Well, I don't think this one made it out last week...
1) Sheared studs- EDM is one of the best ways to go. It uses a brass
electrode, (any piece of brass- ie a rod, or peice of sheet, shaped to
what you want to cut) and while slow, is pretty accurate.
My friend with the machine shop has a stationary unit, and it can cut
some pretty hard stuff. You can "bore" out a tap or stud , and not touch
the threads, leaving only a "ribbon" of threads to be peeled away. The
stationary unit is big enough to fit a head into. There are some outfits
in city-type areas that offer portable "tap removal". Check the yellow
pages, ask a couple of good machine shops. Better to pay the $$ to have it
done right, than mung the head.
2) Stuck clutches- If your car is stored where there is any moisture, there is
potential for the clutch disk to become stuck to the flywheel,
or the pressure plate. One way to avoid this would be to block
the clutch pedal, (mechanical linkage) or the release arm (hydraulic
systems don't really like being left pressurized). The problem
here is that you are now leaving the pressure plate springs under
compression. Anyone got evidence as to which is worse?
To unstick a frozen clutch, (or pilot shaft), if you're lucky:
-Start the car, in neutral. Warm it up. Make sure you have a good,
well charged battery. The car needs to be able to start easily.
-Shut down. Put it in 1st gear. Start it up. Floor the clutch, and
point for a flat field, or empty road.
-Alternatly, hit the gas hard, break hard, leaving your foot on the
clutch. Continue until it frees!
I've had to perform this service a couple of times, what fun! (Be careful)
Each time, we got to add to the excitement, due to weak batteries. This
required a running jumper cable attendant, to disconnect the leads just
before the car got too far. :-O
3) Another Castrol vs. Silicone brake fluid comment: If you have only
drum brakes, (early A's, Spridgets, other older cars) you should be less
prone to brake fluid heating/bubbling, than if you have disks. (calipers
seat directly against the hot pads, where a cylinder only pushes against
the edges of the shoes) Therefore, you should be able to use silicone
with no problems. (an autocross car might be an exception- Anyone
autocross a car with 4 wheel drum brakes?)
________
/___ _ \ Roger Garnett (garnett@tcgould.TN.CORNELL.EDU)
/| || \ \ Agricultural Economics | The All New:
| |___|| _ | 3 Warren Hall | South Lansing Centre For
| | \ | | | Cornell University | Wayward Sports Cars
\| \ |__/ / Ithaca, N.Y. 14853 | (607) 533-7735
\________/ (607) 255-2522 | SAFETY FAST!
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