JUNE 2017 Newsletter

Transcription

1 JUNE 2017 Newsletter

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3 Suid-Kaap Oumotorklub Southern Cape Old Car Club Website: P.O. Box 1749, George, COMMITTEE: Club Patron Charles van Zyl President Kobus Harris Chairman Danie Schmidt Vice Chairman Japie Beyers Secretary Maritz Stander Treasurer Chris van Staden Events Mike Alexander Editor Spanner Phillip Rosser Technical Peter Boshoff Dating officer Philip Kuschke Clubhouse Japie Beyers George Old Car Show Pierre Conradie COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES: Knysna Manie Rademeyer Oudtshoorn / Prince Albert Jeremy Witts-Hewinson Beaufort West Brian Zechlin Heidelberg / Riversdal Gawie Breytenbach Mossel Bay Kobus Harris Victoria West / Loxton Danie Swart Insurance ( SAVVA / FNB ) Yolandé Vermeulen yvermeulen@fnb.co.za SCOCC Banking Details: Subscriptions : R per year, plus a once-off R joining fee. Account Name : Southern Cape Old Car Club Bank : ABSA George Branch Code : Account Number : Cheque Account Regular gatherings are held at the clubhouse "Tipple & Torque" at Glenwood House School, as per the Upcoming Events listed in this magazine. All visitors are welcome. The opinions expressed in Spanner do not necessarily reflect the views of the club committee, the editor, club members and officers of SAVVA or advertisers in this magazine. 3

4 Deur die Voorsitter se Bril Die brande en winde wat ons area die afgelope tyd so hard getref het en soveel verwoesting veroorsaak het, is weereens vir my n bewys van ons nietigheid in die skepping. Dit het ook weer vir my as mens gewys dat daar geen voordeel is om in vyandskap met jou bure te leef nie. Hierdie ramp het dit ook duidelik gemaak dat daar geen onderskeid van enige soort tussen mense behoort te wees nie. My hart gaan uit na al ons lede wat verliese gely het. Dankie aan almal en in besonder klublede wat onbaatsugtig deurgery het Knysna en Plettenbergbaai toe om te help brande bestry. Dit eindig nie net by die doodslaan van vure nie, maar sluit ook in die vrouens wat vir lang ure aaneen toebroodjies vir die brandbestryders gemaak het. Dit is onmoontlik om elkeen te noem, daarom net een groot DANKIE! The loss does not end with all the cars and bikes that were burnt and damaged in the fire, but also includes all the lost paperwork, books, pictures, parts, tools, etc. The list which is too long to mention, is going to have a huge influence on the old car industry. A rare part on a shelf in a garage will now never find its way to a restorer hundreds of kilometres away, searching for that part to finish a restoration. In Plettenburg Bay there is a gentleman with whom I have been negotiating for many years to buy an old very rare stationary engine. That engine, as well as the rest of his collection, together with all the parts he has collected during his whole life is now forever lost to the preservation community. Then there is a guy like Manie Rademeyer who just never gives up. He is already busy rebuilding again. Many times he has made me ashamed of the two legs I walk on every day. A special thanks to all who make the effort to attend and enjoy all the outings and events organised by the Club. Maak seker die brandblusser in jou motor is in n goeie werkende toestand en geniet ons mooi paaie en die koel winterwindjie. Danie Schmidt. 4

