AVCMC Fanmail
March 2017

From The Driver's Seat

By Joe Janssens

The Ladies Nights are becoming increasingly popular, at the last evening we ran out of chairs. Let's keep it up.

A big thank you goes to Ron Gush for organizing and part sponsoring the new club’s name badges and to Shirley Martin for re-ordering the club’s car badges.

The Fun Run, organized by Rob Wallis and George Armstrong, followed by a braai was great fun. I was pleased to see some new blood interested in participating in rallies.

Rob Wallis is planning an imminent introductory session on rally navigation. Watch this space.

A great welcome to our new member Steven J. Harris.

Cheers
Joe

Condolences

Our deepest sympathies are with Charles and Myrna Pellew and their family. Their son-in-law Richard Burden was tragically killed in a cycling accident in Australia on 17 February. They have flown to Brisbane to be with their daughter and her family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time.

Through The Windscreen

(This is what lies ahead)

For Your Diary

Thursday 9 March - 5 to 8pm - Motoring DVD at the Noggin

Thursday 16 March - 5 to 8pm - No Supper night
There will be a noggin only - come to the OD Inggs braai tomorrow - 17 March

Friday 17 March - 5 to 8pm - Welcome to the OD Inggs
Bring and Braai at the club house. Bring your own alcohol.
Light refreshments will be provided as usual.

18 to 19 March - OD Inggs rally
Application forms and other documents can be downloaded from the website
Scrutineering from 8 to 9am at Rosehill Mall parking area and first car away at 09h30

Peter Viner has kindly offered to write up the story. Please smile for his camera and offer him any interesting stories!

Saturday 25 March - 9 to 12 noon - AVCMC Museum

Saturday 1 April - Bathurst Show
We usually display our old cars. Details to follow by sms

Sunday 23 April - Motor Gymkhana at Manley's Flats
Watch this space. Sure to be fun

Saturday 20 May - Bathurst Vintage Fair
Rob Wicks is a collector of Vintage / Classic, Motocross and Enduro Bikes in Hogsback. He is planning a get together at the Bathurst Showgrounds track.  Entrance will be free to people who arrive in the period costume of their car / bike, otherwise a small entrance fee is envisaged to cover costs. A fun outing even if you go in your modern chariot.

Sunday 28 May - Bowls and Croquet
Details to be advised. Diarise the date

11 to 15 June - Milligan rally
To be held in the George area

METAL AVCMC BUMPER BADGES

We have a limited number of Club bumper badges and these can be yours for a mere R200 per badge from Shirley Martin. Phone her on 071 675 4570 and don't forget to pay!

Birthday Congratulations

March

21  Mike Knight
28  Koela Coetzer

Kowie Brake & Clutch

Kowie Brake and Clutch still caters for all your braking, hydraulic and clutch requirements.
We now also have an engineering workshop in which we can manufacture a range of to spec items. We also build trailers, bowling green polishers and cricket pitch rollers.
For these latest products visit www.facebook.com/protearollers
Contact us on: 046 636 1156 kowiebrake@telkomsa.net

Club Name Badges

The badges have arrived and we handed them out to those present on Sunday after the fun run. If you have not got yours, please collect from Peter Viner who is usually at the Thursday noggins. You can contact him to arrange collection on 046 624 3552 or 082 831 5769

If anyone missed the boat, you can place your order through me on 083 272 1961 - send sms or WhatsApp with the exact spelling required. Pay R40 / badge to the Club account. Next order goes in shortly after this newsletter goes out.
(I already have orders for Steven, Bakkes and Dienie)

The Dashboard

(This is going on right now)

Welcome to a New Member

Welcome to Bakkes Muller who currently lives in Humansdorp with his wife Dienie. We understand that they are planning to move to Port Alfred to take up a business appointment and we wish them all of the best in that venture and into our club. They own 2 Merc 220S one of which is in fair condition and the other is a non-runner. We look forward to meeting you both and your cars

On The Lighter Side

An attractive young woman on a flight from Ireland asked the priest beside her, 'Father, may I ask a favour?'
'Of course child. What can I do for you?'
'I bought my mother an expensive hair dryer for her birthday. It is unopened but well over the customs limit and I'm afraid they'll confiscate it. Is there any way you could carry it
through customs for me? Could you possibly hide it under your robes for me?'
'I would love to help you my dear but, I must warn you, I will not tell a lie.'
'With your honest face, Father, I'm sure that no one will question you.'
When they got to customs, she let the priest go first.
The official asked, 'Father, do you have anything to declare?'
'From the top of my head down to my waist I have nothing to declare.'
The official thought this answer a little strange, so he asked, 'And what do you have to declare from your waist to the floor?'
'I have a marvelous instrument that has been designed for use on women, but which, to date, remains unused.' 
With a smile, the official said, 'Go ahead, Father. Next please!’

