Re: [Amc-list] How I drive my cars/front brake drum resolution/generator vrs alternator

[Matt Haas <ramblerphile@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bruce,

Just remind them that your car was built at the end of the "hose it out, 
replace the windshield, and sell it to the next guy" era of safety 
standards. You could also make them watch some of the early crash tests 
they did in the early days of making cars safer (that or the driver's ed 
films I had to watch in the 80's -- at least your car would look like 
the ones in the films I had to watch). Seeing a crash dummy's head 
removed by the steering column should make them think a little bit.

Tires squealing around corners isn't always due to speed. Low tire 
pressure (or bad tires) or cruddy suspension design (think 80's Chrysler 
mini vans) can make for squealy tires.

I've also noticed that I drive my old cars differently than my truck. 
Besides being aware of its limitations (little safety equipment and 4 
wheel drum brakes), you are not isolated from the road like you are with 
new cars and I tend to pay more attention to things. Then there's also 
the AM radio issue. If it's anything like it is around here, chances are 
slim that your kids will be jamming to talk radio or a hell and brim 
fire sermon.

There is also one other thing that makes it harder to drive like an 
idiot: slow steering. I know you haven't driven your car much but since 
it's like 500 turns lock to lock in the steering, it's likely going to 
be more effort to take a quick corner than today's lazy youth is willing 
to put forth.

Matt

On 3/16/2008 12:55 PM, Bruce Griffis spouted this sage advice:
> I'm a grandpa driving kinda guy, too. Not a grandpa yet, but my kids
> are 22, 18 and 12 - so, ...
> 
> Anyway, I'm seriously weighing whether to let the kids drive the
> Rambler at all. We've had discussions about speeds and brakes and
> shifting - but I can hear the tires squeal on the corner when they're
> in the Miata or beating on my Corolla. Think once the Rambler is
> running right, I'll give them the grandpa's version of driver's ed.
> 
> (Although their real grandpa drove over 100 in his Windstar with them.
> New minivan, not paying attention to the speed - kinda got carried
> away. But we won't talk about how fast real grandpa's drive.)
> 
> On Sun, Mar 16, 2008 at 11:24 AM, Joe Smith <know_ware@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> I drive mostly like a grandpa.  I am not exactly a grandpa yet, but my identical twin has 2 grandchildren and all of our kids call us both dad, so we call me grandpa joe.  :-)
>>
>>  Regarding the front brake drums:  Doug Galvin found 2 that are still within specification in his parts yard.  I bought them.  I am also getting the alternator bracket from him and then I will purchase an alternator from TOPS Automotive in Santa Ana, CA on the corner of Bushard and Lincoln.
>>
>>  http://360.yahoo.com/karl_haart
>>
>>
>>       ____________________________________________________________________________________
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-- 
matt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
Cincinnati, OH
1967 Rambler American wagon
1968 Rambler American sedan
1978 Chevy El Camino

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