Smiths Oil Check

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Bill_qaz
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by Bill_qaz »

Well Mike I can't decide if your comment is your humour or sarcasm?
 "fastidious characters whose cars approach perfection. (And Bill-qaz checks everything “before every outing”. I bet he includes the hydraulic oil too.)"

My car is far from perfection or standard, it doesn't use enough oil to require mid journey top ups. I have oil pressure and temperature gauges I keep an eye on during driving.The things I mentioned are just routine daily checks that were normal when the car was made. I check other service items regularly as well. But that is also because I enjoy doing these things as part of the classic car ownership. Its the same routine on the other 4 classic vehicles I maintain and drive on behalf of the owner.
If the op wants to fit the device, then great its his choice, his car.
As I said to each their own

PS still looking for where the hydraulic oil is :lol:
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by MikeNash »

I'm sorry if I riled you, Bill. (My family tell me I should take more care with my ideas on humour.) But the vision of you checking tyre pressures before every outing was too much for me. I know what you mean, that these old cars need their regular and frequent inspections, and it is especially important before and during long journeys. And I felt you were a little unfair on ddoherty958 (and you came in threes!) for he had found a device which checks the most important issue for engine survival, that it has enough oil aboard. I have oil pressure and temperature gauges, but they don't tell if I have enough of it, and in the end all A Series engine turn into oil burners.
So p'raps I did mean to rile you, but only enough to goad you into replying! MikeN.
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by MikeNash »

Ah yes, Mervin. The freewheel was really useful and much effort was put into freewheeling to save on petrol. Another feature was the chassis lubrication system in which every grease nipple (except the prop shaft) had a pipe attached to it down which was pumped small quantities of oil as you drove along. The pump was operated by the accelerator and intake vacuum, if I remember right. (Flexible pipes went to the front suspension, of course.)

I've wondered if such could be fitted to Minor. I don't see why not. P'raps ddoherty958 might keep his eyes open for one of those too.
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Bill_qaz
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by Bill_qaz »

Autolube was very common in the truck and bus industry, Tecalamit was a well know system with different size restrictors for tuning the flow rate to the different needs of various components. This was driven by the vehicles air system.
It declined with the introduction of sealed for life bearings and synthetic bushes and less and less grease points, even propshafts. Allegedly giving longer service intervals and less downtime. :roll:
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Bill_qaz
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by Bill_qaz »

MikeNash wrote: Thu Oct 30, 2025 7:36 pm I'm sorry if I riled you, Bill. (My family tell me I should take more care with my ideas on humour.) But the vision of you checking tyre pressures before every outing was too much for me. I know what you mean, that these old cars need their regular and frequent inspections, and it is especially important before and during long journeys. And I felt you were a little unfair on ddoherty958 (and you came in threes!) for he had found a device which checks the most important issue for engine survival, that it has enough oil aboard. I have oil pressure and temperature gauges, but they don't tell if I have enough of it, and in the end all A Series engine turn into oil burners.
So p'raps I did mean to rile you, but only enough to goad you into replying! MikeN.
I was not unfair on ddoherty958 I merely gave my opinion on the device he posted.
Yes I do check the tyre pressures before each outing, I don't know why this vision is too much for you as its a standard safety check.

But as I have said before " to each their own "
Regards Bill
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by CAR734B »

There's division with these, outrage, nay uproar on the Farina forum.
Some actually think you fit a Smiths Oil-Check for its function!

It says a lot about how some cars bring a mindset with them. It's interseting how differnent factions of the classic-car fraternity deal with what in my mind has to be the top-drawer favourite-of-favorite 'add-on' to any classic. They sell for silly prices - and I can see why the price is warranted.

Some do, whereas most classic forums just cannot get it?! And yet, go look - Interceptor and Stag owners form an orderly queue to fit one.

I mean... come off it, how far down the road of delusion do we have to travel? Do we own a classic b cause it's any good - your classic will be the the worst car for miles. Isn't that the point? We own our classics because they're fun!

You fit an 8-Track for the same reason.