5 A word from the Editor The recent fires in Knysna and surrounding areas as well as the storms that lashed the Cape is still fresh in everyone s minds. I passed through Sedgefield recently and saw the burnt out wrecks of numerous vintage and classic cars damaged in the Knysna fires laying piled up. These treasured cars are so badly burnt that absolutely nothing is salvageable. Is was heartbreaking to see these cars. As most of you are aware, the Southern Cape Old Car Club is proud to have made a donation of R to the Knysna Disaster Fund and we trust that our contribution may assist those people in their time of need. Die komitee werk hard daaraan om interessante uitsappies vir ons klubelede te reël. Mike Alexander, Philip Kuschke en Peter Boshoff moet geluk gewens word, want elke Garage Aand en Bonnets-Up wat hulle sover gereël het, het iets interessant opgelewer. Die van u wat nog nie so n uitstappie bygewoon het nie moet gerus kom kyk wat aangaan u sal aangenaam verras wees. Die komitee het onlangs met Glenwood Skool se ouervereeniging bymekaargekom om te verseker dat die Suid-Kaap Oumotorklub ook sy regmatige blootstelling en gebruik van die gesamentlike klubhuis by die skool verkry. As a result you will start noticing some changes taking place at the clubhouse. Together with the Parents Association we intend to create a comfortable atmosphere with improved braai facilities where members can relax during club events. Unfortunately the Soup and Bread Evening on 10 th June had to be cancelled at short notice due to a power failure at Genwood School and the clubhouse. The committee apologises for any inconvenience that this may have caused. If you never see your name in the birthday list, it is because we do not have all your details in our database. There are currently about 80 members for whom we have no ID numbers (mostly spouses) and therefore no birthday date. In addition there are about 20 5

6 members for whom we have no cellphone numbers. We are using our bulk SMS system increasingly to communicate with members. So if you never get an SMS from the SCOCC, it means we don t have your number. Please keep us informed of any change is details. Phillip Rosser Forthcoming Events Please ensure that you RSVP when requested to do so. This is required to ensure that catering is done effectively. Reminders with departure place and times will be sent via SMS two to three days before events. Please ensure that we have your cell number. 23 July 2017 Bonnets Up from 12:00 at the Clubhouse at Glenwood school. 30 July 2017 Potjiekos from 12:00 at the clubhouse. The Mercedes Benz club will be joining us. Cost for non-club members and guests is R60 per person. PLEASE RSVP by Sunday 23 July with Mike Alexander on Please note that the food remaining will be sold to attendees at a cost of R20 per 2l ice cream tub. 09 August 2017 Casino Lunch in Mossel Bay. The club will sponsor the ladies. Please RSVP by Wednesday 02 August with Chris van Staden on Augustus 2017 (Donderdag) Garage Aand by Dennis Houseman. RSVP asb teen Dinsdag 15 Augustus by Philip Kuschke on

7 19 August 2017 Albertinia Hotel middagete word deur Gawie Breytenbach gereël. Detail sal per SMS gestuur word. 27 August 2017 Bonnets Up at the Clubhouse from 12:00 03 September 2017 Snoek Braai with the Mercedes Benz Club in Mossel Bay. Details will be sent by SMS. 14 September 2017 Garage Aand by Jacques Wheeler. Detail sal per SMS gestuur word. If you need any further information regarding any event, please call Mike Alexander on Skakel vir Philip Kuschke by vir inligting oor Garage aande. Birthdays Baie geluk aan al die lede wat binnekort verjaar. We trust that you will enjoy your birthday JULY Jan (Swanie) Swanepoel 2 Andre Fourie 16 Clifford Daines 2 Stephanus Terblanche 16 Hugo Lodder 2 Kosie Lamprecht 16 Johan van der Nest 2 Mockford Kain 17 Liezl Barnard 4 Manie Rademeyer 17 Hettie Esterhuyse 5 Vanessa Lloyd 18 Daniel (Niel) Kasselman 5 Anna Lund 20 Johan Lingenfelder 5 Arthur Duvenage 21 Lourens Wright 5 Willie Swift 22 Sias Koen 6 Mike Bailey 22 7 JULY

8 Andrea Iacopini 7 Nashman Botha 25 Mandie Swanepoel 9 ErikJanse van Rensburg 27 Lood De Jager 11 Mike Alexander 27 Francina (Ina) Trollip 12 Marietha Albasini 29 Andre Swanepoel 12 Carmine Pecoraro 30 Coenraad Visser 12 Suzette Strydom 30 Wikus Verwey 12 Nell Kingwill 30 Joey Fourie 13 Marthie Bornman 31 Emil Kuschke 14 Mauritz Meiring 31 Pierre Conradie 14 Johan Engelbrecht 31 Brigitte Stewart 15 August August Koos Botha 3 Abraham (Abrie) Olivier 17 Werner Barnard 3 Enrico Iacopini 18 Jannie Erasmus 5 Marlise Steenekamp 18 Chris Smit 5 Willie van Rooyen 19 Waldo Botha 5 Marianne Alberts 22 Reinette Mattheus 6 Manie Smith 22 Kobus Swanepoel 7 Egmond Coetzee 23 Tilly Olivier 8 Susan Erskine 24 Anitavan der Walt 10 Bertha Laubscher 27 Tony Albasini 10 Brian Zechlin 28 Karien Smit 11 Mario Vermeulen 28 Julie Goldfain 12 Johan Lötter 29 Johan Lund 15 Laurette Smit 29 Lesley Peju 16 Kobus Halliday 29 Drikus Swart 17 Hugo van Dyk 29 Maré Weyers 17 Louis Du Plessis 30 8

