You Want Character… Live on a Dirt Road

There has been a lot of complaining in the media, diners, coffee shops, etc., about poor road conditions, from pot holes to mud bogs, now flooding. We live on a dirt road, and, in fact, with each new Town Manager, we bring him or her a copy of a piece entitled “Dirt Roads”. A quote from it says, “People who live at the end of dirt roads learn early on that life is a bumpy ride”. Thus dirt roads give one character. We do not want our dirt road paved as we need all the “character” we can get. I guess “character” started when we had to walk to view this house with the realtor as the road was a mud bog – but we still bought it! Just like our vintage cars, the roads we drive them on need maintenance. This is particularly true for dirt roads. Technically, of course, the Town is responsible for road maintenance, but they need a little help from the taxpayers to let them know what is needed and where. There are two approaches to doing this, the positive and the negative. Although some people don’t seem to understand this, the negative approach gets negative results and the positive approach gets positive results. With the negative approach, you make a phone call to the highest possible town managerial level, and speak loudly to be sure you are understood. Be sure to mention your credentials in terms of taxes paid and political clout. Also mention your assessment of their credentials and then explain what you want done. This will definitely get results. For example, during a winter snow storm, your road will be widely plowed, giving the mailman easy access to where your mailbox used to be. The positive approach doesn’t require any phone calls. I’ve found that a periodic stop at the town garage with a tin of sticky buns or whoopee pies gets very positive results. Our road is frequently graveled, graded, raked and chlorided to keep the dust down. That’s how they let me know when some more treats would be in order. Just as a little attention and TLC keep our vintage cars running smoothly, the softer touch keeps the roads smooth. Now don’t let me get started on people who feel a dirt road is a good place for their trash to be tossed. There is not enough room to cover that!

JB Weld

Once again, my mail bag is empty. Since I have no questions to answer, I will write this month about a product I have used for years, but have been asked a lot of questions about lately. People have joked over the years that if it were not for “JB Weld” my cars would have fallen to the ground in pieces. In fact, there is a ring of truth to this.

“JB Weld” is a two-part epoxy product. It comes in several different flavors, but the concept is the same. There is a “JB Quick” that sets up in about five minutes, but once cured is not as strong as the original JB Weld. For applications im-mersed in water there is a JB Weld that sets up under water, appropriately called “JB Water Weld.”

JB Weld has a cured tensile strength of 3,960 psi. Though it sets up in 4-6 hours but takes 24 hours to cure. Additionally, it is non-conductive (well-insulated) and can be filed, drilled, tapped, and painted. When fully cured, JB Weld is completely resistant to water, gasoline, and about every other petroleum product or automotive chemical. This epoxy will work in tem-peratures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, but will fail if heated beyond this point. This epoxy sticks well to all metals. However, it does not stick to flexible rubber, leather, vinyl, canvas or polypropylene plastic.

I first used JB Weld to fix a pot metal door lock assembly in my first Subaru Legacy. Somebody recommended it, and I reluctantly tried it. Much to my surprise, it worked. Since then, I have found countless uses for it over the years. The right side horn on the MG TD I recently restored is largely made out of JB weld. The horn is a cast assembly, and the throat of the horn was smashed, though the mechanical part of the horn still worked. Unfortunately, the throat of this horn is an una-vailable part, so I decided I would try to repair it with the epoxy. Using the horn on the other side as a pattern, I was able to rebuild the throat of the horn with the epoxy. I have glued bolts on to broken-off studs and been able to back the stud out. I have fixed my wife’s stainless steel pots and pans, using it to replace broken rivets, knobs and spot welds. It has held up to both the heat and the dishwasher. I have often used this epoxy in my model-making, using it as both a glue and to make my own cast model parts. I have recently been asking people if they are familiar with this product. A number of people have told me that they use it, and use it often. Surprisingly, a few people have told me they either never heard of it, or have heard of it but never used it before.

