If the old racing oil used in that engine was Castrol R, it was made from
real castor beans. It was organic and turned to something resembling pine
pitch if not removed quickly. We found way back then (30 years ago) that it
was impervious to most petroleum based solvents. The best way to get it off
was to soak the parts in "Easy-Off" oven cleaner. BTW, most everyone by
then had switched to the petroleum based racing oils which had become at
least as good as Castrol R and didn't have the gumming problems. The only
people that stayed with it were those that wanted the distinctive odor to
cover the smell of nitro or other illegal fuel additives. Al Cosentino
always used it in his Fiat Abarth 1000, whose exhaust made ones eyes water
until he got to the Runoffs where the scrutineers checked fuel! Of course,
Al's honesty was always above reproach (giggle).
Chris Gross
Ex-Mini Racer, Now Vintage Bugeye Driver
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