9 September September PieterLourens 1 RudolphGreyvenstein 17 JohnForman 2 Ruth AnneKain 18 WendyRademeyer 2 PieterLund 19 Lenvan der Walt 6 JohanGrobler 19 JohanClaassen 7 BrianGordon-Hogg 20 SonjaErasmus 7 HelgardMeyer 20 TonySiemssen 8 Marievan der Merwe 21 Tomvan der Vyver 8 MarianneKritzinger 22 Almavan Tonder 9 WalterFivaz 22 Ockertvan der Berg 10 OttoReinecke 22 JanBarnard 12 CarelSmit 23 RinaSteenkamp 13 GrahamDavies 23 WilnaLourens 14 FrankErskine 23 GeorgeMarx 15 ElsieJacobson 26 RobbieHewetson 16 GerhardHoepfner 26 JanWright 16 WilmaRademan 26 LindaKleinhans 16 NielMoolman 27 DanieSwart 16 RinaDurandt 30 JanPotgieter 16 RehoLe Riche 30 Verskoning / Apology Die komitee vra om verskoning vir enige ongerief veroorsaak deur die kansellasie van die Sop en Brood aand. Daar was ongelukkig n kragonderbreking by Glenwood Skool en die Klubhuis as gevolg van n foutiewe elekriese toeveorkabel. Unfortunately the Soup and Bread Evening on 10 th June had to be cancelled at short notice due to a power failure at Genwood School and the clubhouse.the committee apologises for any inconvenience that this may have caused. 9

10 Wel en Weë Ons harte en gebede is met ons klublede wat verliese gely het tydens die onlagnse brande in Knysna en omgewing. Garage-aand 17 Mei by Jacques Wheeler Versamelaar van verskeie eksotiese Voertuie Deur Krige Bolton Woensdag aand 17 Mei is al die klublede uitgenooi na n Garage aand by Jacques Wheeler in George. Hy is die eienaar van verskeie eksotiese voertuie, wat onder andere n BARNARD voertuig insluit. Hierdie besondere voertuig is ontwerp vir die bekende 24-uur Le Mans wedren en is deur Jacques ingevoer vir sy deelname aan die Simola Hillclimb in Knysna. Jacques het vir ons n terugblik gegee oor sy deelname met die BARNARD, deur vir ons n video opname te vertoon van die dag se verrigtinge. Ongelukkig was die dag redelik rampspoedig, want ernstige masjienprobleme is ondervind wat sy deelname aan die Simola Hillclimb gekortwiek het. Die 2017 Simola Hillclimb was nie sy eerste deelname nie, maar hy het reeds in 2014 en 2015 met sy Maclaren deelgeneem waarmee hy goeie tye opgestel het. Hy het egter besluit om die BARNARD in te span om sy tye te verbeter. Jacques is ook n groot versamelaar van Mercedes Benz Gelandewagens en die liefde het oorgespoel van sy vader wat aanvanklik met die versameling begin het. Met ons aankoms by sy werkswinkel was die voertuie netjies toegemaak met seile. Ons petrolkoppe het vining eie inisiatief geneem en die seile gelig om sodoende ons belangstelling en nuuskierigheid in bedwang te hou. 10