Here are some tips for new users:

  • As with any type of adhesion, make sure the surface is clean and free of any grease or greasy residue. Clean the surface with soap and water and dry.
  • Before applying the epoxy, rough up the surface with sand paper or a wire brush and clean with acetone or lacquer thinner. Make sure you mix exactly 50% resin to 50% hardener. The mixture has to be close to 50-50 or it will not fully cure.
  • Allow the epoxy to cure before it is moved. I often use tape to hold the epoxy in place until it hardens. If this is not possible, use the JB Stick putty, as this will hold its shape until it cures.

Hopefully, if your tool box isn’t already well-stocked with JB Weld, it will be soon! It has served me very well over the years, and I’m certain you will find it as indispensable as I have, if you haven’t already enjoyed the benefits of this product.

(This column is a Q & A column with you asking me questions and after researching the answer I will reply. Any questions ‘automotive’ is fare game, I might not know the answer but hopefully I will find someone who does know.)


Please email all inquiries to: Dave
or snail mail
32 Turkey Hill Road
Richmond VT 05477

 

Why the Model T Ford was so Historically Significant

To say the Model T Ford was in influential and unique automobile would be an understatement. No other vehicle left such a lasting impact on the automotive world. This car not only made the automobile affordable to the masses, it put America on wheels and helped to define the modern, industrial and mobile American society.

Let’s take a look at some of the unique features of the Model T

  • First mass produced car on an assembly line; many production features that sped up and streamlined production, like only having one type of paint on the car, fast drying and easy to match black lacquer.
  • The model T was the first production car with a removable Cylinder head.
  • There was no water pump on the Model T. The cooling system relied on thermal cycling to achieve cooling. Ford opted for a cheaper and more reliable thermo-siphon system. Hot water, being less dense, would rise to the top of the engine and up into the top of the radiator, descending to the bottom as it cooled, and back into the engine.
  • There was no fuel pump on the Model T. The carburetor was located relatively low on the engine, and the fuel delivery was gravity fed- the down side? people often had to back up steep hills due to fuel starvation.
  • There was no distributor on the model T. There were four individual coil boxes, switched by a low voltage “commutator“ or timer. Power came either from the six volt DC battery, or the engine magneto that produced AC current. The car was usually started on battery power, then switched to the Magneto with the key on the dashboard.
  • There was no Speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge or gas gauge on the Model T. The only instrumentation was an amp meter on the dashboard.
  • The Model T had an unconventional, planetary two speed transmission. First gear was engaged by depressing the left pedal on the floor. Releasing this pedal disengaged first gear. Second gear was engaged by sliding the parking brake lever (just to the left of the driver) forward while depressing the low gear pedal. With the parking brake lever in it forward most position, releasing the first gear pedal engaged second gear.
  • Reverse was engaged by depressing a pedal on the floor.
  • The Model T had no gas pedal. The throttle was a pencil sized lever on the right side of the steering column. This unique driving arrangement puzzled many unfamiliar motorists, and the transition from a Model T to other cars could be confusing at times, resulting in many fatalities and many more spectacular vehicle crashes.

With the exception of the original Volkswagen Beetle, no car has had a higher production number than the Model T Ford. The car was produced from 1908 through 1927, with a total production volume of more than 15 million cars. At its peak of production in 1925 , the Ford Motor Company was producing more than 10,000 Model T Fords a day! The Model T was the world’s first “global car” The Ford Model T was the first automobile built by various countries simultaneously since they were being produced in Canada , England Germany, Argentina, France, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan.. Ford made use of the knock-down kit concept almost from the beginning of the company. Ford was so efficient, that the shipping crate for the knock down Model T was made of components that became wooden members on the assembled car.
The Model T Ford had many non-automotive effects on our society as well. Henry Ford pioneered the “typical” work week, with a Monday through Friday forty hour week consisting of five 8 hour shifts. This set up the concept of a “weekend” with Saturday and Sunday off. “Kingsford” charcoal was made from waste at the Ford assembly plant.

