December - Capital City Cruisers

Monthly Newsletter Published By The Capital City Cruisers Car Club
December 2015
Volume 11
Issue # 12
job and for their service this past year and Steve
Berg for his service in 2015 and on being elected to
serve in 2016.
Capitol City Cruisers Mission Statement
Celebrating Our 12th Anniversary!
Our mission is to promote family enjoyment and
interest in restoration and preservation of collector
automobiles such as Antique Classic, Special
Interest, Muscle Cars, Hot Rods, Street Rods, and
Modified Vehicles. To host and conduct car shows
and fundraisers to benefit charitable organizations
in the Greater Sacramento Area and to have a lot of
fun along the way!
The CCC Christmas Party is coming up Saturday
December 19th and will be hosted by the Capital
City Cruisers Car Club.
The party will be at Frasinetti’s Winery and
Restaurant 7395 Frasinetti Road in South
Sacramento. Wine tasting at 4:00PM; Social Hour
at 5:00PM; Dinner at 6:00PM; Gift Exchange at
7:30PM. Please be sure that everyone in your party
brings a gift and hold the dollar limit to $20.00 per
gift. Please RSVP to Jim & Lisa Frasinetti at 916331-3719 by December 11, 2015. I hope to see you
all at the party.
We are scheduled to conduct two shows in 2016,
one Saturday April 16th and one Saturday
October15th. I have sent a request for those dates to
the folks at the Palladio and will let you know when
confirmed.
In the meantime, have a Merry
Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year…Rex
President’s Message
Hello Cruisers,
Well the car show season is virtually over for 2015
and I must say it was
not only a busy one, but
a fun one as well.
Time to put the wraps
on the Hot Rods and
get ready to celebrate
the Holidays.
At our last meeting we
had elections and I
want to congratulate our new Treasurer, Dennis
Doane and our new Secretary, Lisa Hale on being
elected to serve in the 2016 term. I want to also
thank outgoing Treasurer Kathi Bonney and
outgoing Secretary Clare Sanderson for on a great
ACCC Report
Not much to report except that I just reurned form
the SEMA Show in Las Vegas and my head is still
spinning. What an abdolutely unbleievbable show
and experience. Over 2000 exhibtors and 166,000
attendees over the 4 days of the show. I would
definetely recommend you put this on your bucket
list.
Going into 2016 the ACCC will have your back.
We will continue to monitor any and all legislation
or regulations that may be harmful to the car hobby
or Californians in general. Thank you all for your
support this past year and Merry Christmas &
Happy New Year from all of us at the ACCC…Rex.
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Hello Cruisers,
I’m happy to announce that the “Butch Gardner Clubhouse” at the 66th Sacramento Autorama is back for a
5th Year and will once again be hosted by the Association of California Car Clubs (ACCC)! This year the
Sacramento Autorama will be Friday through Sunday February 12th through February 14th, 2016.
 This year’s show theme is “Nifty Fiftys”. Clubs are encouraged to decorate with that theme in
mind. Award will be presented for best overall display.
 All entries are non-judged/non-comp entries and due to increases in costs the entry fee is $60.00
per car. Still a bargain considering all entries will receive a gift package, (2) set-up day passes, (2)
three-day show passes and (1) parking pass for the duration of show. A value of $200.00!
 There will be “Live” music in the Clubhouse on both Friday & Saturday nights!
 All Clubs are encouraged to participate in the "Clubhouse Awards" that clubs will present Saturday
Night
 The “Butch Gardner Clubhouse” sold out last year and space will be assigned to local car clubs on
a first come first served basis and will go fast so don’t delay…
 Be sure to first contact Rex at 530-748-6181 and reserve space today!
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Car Battery Know How: Cold Cranking Amps and Reserve Capacity
Looking to replace the battery in your Hot Rod? Unfortunately, the battery in your Hot Rod wears out just like any
other battery and needs to be replaced. There are a couple of things you should understand when looking for a new
car battery: one is cold cranking amps and the other is reserve capacity.
Let’s start with cold cranking amps. This can be thought of as the power output used to start a cold engine. The
number of cold cranking amps you need depends on your vehicle and where you live, specifically how cold it is
where you live. The two factors are that the colder an engine is; the more power it takes to turn the engine over to
get it started. It has all that cold, sluggish oil to contend with. The other factor is that the chemical reaction in the
car battery that creates electrical energy is less efficient in the cold.
So the colder it gets, more power is needed, but the available power
drops. So if you live where it’s cold, you need a car battery with more
cold cranking amps than you do where its moderate or hot. You
should always get at least as many cold cranking amps as the
manufacturer recommends, but may want to upgrade if you live where
it gets real cold.
An important note: Batteries may also list the Cranking Amps – CA –
number. It is the Cold Cranking Amps – or CCA – that is the
important number here. CCA is the number to use in your
comparisons.
Now with all this talk of cold temperatures, it’s important to note that heat is the real enemy of long battery life. In
other words, the damage that’s done over the hot summer months shows up with the increased demands on the
battery when the weather turns cold.
Now on to reserve capacity: It’s a measurement of the number of minutes of reserve power the battery has at a
given load. The number is more important these days because of parasitic drain. Parasitic drain is the battery
energy that’s used when the key is off. So, the power drawn by the security system, the remote start system, even
the power the computers require to maintain their memory on some fuel-injected engines. Reserves are also needed
when you make very short trips. You’re not driving long enough for the battery to recover the energy it used to
start the engine.