11 Ons het geweet die wiele moet besigtig en geniet word. Die aand is baie goed bygewoon deur die lede en ons is getrakteer met heerlike worsbrode en n nattigheid vir die droë kele. Ook n spesiale dank aan die klublede se gades wat ons vergesel het en bygestaan het met die voorbereiding van die worsbroodjies die manne kon onmiddellik agtergekom het dat voorbereiding deur die skoner geslag hanteer is. Ons wil weereens baie dankie sê aan Jacques vir sy gasvryheid en moeite wat hy gedoen het met die voorbereiding en aanbieding van die byeenkoms asook vir Philip Kuschke wat die garage aand gereël het. Bonnets Up 25 th May 2017 The introduction of a special exhibit or display at the monthly Bonnets Up seems to have brought a new dimension to these events. On 28 May Charles Lloyd brought his Anglia pick up to the Bonnets Up to show us the progress he has made with the restoration. Charles is a youth member of our club and won the tender process to obtain the Anglia which was donated to the club. He has progressed quite well with the car so far and we trust that we will be seeing more of Charles and the Anglia at club events in future. The provision of a donated car to youth members is to encourage the younger generation to get involved in the preservation of old cars. Funds are made available by the club to assist these young members. Bonnets Up 25 th May 2017 Tydens die Bonnets Up op Sondag 25 Junie by die klubhuis was daar heelwat mense wat besluit het dat die sonnige Sondag idiaal is om met hul oumotors rond te ry en te gaan braai by die klubhuis. Daar 11

12 het Dennis Houseman ons vertel van hoe hy sy 1967 Austin Healey 3000 bekom het. It is fascinating to see what some people can build up from a basket case of parts. Dennis Healey is a good example. The car appears to be newer than a new one of it s time. GARAGE-AAND OP DIE PLAAS Saam met Ettienne Malherbe Deur Philip Kuschke 14 Junie 2017 Entoesiasme is iets baie besonders, jy kan dit nie koop nie, jy kan dit nie aanleer nie, jy kan dit ook nie present kry nie nee, net sekere individue is daarmee geseën. Etienne Malherbe is beslis een van hierdie mense wat oorloop van entoesiasme in dit wat hy die meeste geniet, naamlik sy deelname aan hoëspoed tydrenne in sy 1974 Datsun 160 U SSS. Voorwaar n besonderse man! Op n baie jong ouderdom, in 1975 neem Etienne se pa hom na Nelshoogte, waar n sneldeel van n Total Nasionale tydren in die nag afgehandel word. Dit is net hier waar die entoesiasme-gogga vir Etienne gebyt het! Hy is verslaaf hieraan. In 1983 neem hy aan sy eerste tydren, Die Martin Jonkers tydren, in n Maxda RX 2 deel. Weereens n pa wat sy liefde aan sy seun oordra. Die liefde vir hoëspoed tydrenne raak al sterker en sterker Tydens ons garage-aand op 14 Junie 2017 het ons die geleentheid gehad om dié besonderse man van nader te leer ken. Dit was n baie koue aand, maar die petrol in almal teenwoordig se are het voorwaar warm geklop toe Etienne met sy skyfiesreeks en video s ons ingelig het oor wat hoëspoed tydrenne werklik behels. Die interessantste vir my was die kode-taal wat tussen die bestuurder en navigator gebruik word om die roete te beskryf! Voorwaar iets wat jy nie sommer met n glasie wyn in jou hand in een aand kan aanleer nie! Terwyl n go-pro video wat opgeneem is in die Montagupas, tydens hul 12

