Home Remedies
In the U.S., at least during the 1930's through much of the 1950s, money was a scarce commodity. Times were tough for most Americans. For many, paying someone to work on their truck or car was not an option. If you owned a vehicle, you or a close friend often became the mechanic.
Out of necessity, home remedies were invented using everyday household equipment. We hope you will find it interesting to see some of the repair techniques used by your grandparents during a different economic time.
- Rubber Cushion Protects Spark Plugs
- Twisted Drill
- Economy Overloads
- Hood Silencers mage from Rubber Erasers
- Heavy Stud Bolts Removed with Lathe Dog and Lever
- Plumbers Friend Removes Headlamp Lenses
- Roller Skate Aids in Changing Heavy Tires
- Hand Pump Tests Automatic Spark Adjustment
- Curtain Rod Guage Measures Wheel Toe-In
- Brake Bleeding
- Running Cool
- Battery Cables
- Bad Globe Sockets
- Accesory Wiring Hint
- Self Oil Check
- Timing Light Tip
- Silicone Rubber Gaskets (from a tube) The Radiator Repair Shops Friend
- Greasing
- Quick Oil Filter Check
- Help with Mirrors
- Wooden Blocks
- Points / Relay
- Removing Rivets
- Static Electricity
- Protect Chrome
- Sheilding End of Starter Cable to Prevent Short Circuits
- Repair Tubeless Tires
- Steering Ball Joints
- Head Gasket Leaks
- Side View Mirrors
- Valve Spring Test
- Fuel Line Blockage
- Compressing Valve Springs
- Coil Testing
- Rattling Gear Lever
Rubber Cushion Protects Spark Plugs
Because socket type spark plug wrenches sometimes break the porcelain around the plug as they are slipped on or off, cut a short piece of rubber hose to fit snugly inside the wrench. Forced into the tool so that it clears the lower shank that grips the base ofthe plug, the rubber hose within the hollow tool acts as a cushion to protect the plug's porcelain insulator from accidental breakage.
Twisted Drills
We have all heard of the expression, You get what you pay for. This is a drill from an attractive set from one of those cheap stores that sell all Chinese stuff. The picture is worth a thousand words. A $5 drill is usually better than a $5 set of drills.
Economy Overloads
Russell Webb of Bombala, NSW, is working on a 1950-51 International AL-110. He thought we would like to see how a previous owner solved his rear spring overload problems. Now there is a good use for old tires..
Hood Silencers Made From Rubber Erasers
Hood lacing that mats down and becomes hard with age often allows the hood to rub the body and cause annoying squeaks. Ordinary pencil erasers, notched as shown above and slipped under the lacing, will silence the noise. Pressure of the lacing is usually strong enough to keep the rubber silencers in place.
Heavy Stud Bolts Removed With Lathe Dog And Lever
Machinists sometimes find stud bolts set so firmly that the ordinary wrenches and devices for removing them are insufficient. Under these conditions, a simple method is to attach a heavy lathe dog to the bolt, as shown, and apply an iron bar as a lever. Tremendous force can be applied in the way, and the bolt easily removed. By reversing the pull, the bolt can be set very firmly.
Plumber's Friend Removes Headlamp Lenses
Headlight lenses on cars can be removed easily and with little danger of breaking them with the aid of a plumber's friend, or force cup, generally employed for cleaning drains. After the vacuum cup has been pressed against the lens, the headlamp screw is removed and the lens lifted out.
Roller Skate Aids In Changing Heaving Tires
To lighten the task of changing a heavy tire, one truck driver carries an ordinary roller skate (or a skate board) in his tool kit and uses it as shown. The skate supports the weight of the tire leaving him free to slide the spare wheel in place. This can also be used when changing tires on a car. It makes it easier to manage a heavy wheel.
Hand Pump Tests Automatic Spark Adjustment
To provide suction for checking the adjustment of an automatic, vacuum operated spark advance on the distributor of a car, an ordinary tire pump can be used. Remove the ball, check valve from the base of the pump and reverse the position of the leather washer. Then when the handle is drawn upward, air will be sucked into the pump hose, creating a vacuum.
