Rata Road

Thanks for that input I will see if I can find that or a similar rating. I just checked the drained oil and it is still frothy (45 hrs) but has settled down to about 1/4" froth. It was about an 1" deep or more when drained warm. I stuck a screw driver into the oil and as you can see in the pic the oil is clean but also very thick when cold. Its worth trying that synthetic.

I would remove and clean the sump before anything else if you haven't already.

I'm not sure as I've only had it for a few weeks. I checked the container today that the oil drained into and its still frothy on top 24 hrs later? I might take a pic of the drained oil tomorrow . I checked the fresh oil today after approx 45 min drive and its not frothy. However the syncro on 2nd gear is still non existent. Seems to go in nice every now and then but mostly crunches going both up and down!

Did your Buick make the same noise?

No its not milky in any way the oil is clean.

I drained the gearbox oil in my 39 Dodge yesterday after running it on blocks for awhile and was surprised to find it full of air, very foamy. Even after a long period the oil still has a thick layer of froth on top? Looks very clean, just frothy. Have you ever seen this?

I like the Xmas light option Wayne, never thought of that. Its a lovely thing to putt around town in and it was almost my daily driver for short trips, might struggle now as there more competitors in the stable waiting their turn lol. Gets lots of waves, toots and thumbs up as I guess being so unusual on modern roads.

Here is my 1923 Depot Hack. The previous owner had the body made to allow easy access and its brilliant for that. You sort of step up and walk in and sit. And its even easier to get out.

Just drained my 39 Dodge stock gearbox as it crunches when going into 2nd both ways when cold, its better when it heats up so I thought I would look at the oil first and then add an additive to see if it helps. I ran the car on blocks for 5 or more minutes then drained. The oil came out very foamy, 30 minutes later the bucket of oil is still very foamy? Oil looks clean. I was going to reuse the oil but the foaming is something I've never experienced so maybe I should use new oil. What would you do?

Should have listened to you Chris. Its in the rebuild shop now.....

You were a lucky Lad Mark. They were too expensive here when I was young.

I have the original paperwork and it was sold with an optional hardtop which is rare.

Today I dug the Midget out. Lovely wee car, being 1961 it's the first year of production, 948cc of raw power!...funny. And no the House bus isn't mine lol

Wayne this is the only known YB in NZ. The owner restored it in the UK then moved out here. I got it a couple of years ago from his estate plus a heap of parts he brought with him. TA - I agree its nice to have so many cars to choose from. Steve - Your correct its no racing car. They were sold as a Sports car for the family man but with a 4 cylinder 1250cc it wasn't. I think 71 mph was the top speed. Its a lovely car to drive. Apparently they were designed for a 1939-1940 release but with Poland being invaded all car production was halted in the UK until after the war.

This is a YB model MG. Same running gear as the sports cars but aimed at the family man.

1939 Dodge has just started doing this, I've had it just over a week. Previous owner had it for 45 years used off and on and kept road worthy and speedo never done it for him. Its does it when cold and slowly gets better as I drive along then goes away after a some miles. I pulled the inner speedo cable today and applied some lithium grease the entire length, it looks like it is much better now and I thought fixed but it came back at 40 mph. I spoke to a specialist rebuild company and they are sure its the bearing in the speedo itself although they say it should get worse as it heats up, which it doesn't. Any thoughts or suggestions I could try before I remove and post it away?

Funny you say that Gunsmoke, I've owned 3 Model T's for many years, just sold one in January, plus Ive driven several others and this car is just lovely to drive, easily the nicest driving T so maybe your right..

1927 Coupe I've owned about 8 years, imported from the USA by the previous owner. On one of our USA visits I called in to visit the old chap in upstate NY that restored the T, he thinks it was one of the last T's assembled in Buffalo.

I think the Dodge would have been Canadian assembled. The Rover was English assembled, its a 1951 but not registered in NZ until 53 due to slowing shipping and red tape. More pics of the Rover as asked. It has a 1957 Rover 75 motor in it but the original motor came with it which was getting a bit noisy in the bottom end, pic attached, maybe I will get that rebuilt and put back in one day who knows. 6 cylinder 4 speed column change. I got it off an old chaps son after he died last year in his 90's. Owned it for 60 years and always garaged when at home, the woodgrain etc has benefited from this plus underneath is dry and solid. Interesting fact the first owner was a wealthy store owner and his wife didn't like the colour when she saw it so it was painted cream. Old chap bought it in 62 and after some time the son said they were helping Dad polish the Rover one day and the cream paint was coming off so they cut/polished the cream completely off, the paint showing today is the original paint.

I think you are correct Rusty. Rover was seen as a gentlemen's car, smooth, quiet and good performance, they were expensive. I always think we are lucky in NZ as we never made our own cars. We had a vast array to choose from (and work on) like American, English and European makes in the early days then Australian makes were added from the 50's and Japanese from the 60's. I took the Rover out onto the open road when I had it out and 67 mph was it happiest cruising speed. This era had a free-wheel option selected by turning a knob which is cool. When selected you can change gear without using the clutch, downside is it has no engine braking when selected. Nice to drive around town, only need to use the clutch to start off or when stopping. Thanks

That's an interesting site. Thanks

Its good to run your vintage/classics. Today I took my 1951 Rover 75 (known as a Cyclops).

Thanks Rusty, I found his site. Really enjoyed the brake maintenance clip as I have purchased a Brake gauge from The Dodge owners friend unseen. It arrived today and I'm impressed, even has the original box & instructions.

To close this thread off for future reference. Following a decent open road run yesterday I found 50 mph (GPS) very comfortable easy cruising speed, 55 mph would be fine on a longer journey maybe more. At 50 mph it pulls away well to pass someone. I got 18.2 mpg, 10% town driving 90% open flat road plus over 10 mins of that was parked up idling so I'm sure I could get even better result on a cruise. I dont think the car has been tuned for decades so maybe there is improvement in that also. Note - Thats imperial gallons (4.54), USA gallons are smaller. Thanks for all your feedback.