13 deelname aan die 2014 Nasionale tydren vertoon is, het Etienne die roeteskedule se kode taal met ons gedeel wat n belewenis was dit nie. Terwyl jy die pad voor jou sien nou word, word die kodes afgrammel die een na die ander oor die skerpte van die draaie, hoe ver nog voor die volgende vernouing in die pad is en ai, hier mag daar nie iets wees wat jou konsentrasie laat afneem nie. Indien wel, wel dan sal dit beslis die einde van jou tydren wees. Daar moet n ongelooflike wedersydse vertroue tussen die navigator en bestuurder wees! Die vetroue is daar tussen Etienne en sy seun. Ja, Etienne se seun is sy gereelde navigator tydens hierdie hoëspoed tydrenne. Die groep wat die garage-aand bygewoon het, was ook verras om vir Francoise Jordaan, navigator van Geniel de Villiers tydens die Dakar Tydren, te ontmoet. Wat n voorreg was dit nie om met hom te kon kuier oor al sy wedervaringe nie. Gelukkig woon hy naby George en het ook ingewillig om ons in sy garage vir n garage-aand te verwelkom. Etienne is nie net geseën met entoesiasme nie, nee, hy het beslis ook baie kennis en vaardighede wat baie van ons maar net kan begeer hy is dan ook die persoon verantwoordelik vir die voorbereiding en instandhouding van sy tydrenmotor vir al hierdie tydrenne. Hierdie voorbereiding wat Etienne in sy skuur op die plaas doen, moet gemeet word teen dit wat die professionele fabriekspanne in die fabriek aan hul tydrenmotors doen. Ons maak ook nie eers melding van die groot verskil in Etienne se tydrenbegroting en dié van die fabriekspanne se tydrenbegrotings nie!! Indien ons na Etienne se uitslae in die Nasionale reeks kyk, is sy prestasie voorwaar iets waarop hy BAIE trots kan voel. Etienne is sedert 2010 die trotse eienaar van Silverton Radiators in George. Etienne het n groot sagte plek vir ou mense en oukarre daarom dat hy en sy personeel die ekstra myl sal stap om ons met ons oukarre se verkoelings probleme te help. n Woord van spesiale dank aan Etienne en Elsa vir hul gasvryheid tydens ons garage-aand! Baie dankie vir n onvergeetlike aand! Voorspoed met die uitleef van jou passie! Mag jou entoesiasme nooit taan nie. Dagboek asseblief Donderdag 17 Augustus 2017 vir die volgende Garage-aand. Ons gaan heerlik in Dennis Houseman se garage tussen sy E-Type Jaguars, MG s en Austin Healeys kuier sien jou daar! 13

14 Left: Jacques Wheeler s BARNARD racing car Right: Jacques Wheeler at his Maclaren Below: Philip Kuschke with Jacques Wheeler with the BARNARD in the background. Right: Charles Lloyd with Danie Schmidt at the Anglia that he is busy restoring as part of the Youth Project 14

15 Left: Ettienne Malherbe s 1975 Datsun 160U SSS rally car and below: Ettienne busy with engine repairs of the Datsun Below: Philip Kuschke and Ettienne Malherbe with Francois Jordaan, navigator of Geniel de Villiers Above and right: Keen Interest in Dennis Houseman s Austin Healey 15

16 DIE VERHAAL VAN OUPA JANNIE Deur Chris Smit - Januarie 2017 (Redakteursnota: Hierdie artikel word op versoek van die skrywer geplaas sonder enige redaksionele redigering.) Januarie 1965 n Landroverbakkie dreun rustig voort op die hoofpad na Salisbury. Agter die stuur sit n netjiese man in sy vroeë sestigs. Sy naam: Johannes Jakobus du Toit, of sommer net Jannie soos die mense hom by die tabakveilings op die dorp ken. Vandag gaan hy egter nie veilings toe nie, hy gaan wel Salisbury toe, na Norton Motors waar n splinternuwe Mercedes Benz 220SE (Floorshift) vir hom wag. Hopenlik is die radio, n spoggerige WRS Playmate ook reeds geïnstalleer op sy versoek. April 2014 Ek staan en kyk na die 220SE, oorle Oupa Jannie s n. Die kar staan op bakstene onder n afdakkie agter die familiehuis in Pietersburg. Bykans twintig jaar se stof en spinnerakke het nou karakter aan die ou Merc gegee. Ek het sopas die kar gekoop vir Seweduisend-Vyfhonderd Rand uit die boedel van my oorlede skoonma, Oupa Jannie se oudste dogter. Gedurende die sestigs en sewentigs het hierdie pragtige Merc die paaie vanaf Oupa Jannie se plaas op Gutu, na Fort Vic en na Salisbury goed geken, maar na sy afsterwe het my skoonouers in Pietersburg kom vestig en die ou Merc het na n paar jaar daar ook op bakstene afgetree. Ek besluit om die kar te vernoem na Oupa Jannie. Een van die eerste dinge wat my totaal verbaas het, is toe ek begin om die kar skoon te maak en in die cubby vind ek nog die kar se handleiding, sy diensboekie, sy Afrikakaart wat al die MB dienstasies aandui in lande soos Nyjasaland, Tanganjika, Noord- Rhodesie, Betschuanaland, en ook n logbook en laastens die houtpaneeltjie wat afgehaal was van die dash toe die radio geïnstalleer was. In die kattebak was daar nog meer verborge skatte soos die kar se gereedskapsak met MB se gereedskap, sy domkrag, sy allocating pin vir wanneer mens n wiel moet aansit, n 16