“Firestone” tires were the tire of choice on the Model T, giving Henry Ford’s friend Harvey Firestone business that built up the Fire-stone Rubber company. Harvey Firestone and Henry Ford developed a life long friendship and became industrial tycoons together. Harvey Firestone’s granddaughter ended up marrying Henry Ford’s Grandson. Ford and Firestone had a lasting business relation-ship that lasted 95 years. This relationship was severed with the Ford Explorer roll over problem, made worse by defective Firestone tires that would suddenly suffer severe structural failure resulting in sudden blow outs or tread separation. Ford had a defective product, the Explorer which had poor handling characteristics resulting in a tendency to roll over, and Firestone had a defective product, the Fire-stone Wilderness AT tire, a tire that was built to specifications by Ford for the Explorer. Ford and Firestone each publicly pointed the finger toward each other, and the business relationship was dissolved. Ford Motor Company ceased to buy tires from Firestone. While this very public feud was happening, the CEO of the Ford Motor Company was William Clay Ford, great grandson to both Harvey Fire-stone and Henry Ford.

I greatly enjoyed giving people the opportunity to experience a hand on test drive in a Model T at the April VAE meet. If anyone missed the opportunity, ask me and I would be happy to offer it again.
I received a nice type written note from founding member Lloyd Davis a few weeks ago. It was refreshing to read a letter written on a typewriter. Thank you Lloyd.

In closing, I want to tell you about a license plate that caught my eye on a Toyota Prius a few days ago. It was a New York plate that read “NVMYMPG.” It took me a minute, then it hit me, “envy my MPG.” With gas over $4.00 a gallon, I do.


Please email all inquiries to: Dave
or snail mail
32 Turkey Hill Road
Richmond VT 05477

How Far Is Too Far?

You’ve all seen that sign that says, “Unless you are naked, don’t touch this car!” Years ago, when I first saw it (back in a time when I was trying to impress my soon to be husband), I wondered why anyone would take and put such a sign on their beautiful car. Was it a way to trick people into removing their clothes for the treat of touching their car? I never did see anyone fall for that but I can tell you, I keep my eyes open! What I’m really getting to is the cars that owners guard like Fort Knox. You can spot them at most car shows. They are the ones trailered, and covered. Oh, they tease you a bit by dropping the wheel covers to give you a seductive look at those wide white walls. They keep a duster in hand at all times. Ever vigilant to the speck of dust or the errant finger print as they circle the car, caressing the fenders with their duster. Stopping only long enough to survey the crowd for any hint of someone who might step too close! What I imagine Homeland Security to be like when the President is in town. But, unlike the President, he will take questions- in fact welcomes them. “What about the paint job?” In great detail, he will tell you about the 23 coats of hand rubbed acrylic gloss at the cost of 213 hours and $28,000. And then swing into many other details, all the while scanning the crowd for anyone that might breech the perimeter! Come on, lighten up a little. These cars are supposed to be fun. Fun to me is not taking your car out of hiding once or twice a year and spending your time worrying that something or one might touch it! I REALLY do appreciate all the precious time and money spent but there is a limit! (in my opinion). Most of these cars never saw a paved road and if you could ask Dr Horatio Jackson, some never saw a road at all! I TOTALLY agree they need to be respected and “gently” used. Don’t get me wrong- would I give my 3 year old granddaughter, Addison, a candy apple and say “go play in Grandpa’s car?” Or give Cooper, our 6 year old grandson, a couple of die cast cars and tell him that the fenders of the ’37 make a great car track? Probably not, but on the other hand…………………. Just kidding! I get it! But I have to tell you, there isn’t much better than having your grandchildren come to a car show, “drive your car” and at the end of the day, sitting on the running boards- proclaim, “Grandpa, we LOVE car shows.” So for my cars, lift the hood, open the trunk, lean in to get a good look at the dashboard and don’t forget the odometer! But, PLEASE, keep your clothes on! My grandchildren are at an impressionable age and come to think of it, “so am I!” Yes, after 39 years, I’m still trying to impress him!

Spring has Sprung!

