Harvey, (the Bassett) and I live in northern Michigan. When the snow gets too deep to run our vintage rides, we hide them away in a barn or garage till spring. For those of you that live in a no snow area, it's always a good thing to take stock of the vision you have for your precious ride. I'd say this off season is the time to do some of the jobs that will insure a trouble free summer cruising season. Or maybe it's the time to bring on that new ride.Harv and I have compiled an idea or work list of subjects that ought to be thrown at you all for consideration.
1. At the top of the list is.... a NEW RIDE!I'd say the off season is just another way of telling you it maybe the right time to search out that future Saturday night head turner. Times are tough, storage can be expensive. It's a buyers market. Heck, even at Barrett - Jackson I've seen some of the prices down.If you are already in the old car hobby? You know where to look for a future cool cruiser. Get out there and begin your search.
2. A REBUILD! Is your ride producing an oil spot on the garage floor? Or is it just not hookin' up or cruising the way it used to? Now is the time to begin the fixin' and or rebuildin' of the "Mill". It's just plain a good idea to have the mechanics close to perfect for the coming season.
3. CHECK & RE-PLACE things. I'm the one that would be replacing the U-joints every winter and doing a flush and fill on the rear end, the trans, and the radiator. I usually even flush and re-fill the power steering. This might be a time to give the belts, hoses, and clamps a careful inspection. Even if you don't drive it like you stole it. Besides, the parts suppliers and shops have more deals on their stuff during the off season. The machine shops are down some during the off racing season, too. A suggestion. I always take the time to make all of my drain plugs into a magnet. Then when I drain the oil or trans fluid (on cars that have a drain plug), I can look for metal shavings that may give me some warning that things may be a developing into a problem on the inside.
4. BRAKE FLUIDS are next. I like silicone brake fluid because it doesn't accept moisture. It is more expensive, but so is a brake failure. I do realize that many of you are happy with the correct DOT numbers of regular fluid. Be careful to know the one that will work with your ABS brakes or old school drum brakes. Just make it fresh. If you aren't able to do the bleeding out and replacing of the fluid of the whole system..... read on please. Here's what I've done and it isn't a complete flush, but its worth doing as opposed to nothing. Grab a turkey baster, remove the master cylinder cap, and suck out as much fluid as you can being CAREFUL to not get it so low that the system can suck any air. Pour in the fresh fluid, & replace the cover. Go press the brakes a few times to re-stir the old fluid with the fresh fluid. If you have power brakes you may have to start the car to do this more easily. You can re-do that as many times as you have the patience for, After a few times, the fluid will clearly look like much fresher fluid. Its not perfect, but it's better than it was .
5. More on FLUIDS. This is the time to drop the fuel tank and go get a can of that gas tank sealer( I like Bill Hirsch's stuff) that will forever prevent rust from forming inside the tank.Also, then you can paint the exterior of the tank with a no rust sealer type paint.
6. Next:..... WIRING ! Check out every light, maybe remove the bulbs, and wipe on some grease or Vaseline before you re-install them. Maybe, give a check to the plug wires to see if they have been getting too hot because they are close to your headers. If your car was re-wired or built from a kit? Be sure to wiggle the fittings at just about every place they are either bolted on to a gauge or pass through the dash and/ or firewall.
7. The next chore might be what I call "SERIOUS CLEANING & DETAILING !. And Yes. I do realize some of us are not as obsessive and compulsive as others. But please read on. I like to remove my bumpers and if they are original or not? I will clean the inside of them and maybe even gingerly wire brush or sand them. Then, I'll give them some kind of no rust paint or rattle can clear coat. This will keep any rust from forming on the inside of your ride's bumpers.. I also go to the trouble to replace every bumper to frame bolt with a grade 5 stainless steel one, including the nut and washer. This makes it really easy to remove at any time in the future.
8. Next is a variation of the above "SERIOUS CLEANING & FIXIN' II ! First, we'll cover the interior of your old car. The off season is a nice time to remove the carpet or rubber floor mat and use a no rust paint(miracle paint) on the floor pans and if you feel the need at that time? You can install some of that foil covered sound deadening / insulation before re-installing the carpet. Next. inside. If that driver's window has been hard to roll or power up? Maybe now is the time to remove the door panel and re-adjust and/ or fix or replace the nuts and bolts or regulator. That way, next season you won't have to open your door and holler out your order to the drive- thru kid for a large fries and a Billy Bob's Bacon double hamburger.An FYI here. If you have interior loose nuts reoccurring. I use the semi-permament motorcycle bolt and nut bonding paste. Do not use the permanent stuff.
9. Next up. HINTS !If you have a birthday, you could. give out hints of stuff you may have a need for to the people that would be blessing you with a gift on that day. It has been my experience, that lots of times the little woman doesn't instinctively embrace buying you a floor jack or a set of those ratchet box end wrenches. Maybe, you could hand her a pile of the subscription cards to the car magazines you'd like to receive, being sure to put the renewal for AUTO ROUND-UP on top of the pile.
10. Lastly. The SHORT LIST ?1. If you have an old time ignition points car? Maybe it's time to install one of those no points systems. 2. SHOCKS . The old hydraulic tube type ones only last maybe 20000 miles.3. MUFFLERS. Maybe ya' wanna' try a different set to get a louder or a quieter sound for your ride.4. RIMS and TIRES. Maybe it's time for the change from blacks to wide whites or a change to radial from bias ply's Maybe different accessory hub caps, mags, or up grade to factory wires.
The list can be endless.Be sure your ride is safe and ready for a fun time next season. Harv and I wish you all the very best this next year.
SCOOTER
scooter4422@msn.com
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