Inspirational

Seen on a poster somewhere: 
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone

Does Anybody Know Who Donated This Vintage Bar Optic? Pictured below.

It is on the display cabinet in the clubhouse.
We have an offer to purchase the optic from Roger Darkes's son-in-law. He has 2 and would like a 3rd and is offering R100 for this one. 

If you know who donated it, please contact Roger directly. Failing that the Committee will consider selling it. It is after all not really a motoring related item - unless we are regarded as a drinking club with an old car problem.....                                      2/3

The Rear View Mirror

(Past Events)

Fun Run To Brush Up Your Rally Skills

by Ron Gush

Sunday 26 Feb dawned a perfect day to take the old girl out for a fun run. Yes, and the old car too. Ouch! Ouch! Just got my shins kicked!

Nine old cars assembled at Rosehill Mall parking area. Drivers and navigators were given route schedules - and told to get on with it. i.e. the pre-briefing was suitably short. Off we went at about 1 minute intervals to Alexandria, turned right towards Salem, U turn at the end of the tar and back to TamJazi for coffee and muffins. Rallied back to Port Alfred amid some confusion about side roads, or something. The point of the run was to exercise our rally skills, not to win. Actually Joe and Paulette did win although Roger still thinks he has the faster car.....

If we learned something from the day, then we were all winners. I heard that some members are reluctant to enter the OD Inggs as they are uncertain how to navigate. To this end Rob is planning to hold a session with some of our experienced navigators giving a talk / discussion. But let me add that you can have a lot of fun on these rallies navigating by the seat of your pants. Listen to your car and your navigator. You arrive at known clues either early or late and you slow down or stop or speed up. Read the article in last month's Fanmail by Norbert Drager. Pam and I calculate furiously but we are coming to the conclusion that we overthink the whole thing. Go out there and have fun!

Many thanks to Rob Wallis and George Armstrong for organising another fun day

Dave and Mike trying to decide where to go...

Three wise men: George, Peter and Rob

Richard and Bob preparing to go

Roger, Alf, Sue and Mercia

Bill and Shirley at the start

Car Wanted

Member Hennie Van Der Merwe is looking for a a 1927/28 Dodge/Chev/Buick.
Preferably renovated but any condition negotiable.
Please contact him on 012 371 2019 or 082 376 1615                                  2/3

Visit to the 21st George Old Car Show

by Ron Gush

We motored down on Thursday, meeting Pam's brother Philip and his wife Shirley at Plettenberg Bay for lunch and then on to Knysna River Club where we spent the few days. Later that afternoon Dave and Delene Hawkins arrived to stay at the same complex, on their way to the show.

Friday we popped in at Bodge Engineering hoping that he might be able to help me with my Spitfire diff problem.  He was interested but unable to help. Across the road we looked around Norman Frosts offerings - cheque book firmly buttoned down in my pocket. When we had chatted and looked around a bit, Norman suggested that we join a tour around the Parnell Bruce Museum, Guided by Brian himself. What a beautiful collection of cars! And Bruce was a mine of information on every car.

Saturday we set off for George. Masses of cars outside foretold of the teeming throng to be found inside. It must have been a bumper day with food sellers saying they had never been so busy. 

As usual there were lots of very interesting cars, bikes, tractors and more on show. We also met lots of interesting old friends. Altogether a very pleasant day.

Just one of the beauties on the drive past

The driver of this Model T pick-up was apologetic about the mud - he had driven the vehicle up from Paarl. It took 2 days. That is really champion! Many other vehicles of half this ones age were trailered. Tsk! Tsk! Note the umbrella. It was drizzling

Good to see Len Ward from Cape Town with his Austin Seven Nippy

Our very own Chairman Joe and his charming wife Paulette were there

Also there (seen in the distance or spoken to) but not caught on camera were: Dave and Delene Hawkins who motorcycled from PA, John Pringle who drove past in his Citroen, Hannes Geyer, Peter Fulton, Neville and Sue Koch, Ignus and Marie Buchner, and Harold Heunis

In The Boot

(Useful Baggage and Tools for the trip)

Letter to the Editor

Hi Ron,
Balancing wire wheels is a well known hassle but the following may be of interest to some of our members.

