
• Replacement parts (tie rods, king pins) are available from Crosley vendors.

Brakes

Mechanical Brakes

• Must be adjusted as close to “perfect” as possible for maximum stopping power.
• Driver input matters: stronger leg pressure means better braking.

Adjustment procedure:

1. Tighten brake cables evenly at each corner.
2. At each wheel, loosen the large lock nut, then adjust the smaller nut.
3. Adjust until a slight drag is felt.

Hydraulic Brakes

• Access the master cylinder via the cap in the center floor on the driver's side.
• Check for leaks under the driver's side and at each wheel cylinder. No leaks means you're OK.

Safety note: If you are unsure about brake condition or adjustment, get professional help.

Interior, Gauges

• Oil pressure: verify the line is connected to the rear of the gauge, and the rubber line running to the rear of the block. Also check that line for cracks.
• Water temperature: verify the line is connected to the gauge cluster.
• Fuel level: the sending unit often does not register. Repair kits are available, but require dropping the fuel tank.
• Charging (amp) gauge: confirm the system charges when the engine is running. Generator output increases with RPM. The battery must be wired positive (+) ground / negative (−) power. If wired negative ground, the amp gauge will read in reverse; that's really all that's affected.
• Speedometer: check the cable from the transmission to the dash cluster. The metal/fiber drive gear in the transmission is often missing or worn.
• Gauge lights: small bulbs snap into the rear of the gauge cluster.

Interior, Other Components

• Seats, seat brackets, and mounting hardware present?
• Condition of door cards and interior panels: replace or restore?
• Radio present? Working, non-working, or is a radio-delete cover installed?
• Wiper motors intact and functional? They require a vacuum hose from the intake manifold. Make sure there is an in-line shut-off, because the wiper motors are known to leak and affect engine performance.

Under the Hood, Fluids

• Check battery water level, or replace the battery.
• Don't be cheap: flush the radiator and change the oil.
• If the car was newly acquired, change the oil several times.

Under the Hood, Engine Electrical

Then Check

• Coil lead and condenser wire at the distributor.
• Ensure the tiny insulating gasket is installed between the condenser wire, the distributor body, and the points. A missing insulator around the condenser lead where it passes through the distributor wall can ground the system and prevent starting.
• Verify the correct small screw is used to secure the condenser to the side of the distributor. Oversized screws can bind the rotor and prevent rotation.

Fuel System

• Check the fuel tank for leaks. If it's sound, drain the old fuel and refill.
• Verify fuel delivery: tank → fuel pump, and fuel pump → carburetor.
• Check the fuel filter and replace it. Again, don't be cheap.

Wiring, Starting the Car

• Inspect the coil-to-ignition wire condition.
• Inspect the coil-to-distributor wire condition.
• Check starter button wiring, to the ignition and to the solenoid (engine side of the firewall).
• Confirm all spark plugs and wires are in good condition and connected in the correct firing order: 1–3–4–2, front to rear.

Engine Cooling

• Verify the radiator holds water without leaking.
• Tighten and inspect all hoses and clamps before starting.
• Heater check: is the heater box present on the firewall? Is it supplied by a “T” fitting from the water pump, behind the generator?
• Confirm the water pump rotates with the generator.
• Inspect the rubber bushing connector between the generator and water pump. This is a common failure point, and failure can cause rapid overheating.