Finally, after record snowfalls and a winter that ignored the calendar and continued to bombard us with cold and snow, winter seems to be finally done. This means the summer driving season is finally upon us. Before you uncover that collector car and enjoy your first drive of the season it is a good idea to give your car a good inspection. Assuming it was stored properly this should be a quick process. The engine oil should have been changed before storage, so only a quick level check should be necessary. While you are under the hood the freshly charged battery can be installed (alternatively the battery tender removed) and the cable(s) hooked up again. A quick check of the other fluids, (brake fluid, transmission fluid, differential oil and coolant) is also a good idea. Now is the time to either change any fluids that need changing, or to address any leaks. Find any rodent nests under there? I found one al-ready this spring.

I always closely inspect tires and suspension components on vehicles before they go back in service. Inspect tire side walls and tread for any damage. How old are the tires? If they are six years old or older watch them carefully, they are susceptible to sudden catastrophic failure. Finally, check the tire pressure, wheel bearings and front end to ensure every-thing is as it should be.

It is also a good idea to check the wipers and lights at this time. The surprise of finding issues while on a drive or at the state inspection, or worse yet from a policeman can easily be avoided now.

Lastly, before you hit the road, make sure the registration, inspection and insurance are all current and that the registration tag and proof of insurance cards are in the glove box. Before you embark on that first drive, test your brakes. Do you have good pedal? Is it soft, or worse yet did it go to the floor? Before you drive on the highway drive at 20 MPH or so and give the brake a good stomp. Does the car pull to one side? Do the brakes work well?

Your “every day” car should receive some attention after a winter driving season too. In addition to the maintenance mentioned above, a vehicle driven through the winter should be thoroughly cleaned and inspected. If you change your tires over from snow tires to summer tires this is the ideal time to clean and inspect your car.

Take a garden hose and get all the salt sand and mud out of the wheel wells, from inside the fenders, the bottom of the doors, hood and trunk lid, up in the strut towers and anywhere else you can think of. Check drain holes in rocker pan-els doors and quarter panels to ensure they are clear.
Generally. When I see a car similar to mine on the road that is rusty I pay attention to where that rust is and make especially sure to keep that area clean on my car.

A few weeks ago when I put the Subaru on the lift to change the tires over I was shocked to see that both rear sway-bar links were broken, and the exhaust system was just barely attached to the car. I also found a loose splash guard.

I hope you all have a happy and safe summer of driving fun!

(This column is a Q & A column with you asking me questions and after researching the answer I will reply. Any questions ‘automotive’ is fare game, I might not know the answer but hopefully I will find someone who does know.)


Please email all inquiries to: Dave
or snail mail
32 Turkey Hill Road
Richmond VT 05477

The Epiphany That Created An Enthusiast

As a one-time “old car widow”, I have experienced an epiphany! When my husband first joined the Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts, one of my friends suggested with great sympathy, that going to meetings and events would be just old car “stuff” and boring talk about old car “stuff”. I tended to agree with her, so Wendell and I reached an accord in that he wouldn’t require my presence at VAE activities if he didn’t have to go to craft fairs. At some point I decided I should be a little supportive since he was so enthusiastic and worked so hard to fix up our 28 Dodge coupe. I remember a phone call from him during the Shelburne car show asking if I’d be o.k. with him buying another car, a Plymouth roadster ( we really did “need” a car with a rumble seat). I, of course, was at a craft fair. Despite my surprise at the “consult” and having no clue what a “roadster” meant, of course I agreed and he was a happy man, a very good thing. When I started to attend meetings with him, I found myself meeting a lovely group of men and women whom I otherwise wouldn’t have met. They welcomed me and made me feel needed. Since I pretty much live to be useful and to feed people (ask any of our family), the potluck meetings fulfilled that desire. When Wendell became activities chair, requiring us to bring the basics for dinners, the “new fangled” coffee pot was a challenge, but again, there was always help. And, by golly, the meetings and events were fun, informative and interesting – and that Stowe show flea market turned out to be a bonanza of really good “stuff” I could relate to while the guys talked cars. To complete my “epiphany”, when we recently attended the Farm Show in Barre, just like my experience at VAE meetings, I noticed how pleasant and friendly people there were – they would smile back at you, something sadly lacking in most crowds these days. It is very good to be surrounded by “real” people. So, I guess this makes me an “auto enthusiast” for life, as VAE members are, like, totally real. Ladies, give it a try!