Curtain Rod Gauge Measures Wheel Toe-In
A curtain rod of the telescoping type can be used to gauge the toe-in of an automobile's front wheels. After straightening out the tips as shown in the drawing, adjust the rod to fit snugly between the inner rims of the two wheels at their front edges. By making the rod at the joint and repeating the process at the rear edges of the rims, you can accurately determine the amount of toe-in
Brake Bleeding
Bleeding hydraulic brakes will be easy if you make yourself this rig. You will need a spare cap for the master cylinder. Solder a piece of 1/4 inch tubing into the hole drilled through the cap.
Running Cool
Gearbox and back axle will run cooler and give longer life if you clean the mud and grime off at regular intervals. Steam cleaning and painting is best, a going over at home with solvent, kerosene, or degreaser is okay also. The reason, mud and dirt acts as an insulator, keeping the heat inside.
Battery Cables
A 6 volt battery cable on a 12 volt car is okay, but be careful if you are putting a 12 volt cable on a 6 volt car. The diameter may be smaller and cause power losses in the lower voltage system. The reason is that the 12 volt cables carry less amperage for the same power output.
Bad Globe Sockets
Dirty corroded sockets in tail lights, small parking lights and older type headlights can be cleaned with the end of a battery terminal brush rotated inside the socket. Turn the power off first. Any other brush of similar size will do.
Accessory Wiring Hint
How to use a ballpoint pen to pull wire through a body panel.
Check the oil yourself
Keep your oil pouring spout clean and ready to use by storing it in a plastic bag. Besides keeping dust and insects out of the spout, the bag will collect oil drippings, preventing a mess in the garage.
Timing Light Tip
Hook up a timing light quickly with a bent cotter pin. One leg of the pin slips into the distributor caps #1 sparkplug socket, the timing light cable clamps on the other. The distributor is often easier to reach than the plug.
Silicone Rubber Gaskets (From a tube) The radiator repair shops friend
This tip came from a radiator repairer who told us one of the most frequent causes of radiator tube blockage is the excessive use of silicone rubber for water pump and thermostat gaskets. The overflow or excess to the inside cannot be cleaned and eventually some of this will break free with the water flow and carry on into the radiator, in many cases lodging in the tubes and blocking them. Silicone rubber will not dislodge or dissolve once in the radiator and dismantling it is the only way of removing the silicone rubber from a blocked tube. Remedy, use proper gaskets with a good recommended gasket cement. The same can also apply where there is oil under pressure. Again use recommended gaskets and go easy on the silicone rubber in a tube.
Greasing
Greasing truck shackles, in particular rear shackle pins that take weight and dust constantly. When no grease will flow, jack up the chassis to relieve the weight of the shackle pin, at the same time as greasing, tap the spring or shackle pin with a hammer. If that fails apply heat (oxy acetylene) directly on the blocked area, not too long or too hot, but enough heat to melt the dust and grease which is set hard, at the same time pump in grease. This method is not suitable on all grease points, especially ball joints that sit on nylon seats. What is nearly impossible to grease are the HQ style Holden steering crossover drag link ball joints. Any ideas on this as you cannot now buy a new drag link to overcome this fault?
Quick Oil Filter Check
To check an oil filter quickly, feel the temperature of its housing after warming the engine. If the housing feels substantially cooler than the oil pan, the cartridge is dirty and oil is by passing it. Change it as soon as possible.
Help with Mirrors
To help you see beneath the manifolds when installing plugs in new V8's, fasten an old rearview mirror to a husky magnet. Place it on the frame with the mirror aimed at the plug openings and you can work without feeling your way.
Wooden Blocks
A pair of rounded wood blocks anchored to a sloping driveway will keep a car from rolling away. The blocks should be gently rounded so they are easy to run over, yet at the same time just steep enough to hold the car when it is parked.
Points on the Relay
The points on the relay switch in the circuit breaker between the generator and battery often become roughened and stick together when the motor stops. This causes a reverse flow of electricity from battery to generator, resulting in a dead battery. Filling these points usually will eliminate bothersome sticking.