I recently had reason to buy four new tyres for my MGB GT and told the guy in charge not to bother to balance because they couldn't do it. He said they'd give the wheels a go so nothing to lose I said go ahead, had one or more turned out to be out of balance I would have just flicked the weights off and hoped for the best.

Anyway I took the MG for a shortish run on the Bathurst road and back. Cruised at about 120kph - 130kph, which in overdrive top is comfortable RPM wise.

No vibration, shake or any other problem. Steering perfect. Maybe luck I don't know but I'm happy. The tyre place is on Albany Road just before the BP garage and Buddies. Called Continental, Best Drive, the owner is a guy by the name of Martin.

I haven't any shares in the place by the way !

Regards
Bob Duggan

(Thanks for this Bob. I will put it on our UID for future and other member reference. By the way, I think that Neville Koch is also able to balance wire wheels, in Grahamstown.  Ron)

Which Engines Have Timing Chains or Gear Trains instead of Timing Belts?

by Ron Gush

In my ignorance, and to my annoyance, I thought that most cars today had cam belts. Expensive to replace and more expensive when they break. Thanks to Google, I found this most interesting list of engines that do not have belts but have either chains or gears. Needless to say, any future car I consider will be from this list. The site is http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/chain-cam Here is the list, the names are UK but you can figure them out:

Alfa Romeo 159 and Brera 2.2 litre 4 cylinder and 3.0 litre V6 petrol engines.

Audi: 1.4TSI and 1.4TFSI (but from 2013, EA211 1.4TFSI ACT is belt cam), 1.6FSI petrol in A3, 1.8 non turbo petrol and TSI 160 in A4 B8, 2.0 litre 1,984cc 2-1PS EA888 TFSI in A3 and A4 B8, 2.7 and 3.0 V6 TDI, late V8s, 

BMW: All models since 1993 

Cadillac: All models

Chevrolet: Corvette, Epica 2.0 straight six petrol, Colorado pick up with I-TEQ engine, Spark 1.0 and 1.2, Colorado 2.5 and 3.0 diesels from 2007.

Chrysler: Neon, PT Cruiser, 4.0 straight six, 300C petrol and diesel.

Citroen: C1 1.0 petrol, C3 Picasso 1.6 petrol, C3 1.4 and 1.6 petrol from 2010 model year, C4 petrol from 2010 model year, DS3 1.6 petrol, DS4 1.6 petrol.

Dacia: Duster 1.6 petrol, Sandero and Sandero Stepway 0.9TCe 90, Logan MCV 0.9TCe 90.

Daewoo Musso 2.9 diesel.

Daihatsu: YRV and Terios, Copen 1.3, Sirion 1.3.

FIAT: 1.3 litre Multijet diesel, Sedici 1.6 petrol, 500 875cc TwinAir.

Ford: Ka and Fiesta pushrod 1.3, Ka and Fiesta ohc 1.3, Ka 1.6, C-Max and Focus 1.8 125ps, and 2.0 145ps, all Mondeo 2001 - 2006, all Mondeo V6s, Mondeo 2.0 litre 4 cylinder petrol engines from 2007 including SCTI 200 and 240, Galaxy 2.3 and V6, Transit 2.2 litre diesel from 2012, Ranger 2.2 litre and 3.2 litre diesels.

Honda: all Jazz, all 2006 Civic including 1.8i-VTEC, all 2.0 litre 4-cylinder from 2002, including CR-V, 2.2iCDTI diesel, 2.4 4-cylinder, 1.6iDTEC diesel, 2.2iDTEC diesel, 1.6iDTEC diesel.

Hyundai: i10 1.0 and 1.2, i20 1.2, 1.4 petrol and 1.4 diesel, ix20 1.4, 1.6 and 12.6 diesel; i30 1.4 and 1.6 petrol, 1.6 diesel, ix35 1.7 diesel, 2.0 diesel, i800 2.5 diesel, Santa Fe 2.2 diesel (from January 2010); Grandeur 3.3V6 petrol.

Isuzu: 2007 twin-cam 2.5 and 3.0 I-TEQ diesel in D-Max and Rodeo pick-ups.

Jaguar: all models, including X-Type 2.0 litre and 2.2 litre diesels, but excluding 2.7V6 diesel and 3.0V6 diesel and 2.2 litre 4-cylinder diesel fitted to XF.

Jeep Compass 2.2 diesel from 2011 (Mercedes diesel engine); all 3.0 V6 diesels (Mercedes or VM Motori).