17 baie ou Tyre Puncture Repair Kit, die wit woloortreksels wat Oupa Jannie op die voorsitplekke laat sit het, Ouma du Toit se kombersie vir haar seer bene, n spesiale bedekking vir die dash asook een vir die paketterak agter wat Oupa Jannie laat maak het sodat die son nooit daar sal skade aanrig nie. Ek gebruik dit vandag nog net so. Bo Links: Onder die Afdakkie in Pietersburg en Bo Regs: Bykans 20 jaar se stof en spinnerakke. Bo Links: n Kattebak vol verassings en Bo Regs: Oppad van Pietersburg na Pretoria. Ek bewonder hierdie merkwaardige mens, n besonderse netjiese man wat altyd elke ding terug gesit het op sy plek en nooit toegelaat het dat daar aan die kar gepeuter word nie. Die diensboekie is klokslag op elke vyftienduisend myl gestempel by Norton Motors in Salisbury en later by B&Y Motors in Fort Vic. Toe ek op n dag die kombersie uit die kattebak haal en daar eenkant gooi, het my vroutjie my vertel dat sy nog in Std 6 was toe hulle een slag saam 17

18 met Oupa in die Merc vanaf Karoi in Rhodies deur gery het na Groblersdal in RSA om vir Ouma du Toit daar by die hospitaal te kom haal, en toe het Ouma daardie kombersie oor haar seer bene gesit. Vandag is Oupa Jannie (die kar) weer spik-splinternuut oorgedoen en pronk hy trots met sy CBS nommerplate. Registrasie het my maar net so R gekos (vervlakste uitstaande lisensiegelde en boete vir agterstallige betaling), maar ek doen dit met n glimlag vir so n besonderse kar. Hierdie Merc was direk uitgevoer na Rhodies. Die feit dat hy Branstofinspuiting en Floorshift het, maak dat hy skaars is in hierdie land en hy loop steeds soos n droom oor die talle spoedbultjies en om die slaggate. Die beste van alles was toe ek einde laas jaar die kar na n motorskou in Mosselbaai neem, en terwyl ek maar daar by die kar rondstaan kom n man in sy mid-sewentigs nader en vra vir my waar kom hierdie kar vandaan? Ek antwoord toe Salisbury, 1965 Hy vra toe of ek nog die kar se diensboekie het, en ek haal dit toe gou uit die cubby. Groot was my verbasing toe hy deur die diensboekie blaai met bewende hande en opgewonde sê look! here s my signature, and here, and here Bob Young, nou 76 jaar oud en hy het die kar gediens in Fort Vic by B&Y Motors (sy motorhawe) in die sestigs en sewentigs. Dit is sowaar merkwaardig! Bob sê toe I remember the owner of this car, Mr JJ du Toit. He was a very prim and proper gentleman, and I used to say to him: remember the car has a fourth gear too, you don t have to drive so slow with this car. Oupa Jannie se Merc behoort nou aan die derde geslag van dieselfde familie, en eendag sal ons seun Leon (tans 40) hom erf en dan weer sy seun (tans 9) die vyfde geslag Groot Oupa Groeitjie se kar vir n troukar..? en so aan Ten slotte, net n laaste gedagte: Toe ek die Merc uiteindelik in Sept 2016 by Mosselbaai gaan registreer het en die registrasiebeampte deel my mee dat ek R moet opdok, het ek my verbeel ek hoor n tarentaal in die verte roep bankrot-bankrot-bankrot en n ander een het geantwoord tjrrr tjik tjik tjik 18

