Mine doesn't have the 3/8 reducer. The oil arrived today. Better one than non. Very happy and thanks again Tyler.
What do you make of the STP oil additive? I bought another for $7 from the Reject Shop to pour in the LTD after being rather pleased with the improved smoothness in my Laser.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Oil additives, now there's a large tin of worms to be opened. I think modern decent quality engine oils contain important additives and some oil manufactures claim additional additives can greatly effect the oils chemistry. It's purely an individuals choice to use or not.
Thanks wce for your input. I think I'll be returning the STP along with the dozen Purina duck and sweet potato gourmet cat food tins as Fontanelly is already showing signs she's over that flavour cat food! I'll leave the Laser to be the guinea pig as it has several oils in it's sump already.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
The only oil additive that made a huge difference to my motors was Bitron. One of the first things I noticed apart from a huge temp reduction on a hot day was the ache in the right ankle as I had to adjust my foot position and back off the pedal. Hard to believe but a fact. I used it for a number of years and then I could no longer get it. Another amazing example was the one for trans/diff and anything else you wanted to use it for, like drilling stainless steel. A mate of mine had a Falcon, XF maybe, and it would stall the motor when you were driving through a roundabout, foot off the accelerator and turning the power steering. All I had of that Bitron was about a teaspoon full, I put it in the power steering and bingo problem solved. Believe it or not
I noticed the temp guage sitting lower than usual as I was driving the other day NK. This was on a moderate temperature night but of interest non the less. The level rose to the usual temperature at one time at a set of lights. It was sitting 3/4 if the way to hot the last time I was in heavy traffic on a hot day recently. It was getting worrying. It needs a new radiator I think. It will be interesting to see the difference on the long climbs on the freeway where it regularly gets beyond the half way mark. I have been told that the oil tends to get very hot in the Laser's Mazda B series motor, especially when the oil is getting close to being due for a change.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Now the Camira is cooling system central at the moment. As I previously posted, I put in Nulon stop leak. Worked perfectly 3 drives then stuck the thermo shut and almost cooked it. I was standing at the side of the road shorting the thermo with fencing wire and smacking the housing with a spanner before it opened.
To its credit, even after flushing the leak slowed significantly and I haven't been worrying about it too much. Loses about 100ml over an hour drive. If I drove it every day, I would worry
Got all the parts to fix on clearance, so can't complain.
Replaced smaller thermostat housing ($11 instead $55), new tridon thermostat ($3.50) drilled with 2x 5/32in ? holes (can remember but sort of victa needle thickness size), reverse flushed and new coolant.
Goes up to a bit before half, thermo kicks in, back to 1/4. The problem is the gauges are known to give false readings, so I plan to run a test involving a multimeter, and a checklight. Checklight through thermo switch to see on off, multi between temp sender and ground. Check readings against gauge deflections listed in manual to see real temp.
My main back up is the knowledge that if it noticeably pings before 15 x10mmhg on the vac gauge, then its getting too hot.
I got the big thermostat housing base on clearance at repco ($35 is nicer than $212) and will install in december with new timing belt, and possibly one of my $5 repco water pumps if necessary.
Oil additives are a big can of worms. I have about 20 different sorts here I have either got given or paid under $10 for. Nulon worn engine repair does do what it says to a degree. Rislone oil stop leak works damn good - turned a briggs leaking its whole sump in a week to losing 50ml over 6 months. I have got other rislone, liquimoly and other ones I can't remember floating around.
You are one savvy shopper Tyler. I really need to learn to keep my finger on the pulse.
I'm sure some luck was involved though lol.
I really felt a buzz picking up the bottles of coolant and the 30 weight oil knowing I was getting a good deal on top quality products not easy to come by just walking into a store. I also would never have known about the Nulon motor oil deal without your head's up, and likely would not have considered buying if you hadn't recommended it. Very grateful.
