So Stuart, don't you think the american car collector has the same issues with
their 30 ... 40 ...
50 ... 60 year old iron?
Larry Hoy
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net]On
>Behalf Of Stuart MacMillan
>Sent: Friday, November 10, 2000 2:33 PM
>To: Dodd, Kelvin
>Cc: 'mgs@autox.team.net'
>Subject: Re: wheel bearings
>
>
>What I should have said was "British car part metallurgy". I didn't
>mean impugn the ability of the British metallurgist, just the
>manufacturer's execution in the case of some of our engines and heads in
>particular, probably due to some of those shortages you mention, or at
>least to variable quality control. U.S. manufacturers were no better
>then in this regard.
>
>I guess I've had too many experiences with cracked heads, pulled studs,
>fractured bearing caps, spalled cylinder walls, broken cranks and cams,
>and casting defects with LBCs over the years.
>
>"Dodd, Kelvin" wrote:
>>
>> > Also, British metallurgy of the '50s and '60s was not all that great,
>> > and that was reflected in the quality of their bearings as well. This
>> > is apparently why the mechanic said to replace the factory bearings.
>>
>> Stuart:
>>
>> I'm not sure if this is the controversy that you intended.
>>
>> Would you care to qualify that last statement? My father was a
>> research Metallurgist in the UK until he moved to the US in 1972. He is
>> still working (semi-retired) teaching U.S. manufacturers techniques that
>> were common practice in UK industry in the 50s and 60s.
>> British and European metallurgical research, was driven by shortages
>> of raw materials. During the times when the US was able to squander
>> resources in a bigger is better market. Europe was learning how to get the
>> most from every material resource. Gray and White Iron casting techniques
>> and hardening reached a zenith during the 60s. Techniques that are now
>> being used to increase longevity and abrasion resistance of "modern" thin
>> wall castings.
>>
>> regards
>>
>> Kelvin.
>
>--
>Stuart MacMillan
>Seattle
>
>'84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
>'65 MGB (Driven since 1969)
>'74 MGB GT (Restoring)
>
>Assisting on Restoration:
>'72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
>'64 MGB (Son's)
>
>Parts cars:
>'68 & '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT
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