Ancient History

Try changing a starter in a '63 ranchero, with a 260 V8, and headers at -20* F. outside. no garage. I had to do that the first winter I spent here in Alaska , back in '75. it had a bad Bendix and would not always engage. I knew it was weak when it was warm, but never did anything about it. I learned about preventive winter maintenance, and to get it done before it got cold
 
Alaska Jim said:
Try changing a starter in a '63 ranchero, with a 260 V8, and headers at -20* F. outside. no garage. I had to do that the first winter I spent here in Alaska , back in '75. it had a bad Bendix and would not always engage. I knew it was weak when it was warm, but never did anything about it. I learned about preventive winter maintenance, and to get it done before it got cold
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try that with a volkswagen rabbit. that thing would kill starters. think between my mother, then my brother, then me there were 5 starters put in that thing. was a ***** to get to. then even worse to figure out how to get it out and in. my brother and I would walk up the street to the junkyard to get em because the autoparts place was too far away!
 
revkev6, I have always tried avoid import cars , although I have had a few. 1 MGB, and 1 new Toyota. the Toyota was a good car, the MG, not so much.
 
Ford38v8 At that time we were in our late teens and were in a Lot more better shape. You just had to be Quick and not trip and Fall or be to Hungover.
 
slowforty said:
Ford38v8 At that time we were in our late teens and were in a Lot more better shape. You just had to be Quick and not trip and Fall or be to Hungover.
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OK, try laying on your back, head to head with a buddy, both spit straight up in the air and guess which way to roll over!
 
For Dad's big truck he mounted a ceiling light socket to a section of 2X6 and put a heat lamp in it. Would plug it in an hour before starting it. When you are the guy that's supposed to plow and sand you need to be sure you can get running.
 
40 Deluxe said:
That automatic had a rear pump turned by the driveshaft so you could pull or push it to start it. Only thing was, you had to get up over 20-25 MPH to spin the innards in the torque converter fast enough.

The Operator's Manual for the 8N tractor of the forties said to pour about a pint of gasoline into the crankcase before shutting off the tractor, and let it run a minute or so to mix the gas into the oil. That way it would start the next day, and as it ran the gas would evaporate out of the oil.
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when I was in Alaska, I was an aircraft mechanic. Our radial engine Dehaviland Beavers and Otters had an oil dilution Switch. while it was running Push it for so many seconds to pump gas in the crankcase for cold starting. Evaporated with running.

John
 
No one in there right mind would spend 20 dollars for a new battery in a 100 dollar car. Winter is what bumpers were made for.
 
john in illinois said:
when I was in Alaska, I was an aircraft mechanic. Our radial engine Dehaviland Beavers and Otters had an oil dilution Switch. while it was running Push it for so many seconds to pump gas in the crankcase for cold starting. Evaporated with running.

John
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I imagine the aviation oil you ran was straight 50 or 50W?
 
While I would have to agree that dual circuit power disc brakes are a definite improvement, I will have to be the lone ranger and say that I would gladly take points or Ford Dura Spark ignition and a carburetor or a full mechanical diesel over the computerized vehicles of today. IMHO computers have no place on an automobile or truck, but I know they are here to stay. I have always done my own maintenance and repairs to all my vehicles, but my wife's car has a computer problem that I can't find and I've been told that it probably can't be found until it dies. I could fix it if it had a distributer and carb. End of rant, Sorry.
Mark
 
"49fordv8f4" - I agree with you on older cars, but for daily drivers they're here to stay. To me, a new car is an appliance, kinda like a washing machine. I don't care what kind it is, what it looks like, or anything else; it just has to do it's job, day after day, year after year with no problems.
 
tubman said:
"49fordv8f4" - I agree with you on older cars, but for daily drivers they're here to stay. To me, a new car is an appliance, kinda like a washing machine. I don't care what kind it is, what it looks like, or anything else; it just has to do it's job, day after day, year after year with no problems.
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And then you throw them away. Disposable, no one would want to or could afford to bring one of these back from the grave.
 
Could not agree more with Tubman and Seth. Like a cordless drill or a router in our shop. They work great for many years and then you toss them out. Been seeing service depts at 130.00 per hour......
 
supereal said:
I am surprised that no one mentioned starting fluid. A couple of good whiffs and a fully charged battery will beat towing or heating. I leave the top of the air filter in place and apply the spray to the element. If you overdo application, that will save your eyebrows.
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Ether worked, and worked well. Except. If you used tooooo much. And then it grounded your plugs (I think, or was told.) But that was a lot of years ago.

Milwaukee. Winter of 1963/4. Early January. Snow blew through the louvers and covered the engine. Didn't look under the hood until I had pretty well exhausted the battery. Went across the street and got some ????? ether. And soaked the plugs trying to start it. Now the battery is dead. And it is 11:30 pm. And I am miles from home.

And some dear sole with a ?? took pity on me and pushed me at 25 mph across the 16th street bridge from Wisconsin Ave to National and the old girl fired up.

Couldn't do THAT today with our plastic bumpers.
 
i was stationed in Alaska in the fifties and put a blow torch against the oil pan for 5-10 minutes to warm up th eoil to start it.

bob
 
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