Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[62rebel]

being of impecunious situation yet desirous of old autos, i have developed what i call the "poor john" system of auto restoration. i endeavour to NEVER buy what i can salvage; convert what i have into what i need; and barter as much as possible instead of spending cash money. i find that, in most cases, i am able to restore failed parts or find equivalents and clean, refurbish, and use them. i feel more closely connected to my cars than if i had simply replaced every little bit with new (and very often not as good!) parts when good used were at hand. given that; brakes and steering are not included in these instances! i ALWAYS upgrade braking whenever possible; no sense in getting a car to GO if it won't STOP.
soooo..... what do you fellers call "poor john" motoring over there, and how many of you are in my little club?

[Uncle Joe]

I always thought that this was the normal way to restore classic cars....

One thing I have seen a lot of with this approach though, that does annoy me a little are the people that either omit nuts and bolts, or mix in metrics...

UJ

[62rebel]

well; if it's normal for you, then it's fine by me! matter of fact, i'm right now in the middle of building exhaust for my 59... using what i got on hand. as long as it doesn't leak and doesn't drag on the ground!

[Uncle Joe]

Exhaust systems are one of the things that are bugging me at present. I've never really liked welding exhausts up from bits and pieces, and have therefore been looking for suitable bending tools for ages, but can I find something?

UJ

[Rick]

I think one of the most miserable jobs I've ever done was making up an exhaust from odd bits of metal and tubing for a Spitfire years ago. It even had the flat, four-outlet, trim on the back from a V12 E Type, it sounded nice but hung too close to the road so didn't last long

RJ
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[Uncle Joe]

Rick, you just reminded me of the exhaust on my old Caddy, that was original, but still got knocked off regularly...

Why do you think I prefer Lincolns today?

(sorry 62reb, but before I became sensible(!) I did own a GM)

UJ

[62rebel]

cut and fit, weld and cuss; it's possible but ya gotta believe! i was quoted a gosh-awful price for this job and so far i'm about 75 dollars US into it and need only a strap hanger and a 2ft extension pipe to call it done. i do not have any trouble paying a fair price for a fair job but that's a rare commodity these days. i'd rather do it meself and know the bugger was daft what done it!

[Uncle Joe]

Exhausts are a good way of learning to weld though...

UJ

[62rebel]

that and floorpans! oh the fluxcore wire i've burned.... it's amazing that .030inch wire can form a 1/4-3/8" bead.... oooh is something burning?

[Uncle Joe]

One of the bad things about welding anything here is that we cant get hold of 0.6mm Super Arc L-56.... wonderful stuff

UJ

[62rebel]

for why? is it not carried, or is it prohibited because of some content? for years i've wondered why we didn't have waxoyl here.... or steak and kidney pies for that matter. y'know; i might convert the Cambridge to RHD and emigrate TO the UK.....need any VW parts specialists over there?

[Uncle Joe]

No, its not prohibited. According to the european importer 'there no call for that quality (european SG-6) 0.6mm in Europe' The mind boggles!!!!!

Theres a call for VW parts specialists here in Sweden.....

UJ

[62rebel]

SO.. if there's no need for that quality, nobody feels tempted to fill it? geez. talk about bean counters.
i suppose i'd be required to speak Swedish.... unfortunately i'm English only with a little Francais and Deutsche for flavour. of course, nobody understands parts countermen anyway!

[Uncle Joe]

62reb, if you want to learn swedish, you could always take a trip to Minnesota....otherwise there are courses here, and if I can learn, anyone can.....

UJ

[62rebel]

so the whole endeavour of trying to get the World to speak English has been given up? that's what happens when Liberals run things! we're having a devil of a time over here with the same issue, LOL! so... if you're in Sweden, what kind of regs on old cars affect you there? i know that the EC (correct?) is a major PITA for mainland British enthusiasts. Germany is definitely unfriendly to old cars i've heard. is it so for the Northlands also?