HIGHROAD & BY-ROAD

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21041, 17 February 1940, Page 19 (Supplement)

HIGHROAD & BY-ROAD

RESTORING OLD CARS HINTS TO OWNERS Since the war broke out many cars several seasons old have been brought to service stations for repairs and restoration, while sales of new cars have tended to drop. Obviously, many owners who otherwise would have traded in their old cars for new models, have decided to carry on with their old cars in the meantime, and are getting them put into as good condition as possible. This may not be good for business as a whole, but in many cases is justified because often cars with two or three seasons behind them and from 30,000 to 40,000 miles on the speedometer have not got much wrong with them, and are good for quite a lot of service if the owner spends a few pounds in rectifying faults before they become serious. It is, therefore, opportune to describe some of the things that can be done when an owner decides to keep his old vehicle. The Brakes If a car has done about 40,000 miles, the first thing to be looked at are the brakes, whether they are working well or not. At this mileage—if, indeed, they have not already been relined—it is certain that the linings will he very thin and the heads of the rivets holding them to the shoes very nearly in contact with the drums. This is to be avoided at all costs, because if the rivets bear against the drums on brake application, the drums will be badly scored, and this would involve the fairly expensive process of having the drums turned out on a lathe and heavier lining installed to compensate for the larger drums. In this brake examination, therefore, the drums must come right off the car so that they can be inspected. In the rest of the running gear, wheel bearings should be inspected and adjusted if they show any signs of wear, and it is a good idea to get the mechanic to have a close look at the ball joints in the steering connections. It is highly probable that these will show badly-worn spots, and a few shillings spent in renewing them will have a wonderful effect on the steering gear, restoring that smooth operation which pleased the owner when the car was new. If the car had independent suspension at the front, the various pins and bearings in the linkage should be examined. The Engine In some respects, the modern engine is better than the chassis into which it is fitted. In other words, it will be surprising if anything is wrong with it if it has had good treatment. A thorough top overhaul, however, will restore most of its former liveliness, and, if the owner wishes to make absolutely sure that

it is in first rate order he should instruct the mechanic to drop the sump and tighten the bearings a little. Ignition and carburettion should be checked carefully and new plugs fitted if they have done more than 10,000 miles. The coil and condensor should be tested; and, if the screen wiper is electrically operated, its motor should be dismantled and cleaned thoroughly. These little units are particularly exposed to the effects of corrosion.