DOT 4 Brake Fluid – Dave’s Garage

DOT 4 fluid, which has a higher minimum boiling temperature requirement (446 degrees F dry and 311 degrees wet) soaks up moisture at a slower rate but suffers an even sharper drop in boiling temperature as moisture accumulates. Three percent water will lower the boiling point as much as 50%! Considering the fact that today’s front-wheel drive brake systems with semi-metallic linings run significantly hotter than their rear-wheel drive counterparts, high brake temperatures require fluid that can take the heat. But as we said earlier, the brake fluid in many of today’s vehicles cannot because it is old and full of moisture. Water contamination increases the danger of brake failure because vapor pockets can form if the fluid gets too hot. Vapor displaces fluid and is compressible, so when the brakes are applied the pedal may go all the way to the floor without applying the brakes! In addition to the safety issue, water-laden brake fluid promotes corrosion and pitting in caliper pistons and bores, wheel cylinders, master cylinders, steel brake lines and ABS modulators. FLUID RELATED BRAKE FAILURES From time to time we hear about reports of “unexplained” brake failures that caused accidents. When the vehicle’s brakes are inspected, no apparent mechanical fault can be found. The fluid level is normal, the linings are within specifications, the hydraulics appear to be working normally and the pedal feels firm. Yet the brakes failed. Why? Because something made the brakes hot, which in turn overheated the fluid causing it to boil. The underlying cause often turns out to be a dragging rear parking brake that does not release. But that’s another story. The same kind of sudden brake failure due to fluid boil may occur in any driving situation that puts undue stress on the brakes: a sudden panic stop followed by another, mountain driving, towing a trailer, hard driving, etc. A case in point: A child was killed in an accident when the five-year old minivan with 79,000 miles on it his parents were driving suffered loss of pedal and crashed while the family was driving in the mountains of Washington state. Fluid boil was blamed as the cause of the accident.

OEM Brake Fluid Recommendations

  • Acura: 36 months
  • Audi: 24 months
  • BMW: 24 months, or when indicated by Service Inspection Indicator
  • Honda: 36 months
  • Jaguar: 24 months all models except 2009 XF (36 months)
  • Land Rover: 36 months
  • Lexus: 36 months or 30,000 miles, which ever comes first
  • Mercedes-Benz: 24 months
  • MINI 24 months
  • Saab: 48 months (all models except 9-7X)
  • Smart: 24 months or 20,000 miles, which ever comes first
  • Subaru: 30 months or 30,000 miles (normal service) or 15 months/15,000 miles (severe service)
  • Suzuki: 24 months or 30,000 miles, which ever comes first (Forenza & Reno), 60 months or 60,000 miles (Grand Vitara and SX4)
  • Volkswagen: 24 months (New Beetle, City Gold, City Jetta), 36 months (all other models except Routan)
  • Volvo: 24 months or 37,000 miles (Normal), or 12 months (severe service)

Source for fluid change recommendations: Vehicle Manufacturer service information & owners manuals If motorists would only follow this simple advice to change their brake fluid periodically, they could greatly reduce the risks associated with moisture-contaminated brake fluid. You can extend the life of your brake system and likely save yourself a lot of money in the long run on brake repairs, especially if your vehicle is equipped with ABS (because ABS modulators are very expensive to replace!).

Testing Brake Fluid

Since you can’t tell how badly contaminated brake fluid is by its appearance alone (unless the fluid is full of rust or is muddy brown), the fluid should be tested unless you are changing it for preventive maintenance or as part of a brake job. There are three ways to check the condition of the brake fluid: Chemical test strips. A chemical test strip made by Phoenix Systems (888-749-7977) www.stripdip.com called “Strip Dip” can reveal the condition of the corrosion inhibitors in the brake fluid. The FASCAR chemicals react to the presence of copper in the fluid. The test strip changes color to reveal the condition of the fluid. When copper levels reach 100, it indicates the corrosion inhibitors are nearing the end of their life. If the copper level is 200 or higher, the corrosion inhibitors are worn out and the fluid needs to be changed.

Electronic brake fluid testers actually measure the fluid’s boiling point. The test takes only about a minute and is quite accurate. If the fluid’s boiling temperature is getting dangerously low, replacement is recommended to minimize the risks of pedal fade caused by fluid boil. Sources for electronic brake fluid testers include Alba Diagnostics, MISCO and OTC.

Changing Brake Fluid

When the fluid is changed, use the type of brake fluid (DOT 3 or 4) specified by the vehicle manufacturer. The cap on the fluid reservoir will usually indicate what type of brake fluid is required. You can also find this information in your Owners Manual (look under brake fluid). As any brake fluid supplier will tell you, brake fluid is NOT a generic product. Just because a fluid meets the minimum DOT 3 or DOT 4 specifications does not mean it can tolerate moisture or provide the same degree of corrosion protection as another brand of fluid. Raybestos, for example, sells a “Super Stop Super High Performance” DOT 3 fluid with a dry boiling point of 550 degree F, which meets Ford’s latest requirements. There are also high temperature glycol based DOT 5.1 brake fluids (not to be confused with DOT 5 which is silicone based). The dry boiling temperature rating for DOT 5.1 is 518º F or higher, and the wet boiling temperature rating is 375º F or higher. Some racing brake fluids exceed the dry boiling temperature rating, but may only meet the wet boiling temperature requirements for DOT 3 fluid (284 degrees). So the next time you are inspecting or servicing your brakes, be sure to check the condition of the fluid as well as the level. If you add or change fluid, use type specified by the vehicle manufacturer (DOT 3 or 4) and use the highest quality fluid you can get. And above all, remember the benefits of changing the brake fluid for preventive maintenance.


Please email all inquiries to: Dave
or snail mail
32 Turkey Hill Road
Richmond VT 05477

Brake Fluid 101

I was driving dad’s car hauler through Smuggler’s Notch last fall bringing a car back from Stowe when I got a sobering lesson on why it is important to replace brake fluid. As I was passing the waterfalls in the Notch, the sedan with out of state plates in front of me abruptly stopped in the middle of the road to take a picture of the waterfall. I stomped on the brakes and came to an abrupt stop. Annoying, but no big deal. Moments later as I was descending the Jeffersonville side of the notch I tapped the brake as the truck started to run away at the top of the hill. No brakes. I pressed harder and harder on the pedal, but the truck was still speeding up. I manually down shifted and continued to thump on the brake. White smoke was now pouring off both front wheels. Ever notice that there is no runaway truck ramp there? I was able to stop the truck eventually. I pulled off to the side of the road and allowed the brakes to cool. How did this happen? The truck had just had the front pads replaced. When I looked at the brake fluid instead of a clear-yellow color, it looked more like grape juice. My theory is this: The new pads were slightly wider, creating some drag and some heat. The pistons were recently pushed back in to the calipers to accept the new pads, dirty contaminated fluid probably caused some rust on the caliper bores, causing the pistons to stick a little. The heat caused the brake fluid to boil, reducing the ability of it to compress the pads against the rotors. I changed the fluid, and exercised the pistons in and out a few times. Something the shop that replaced the pads should have done.

I have been using DOT 5, or silicone fluid in the antique cars for years with good results. Silicone fluid does not absorb moisture, so is perfect for antique cars. In the last year I have done the brakes on two MG cars that had conventional fluid, and one that I had changed over to Silicone fluid in 1988. The two with the conventional fluid had considerable corrosion in both the wheel cylinders and in the master cylinder. One MG, the green 1949 TC had half of the wheel cylinder pistons actually frozen. This car has marginal brakes to begin with, with half the wheel cylinder pistons frozen it was simply unsafe. The other MG had functional brakes when it was in a bad accident in 1999. The fluid was obviously in need of replacement, because all of the pistons became seized in their bores, requiring a great deal of effort to remove. The MG with the Silicone fluid had no corrosion in the master cylinder or the wheel cylinders. This is the black 1955 that is undergoing a total restoration, so I went through the brake system replacing all the metal brake lines, rubber hoses and seals. I have heard the horror stories of how the silicone fluid dissolved rubber parts, but have never seen any evidence of that or read anything that suggests this is really possible. My guess is that these owners would have experienced this regardless of what type of brake fluid was in their car. If you use DOT 3 or DOT 4 in your antique car I suggest you replace the fluid every two years, or switch to Silicone fluid. One other benefit to Silicone fluid is that it will not harm your paint. This is a great bonus for those master cylinders that are hard to fill without spillage. Just remember the old Midas commercial slogan, “the most important part of your car isn’t what makes it go, it is what makes it STOP!”

Why Change Brake Fluid?

Copyright AA1Car Brake Fluid is a hot topic because most people don’t know why it should be changed. Did you know the average motorist who drives 10,000 to 15,000 miles a year uses his brakes about 75,000 times a year? Did you know that nearly half of all motorists in a recent Car Care Council survey said brake failure was their number one fear amongst driving emergencies? So consider this: After three years of service, the average boiling point of the brake fluid has dropped to a potentially dangerous level because of moisture contamination and may not meet minimum federal requirements for brake fluid. Probably half of all cars and light trucks that are 10 or more years old in the U.S. have never had their brake fluid changed. Yet in many European countries, regular brake fluid checks are required, and half of all cars routinely fail such tests. That’s a good case for changing brake fluid. REPLACE BRAKE FLUID Brake fluid is one of the most neglected fluid in vehicles today, yet is vitally important for safe driving. Consequently, professional technicians should be checking the fluid and recommending that the brake fluid be changed if it is contaminated. The issue is old brake fluid may not be safe if moisture contamination is above a certain level.

Brake Fluid Preventative Maintenance

Many experts have long recommend changing the brake fluid every year or two for preventative maintenance. Their rationale is based on the fact that glycol-based brake fluid starts to absorb moisture from the moment it is put in the system. The fluid attracts moisture through microscopic pores in rubber hoses, past seals and exposure to the air. The problem is obviously worse in wet climates where humidity is high. After only a year of service, the brake fluid in the average vehicle may contain as much as two percent water. After 18 months, the level of contamination can be as high as three percent. And after several years of service, it is not unusual to find brake fluid that contains as much as seven to eight percent water.

An NHTSA survey found that the brake fluid in 20% of 1,720 vehicles sampled contained 5% or more water! As the concentration of moisture increases, it causes a sharp drop in the fluid’s boiling temperature. Brand new DOT 3 brake fluid must have a dry (no moisture) boiling point of at least 401 degrees F, and a wet (moisture-saturated) boiling point of no less than 284 degrees. Most new DOT 3 fluids exceed these requirements and have a dry boiling point that ranges from 460 degrees up to over 500 degrees. Only one percent water in the fluid can lower the boiling point of a typical DOT 3 fluid to 369 degrees. Two percent water can push the boiling point down to around 320 degrees, and three percent will take it all the way down to 293 degrees, which is getting dangerously close to the mini-mum DOT and OEM requirements.

Dave’s Brake Fluid article will continue in the April Issue


Please email all inquiries to: Dave
or snail mail
32 Turkey Hill Road
Richmond VT 05477