So go with the minimum recommended by your manufacturer and upgrade if you need more. Talk with your parts
or service advisor about options. If you need more from your battery, a larger capacity battery may be called for.
A car battery is a big ticket item, so the warranty gives piece of mind. Be sure to ask about the warranty so you
know what you’re getting.
Hints for Happy Hot Rod Hibernation
It’s time to get your hot rod ready for its long winter nap. Some rods like roadsters, lakesters and cars with open
engine bays require better seasonal protection than a regular car. Even coupes, “tudors” and sedans need some
preparation for long-term storage.
Where You Store It - In a large building you can keep your hot rods and other garage items separate. In a smaller
building the cars may have to be squeezed in with the other items. A heated garage is nice, but if it isn’t well
sealed, it will quickly attract more varmints than a cold garage. An unheated garage can lead to a frozen engine
block if sufficient antifreeze isn’t used, especially when that Hemi or small-block Chevy has no hood around it. It
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pays to think in advance about your storage area and how it can best be organized and what the temperature will
be. Ever thought about covering up that open engine? Now, there’s an idea!
Most rodders have been to shows where those plastic blow-up “bubbles” are on display. They have small blower
motors that fill them with air. But even if you don’t want to spring for a bubble, how about covering the whole
front end of your rod with a big plastic bag and sealing it around the cowl with bungee cords? That will keep dirt
and mice from getting in your engine. Think they can’t? I just read about someone who found a mouse on top of a
piston during a teardown.
Storage Aids - The type of storage area you have may dictate some aids you’ll need to safely store your hot rod.
If your garage isn’t heated, you should think about a dehumidifier and electric service to run it. If the storage area
has a dirt or gravel floor, you’ll need a moisture barrier (thick plastic sheeting). If the storage area is shared with
other items, you can mount other items such as shovels and rakes on the wall and hang bicycles from the ceiling.
Just be sure they’re secure.
Car Covers - “Breathable” covers are best for hot rods. Some are made of cloth and others are made of highquality “paper fabric.” Most covers have the manufacturer’s name on the front for proper positioning. You’ll have
to poke holes for radio antennas and other accessories. Few people store hot rods outdoors, but if you do, don’t use
a cover. The wind will rub it over your paint like sandpaper and it may trap moisture inside.
Storage Area Steps - Make sure your storage area is well organized. Shelves near the car should leveled so they
don’t tip over. When storing an open car, make sure the top is up to keep it from getting misshaped by the cold and
to help keep varmints out of it. Roll up the windows or snap on the side curtains or make storage covers for rods
that don’t have windows or curtains. Avoid paw prints or caved in curtain windows on roadsters by keeping the
area free of pets.
Avoid storing chemicals, detergents, liquids or spray cans near your hot rod. You may want to use a rubber wheel
stopper to halt your rod at a safe distance from the wall (electronic parking devices are also available). If you are
using an automatic door opener, make sure nothing is against the door.
Maintenance Steps - Change the oil and filters before storing the car if your oil change interval is near. Lubricate
the chassis. Tighten all hoses so they won’t seep. Check for a 50/50 antifreeze mixture in the cooling system. If
you live in the snow belt, be sure you have freeze protection for sub-zero temperatures. If your hot rod has a
window washer system (many don’t) drain the fluid in the windshield washer jug or add windshield washer fluid
with antifreeze.
Cleanliness Counts - Wash your hot rod. Clean up the engine and engine compartment. Any oil or fluid left on a
shiny engine part for months may leave a stain. Apply a good wax to the body and buff it. Go over the waxed car
with a “California car duster” to remove wax residue. Clean and vacuum the upholstery, carpets and luggage
compartment. To remove odors, park the car in the sun with a Yankee Candle under the seat before storing it away.
Details, details, details - Fill your gas tank. A partly-empty steel tank will allow air and moisture to mix inside,
causing rust and corrosion. Putting dry gas in the tank helps to absorb any moisture already inside. Cover openings
mice can get into, especially exhaust pipes. Use plastic wrap and rubber bands to seal the pipe.
Fuel for thought - Some hot rodders run the fuel system dry to avoid varnish formation. Others remove all the
spark plugs and squirt oil into the cylinders for top-cylinder oiling purposes. Remove the battery, top off the
battery water (the level should be above the plates) and use a battery maintainer to keep the charge up to snuff.
Battery maintainers operate on very low, safe current. Put an extra five pounds of pressure in each tire, but
remember to remove it in the spring.
Inside advice - In a closed body rod, lower the inside sun visors so rodents or bugs don’t nest between the visor
and the headliner. Use cardboard to hold rubber wiper blades off the windshield. Make sure that the emergency
brake is off so it doesn’t stick in the “on” position. Take the keys out of the ignition and store them in a lock box or
inside your house. Record the key numbers in a safe place. While you’re at it, make sure that all titles, registrations
and insurance cards are in order. Write down all of storage procedures you carried out so you can reverse them
before driving your hot rod again.
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SEMA was a blast…
Jesse Combs
Richard Petty
James Hetfield’s Car built by Rick Dore
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Robert Hight; Courtney Force; Brittany Force; and John Force
Bobby Alloway Built 1934 Roadster Wins Best of the Builders
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