19 Links Bo: So lyk die enjin nou en Regs Bo:..en die binnekant. Bo: Ek en Bob Young met die Merc se Diensboekie 19

20 Important Clubhouse Notice Please note that the conditions of the liquor licence for the bar at the clubhouse prohibits anyone to bring any alcohol onto the premises. The bar is open during all events and the prices are very reasonable. Please support the bar as these funds go straight back into the club. We kindly request that all please comply with this request, as non-compliance may put the liquor licence in jeopardy. SAVVA Technical Tip 119 Master Brake Cylinders Looking through the brake section of a workshop manual for pre-war cars it warned of problems one could encounter if incorrect washers and/or piston return springs were fitted to the master brake cylinder. This brought back memories as years back it happened to me and in my ignorance and inexperience I thought I was the only person in the world this had happened to. However, it turns out it is not uncommon. As a reminder, a friend came by a couple of weeks ago with tales of woe about his old series 2 Land Rovers brakes. He has had all the cylinders re-sleeved but the brakes won t bleed as they should. He has taken the master cylinder out many times but cannot find anything wrong with it. The problem could be two-fold. Firstly, the return spring is now old and weak and not returning the piston all the way back allowing the fluid to travel from the reservoir into the bottom 20

21 chamber. Then there is also the small possibility that the new washer is a bit wide and partially covering the port. Last year I had the same problem on an early car. I had the master cylinder re-sleeved by the brake experts and it wouldn t bleed as it should. After becoming slightly neurotic and suicidal and taking it back to the experts twice they found the problem the old return spring was inadequate to return the new washer (primary cup) all the way back in the re-sleeved chamber. A slightly stiffer spring solved the problem. When I think of the hours I spent going up and under the car as well as the bottles of brake fluid wasted trying to get the brakes to bleed I m thinking of making an effigy of the chap behind the counter who insisted I wasn t bleeding the system correctly and sticking pins into it. 21

22 SAVVA Technical Tip 120 Oils New and Old The business of which oils to use in our older cars has been flogged to death. However, in this world of change it s important that we keep up with the latest information available. Here is an interesting article recently received, which spells out additives in simple terms. Since the development of catalytic convertors and much smaller tolerances used in modern engines perhaps we should be more concerned about what we are using in our pre 1970 engines. We are also told that it is not wise to run in a re-built engine with modern oils and we should consider using running in oils which are now available. This we will research and discuss at a later stage. The article - to quote: The Missing Zinc Ah yes, the missing zinc. Let me start with a primer on zinc/phosphorus anti-wear additives. In the 50s, when cars began to feature overhead valves and started making serious power, the camshafts needed more aggressive profiles, which were prone to rapid wear. That s when lubrication engineers discovered the utility of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), which had previously been used in motors as an anti-corrosive additive in modest quantities. The phosphorus and zinc in this molecule are attracted to bare iron, coating the microscopic asperities (high spots) where the cam nose slides over the flat surface of the tappet. This molecule-thick layer prevents iron-to-iron contact. After a few hours operation, the two surfaces burnish each other to a nice, smooth, low friction surface, micro-welding is a thing of the past, and everybody s happy. Without the zinc and phosphorus, this localized high pressure, combined with the sliding friction, can microscopically weld the cam to the lifter, ripping out tiny chunks of metal. The industry standardized on 800 or so parts per million (ppm) ZDDP content in 22

