Post by spunkymonkey on May 21, 2010 17:57:09 GMT
I've always had a small (ish) streak of bush mechanic about me. Maybe it was growing up in Queensland, maybe it was years of running cars on a shoestring (one between all of them), or maybe a bit of both.
I don't think it means I value the cars any less, just that if I can find a successful improvisation I'm generally happy to use it. In fact, it canbe a very useful trait on cars with limited parts support.
I've noticed that not all car owners, and certainly not all classic owners, share this outlook. Some would rather see their beloved classic laid up for 5 years waiting for just the right spec of indicator lens screw than be seen with any old self-tapper. OK, that's maybe a little extreme but you get my drift.
So I thought it might be interesting to see what sort of owners the Daf forum attracts by presenting a little job I had today and seeing your reactions by way of a poll:
Sheila has needed a camshaft replacement for quite a while (probably since before I got her) and I finally got hold of a good used one off EBay last week for the princely sum of £2.99.
Today was sunny so off came her bonnet, some cunning hooks were devised to lift her tappets:
And out came her camshaft. As suspected, there was virtually no lobe left for No1 inlet and most of the others were looking pretty sorry for themselves:
Not so expected, in fact a bit of a bugger, really, was this (No3) journal:
Not so much from the fact that it had shrunk by about 10 thou as the fact that the bore in the block had also shrunk by a similar amount thanks to welded-on cam lobe. I knew there was a problem when I needed a hammer to get the shaft out
Number 4 journal was also worn by about 5 thou but at least it was smooth.
So, what to do?
Bearings are available and small journal cranks but that involves money, time off road, and getting the engine out with no lifting facilities.
On the other hand, it's been running like it is so, if only the replacement shaft had the same amount of wear on those rear journal, there seems a fair chance that it'd keep going - and would have all its bumps again!
Obviously, the solution must be to induce similar wear on the replacement journals. For that we need two lathes back-to-back - the shaft is slightly too long for my trusty Hobbymat:
and something to rub against the journal. 80 grit flap disk seemed to fit the bill just right
Haven't finished reassembling cos it was hot out there today and I started feeling distinctly unwell, but there should be a running (or not) report sometime tomorrow.
So, quality initiative, pointless waste of time or the most heinous form of car crime you've ever seen?
*** edited to put up correct piccy of journal ***
I don't think it means I value the cars any less, just that if I can find a successful improvisation I'm generally happy to use it. In fact, it canbe a very useful trait on cars with limited parts support.
I've noticed that not all car owners, and certainly not all classic owners, share this outlook. Some would rather see their beloved classic laid up for 5 years waiting for just the right spec of indicator lens screw than be seen with any old self-tapper. OK, that's maybe a little extreme but you get my drift.
So I thought it might be interesting to see what sort of owners the Daf forum attracts by presenting a little job I had today and seeing your reactions by way of a poll:
Sheila has needed a camshaft replacement for quite a while (probably since before I got her) and I finally got hold of a good used one off EBay last week for the princely sum of £2.99.
Today was sunny so off came her bonnet, some cunning hooks were devised to lift her tappets:
And out came her camshaft. As suspected, there was virtually no lobe left for No1 inlet and most of the others were looking pretty sorry for themselves:
Not so expected, in fact a bit of a bugger, really, was this (No3) journal:
Not so much from the fact that it had shrunk by about 10 thou as the fact that the bore in the block had also shrunk by a similar amount thanks to welded-on cam lobe. I knew there was a problem when I needed a hammer to get the shaft out
Number 4 journal was also worn by about 5 thou but at least it was smooth.
So, what to do?
Bearings are available and small journal cranks but that involves money, time off road, and getting the engine out with no lifting facilities.
On the other hand, it's been running like it is so, if only the replacement shaft had the same amount of wear on those rear journal, there seems a fair chance that it'd keep going - and would have all its bumps again!
Obviously, the solution must be to induce similar wear on the replacement journals. For that we need two lathes back-to-back - the shaft is slightly too long for my trusty Hobbymat:
and something to rub against the journal. 80 grit flap disk seemed to fit the bill just right
Haven't finished reassembling cos it was hot out there today and I started feeling distinctly unwell, but there should be a running (or not) report sometime tomorrow.
So, quality initiative, pointless waste of time or the most heinous form of car crime you've ever seen?
*** edited to put up correct piccy of journal ***
) and her 30-50 time in 3rd has dropped from 10.5 seconds to 6.9 - that's compared with 8.7 seconds according to Motor back in '65. So, as long as she stays that way it's time for these:
