Whitworth tool find at the annual Big 3 spring Swap Meet, at Qualcomm (still going to be there tomorrrow if you can make it)

 All of these are at R H Parkers Garage, and it's under a large long grey canopy, about 10 rows from the North side of the Qualcomm parking lot
 This set is unusually helpful in that it has both Whitworth and British Standard sizes marked

 The Dowidat set is a German company, and good tools, I have a set of metric combo wrenches from Dowidatt
but the big score waiting for someone is this Bluepoint tap and die set, it's Whitworth. Only tap set for Whitworth I've ever heard of, a mechanics necessity

Cox racing fuel

 There was still about a half can left in it, and the seller wanted $50 for it.

Marc looked it up, it's 50% methanol, 30% nitromethane, 18% castor oil, and 2% Klotz oil

Penn State mission affiliate Pennsylvania College of Technology is going to start a auto restoration major

The restoration of a 1965 Ford Mustang convertible for the Antique Automobile Club of American Museum in Hershey has led to plans for a new major at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport.
Students at the special mission affiliate of Penn State restored the car for the museum in 2010. Last year, it won a first-place junior award at the club’s America eastern regional meet.

Because of that success, the college plans in the fall to offer a two-year degree in automotive restoration technology, which pleases Michael Barrett, executive director of the museum that will be a major sponsor of the program.
“It will teach a skill that has been lost over the years,” he said.
It is difficult for young people to get into the restoration field, only three other public colleges in the country offer such a course.

It is almost a recession-proof industry to work on high-end classic cars, unlike work in a body shop that often takes only days, restoration can take a year or longer and cost upward of $80,000. There are no computers or replacing a damaged fender with a new one, students will learn how to pound out dents and restore the cars to their original condition.

Williamson expects the first class to have 18 to 20 students. They will have to take collision-repair courses the first year, he said. Only students with at least a B average can opt to take the restoration course the second year.
They also could decide to complete their collision-repair degree and return for a third year for the restoration degree, he said.

Only serious students will be selected for the restoration program because classic car owners are very particular about their vehicles, Williamson said.

from http://www.pennlive.com/east-shore/index.ssf/2012/02/classic_car_restoration_leds_to_plans_for_new_major_at_pennsylvania_college_of_technology.html
via: http://multibriefs.com/briefs/vrl/index.php

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Keeping a camera handy while out driving about is a good thing, you might spot about anything




 You don't see these on the free way ever, especially far from the rich parts of town... and in the below image you can see how much they stand out among normal cars

 Cute little tiger tail under the trailer hitch
 hand made bumpers... don't see that often in this city with many parts junkyards
from bumper or push bar? And what could you push with an under-powered econo-box?

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Factory Mopar A833 transmission weight versus Passon Performance lightweight aluminum.

Weight was reduced 35 pounds.

Not only does Passon reduce the weight, they also sell new or rebuilt transmissions, and make a overdrive A833 that has nothing externally different http://www.passonperformance.com/

Swaybar weight reduction by Hellwig, went to tubular construction for larger diameter

I was just reading Mopar Muscle, April 2012 issue, and they have an article on the wieght reduction of a 1968 Valiant.

The tubular antisway bar is both stiffer and lighter than a solid bar

http://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/street-performance/tubular-sway-bars/