Regards the STP treatment, it is a unique set of circumstances that led me to try it. I had done an oil change with about four different leftover oils from different brands to get rid of them and it hadn't quite filled the sump -it was reading half way on the stick. I came across it and thought why not make up the difference, I can always drain it. It did run smoother and felt slightly more peppy with throttle inputs but now just sounds normal. It does seem to operate at a lower temperature as well. I won't be using it in the Fairlane as that only has the Penrite which is an impressive lubricant in it's own right.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Seeing that SCA has lost the Bathurst sponsorship deal I wonder if their prices might come down a bit. As soon as Bob Thorn was out of the picture their prices rose significantly.
Repco sells items cheaper than SCA a lot of the time and I get far better service from the staff at my local store than the nearest SCA, although there is a guy at the SCA who the staff consult who is very good. It also helps that they employ some nice helpful young girls who act professional. Overall though it feels more impersonal than at my local Repco.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Would that Loctite epoxy be ideal for possibly patching exhaust/muffler leaks? Fairlane's muffler is leaking apparently. Do you know of any exhaust diy repair products on sale/pending sale?
Can you give run down on what that 3/8 gearless handle is good for?
Thanks Tyler, great stuff.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Honestly, I had a 5c piece sized hole in the Camira muffler. I put a thick smear of red hi temp RTV on it as a stop gap. After a few weeks, I decided to see how long it would last
That was 18 months ago minimum
The 3/8" head is a ratchet head, but doesn't make the clicking noise. Does both directions and is really handy when in tight spaces (eg Briggs quantum bowl nut). A regular ratchet wont find time to latch to the next tooth before the end of the handle is hitting the air filter housing, but on this one you could undo a nut a fraction of a mm at a time.
Valvoline Synpower offer $20 cashback on 5l bottles. It happens that repco have 10w50, 5w30 and 5w40 synpower for $24.75
So, providing the $20 rebate per bottle comes back, it works out at $4.75 for 5l of motor oil
It says for Street Machine Of the Year voters only, but it never asked me for anything when I just submitted the claim. I did however vote back when voting was open.
I have 6 bottles over 2 transactions as I am sure I read somewhere max 3 bottles per transaction.
NOTE - Do not do more than 2 transactions with same credit card in a given day, or Repco site will think you have a stolen card.
Had a good look through the black friday sales and cyber monday sales - mostly a WOFT. The only thing of note is 30% off penrite grease, and all fuel and engine additives which isn't bad.
However, the new repco catalogue was delivered today - not a great deal of specials either
From wednesday 2/12/20 they have Nulon 15w40 mineral oil 5L for $10. Limit 3 per customer (when autobarn have same offer its max 2).
For those who I haven't already bored with my oil comparison, Nulon is API SL, chock full of ZDDP zinc, good TBN (to cancel the sulfuric byproducts of 'blowby' gases) and has a very good shear resistance. It rivals SAE30 for use in briggs in my opinion; though you may use a tiny bit in temps 35 and above.
I have at least 8 bottles of this since I always stock up when I see it - good oil.
I would HIGHLY suggest doing a click and collect order on it as the deal comes live (midnight 2/12/20 AEDT) or at least before the stores open. Demand will severely outstrip supply. Autobarn have stock issues doing 2 bottles per person let alone 3.
For those of you who cannot get the nulon, Autobarn have gulf western 15w40 at $9.99 (2 per person) in store only. Note, this is a new formulation from GW with API SN which means lower ZDDP, and the TBN isn't as preferable either. I would comfortably use this one as flushing oil, or in a smoky old engine that is buggered anyway.
Most likely, it would do no harm to briggs either (since we know old ones will run on 200ml of tar for years)
Finally, if you must have SAE30, they have 30% off all motorbike and small engine oils. You'll get 5l of Penrite 30w for $30, or 5l of Repco 30w for $28. Also if you are tempted to get the $11 penrite greenskeeper 2 st oil, just trump (haha) up the extra $2.33 and get the penrite MC-2st Semisynth. Very good oil for the price.