23 motor oil, and engines lasted a very long time. In fact, ZDDP levels eventually rose to 1200 ppm by the 70s. Cut to the 1980s. Cars have catalytic converters installed to meet emissions requirements. Somebody figures out that zinc and phosphorus can contaminate the previous metal reactor beds in the cats, reducing their effectiveness. Concurrently, in an effort to reduce internal friction and improve economy, more and more engines use roller tappets or roller rockers, eliminating sliding friction at the camshaft interface. Even engines that have non roller-bearing camshafts have better, upgraded metallurgy and improved surface finish at that critical cam lobe-lifter interface. ZDDP levels were reduced to 1000 ppm, because higher levels were no longer deemed necessary. And this is right where your 60s muscle car gets the shaft. Too little ZDDP, especially in the critical first few minutes of engine operation, can destroy the surface finish of the cam lobes and lifters, especially on the high lift cams, factory or aftermarket grind. Lubrication engineers at Shell say that a stock engine with the original camshaft grind, stock springs and modest seat pressures and OEM-ratio lifters should be fine running these 800 ppm oils. Aftermarket grinds, stiff springs and high-ratio rockers increase cam-to-lifter pressures and would be better off with higher levels of ZDDP in the mix. Regardless of the petroleum companies take on this, most engine builders dealing with speciality cars like to see that 1200 ppm number. It has been suggested the use of diesel rated oils in early engines. This I don t recommend as there are additives in diesel oils that are not appropriate for spark ignition engines. PS Since receiving this article some clubs have had a visit from the gentlemen representing Castrol Classic Oils. They have nothing to do with Castrol SA. They import oils from England that are specially made for early cars. If you would like a visit from them or would like further information about these special oils, I suggest you contact Paul Williams or pwilliams@wol.co.za. You have nothing to lose by listening to what they have to offer. 23

24 For Sale / Wanted FOR SALE Tenders are invited for the purchase of the following car Porsche 928 V8. Non-runner with good tyres. License is up to date. Condition of sale: The car is sold as is with no guarantee Buyer to take possession once payment reflects in the account of the SCOCC The Car will be sold to the tender chosen by the committee of the Southern Cape Old Car Club Viewing will be on a date as agreed in Great Brak River. Tenders to be submitted by to: info@scocc.co.za before 17:00 on 24 July Enquiries can be submitted to Chris van Staden on at

25 SAVVA Technical Tip 121 Fuel Stabilisers Years back, living in a country that had seriously cold winters one mothballed vehicles that weren t in use. I recall adding an additive of some sort to the fuel tanks of vehicles. Evidently this was to stop the petrol from deteriorating leaving gunk behind and also to stop rust forming in the tank. One had a choice of either empting the tank or filling it to the top with petrol and adding what must have been a stabiliser of some sort. If I remember correctly non ventilated filler caps were also used to stop evaporation. Fortunately, in those good old days, South Africa had petrol that didn t go vrot so quickly and the use of stabilisers wasn t necessary. However in more recent times since the introduction of the witches brew we get today it may be necessary as it appears petrol has a limited life. The use of stabilisers became a topic of conversation recently so I contacted a few suppliers to find that they are now freely available from companies like Motul, Wynn s, Castrol, Briggs & Stratton to name a few. The following is from the brochure of one of the major manufacturers. To Quote: In as little as 3 weeks, fresh petrol can start changing its chemistry due to oxidisation, often accelerated by the presence of dissolved metals in the fuel. This process presents itself in the formation of gums and varnishes which clog up the jets in carburettors making starting difficult, as well as peroxides which can eat away metals and rubber. Incombustible deposits foul up the combustion chambers while the oxidised fuel (often darker in colour) becomes denser making the air to fuel mixture too rich leading to running problems. By using a stabiliser in the fuel when the engine starts over prolonged periods, this prevents oxidation as well as corrosion allowing better combustion and performance. Maybe the time has come for us to consider using these products when mothballing our cars, lawn mowers, outboard motors etc for winter. 25

26 SAVVA Technical Tip 122 Fuel Cut out Solenoids In response to Technical Tip 118 on the use of fuel cut out solenoids as a security item Ron Gush sent in the following. Thanks Ron, To quote: Tech Tip 118 is very good but the problem is that, if you are like me, you switch the tap on when you start up and then, when you switch the ignition off, you forget to switch the tap off. So the thief drives away blissfully unaware that there is a clever immobilizer installed. This wiring diagram, was given to me by my electrical engineer cousin Andrew Gush. After you have switched the ignition on, you press the hidden button. The tap opens and the relay maintains the circuit closed and the tap stays open and off you go. When you switch off, the tap closes automatically. The thief then starts the car, drives until the carburettor is dry and abandons the stalled car so that you can sleep soundly and still find it in the morning. Ron Gush 26

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28 Please take note of the vintage car insurance scheme organised by SAVVA with FNB. The rates are extremely competitive Please take note of the change in contact details: Yolandé Vermeulen