Removing Rivets
In removing rivets by center punching and drilling, the drill sometimes works off center, thus spoiling the rivet hole. A jig like the one shown will guide the drill true, as well as eliminate the need for center punching the rivet. It is made by welding two lengths of round stock of suitable size at right angles, one to be used as a handle and the other, of slightly larger diameter, to be used as the guide. The latter is drilled to size, a chip clearance hole is made near the lower end, and the bottom edge is countersunk to fit over a rivet head in sealing the guide.
Static Electricity
If static electricity gives you a jolt each time you touch chrome door or window handles, apply a coat of thinned white shellac over the metal. The shellac will act as insulation and, incidentally, will protect the metal handles and keep them bright. However, in today's world, to solve this static electricity build up, you can buy very good clear lacquers in pressure pack cans. Remove the offending chrome handles and treat accordingly or fit an earth strap.
Protect Chrome
Studebaker recommends a mixture in the ratio of 1/4 pound of beeswax to 1 quart of turpentine as very effective in protecting chromium plated parts against salt air and other conditions which have a detrimental effect on these parts. This protection is particularly recommended for cars in storage. It has been found that even after the car is taken from storage and the protective coating removed, some of it remains on the chromium and provides continued protection. March 15, 1935. After wax has been applied to a car and is ready for polishing, you will get a brilliant shine if you dip the cloth lightly in a container of corn flour. This is a tip from old time car detailers.
Shielding Starter Cables to Prevent Short Circuits
Instead of tying up the starter cable to keep it from shorting against the motor or other metal parts of the car, when it is removed to repair the starter, just slip a short piece of rubber hose or tubing over the terminal end. Then you can let the end of the cable drop without any possibility of running down the battery.
Tubless Tire Repair
Repair your own tubeless tires? You can seat the beads against the wheel rim so they'll hold air by applying a rope tourniquet around the tire. When partial inflation expands the tire, remove the rope and inflate to recommended pressure
Steering Ball Joints and Greasing
Older type steering usually have a number of ball joints similar to those illustrated. They must be regularly greased and adjusted or they will wear to the point that the ball will slip out of the spring tensioned cups. Once this happens you will have either part steering or no steering at all
Head Gasket Leaks
A head gasket leak can be checked for leakage by adding a couple of teaspoonfuls of washing blue to a cup of anti freeze and pouring the mixture into the radiator. Tie a cloth over the tail pipe and run the engine. If there's a leak the blue will stain the fabric. The anti freeze will help to locate the leak
Side View Mirror Longevity
Side view mirrors last longer if a thin line of clear lacquer is painted around the edge of the glass where it meets the metal. This keeps moisture from getting behind the glass and also helps prevent the mirror from loosening and rattling. You can also use clear nail polish varnish.
Valve Spring Test
Valve quick spring test. To ensure valve springs in use are of the correct strength and have not weakened with age, they should be checked against a new one. The two springs should be placed in a vice as shown. If the used spring compresses before the new one starts to it has lost its strength and should be replaced by a new one
Fuel Line Blockage
Air pressure to clear fuel line blockage. This is an old mechanic trick of attaching a tube valve to half a rubber ball as seen in the illustration. Cut the ball to suit the fuel filter neck. Disconnect the line at the fuel pump so you don't clog internal filters in the pump or carburetor. Don't apply too much pressure as you may damage the tank
Compressing Valve Springs
This is a custom made tool for the compression of valve springs so that the push rod can be easily removed, each application will vary. The illustration should give you an idea on how the system works
Coil Testing
Wiring procedure for temporarily attaching a coil to test an older one
Rattling Gear Lever
A rattling gear lever can be quietened by slipping on a rubber sleeve. A handy sort is the sleeve of a bath tub sprayer that fixes on to a ordinary tap
The above repair remedies are from Restored Cars. This excellent bi-monthly Australian magazine features special cars and trucks of earlier years. They can be contacted by calling 011-61-3-5476-2592.