Ja thanks for the very very helpfull info. I will need the spring type, but will have to make it myself. Wade's explanation is wonderfull. It is obvious that that man's got skills!

Because of all the politics with our bok coach and a quota system we are all saying that SA will probably never see the world cup again! So there might be a chance for the Wallabies sooner than later!

Hi Mal

I am very impressed with your cars as well as the trouble you go to with getting a hold of it and working on it. Really captivating reading.

It must be great to be able to pursue ones hobby and pasion after retirement. I am from South Africa and owns a 1950 standard 8. I am far from retiring (35) but really love old cars and working on them. I was lucky in finding my packard as they are scarce over here. I was interested in reading about your friend Wade fabricating a thermostat retainer? Could you maybe tell me what he used for this as I will have to make one as well.

I agree that one of the most enjoyable aspects of driving a old car is all the attention and questions one get when out on the road. Even in my 1961 Chev truck people are always starting up a conversation!

All the best with your projects and enjoy the drives!

Greetings to all the Wallabies!

Barrie

Update of the past weekends progress.

Removed all the left rear door inner workings and thourougly cleaned them. Surprisingly very little wear on the parts for the lock and window winder. Just old caked on hard grease. Also cleaned all rubber moudings on the quarter windows and treated with a rubber cleaner.

After a 2 day search found a size replacement for the oil filter locally. Will have to see if this is successfull, but it fits all right.

Noticed that the carburettor is a double throat Stromberg made in Australia!!?? Works fine.

Bled the brake system and the peddle is good, but the right front wheel cylinder seems to be frozen. At least I dont have to stop with the hand brake anymore.

Fixed the indicator stalk. Really only needed a cleanup.

Next will still be the cleaning and treatment of the door sills and cavities. Do not look forward to this!

Thanks for the words of welcome. I am sure that I will tap your knowledge exstensively!

I am a member of the Piston Ring Club Piston Ring
The old car scene is alive and well here in South Africa. our best asset is our hot climate and older vehicles are mostly rust free although sun bleached! There are various clubs and meetings held all over the country. We received most American automobiles in SA before the sanction years so you can still get them here. I also have a 1963 vw beetle, a 1961 Chevrolet Apache truck and a 1974 VW Jurgens Autovilla - a caravan built on top of a vw bus here locally in South Africa. Clipper47 - you must surely come for a holiday. It is relatively save for Africa and the climate and nature is probably the best you'll find. Natal especially is wonderfull with its tropical climate.

My standard is a right hand drive version and it is interesting to see the mods to the excelerator linkages and clutch. The excelerator doesn't link over the top of the head which probably makes it less complicated. It also has no heater, dont know if it was removed or just not installed because of our climate. There is no radio as well.

According to the previous owner, a collector of Packards, this is the only 1950 still driveable locally. He owns the other 3 but they are wrecked. He's got an exstensive collection of packards including a rare woody and also a 7 passenger.

During the weekend I did the following:

Replaced all water hoses and thermostat.
Removed and cleaned out the radiator which are surprisingly clean. Painted radiator, fan and water neck with heat resitant paint. Also flushed the head after 2 hours struggle to remove the copper bolt next to the starter. Eventually had to drill it out.
Cleaned out years of dirt and rust from the sill cavities under the doors. Still need to think of a solution to get some rust inhibitor in there. Luckily no rust through.
Removed rear door cards and painted inside of door with a tar like paint to prevent any rust.
Painted boot with rust inhibitor. No rust present.
Problems so far:
Squeling noise from water pump. Thought it was the old dry fan belt, but a new one didnt solve the problem. Probably a dry water pump bearing? No play is evident on the fan and pump.
Thermostat i got is a 82 celsius. Seems I need a 65 celsius? It overheated initially and now seems to settle down at around 90 celsius on the after market mechanical temp guage.
Replaced copper drain plug on block with a stainless steel bolt temporarily. Cant find a copper plug yet.

Next on the agenda is painting the cavities and replacing the door cards and locks/handles after a thorough cleaning. Also need to look at brakes as they are non existant - luckily the hand brake works great.

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Greetings from South Africa. This is said to be the only 1950 still driveable in South Africa!
I bought this car from a collector that has had it since 1994. Previously it was owned by anothet collector that did a nice restoration but over the years it was left alone and never used. Its condition deteriorated and he agreed to sell it to me. It was quite an adventure to get it home, but has already been registered in my name. We have a special registration option for cars older than 40 years where you dont need roadworthiness and the costs is less. I have started cleaning it and removed the deteriorated carpets. The engine runs very smooth and I replaced all fluids and filters. The chrome work needs attention. Next i will try getting a replacement oil filter...none found here in South africa yet.

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