Morris Minor Owners Club

Totally agree. If you can't DIY it - then have it done 'professionally' - although I advise choosing the 'professional' carefully.

Great stuff! Keep 'em coming!

You'll know the minor inside out at this rate, maybe we could venture into all the other places that grease plays a part!

Or suggestions of how to deal with the damn stuff without it getting all over your hands, clothes, car, garage floor etc!
Oil too - just changing the oil filter can be a messy business An oil and greasing session tends to use up lots of my rags!

myoldjalopy wrote:Or suggestions of how to deal with the damn stuff without it getting all over your hands, clothes, car, garage floor etc!
Oil too - just changing the oil filter can be a messy business An oil and greasing session tends to use up lots of my rags!

That is the joy of classic car motoring

As regards changing the oil filter fit a canister type, so much easier and less mess generated.
I gave up on rags years ago now use tear off paper towels from a large roll.
The paper towel mops it up and then the towel can be disposed of. Great for lighting the fire with.

If you're worried about dirty hands why not use disposable gloves, and cover the floor area with a piece of polythene or something. Then the rest is down to how careful and methodical you are!

Hey Phil,
Great suggestion about using paper off a roll and then using it to light the fire - epic advice man! I guess many of us traditionalist nuts driving old cars also love a proper fire as well!

Got one roaring in the grate now Used sticks to get it going though

Me too! Paper and sticks....must remember to buy some paraffin for the lamp tomorrow - and purchase some gramophone needles

You reminded me, raid beehive for wax to make candles after I've dug out a new privy

Start fire by rubbing two Boy Scouts together

Steam Loco fire is lit with oil soaked rags......and a couple of pallets .... not useless 'paper'!

bmc
Thanks for the reminder - I must go and get some more pallets for burning on my wood burner.
I need the useless paper to light the fire.
I would not do without my wood burner. it is lit first thing in the morning if it has gone out overnight and is kept alight all day and banked up at night especially at this time of year. I get through about a ton or more of pallets and loads of well seasoned logs every year.
Plumbed into the central heating and hot water as well. Goes so well could easily make steam Lovely Jubly.
Phil

I've always wanted one - but SWMBO says no. Breaks my heart to see all manner of pallets just lying around - but I would need a trailer (and chainsaw) to collect them and cut them up.

Do not use a chain saw to cut up pallets - most dangerous as the chain saw blade can bite and throw the pallet and chain saw in the operators direction. I have found from experience that the best saw to use is a reciprocating blade saw with a nice coarse blade which cuts through the pallet wood like butter.
Now where did I put those fingers - and you think that I am joking I am not.
No pallet is safe when I am around only the blue ones escape.
Phil

Interesting journey from front hub grease caps to sawing up pallets! Where to next??

That is the joy of the threads on here a real variety and you never know where they are going to go next.
Regarding fire and steam here is one for bmc - I have recently learnt that the machinery that was in my workshop many years ago was driven by a large vertical boiler, single cylinder steam engine. The information and photo of the plant/machinery was provided by the granddaughter of a previous occupant and long term owner of the workshop and my house.
Phil

Excellent -I suggest you re-instate the boiler! The blue pallets burn best - nice and thick !

Everyone should have a wood burner or open fire. Should be written into law. Good for a house too, keeps the air moving.