Yes there's a nasal-voice beard element to classics, he'll know the part number to his clutch master-cylinder... best take the kill-joys out, shoot them and let the buzzards pick the bones - the rest of us get it. The Land rover crowd are amongst those that clearly 'get' it. The dimwits were few... The rest made me laugh.... see tis:

https://lr4x4.com/topic/108283-more-tat ... e_vignette
Last edited by CAR734B on Sat May 16, 2026 6:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
myoldjalopy
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by myoldjalopy »

Interesting - but that swipe at people in a Morris minor forum - all beards and brown beer :lol:
So, how true is it? I drink beer of any colour, if its good beer, but I haven't had a beard for over 40 years!
Come on the rest of you - are you all 'beards and brown beer'? :wink:
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Bill_qaz
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by Bill_qaz »

Got the beard but not a beer drinker :lol:
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by geoberni »

I grew a beard for Decembeard about 10 years ago and have had it ever sense.
It was a novel experience at the time because we weren't allowed them in the RAF, but since I left in 2011 the Regulations have changed and beards are now quite common when you see images of RAF personnel, right across the rank structure.

Brown Beer?
That depends on what it is and whether I like the flavour.
Basil the 1955 series II

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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by Mervin »

Beards, don't see the point of them. I am going to be shot down in flames, but I think it's just a "macho" thing. Just look at the number of feds you see with beards, trying to look well 'ard and scary. :roll:
Beer - bitter is my preferred, bottle, can or draught. Absolutely hate gnats pee lager!
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by CAR734B »

Let's face it, there's definitely a beard-brigade element to most marques. The Farina crowd are deinitely all of that. Only the 'facial-hair thing' as that thread hints, has gone to two broad stereotypes. The old guard - and we know who they are - else, those with tattoos and Audis.

======
I think it's just a "macho" thing. Just look at the number of feds you see with beards, trying to look well 'ard and scary.
======

Interesting? I cann't see them as intimidating/ the opposite. I simply ask why? I always think they smack of insecurity? "The lady doth protest too much..." and all that. And on young men, - like tattoos, those ready to be lead snf conform. In this case by fashion.
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svenedin
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by svenedin »

I don't have a beard and my preferred beer is bitter but I'll drink lager if it's all there is!

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1969 1098cc Convertible “Xavier” which I have owned since 1989.

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Bill_qaz
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by Bill_qaz »

I don't understand this pigeon holeing or stereo typing based on appearance. The beard, mustache is no different taste than a hairstyle.
I've had mine since it first grew 50+ years ago changed style and length on various occasions. Has absolutely zero to do with image but I still don't drink beer :roll:
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myoldjalopy
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by myoldjalopy »

Perhaps your beard has nothing to do with image, Bill, but I'll wager that for most 'beardies', it does!
This is just one of many articles about the psychology of beards: https://www.milkmanaustralia.com/blogs/ ... -about-you
There is, indeed, a stereotype of real ale lovers adorned with beards, but how many drive a Morris Minor, I don't know :lol:
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ndevans
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by ndevans »

Wow.

Are we really pigeonholing people for their choice of facial hair or type of beer?

Nice.
cheers N

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myoldjalopy
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by myoldjalopy »

ndevans wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 4:10 pm Wow.

Are we really pigeonholing people for their choice of facial hair or type of beer?

Nice.
No, not us - it was someone on the Landrover forum. But its only light-hearted quipping and not to be taken very seriously....
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by CAR734B »

I took it for light-hearted joshing. It's funny because it's true. Stereotypes become stereotypes because they're the unspoken statistical shorthand for reality.

It's not about me. I could thkweam and thweam about my teetotalling ways and my preference for a razor-blade, but there's little point - the sterotype hangs on me anyway.

Classic-car turn-outs see a high propensity for facial-hair. Fact.

People do things and proceed to believe their own cover story. It'd be too long ago to remember the real reason they started doing something in the first place.

You could definitely pigeon-hole / stereotype me based on my appearance. Nay... I say, "Bring it on!" No doubt about it - As seen at classic-car events - I look like the stereotypical average grumpy old c... er, man. In the current parlance, my demographic is stereotyped as 'toxic' [Until you want your boiler fixed]. You'll find me in the beer tent - missing a shave - drinking, er... guess what?
Last edited by CAR734B on Wed May 20, 2026 9:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
myoldjalopy
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by myoldjalopy »

Yes, very true - stereotypes exist for a reason, even if they are not an exact rule. There are plenty of 'types' out there! :lol:
moggiethouable
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by moggiethouable »

It is an interesting piece of kit, although I do wonder where you would get one now?
Ebay perhaps?
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Bill_qaz
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Re: Smiths Oil Check

Post by Bill_qaz »

:lol: :lol: :lol:
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Regards Bill
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