ZDDP engine oil

Are you aware of the non ZDDP engine oil currently on the market, and the potential consequences for the older car market? The EPA has forced the reduction or elimination of ZDDP (Zinc Dialkyl-Dithio-Phosphate) from engine oil. ZDDP is curtail for the proper lubrication of flat tappet camshaft engines. Not a problem on modern engines with roller type cam and tappets, but older engines with flat tappets need this layer of protection due to the high pressure and “scuffing” on the tappet. The reduction of these chemicals in supplied oil was based on the fact that zinc, manganese and/or phosphates reduce the effectiveness and eventually damage catalytic converters and introduce minute amounts of pollutants into our atmosphere. In the past there have been horror stories that have scared old car enthusiasts into believing our beloved cars were being destroyed before our very eyes. Remember when we were told that unleaded gas would destroy our valves? It didn’t. It is an undeniable fact that todays engine oil is vastly superior to oils from even several decades ago, and modern type oil has successfully protected engines for hundreds of thousands of trouble free miles. However, the newest engine oils do not have the ZDDP needed for proper tappet and camshaft protection. While they work very well in modern engines, there is a problem with the older, flat tappet engines. In my opinion, there is just too much undeniable science and hard evidence to tell me that this one is one we need to be concerned about. This problem can be easily and inexpensively solved. If nothing else, you can make a choice to buy inexpensive piece of mind with your selection before you pour it in to your crankcase. What can we do? Diesel engine oil still has the ZDDP additives, as do several other oils, including Castrol HD off road, Redline (synthetic) or Valvoline VR1. I have been using Shell Rotella for years with no complaints. We use to use Castrol 20/50 in the MG and Triumph engines, but now use Rotella. It seems to be the oil of choice for the Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel crowd. These are the people who hop their trucks with larger turbo chargers and performance chips, then use their trucks to haul heavy trailers across the country and back. They are man-aging to easily put over a million trouble free miles on these engines. That is enough proof for me that this oil has proven its worth. Still want to use your favorite oil? Use General Motors (Chevrolet): EOS, their oil fortifier. Add it to your oil, it’s only about $12.00 for each oil change for an 8 ounce can. GM has been aware of this problem for years, and is pushing this product for their older, flat tappet engines. Read the label of the oil you are using, and make sure it states that it still contains the ZDDP additives our older flat tappet engines need. Want further information? There is plenty of it on the web. If you are concerned about this issue (as I feel you should be) then it would be worth your while to do some investigating on the internet. During the February meeting at Vermont Engines we should ask the boys there for their thoughts and observations on this subject.

I received this tip from Rick Reinstein. It is called the “Redi-Rad:” This device allows you to play an mp-3 or Ipod player through an AM radio!! How neat is that? Now we can listen to our tunes as we drive our antique cars with virtually no modification. The unit plugs in between the antenna plug and jack on the radio. It is available from BCE Redi-Rad Store, PO Box 180095, Delafield, WI 53018 USA Telephone #(262)-646-3363 http://www.rediscoveradio.com

Rick also asked this question:

Hi Dave, “Do you know if anyone sells a gas tank drain petcock? That would make annual draining of our crappy ethanol gas much easier prior to storage”

In “the old days” we used to fill our tank with gasoline and add a fuel stabilizer for winter storage. In the spring we would dump a can of dry gas in the tank (creating ethanol) to remove any moisture, turn the key and be on our way. Now that we have modern ethanol, draining the gas tank is another option. I know there are petcocks for motorcycle gas tanks and on diesel filters. I found no specific application for such a part for an automobile gas tank, but that does not mean there is no such product available. I will continue to look and post any findings here. Siphoning is also an option. If you do drain the tank, I would leave the gas cap off for the winter and place a sock or something over the inlet of the tank to allow moisture to vent, but also prevent anything else from going in the tank. Remember, Ethanol will dissolve older rubber hoses and components. It is possible that the ethanol can destroy part of your fuel system, and the gas can spill out due to gravity. It happened to me last year with my snow blower. The fuel line was weeping gas on to the floor. I discovered it when I smelled gas in the house and found a puddle of gas on the garage floor. When I fixed it, I found a black tarry like goop in the carburetor. If you store your car with a full tank, there is potential for a lot of gasoline to spill out. That could potentially ruin your day (or vehicle, garage, house, etc.) Something else to watch for. Keep those questions coming, send them to dasander@aol.com and I will do my best to track down the correct answers to your questions.


Please email all inquiries to: Dave
or snail mail
32 Turkey Hill Road
Richmond VT 05477