KIA: 1.1 3 cylinder diesel in Rio from 2011, 1.4 petrol in Rio from 2011, 1.0 and 1.2 petrol engines in Picanto from 2011, all 1.5 diesels in Cerato and 2005-2011 Rio; 2.5 diesel in 2003-2009 Sorento and Sedona; Ce'ed 1.4 and 1.6 petrol, 1.6 diesel; 1.4 petrol, 1.6 petrol and 1.4 diesel in Venga; all engines in Optima, including 1.7 diesel; 1.6 GDI, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.2 R Type diesels in Sportage, Sorento from 2010 and Sedona from 2010.

LandRover 2.2 litre Ford Transit diesel from 2012.

Lexus: IS250 V6, IS220 diesel.

Mazda: all 2008 model Mazda 2 except diesel, all Mazda 3 except diesel, Mazda MX5 1.8 and 2.0 from 2005, Mazda 5 except diesel, all 2002 - 2008 Mazda 6 except diesel, all 2009 model Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 except diesel, Mazda 2.2 diesel. All Mazda Skyactiv 2.0 petrol and 2.2 diesel engines.

Mercedes: all models including A Class, but excluding 2012 model A Class 1,461cc diesel and Citan van with Renault 1,461cc diesel engine which are belt cam.

MINI: all models including 1.4 diesel, and 1.6 N47 diesel and 2.0 diesel from 2011, but not 2007-2010 1.6 diesel. Also all new MINI 1.2, 1.5 3-cylinder and 2.0 4-cylinder engines from 2014.

Mitsubishi: All Colts, petrol and diesel, Shogun and L200 2.8 and 3.2 diesels, ASX 1.8VVT diesel, 2.2 litre diesel manual in Mk II Overland.

Nissan: all Primera petrol, all recent Micra, Almera, Primera models (except Micra 1.5 diesel and older Primera 2.0 diesel), Qashqai 2.0 diesel, 2.0 petrol, X-Trail 2.2 diesel 2.0 petrol and 2.5 petrol and 2007 X-Trail 2.0 diesel, Note and Juke 1.4 and 1.6 petrol (not 1.5 diesel), Navara, Pathfinder and Murano 2.5 diesel, Navara and Pathfinder 3.0V6 diesel, 350Z, 370Z, 1.6 diesel in Qashqai from 2012, 1.6DIG-T petrol in Qashqai and X-Treail from 2015.

Peugeot: 107 1.0 1.0 litre petrol, 207 2007 MY 1.6 120PS and 150PS, 308 1.6 petrol.

Perodua: MYVI 1.3.

Renault: Twingo 0.9TCe 90 and 1.0; Clio 0.9TCe 90 petrol and 1.2TCe 115 petrol; Captur 1.2TCe 115 petrol, Scenic and Megane 1.2TCe 115 petrol and 1.4TCe 130 petrol, Scenic 2.0 diesel, Laguna 2.0 diesel, Laguna Coupe 2.0 diesel and 3.0V6 diesel, Renault 1.6DCI 130 diesel.

SAAB: all turbo petrol 4 cylinder engines and 2.2 diesel, but not 1,796cc 1.8i and not 1,910cc diesel.

SEAT: 1.2 litre 3-cylinder petrol engine, 1.2TSI and 1.4 litre TSI  4-cylinder up to 2012 when replaced by belt cam EA211, 1.6 litre FSI,1.8 litre TSI 160, 2.0 litre 1,984cc 2-1PS EA888 TFSI and Alhambra V6. 

SKODA: 1.2 litre 3-cylinder petrol engine, 1.6 litre FSI, 1.2TSI and 1.4 litre TSI  4-cylinder up to 2012 when replaced by belt cam EA211 (though some Yeti 1.2TSIs remained chain cam up to 2015), 1.8 litre TSI 160, 2.0 litre 1,984cc 2-1PS EA888 TFSI. 

Smart: All ForTwos; All ForFours, petrol and diesel. 

Subaru: flat-four 'Boxer' 2.0 litre diesel from 2008, Subaru H6 three litre petrol.

Suzuki: 1.0 litre (including BoosterJet), 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4T petrol engines, SX4 1.6 petrol, Grand Vitara 2.4 petrol.

Ssangyong Musso 2.9 diesel.

Toyota: Aygo 1.0 petrol; IQ 1.0 petrol, 1.4 diesel; all 1.0, 1.3, 1.5 VVTi and 1.4D-4D Yaris; 1.5 Prius; 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 Corolla VVTi petrol and 1.4 D-4D; 1.8 MR2; all Auris engines; 1.8, 2.0 and 2.4 Avensis and Verso VVTi petrol from 2003, Avensis 2.0 and 2.2 diesel only from July 2006; 2.0 RAV-4 VVTi petrol, 2.2 RAV-4 diesel from 2006; LandCruiser LC 4.0 V6 petrol.

Vauxhall: Agila 1.0 12v, 1.2 16v; 1.3CDTI, Corsa 1.0 12v, 1.2 16v; 1.4 1,364cc petrol and petrol turbo (fitted to Adam, Astra, Meriva, Zafira Tourer and Insignia); 1.3CDTI; DI 16v 1.7, 2.0 and 2.2 diesels; 2.2 petrol in Vectra and VX220, but not 2.2 petrol Omega; new 1.6CDTI from 2013; new 1.6 petrol from 2015; new 1.0 3-cylinder petrol from 2015.

VW: 1.2 litre 3-cylinder petrol engine, 1.2 litre and 1.4 litre FSI and TSI and TFSI up to 2012 when replaced by belt cam EA211, 1.6 litre FSI, 1.8 litre TSI 160, 2.0 litre 1,984cc 2-1PS EA888 TFSI from 2009, Golf VR5 and VR6, Sharan VR6, all Touareg, all Phaeton (later VW 2.5 5 cylinder diesels and 5.0 V10 diesels have gear train driven camshafts rather than belts or chains).

Useful Information Database

By Ron Gush

Are you aware of our UID? It is a list of suppliers of goods, services, expertise or information specifically useful to vintage and classic car enthusiasts and not normally or easily found in the Yellow Pages etc.

The info is sent in by our members or gleaned from reputable organisations such as SAVVA. It is stored in our web site for your convenience - next time you have a problem, and can't remember where you saw a solution, you might find some help in our UID or, of course, the SAVVA Technical Tips.

Go to our web site, rummage around and find the Articles page. Click on "Download UID" - it is only 2 pages.

The latest items are about balancing wire wheels and wire cutting of steel, and an article titled Buying a Car with No Papers

If you have some gem of info to impart, please let me know and we can share it with others.

Classic & Sports Car Insurance Placements
“We Drive Classic Cars”
We insure them with Great Care.
Approved Broker: Mercedes-Benz Club South Africa

Tel: 031 701 0226 l Cell: 082 781 4410

Email: pat@smythebros.com

A Division of Smythe Financial Services cc Authorised FSP No. 16054

Committee

Chairman:                                 Joe Janssens      083 235 1101               
Vice-Chairman and Events:      Rob Wallis           082 334 0354        
Secretary / Treasurer:               Shirley Martin      071 675 4570
Clubhouse Manager:                Peter Viner          046 624 3552 or 082 831 5769
Grahamstown Rep:                   Norbert Drager    046 622 6282 or 072 765 6448
Fanmail Editor:                          Ron Gush            046 648 3186 or 083 272 1961
Members:                                  Keith Schroeder  046 624 4114 or 082 412 3378
                                                  Roger Darkes      046 624 2874 or 082 373 8181

Other portfolio holders:
OD Inggs Co-ordinator:             George Armstrong 072 347 0924
SAVVA rep and Vehicle Dating: Des Hill               083 228 6774
assisted by:                                Dave Hawkins    046 624 2215 or 082 453 2618
Webmaster:                               John Austin-Williams (contact via Ron Gush for web content)

Tailpipe - Triumph Spitfire Diff

by Ron Gush

Some of you might know that I have been attempting to convert my Mk2 Spitfire 4.11:1 diff to 3.89:1. The diff was howling and it is a long story. There are well meaning folk, and some web sites, that will tell you that the parts are all interchangeable. There are three people in SA who will tell you that this is not the case. I am now one of them!

The Spitfire diffs all look identical and you can modify the housing (as I did) to take the different sized bearings. BUT when you put it all together you find that the new pinion needs to meet the new crown wheel at a slightly different angle. There is nothing you can do to fix that.

So, I am now looking for a diff housing stamped FH or FR underneath. These diffs are for the Mk4 and 1500 Spitfires with 3.89:1 or 3.63:1 ratios. I am told by a professional Triumph diff reconditioner in the UK that these ratios are interchangeable.

It has been a very interesting exercise and I have met the most fascinating people and technologies along the way. The saga is not yet over.

If you know anybody willing to part with an FH or FR diff, please let me know.

Our contact details are:
Email: club@avcmc.co.za
Website: www.avcmc.co.za
PO Box 2057, Port Alfred 6170
We are affiliated to SOUTH AFRICAN VETERAN & VINTAGE ASSOCIATION.

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Albany Vintage and Classic Motor Club · PO Box 291 · Kenton-on-Sea, EC 6191 · South Africa